They say March is usually "In like a Lion , Out like a Lamb" in this area but mothernature is throwing us a curveball. It' s more like in like a Lion and out like a grumpy, hungry , just out of hibernation Grizzly Bear! We have had snow and winter weather advisories all week and it is to continue through the end of the week. The weekend looks promising however, climbing all the way up to the mid to high 4o's. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will begin to pull out of this winter like weather trend very soon. This week , as a result of the weather combined with working 12 hour days , is a wash as far as conditioning goes, which has me a bit grumpy. However, there is an end in sight.
Thanks to a wonderful boss who is willing to make some exceptions for me, she approved me to work short days twice a week. This week was suppose to begin those abbreviated work weeks through the ride season but with things at work, that may get delayed until the end of April which is fine given the weather forecast !( maybe the weather is cooperating on my account afterall since I can't start the schedule yet.) This schedule opens up a number of doors for my summer and helps ease the job fatigue I have been struggling with of late.
That being said, I will have quite a bit of time to pursue not only a heavy conditioning schedule for endurance, but more training time with the other horses and maybe I will be nice and get restarted on groundwork with Brego for Tom. Brego really needs it! I hope to also use this extra time to do some other things like enjoying some of Montana’s great outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and gardening, which I love but never have the time for. The best part about all of this is that I won’t have to fret as much about when I can fit in conditioning rides when there is laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping, meals to cook and all those other nagging chores that need to be done. Last year, I was run ragged with everything that needed to get done when I started the conditioning program with JB and trying to balance that with working 50+ hrs a week. This schedule will be a big relief.
So, being curious by nature, how does everyone else manage their work schedule with conditioning for endurance and balancing all the other aspects of life? Anyone have any secrets they would like to share?
4 comments:
I'm not conditioning an endurance horse but for a show schedule for jumping and dressage. Need to keep my boy and me well conditioned to keep going without injury through the show season. I too, can make myself crazy trying to fit it all in! I just try to remember at the end of the day I am still just doing it for the love of my sport and my horse and that we should be enjoying ourselves!! Try my best and let the rest go, or at least try too! Wish I could add extra hours into the day.
Good luck with your conditioning, I enjoy your blog and reading about a different aspect of horsemanship.
Stephanie; showing is just as demanding, with all the grooming, clipping, bathing , etc! Whew... it is a lot of work and time.Like you, tired and exhausted, I love it just the same! Carry on!
Hi Jonna, I was thinking about your question. Sounds like he is just really tight on the left side of his body. (Fawkes had a really tight left neck when I got him) I would try carrot/treat stretches on the ground. Put the treat by his barrel and have him reach around for it with out moving his feet. He will have to loosen up and give a little to get it. And under saddle I would try doing lots of counter flexion to the right when traveling to the left, especially on a 20m circle. With transitions back and forth from counter flexion to straight to regular bend and back. And even some leg yielding to the left, so he is bent around the right leg and moving his barrel over. And even some turns on the forehand from the ground or under saddle.
It will take some time but I am sure he will loosen up and re-build muscle in the right places.
Hopefully I gave you at least one new idea to try!! Good Luck!
Thank Steph. Sounds like I am on the rihgt track then. I will be posting soon about some other things I have been trying, along with some photos.
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