Slightly Random Bits and Pieces

I have several posts waiting to publish in my drafts folder, but none of them seemed to fit my mood today.  Instead, I wanted tie up a few loose ends, or bits and pieces as they're called on a dressage blog!

Without sounding corny, I'd like to welcome, and say thanks, to the many readers that have visited Bakersfield Dressage. Many of you might be surprised to know who visits this site.  In the last week, there have been viewers from Germany, Jyvaskyla, West Finland, the United Kingdom, Ontario, Canada, Halley, Idaho, Lynden, Washington, and many places throughout California, including Bakersfield.  If you are visiting this site from somewhere far, or even near, feel free to post a comment, click a Like button, or drop me a quick email.  I would really love to hear about your equine endeavors.

On a related note, I want to say to my horsey pals who have been posting on the "Who Said That?" page, keep it coming ladies!  I love to read what you write, and so do many others.  That particular page gets more views than any other page on the web site.  And if you don't feel like "writing," just give us pictures of your ponies!

And now some dressage-related items ...

As promised, Speedy G has had a week of rest with nothing related to work.  He's been lunged lightly a time or two and been turned out quite frequently, but he's had no under-saddle work.  Today he'll go out for a trail ride.  I am hoping to do my 11 mile loop, but that will depend on how he feels.  And before everyone gasps in horror, 11 miles - that's too far!  Remember that his previous job was endurance racing (well, riding in our case - there wasn't much 'race' in the speedy pony).  And while we don't compete in endurance races any longer, we still work on the trail and strive to maintain a certain level of fitness.  In fact, just about any horse who gets some type of regular riding can handle an 11 mile ride.

I've also mailed in my entry to Sunday's schooling show in Moorpark.  If today's ride goes well and tomorrow's visit goes well, we'll be showing, if not ... well then we won't!  So what's going on tomorrow?

... the chiropractor is coming!  I LOVE taking my horses to the chiropractor.  No matter how good, or bad, they feel before the visit, they ALWAYS feel better after being adjusted.  It is just a flat-out interesting experience.  If you've never had your horse adjusted (by a competent chiropractor), I strongly encourage you to give it a try.  If the chiropractor gives the okay, I hope to video Speedy's adjustment and post it on the blog.

No need to read this piece ... just my own thoughts.  I HATE writing about what I am GOING to do.  I'd much rather write about what I've actually FINISHED, but in today's case, it's what I needed to write about.  As I've mentioned a few times, riding and writing are my forms of therapy.  And today, I need some serious therapy.  I've had a very stressful last few weeks at work, but who hasn't?  I've also been worried about Speedy G not moving as lightly as I'd like.  Is he really stiff and sore, or is it just my own tension that I am feeling through him?  

Hence the need for some blogging therapy.  Have a great horsey-filled weekend!  Ride your own pony, give him a hug, and get back to Monday feeling refreshed and energized (that was for both of us)!