Snowy days

Winter has definitely shown it's snowy face ;) Things have slown down considerably the last two weeks due to the cold and snowy conditions. The ring is currently frozen with a good bit of snow sitting on it and we have been segregated to riding around the farm and down the trail. We got a few lesson groups out on the trail and had a ball doing it, minus a few cold toes!

A few months ago we got together and tried to come up with cold weather activities for just these kinds of weeks. We held our first mini clinic this week about blanketing. We discussed the different kinds of blankets (turnouts/stable blankets/coolers etc), when to use the different kinds and how to fit/measure all of them. The topic was definitely fitting considering the conditions outside ;)

Here are a few links about blanketing--
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-keeping/horse-blanket-styles.aspx
http://www.doversaddlery.com/dover-library/a/437/
http://www.doversaddlery.com/dover-library/a/431/

This next week we are planning one on different kinds of bits + fitting a bridle correctly. If we do actually get to ride a bunch this week, we will push this topic to the next bad week!

Our new boy Dixon is doing really well. He has been doing Novice and Intermediate type lessons with both kids and adults. Thus far everyone seems to love him and he has yet to put a foot wrong :)