Fair Weather Rider

Fair weather rider, or golfer, hiker, landscaper, etc. can apply to anyone waiting to do anything outside when conditions are nice, rather than dicey.  The whole idea of a “fair-weather rider” is worth stopping to take a look at.  Somehow it’s become a slightly scornful label.  Not openly nasty, just sharp enough to carry judgement.  It lands with an unspoken message: if you only ride when the weather’s decent, when your body feels okay, when you actually want to… then you’re not committed enough, not gritty enough, not serious.  It's pressure dressed up as virtue: Ride in the cold, through the rain, when you’re exhausted, because you should, to show your true grit and prove you are a superb and dedicated equestrian.
 

Try to consider that “fair-weather rider” isn’t an insult.  Maybe it just means you haven’t confused suffering with dedication.  It goes for both horse and rider.  A lot of “fair-weather riding” is actually listening; listening to your own capacity and health, and to the horse’s body, mood, energy, and soundness.  Listening to the difference between connection and obligation.  There are days when riding adds something, and days when it takes something away.  Choosing not to ride can be about respect, not avoidance.  It can be about noticing the horse is tired, sore, mentally full, or just happier being a horse that day.  It can be about recognizing that pushing through doesn’t make you a better horse person.
Criticism vs. Choice: While sometimes criticized by year-round riders for not being "hardcore," many fair-weather riders view it as a choice to make a hobby more enjoyable rather than a chore.  We aren't kids, we aren't professionals, we do this for fun!! 

More and more I’ve become a fair-weather fan.  Doing outdoor activities in unfavorable conditions is just not at all enjoyable.  There is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes from conquering a task in adverse conditions; the feeling of victory or accomplishment when the going was tough.  But if I had a choice, I would just wait till fair weather to ride or tackle any outdoor activity... because being out in the rain or snow; cold or extreme heat, just isn't that fun.  There's nothing wrong with admitting that we prefer to ride on those beautiful weather days, the other days we can groom and love on our horses.  




With all that being said about fair weather riders, I still struggle with this because I know the more I ride Rico, the better he gets.  I know that riding, even when things are a little dicey out, some rain or wind or cold temperatures, it can still be beneficial.  Often times when I’m hesitating to ride, but go anyways, I am usually very glad that I did.  Those rides aren't always easy, relaxing, or real enjoyable, but there is usually progress made.  And sometimes, it isn't near as bad out as I thought, or my horses attitude changes and we connect and have a good experience.
 

Saturday 2/21 - It was a beautiful day, one conducive to outdoor activities, both work and play.  I lingered hear at my desk a little too long, but was trying to finish and post last week's blog.  


Joe went to the ranch ahead of me, and was working on hanging a gate where we used to have the stretch gate.  We were using the old, shorter gate, that had been across the drive to the yard.  Patty and Dave were there to help Joe.  They ended up switching tires between the two gates, but that still didn't fix the problem.  The old gate and the plan for hanging it, is not going to work.  Back to the drawing board.

When I got to the ranch, I went straight down to the barn, fetched Rico, and got him ready to ride.  Karen arrived when I had, and she saddled up Cash.  We enjoyed a very nice, three mile ride.  I forgot to start my riding app. right away, so the millage read-out seen here, is short.  
We rode past the construction site to take Strafford Circle.  The siding is up on the house, with rock or brick work left to be done.  And someone cleared the rest of Strafford Circle so we could now ride the whole loop.  








Both horses did great, although have been a little slow or sluggish lately.  

Two hours before my 9:00 bedtime, Joe and I watched the Movie "Wakefield."  It was different.  The review said 'a smart, intriguing, sometimes provocative and often oddly moving' movie.

Sunday 2/22 - The nice weather had 'gone south' and it was very cold when I got up.  I went to the ranch before church to give Amiga her pill and then to Shirley's after church.  She gave me her cat care instructions for when she and Patty are on a cruise the end of this week and all of next week.

