January catch up

Wow, I'm happy to say January has FLOWN by.

Temps have been crazy (I know with everyone else too) so it's made for terrible footing and limited working out/riding.

Can you tell?
BOOM.

Fat pony alert

 Laz is due for a trim next week, it's been since Dec 13th and he's been doing well.

Still a bit toe first on his landings but I'm not sure what else I can do about it. 

I've tried 4 great trimmers, tweak(ed)ing his diet, and even prior to going barefoot, while shod, before he got sick, he was toe first....could just be him compensating for something I can't fix??

Oh well, he's happy and as sound as he's ever been

I would like him more trim and fit but I'm hoping this month we will be able to do that if footing can stick to either being frozen or melted. The frozen pools of ice below snow or frozen uneven hard ground makes for a crappy time. Here we worked on the ONE section of grassy snow that I found.

We have gone for our road rides where we mostly walk, work on brain excersizes and do some light trotting where it's safe to.

I rode him in his new (too small UGH-horse size, has his head gotten fatter??) lime green rope halter and reins and it was a HOT mess.

He just didn't respond the same as in his bitless and was MUCH MUCH more feisty.

No big deal at the walk, but asking for trot/canter was too much power with no brakes.

Basically means I'm not riding correctly and am relying too much on my reins. I like to try new things to figure out some honest truths, and I got one.

Laz is great at saying "UM no...I won't hurt you, but this is NOT cool"

Fine for a hack down the road but a bit unnerving feeling like I didn't have the same communication.

But it's SO cute. LOVE the lime green. LOVE it on his bay skin

On some of the colder days (below zero) I've opted for Laz to wear his blanket.

He is ALWAYS warm when I check him, it's shocking. I really think he doesn't need it, but I sleep better. He is naked lately (20's) and very fuzzy warm with LOTS of hay. There is always hay for them---love that!

The herd; Red, Laz and Pito-all OTTBs

They really stick all together which is nice. No bullies

They are all sweet curious geldings...we miss our Justin but they are adjusting 

Red is above Laz, Laz is above Pito and Pito is above Red, lol. 

How did that work out?

I barn sat for a weekend which I love to do

 And snuck from Michigan to Naples, FL for a quick 4 day girl friend getaway.

It was beautiful and relaxing

and full of seafood (holy crab legs!!!!)

And some fun images of the furry babies

Laz kurflupping on my phone

 Mason zooming...

Pudgie hating the cold

I really want to schedule a lesson for Laz and I and get back on track with our 'training'

I just feel we are riding a bit unfocused and I like a task/goal

I'm sure Fatty will disagree