The Rain Finally Goes Away

Olivia   January 16, 2017   26 Comments on The Rain Finally Goes Away

It finally stopped raining long enough for us to ride this weekend. Which was really too long for the ponies to have off. I think I’ve ridden Levi twice so far in 2017. Levi and Eugene were both packing a ton of pent-up energy, which you may have seen on my Instagram.

It needs to stop raining so this nut can get some exercise. #blmmustang #horsesofinstagram #raingoaway

A video posted by Olivia @ DIY Horse Ownership (@diyhorseownership) on


Our arena was still closed with large puddles in a few places and the trail to the winery had a mudslide blocking it about half way up, so we wandered out in the other direction. Unfortunately, Levi’s feet were ouchy on the gravel so we only went out a short bit. My farrier said it’d take about a year to get his feet hardened. He’s come from living in sand/mud paddocks for his entire life and his feet aren’t built for this. He advised me to get shoes in the summer when we start riding more. At Levi’s most recent trim, the farrier found a bunch of bruising. I’m going to measure him for boots, but I didn’t have them for this weekend, so we took it easy. After we got out to the park, I hopped off and let my husband run Eugene up the hill and back.

poor boy

poor boy

Levi lost his mind for a moment and it was actually a pretty good opportunity to school him on keeping his attention on me and not on his herd mates. He is very, very herd-bound, so horses leaving him is probably his worst trigger. There was quite a lot of spinning and screaming until I got him to focus on me.

giraffe

Abandoned Giraffe Mustang

Once Eugene returned, I hopped back on and we returned to the barn. Despite his antics earlier in the week, Levi was actually very well behaved. When we got back, I turned them out to roll and then free lunged them a bit. Eugene was running around like an energizer bunny, but Levi just kept trying to go stand in the corner. Or play biting games with Eugene.

I think the mural on the hay barn really ads to this shot. #horseart #blmmustang #lunging

A photo posted by Olivia @ DIY Horse Ownership (@diyhorseownership) on

Unfortunately, it’s slated to start raining again on Tuesday and continue through the next weekend. If it ever stops, I might get to ride 4 times in January. We’ll see. Of course, Levi, being a giant white pig, loves the mud.

mudbeast

26 thoughts on “The Rain Finally Goes Away”

  6. jenj

    Definitely recommend boots! My guys are fine barefoot most of the time but when it rains their feet get soft and then the rocks are a challenge so we boot for trail riding.

    Also there is NOTHING happier than a muddy white horse. Nothing.

    1. Olivia Post author

      We use boots on all the rest, I just hadn’t bought him any yet and was kind of hoping I’d get through the winter without them and then just shoe in the spring. I am going to order some this week though.

  8. Hannah

    Hey, piggy pig pig. Levi’s a little squealer that wallows in muck. You should change his color to pink, and get him a piggy nose and curly pink tail to wear out on the trail. That way, when he’s squealing his little head off at Eugene like that, people will look over and understand exactly what’s going on.

  12. Stacie Seidman

    I find mother nature to be a real hindrance at times! I hope they’re wrong and you can get more riding in! If it makes you feel any better, none of my horses at home have been ridden since early December. They should be a real treat come spring!

  15. rooth

    We’ve gotten a ton of rain and mud and my horse loves to roll more than anything else so I feel you on the mud-covered horse

  16. Miriam

    Hi Oliva, Levi’s foot looks overtrimmed to me. Take a look at Rockley Farm and the hoof guided method for a different perspective!

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