hello...

I quite hadn't intended to have a month-long break from writing, but there you go... Blame it on the heat that has now been delighting us in Finland for over a month. It's been fab, although a little challenging, as can't work horses in the heat of the day. I have also learned that in hot countries people exercise their horses either really early in the morning or very late at night. 

Here in Finland, even though warm summers are a common occurrence, consistent temperatures in the high-20s or low-30s, for over a month, is not a common occurrence. Usually, heat waves are done within a two-week period or so... But I am not complaining. It's been great and horses have been super-chilled. 

Perhaps the reason I haven't written much is that our life has been a bit samey of late... In a good way, though. We have been hacking a lot, having some flatwork lessons and been jumping too. General life, I guess. I have also been trimming Rainbow's hooves myself! I do have a trimmer coming to see us this Friday to check my handiwork. Luckily R is so calm she has let me faff with her feet a fair amount... For I am not yet very quick at it! Also, it's been extra 'fun' to do it in the heat; weight loss guaranteed, sweat so much.

My next challenge, which I am sure I will find motivation to write about soon enough, is probably trying out bitless. I have been wanting to do it a long time but feel now it's the right time. 

i ordered an Orbitless bitless bridle for Rainbow upon a recommendation from a friend in the UK who uses it on her horse. I also bought a Monty Roberts Dually Halter finally, as feel it might be useful in teaching R the concept of bitless and also for other groundwork type working with her. 

Then I also purchased a riding pad for riding without a saddle. I have now tried bareback with Rainbow a couple of times but it's not super-comfortable trying, for example, trotting. So the pictured Best Friend riding pad was a godsend. I have tried it once and will try make working without a saddle a fairly regular thing for us. 

Images below are curtesy of Orbitless Bridle and Best Friend. Linked as above.