Off to The Clinic

I've been trying to prepare since this past weekend, but last night I really wore myself out! Of course it was raining lightly, which is a good thing as we desperately need it, but it made loading a bit of a pain.

Speedy gets really excited when he sees me loading the trailer so I had to let him burn off some of the steam that was building. There was no way that I was going to risk a pulled shoe or other freak calamity so I pulled out my 30 foot cotton rope lung line and let him work out his wiggles that way. He can get ripping around pretty good with 30 feet of rope. After he was done, his legs were covered with wet sand/mud. It was worth it though; he'll be quieter this morning for having worked off some of his energy. 
Last weekend, I gave Speedy G a partial bath: head, neck, and legs, but after his evening "turn out," I had to give him another leg bath.

I also loaded my trailer with most of the other stuff that I need for an over night ride: the generator and gas can, the trailer batteries, saddle, show bridle, schooling bridle, pads, boots, helmets, shavings, feed, braiding box, and on and on. Since I've never been to a clinic quite like this, I really don't know if I should bring my show stuff or my schooling stuff so I am just bringing everything. I'll watch a few riders go and then decide how to dress both Speedy and myself.
 
I also tackled Speedy's HORRIBLE mohawk. I've "hidden" it in recent pictures because it so awful. Over the winter, I've been letting some of his bridle path grow out. It's a section about four inches long that is currently sticking straight up about five inches. I decided to braid it, but it didn't turn out very well. It's better than it was, but it's still a bit of an eyesore. Pictures later, I promise. I also braided his forelock which always turns out well. I'll braid his mane just before I ride as the running braid is quick and easy to do.

All in all, I was at the barn until six which meant that I was doing a lot of those chores in the dark with my headlamp, even the braiding. We'll see what that looks like in the light of day! I packed my riding clothes and food this morning and with any luck, everything will make it into the trailer.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to improve on what we've been learning and to come home with some extra confidence for this year's show season.  In case you missed it, here's the short video I shot of Christian Schacht at Horse Expo last year. See you on Monday!