Right now the hardest part of the school day for this teacher is getting her ass in gear and going outside. The weather is now having an adverse effect on me. Like yesterday it was blustery and cold. Once I did get outside, I discovered that it was a tad bit warmer than yesterday. And after a bit the wind died down some. Yesterday I rode the more lengthy lower portion of the loop road with the wind first at my back so as to get that part out of the way first. I did the same today although it did not seem to matter as much.

With the horses, yesterday and today, I first rode the icy road. Most of the people I know are not riding at all because they feel that riding their horses on the ice is unsafe. They are right. But then they have reactive animals who they don’t ride much anyways.

I am calling what the horses and I are doing ice walking. We get out and, at a walk, we navigate the icy patches. There are some really tricky places where if we go in the wrong direction, our only option will be to have to cross an icy stretch. The horses seemed to have developed a strong sense as to what constitutes safe and unsafe footing. I am guiding them mentally, by offering directives. Twice, Tyra took a differing route. The first time her judgement turned out to be okay. The second time she ended up skittering across an ice

Hrimmi

path. On the second go around I wiggled my toes, made my arms heavy, and breathed. We made it okay – and I must say she acted really proud of herself.

I would expect that when riding Tinni, that he would be able, through the use of my body and mind, be able to figure out where to go because we have been riding partners for a long time. But I am surprised and gratified to find that the young ones are also doing the same. Tyra’s high point came today when she held still when the neighbor’s German Shepherd puppy came bounding out into the roadway, barking. The owner, yelled at the dog when it came to him. Smart rider, praised horse for remaining so calm. She did startle just a bit when the plastic on an RV flapped in the wind. However, there was no jumping around and bolting.

I continued, on the final stretch, that is after we turned onto Oceanview from Murphy, by unhooking the reins from their bridles and letting them go back home at their own pace. Tinni, Hrimmi, and Tyra all chose to walk with me – there was no bolting in the direction of home and the left over hay at the hitching post. And all went around to the far side of the driveway and walked the narrow non-icy section up the side. If they were stupid Arabs, they may have walked on the icy section and slipped around and perhaps fallen.

I then, in sequence, worked with all, and this included Raudi who did not get ridden, on carrot stretches and crunches on the mat, going over a pole and stopping, going around me while I stood in a hula hoop, and going ahead of me in order to stand in a hula hoop. Tyra and Hrimmi, they both enjoyed what they saw as fun games. Getting Tinni to stand on the mat was an accomplishment. I am still looking for a way to connect with Raudi.

I have my fingers crossed that tomorrow, the weather will be better. I need to start getting some mileage in. But I am most definitely making the best of a not so good situation.

Next: 95. 4/5/18: The Horse Life: The Importance of Rapport