Rain, Rain, Rain

Rain, Rain, Rain

It has been a near record month for rain.  There have been plenty of days that we couldn't cross the river.  The horses have gotten so good on the hill!  Since they repaired it, we have started to work on trotting up it, again.  Sure, trotting up a hill should be no big deal, at all, but when the barn is at the top of the hill, right across the street, that is a different matter. 

I started by doing short trot stretches up the hill when I was riding by myself.  In the beginning, Cole was very excited.  In time, we increased the distance and went closer and closer to the end of the trail.  Of course, we were trotting on the flat parts away from home, too. 

Kevin was doing the same thing with Starry when he was riding him on the hill by himself.  Finally, it was time to put them together.  Cole initially thought that was great fun.  We had to do short stretches in the beginning--just like when we were alone.  As the days went by, we lengthened the distance and eventually we were able to trot all the way to the top.

And then we noticed them going slower and slower each trip up.  We had succeeded in completely demoralizing them.  They knew they were no longer trotting towards home--and that trotting up hills is  a lot of work. 

The last trip up the hill before going home--we always walk that.  The theory is that the horses will learn they aren't going home unless they walk up the hill.  It seemed to work when we used to do it with Cruiser, Ranger and Mingo, years ago.

We are so grateful that the park fixed the hill.

There are days that we can cross the river, but it is still a bit too high for Ellen to cross.  She only got to ride a few times this month, so her confidence is back to zero for crossing the river.  This has been a terrible year for her as far as trail riding.  She prefers to work in the arena instead of riding up and down the hill, so at least they are able to work on their training issues in there. 

The only bright side of all of this is Cole's shoes had no trouble lasting 8 weeks, this time.

The weather trend seems to be changing to hotter and drier--in other words--more normal for July.  Here come the bugs!!!