Author: WeAreOnTheLoose

After years of borrowing horses, working to ride and catch riding, I finally have my own horse, a spicy chocolate mare...but also a demanding day job (who doesn't?), a nerdy husband, a soccer loving kid who needs to be parented (by me, duh), and the ultimate trail buddy, a chocolate Labradork!

Testing to building

.Reading time 18 minutes.

To say that 2023 was a banner year for me seems wrong somehow, in the face of…*gestures at everything else*. Though to look back and not smile at all the miles we put in and highlights we found together, my spicy chocolate mare and I, rings hollow as well. I’m still mulling over a word […]

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Temper

.Reading time 8 minutes.

I don’t loose my temper often. I’ve worked hard to become an adult, a person who can pause just long enough in any given situations to avoid responding in a damaging way. That said, I’m still a flawed human, and last night showed it. Last night’s ride was…not ideal. We started off well enough, I […]

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Winter again

.Reading time 6 minutes.

This winter, more than ever, I’m determined not to loose momentum. Yes this is more a season of rest and being a home body, though there is plenty of learning to pack in for us; horse, human, child and dog all around. With my husband and I planning on a European trip next year, my […]

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Mental Work

.Reading time 8 minutes.

I had the opportunity recently to take Tarma to a riding clinic with a new to me trainer, Carol McArdle. I’ve been chewing on what I learned for a bit, and practicing a few things. With our endurance season over, it’s time to downshift and focus on the mental and more precise physical work that […]

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Saddle Bag Collector

.Reading time 8 minutes.

All horse folks have that horsey item they hoard too many of, and bags are my greatest weakness. I’ve been through so many saddle bags, and I’m always on the hunt for more. I’ve tried and learned I hate having a bag on me, such as a runner’s vest or thigh holster (they rub or […]

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Gratitude

.Reading time 9 minutes.

I have a bunch of other posts in the wings, we’ve had a fairly busy October! This is one I felt was important to get out now, as I’m filling out the form to nominate my Ride Manager of the Year for PNER (Pacific Northwest Endurance Riders). An endurance season isn’t a solo endeavor, and […]

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Drops of summer

.Reading time 5 minutes.

With the overdue fall rains coming home this weekend in force, I ducked out of work early to soak up the last drops of summer. I was supposed to have a dressage lesson but scheduling conflicts got in the way, though Tarma and I ended up have a stellar time together. I hauled the trailer […]

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Mount Adams, Vacation Mode

.Reading time 7 minutes.

This weekend I had the choice between a new to me endurance ride in Eastern Oregon, Lava Crest, or returning to Mount Adams Horse Camp to relax and explore a bit more. I wanted more time to prep Tarma (and myself) for our last endurance ride of the season, and I wanted to camp with […]

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Groundwork never ends

.Reading time 3 minutes.

Tarma was so soft and engaged when I went out into the pasture after work today, and I wanted to stay with this calm, open energy. Instead of working at speed in the round pen, we stayed grounded and worked on some ETS obstacles. After our last dressage lesson we really struggled with opening and […]

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Slide Into September

.Reading time 13 minutes.

I’ve been a bit mum as August faded into September. I had some things to sort out after Midnight Rider, in addition to Tarma’s mandatory post 50 miler rest period. A few post-MR things to note, now that the hubbub has passed: WHEW. I did not expect the pacing rabbit hole on a Monday night. […]

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