Hibernating

I tried to post last night, but it appears that the internet pooped out again.  We recently made the switch to broadband, as it finally became available in our area, but there have been some hiccups along the way while they get the service fine-tuned.

I don't have a whole lot to report.  The weather (over 10" of snow in November-December, when we usually have only a scant few), work, and the holidays have not cooperated with my desire to ride.  I was able to ride a little here and there in early December, but ice storms followed by snow later in the month put an abrupt end to that.  I can't really make any real progress with Lar riding only once or twice every few weeks.  At least he doesn't seem to be regressing much under saddle.  It has been so bitter and unpleasant (and I'm such a wuss when it comes to the cold) that I haven't even done much in the way of groundwork or grooming lately either.  They get their daily check and feeding, of course, and I like to hang out watch them eat, and press my face against their warm necks when I'm not freezing my butt off, but other than that the ponies have been spending the days snuggled up in their warm blankies and chowing hay, lots and lots of hay.  Meanwhile, I've been cozied up inside by the fire, hibernating the winter away and doing the not so fun indoor things that I have a way of putting off during happy fun warm season.  Pining for Spring.

The farrier came out today.  Legs got her shoes pulled for winter (finally).  I usually try to do that before the snow flies, but this year it was an early visitor that decided to make itself at home.  The old girl might get an occasional light hack, but not much more while she's barefoot over winter.  Lar's been feeling rather full of himself as "King of the Pasture" lately - enough so that I'll sometimes change the order I feed them to curb his pushiness at feeding time (a heartless exercise in torture and denial from me in his mind) and today he tried to grab a taste of Lee's neck while I was opening the gate and I was practically between them (a BIG no-no!).  You would't guess that he's almost 8, since he and Lee (the 20 yo) are carrying on like colts.  I guess the weather's got them feeling like petulant children at recess, too. 

There was still snow, but the underlayer of ice was gone and the ground frozen enough to be firm beneath the snow, so I grabbed the lunge line, peeled off his blanket, curried off the mud bits, and slapped on the splint boots.  I'm sure glad I opted for lunging instead of riding (if it had been Legs, I would have had no hesitation getting on her no matter how long ago she was last ridden.  With Lar, discretion proved to be the better part of valor!).  He gave an impressive display in airs above ground, and showed off his trotting and bucking prowess without any provocation on my part.  He eventually calmed down enough to mostly pay attention to me, but I know we've gotten rusty on lunging cues and maintaining his attention span.  I sure wish the weather would cooperate, as I'd really like to get back to a steady riding routine again.  Lacking all-weather footing or indoor accommodations, I'm very much at the mercy of the weather and ground conditions.  We're poised for a warm-up at the end of the week, which should kill off the snow, but it's bringing rain, which will just mean more mud.  Nothing much further to report right now. 

As a sidenote, give your ponies an extra hug next time you see them.  My friend M unexpectedly lost her faithful old mare to colic last week.  She was a good mare and will be sorely missed.