Spring means poop

Spring seems to have finally made an appearance, which is so nice, yet means that there is SO much to do. Clinics at the farm start this Saturday, so now myself and my dad are frantically trying to get pastures scraped so that the farm doesn't look disgusting and so there is parking for everyone. We started on the pony field this weekend, and it took about 5 hours to semi-finish. We couldn't complete it given all the ice under the mountains of poop. I don't understand how little animals can make so much mess. It looks better already though, which makes me happy, even though my hands ache from shoveling. 

Brody loves water. Piper loves playing with Brody.

Piper and I had a great ride together yesterday; most of my ride was just walking around on Lily coaching Piper on Cross, but then we did a little bit of trot work. Nothing spectacular, as in the middle of our ride, a client came by to talk about her new horse who is arriving next weekend. 

I'm super impressed with how well Piper is doing though. It really is true that being around horses constantly and observing makes you learn so much faster. Piper just turned 7, but is already so knowledgeable about some things, and is able to get her pony ready almost 100% by herself. She is going to show Cross in the w/t division this year, and I'm going to let her do the x rail classes as well. Hopefully Cross will behave herself and not run around like an idiot. Time shall tell.

I'm super excited for the dressage clinic this weekend with Briannon Johnson. I have been riding with Bri for about 3 or 4 years now, and she is such a fun coach and friend, and also someone who I find I can really talk to about the equine industry. I am likely just riding Lily, as Zippy I feel is still too green to really benefit. I might change my mind though, so we'll see. 

I started Zippy on Omeprazrole last Thursday to treat suspected ulcers, and the change in his behavior already it amazing. He's a very lovey guy, but does not like it when you touch his girth area. I'm definitely regretting that I didn't do the Omeprazole earlier, but at least he's on it now. I'm really hoping it'll make a difference under saddle as well, as sometimes he's very sucked back and behind the leg. I'm really looking forward to this season with him!

Zippy enjoying the sun and his first naked weekend of the year.

Spring is here... Or not.

Here in Ontario we are having what is hopefully our last blast of winter. Today and yesterday have been cold, and rainy, with freezing rain and ice pellets, and snow. Super fun. Today is a high of -5 with gusts of wind up to 75 km/h.

The last month, aside from this weekend, has been awesome though. Lily and Zippy are getting fit and started working in the sand ring last week. Lily seems to have matured over the winter and is ready to work in a more upright frame. Zippy is very much still a baby, but given he just turned 6, that's fine with me. I'm super excited to compete them both this summer.
I've also started working with my friend and boarder's Hanoverian mare, Huxley. She is an 8 y/o 16.3 mare by Harvard. She is so lovely and I know she will be amazing with time; she is just so so green right now. We are just working on being steady and developing the muscle to be able to hold the same pace. Nothing too exciting, but I'm hoping to do some stuff with her this year too, just w/t dressage and maybe the hacks.

Huxley

Things are getting busy for spring, as I start holding clinics on April 28, beginning with a dressage clinic with my coach, Bri Johnson. I'm excited to get down to business and really start working on things. 

The following weekend I am holding a jump clinic with event rider Curtis Barbour. This is Curtis' third year doing a clinic at my farm, and it's always a ton of fun and well attended. Last year we had to reschedule to June due to a downpour, so I'm praying for good weather this year! 

Lily and I at the Curtis Barbour clinic last June

This year my friend, Tori, and I are also running a short course series. Tori used to run 3 a year at her old farm, and since moving, there have been no short courses in this area. So we are running the "Boss Mare Short Course series", one at my farm and one at her parent's farm. We have already had such huge support from local businesses; I'm really looking forward to it!