What a week!

What a week it has been...
To start with the good things. I had another lesson on Java. I was super worried about this lesson due to the 30 mph wind. Java is a nut in the wind.
The day didn't start well, he kicked out at Pepsi and got me in the ankle. That didn't feel great, but he didn't mean it and knew that he was in trouble. I let him loose in the arena for about 10 minutes and he ran like a mad man. He walked in circles while I was saddling him and when I was getting on. Once I was on he went to work. It was one of the best rides I have ever had on him. He is still VERY green, so we are working on softening to the bit. He was finally figuring it out today, and I am looking forward to what the future holds for him.
Addie and Pepsi have been hanging out. Last week was cold and windy and this week is so windy you can barely go outside. Friday the temperature is dropping down another 30 degrees. Yuck!

Yesterday was a tough one. I work with 7 horses every day of the week. One of them has had DSLD for the last few years. This past year has been much worse for her. She was struggling while getting her feet done, and had just not been feeling her best. We made the tough decision to have her put to sleep before she was in more pain, or unable to get up. I am comforted by the fact that she went quickly and painlessly, and that she will no longer be in any pain. But I will sure miss her.

New Year 2017

I have never been one to make resolutions, but I definitely have plans that I would hope to complete this year.
1) Riding my own three horses. - I ride horses all the time at work, but this year I have different goals for each of the horses.

•  Java - I took my first lesson on him this week. He is so incredibly green that I always felt it wouldn't be worth it. We had a great lesson though! We did a ton of trot work, worked on his canter (which was my biggest concern, he has only cantered 5 times before with a rider.) He was a good boy, but I think he thought he was going to die, that was just to much work! So my goal for him this year is to get him going well W/T/C, Maybe even showing at the end of the year. We'll see!
• Pepsi - I want to get her going with a bit more english collection. She is a western pony through and through and will hold herself with loose reins, but hates contact. I want to really work on this, as I have just kind of rode her like a western pony in the past. 
• Addie - I will be happy if I can even keep her sound enough to ride this year! I have started her on Adequan and so far her attitude has improved, so I am hoping for the best. 
• Ride at least two of them twice a week!

2) Riding Dazzle at least twice a week. Shouldn't be to much of a challenge, but I get overwhelmed easily. 

3) Go on more trail rides, or fun shows where there is no pressure for the horse or me to get a blue ribbon. I just want to have fun and learn to enjoy taking my horse on the road again! I wouldn't mind signing up for the AQHA riding log thing. (I never remember what they call it.)

4) In general I would love to ride 3-4 days a week and just enjoy my horses again.

Of course I have some non-horse related things I would like to do, but I think we can stick with that here.