Ridin', Writin', and 'Rithmatic

I do not understand why so many past cultures developed fear and contempt for the number "13" when the number "24" is out there. "24", as in the number of hours in a day, is the real problem number. For over twenty years my schedule has been tight with little margin for irresponsibly wasting time. For example, I have long known that if I sleep much past 3:00 a.m. it will be nearly impossible to get my morning work done. Lately I have found myself consistently sleeping until 4:00.

For about a month now I have began my mornings by running a horse five miles. Several of my riders have joined me for these 7:00 a.m. rides. It is the most enjoyable form of intense exercise in which I have ever participated. I weigh about ten pounds less than I did this time last year and several of the horses are also in the best shape that they have ever been in. The calorie burn for a 190 pound rider while cantering is nearly equal to that expended while jogging. This morning I woke up at 3:00 so I have a bit of time on my hands and plan to canter two horses for 5 mile stretches. It will be the first time that I have cantered 10 miles in a morning.

The downside is that I do not have time to write, whether on the book that I am working on or on this blog. One must prioritize. I have decided to burn hay while the sun shines and catch up on my writing in the fall. It is frustrating because I have stumbled on some great information on equine nutrition, erosion control, dry lot utilization, and hoof care.

Perhaps I will be able to squeeze another hour out of that 24 and get some more work done soon.

201 Posts

I was surprised to notice that I have posted 200 times on this blog. Time moves on. School is out for my riders and for my purposes, summer begins tomorrow. We are going to have a few new programs this summer.

Operation Iron Horse--Each day I will be exercising different horses on a five mile canter that begins promptly at 7:00 am. This timing allows my adult riders and I to get into the office on time and allows for some of the best physical training for horses and riders that we could hope for. The calorie burn for a rider for a five mile canter is very significant. I do not know of any other exercise that creates more strength in riding muscles or encourages better development of balance.

Operation Smart Horse--Two nights each week will be dedicated to training horses that are in need of improvement. We will work from 5:30 until dark.

Operation Work Horse--One night each week riders will be invited out to help with hoof trimming, fence work, painting, etc.

Of course, we will still maintain all of our other programs. And yes, I do have a regular office job as a prosecutor. Lay people wonder why I want to spend nearly all of my time with my horses and my riders. Prosecutors do not wonder why.

The picture above was taken about half way through our forty six mile mile on September. My riders sure look happy. Ever seen any happy jurors?