Weather Permitting!

It's almost Spring, or as we call it around here, Horse Hair Season!  

Riding lessons slowed quite a bit over winter, and now everybody's getting ready to ride.  I honestly believe even the horses are looking forward to having something fun to do.  

Riding in the great outdoors, without the protection of an arena, can present many challenges.  So what do we do when the weather isn't agreeable?  

There are a lot of learning opportunities, even if we can't ride.  

We can do "unmounted" lessons, in which we stay in the tack room, or under the shelter with the horses.  Learning about grooming, or all about Western tack, can easily fill an hour.  (The price is the same as a regular lesson.)

What if it's not raining anymore, but the horses are soaking wet and the ground is too muddy or slippery?  Bring your rubber boots, and learn about horse handling.  Leading a horse with a halter and lead rope is a great way to get to know the horse, how he moves, and how you can stay safe while handling him.

Of course, actually getting on the horse is the goal!  You might be surprised at how much weather can be tolerated when there's a horse involved.  But days that aren't so nice can be advantageous.  For example, cool cloudy overcast days seem gloomy but are great for riding.  It's not too hot, and nobody has to squint in the sun.  Days when the sky is white, and fluffy snowflakes are falling, are wonderful to ride.  In a few months, we'll be dealing with heat and sun, which are great but have their own set of challenges.  We can adapt.  We dress appropriately for the weather, and I can adjust the lesson plan to suit the weather and ground conditions.


But let's not fret about the weather.  When it comes to horses, there is always something to do, and something to learn.

Like I always say, any time with horses is quality time!