Bitless Endurance?

There sure are some uh... strong opinions on both sides of the bit vs bitless camp if you will. I have been reading some of them. I think it would be the most convenient (for me)for endurance to go bitless. I think it would more easily allow for drinking and eating on the trail. I will divulge a secret now. I have never purposely let a horse eat while I was riding it. I'm not saying a few of my craftier steeds haven't managed to snatch a bite on a trail with high grass covered banks but it was a rare occasion. It was even rarer that they managed to keep that bite. I'm not to slow when it comes to snatching stuff right back out of their mouth whether I'm riding or not. I know that's so mean. I'm evil and should obviously be banned from horses forever. However since there is no "OMGyoudidn'tletyourhorseeatwhileyouwereworkingsoyourevilandbannedfromhorsesforever!" committee, I guess I'll just keep on truckin'. 

Random Thoughts on Future Endurance Gear:Saddle

He is always mugging this muck tub. It's completely destroyed as a bucket and we don't put anything in it but he just regularly raises hell on it. I will try to get a good video of him doing it. He does a quality levade(collected rear), a really high and crisp capriole(just google it), and then he will get down on his knees and fight the bucket like it's an offending stallion. All of this of course is interspersed with plenty of bucking and farting. He slings it around and mock charges it. Then usually he likes to chase BOB(my husbands mare) around with it. You don't get too close when he has his muck tub. He wants to play and he will very adeptly beat the shit out of you with it.

The Fat Pony Exercises:Rev Channels His Inner Lipizzaner Stallion

Rev finally did a little work. Not much but we have to start somewhere. This is his second time on a lunge line instead of "free" in the round pen, so it was interesting. He actually did really well. Maybe tomorrow We'll try it with a saddle. In the pictures where he is zooming note his eye. It's still very relaxed and unafraid he's just having some fun. Going back and looking through the pictures it's nice to see that his ear is still on me paying attention as he drags me around ha ha. His excitement was after some walk and trot in both directions and we cantered a few laps to the left. I asked for canter to the right and I think he just needed to get the zoomies out. Which is fine he tried so hard to be good. 

ZOMG!!!

Maintenance Post: Trimming

Rev Pony finally got half a trim today. Ahem That sounds bad without a little follow up. Basically since we just moved here and we don't have the most ideal set up for grooming/tacking/trimming/etc.(meaning we don't have a hitching rail or wash bay set up yet.) My husband was at work, so I finally tried out tying him to the tree. The tree has no place to tie. I have to rig a rope up around a huge branch and then tie to that rope. Rev disapproved being tied like some sort of savage but he tolerated it well. Considering it was a little wobbly and weird and bark from the tree was falling on him, and the chickens and the dog were vying for hoof trimmings. Note to self: Rev is a good boy and deserves a legit setup.

Excuses. Excuses.

 Enter the crappiest weather ever. Currently it is 90*F. Weather app says that it feels like 109*F and there is a true deluge of rain with a side of thunder and lightening. So since the last post where I was going to trim some feet and so on it has been like this. We are moving to our new farm next week and don't have our barn built yet(but soon precious. Very soon). 

I Present To the Court: Subject A

His Holiness The Reverend Egg(AKA Rev)

Meet Rev. Sometimes known as "Egg" or assorted other names that may eventually be named later. 

He was almost permanently called "Egg" because I called him that so much other people did too. Then I heard my poor pony called Egg and freaked one day and named him "Rev" short for the Reverend Egg. 

Here Goes Nothin'

"Here goes nothin'" is probably pretty close to "Hey y'all watch this" and honestly I think I'm closer to the latter. This is going to be a journal of me and my horsey adventures. I will do my best to be as honest and accurate as possible and will not delete posts. My objective is going to be becoming an endurance rider.

I have been riding for 25 years now and have ridden many disciplines however I will be a total noob at this. The prospect is both exciting and terrifying. Truly I want to ride 100 miles in one day on one horse but baby steps mkay? I have spent the last two years reading every endurance blog and have bought a couple of books to be sure that it's what I really want. It's a major commitment and I want to take it seriously. Honestly, I have also finally reached a point in my life where I can start. 

If you're wondering why I didn't start sooner the answer to that question is a two-parter:

1.)I was busy working on other people's horses(more fun discussions on that to come). I made time for everyone's horses but my own. Not that he was neglected at all in any way but let's say he's six and ready for a job.(Should be fully mature though so nobody can say I started him early and broke him down lol).

2.)This is a massive undertaking and I needed to be sure that I would be able to finish or continue what I am starting(with the exception of major issues but without interference from standard daily living). My wonderful husband and I have moved to a new state and farm and we are in a position to begin.

Now, all of this brings me to the equine half of this Endurance Team. I guess I'll tell you about the Reverend next!