I fretted away much of the afternoon ruminating on mostly ranch related matters, such as paddock gate, timing of moving Rico to the upper paddock with Amiga and Zorro, boarding decisions, and ranch house maintenance, repairs and up-keep.

Monday 2/23 - We got a beautiful dusting of snow, with flakes drifting down, off and on, all morning.  But it was even colder today and would stay below freezing.  This was to be the second of several 'no go' days for us fair weather riders.   

After three hours at the gym, including a shower, I went straight to town to pick up house hold supplies and items needed for repairs.  It took forever at Lowe's to get the right size light bulb for the ranch laundry room. 

Tuesday 2/24 - Dear visitors for cracked corn on a chilly morning. 

We were finally going to see some sunshine with the warming trend.  But this would bring thawing and muddy conditions at the ranch.  

Joe and I went to the ranch together at 9:30, to do a few things before the ground got too soft.  We got the old gate out of the paddock so it wouldn't be a hazard when Rico joins the other two Pasos up there.  In this photo, Joe is switching the better wheel back onto the yard gate, while I was giving Amiga her pill.  Then we did a few things in the house, including replacing the laundry room light bulbs.  

I got in a 90 minute aerobic workout at the gym, before heading back out to the ranch to do feeding chores.  Look at my dirty boy!







I took this (video) of everybody happily munching away while I cleaned up manure and wet shavings.  


After 'dinner' Rico seemed to want some attention, but Patty was waiting on me, so I kissed his nose and said 'see you later.'


Patty helped with the chickens while I fed Amiga and Zorro. 

Then we set to the task of fixing the closet door.

Patty drilled holes for the pin and screws to secure this metal bracket to the bottom of the door, and I screwed things in.  


We had to do a few trial attempts to get the concept of how the pin would work.  



Ta-da.  Almost as good as new.  

As I was heading home, Joe came out to meet an over-nighter with two horses to stay in the corral.  He then went on to poker while I had a quiet evening at home.

Wednesday 2/25 - Stand by me, not stand on me.  Maggie puts up with so much when it comes to cats.  Once I started this (video), Babe came over to see what I was doing.  








But then Babe went right back over to Maggie and joined her in bed again.  I took these photos until Babe hopped back out and came over to me a second time. 

 
I always love watching my pets, the dynamics between them, and their silly antics.  

By the time I got my act together and went to the gym, I didn't have time for a full workout, so just concentrated on arms and core (abs & back).  

I timed it so I could fit in a hearty, early lunch and get to the ranch before noon.  Jan was running late, which worked out well for me so I had more time to do several little tasks.  


I am so glad Jan joined me, even though she had had a very busy morning and was tired.   

We had a nice, slow relaxing ride.  Jan headed back after two miles to start chores, and I took Rico on what we call the green mile (another loop on a road off Marmaduke).  





Rico was hesitant to continue down the trail without his buddy Cash.  Because he was so 'sticky' rather than using my legs and crop to keep pestering him to go, I got off and started walking him in the direction away from Cash and the barn.  There was more hesitation, but then, he 'joined up' and very willingly went with me.  I got on and finished the mile with a very responsive horse.  😊
I helped Jan with chores, and did some yard work once home, before a 5:15 dinner time.


Joe and I watched the three hour opener of Survivor 50.  The cast featured 24 returning players from 19 different seasons, including two players from Season 49.  These are the three tribes:

It stormed (quite violently) off and on through the night and was still  raining a bit in the morning.

Thursday 2/26 - I was at the February Board meeting by 9am and was amazed at the size of the crowd there.  The biggest conflicting issue was the new sewer policy the board would be voting on.  SO many members including myself were opposed to it.  Earlier (in Sept.) the community voted down a highly controversial proposal to amend a governing document that would have granted the declarant (a local builder) the same right the C&Rs give the community club in assessing property owners for installation of sewer lines, which the declarant does not control.  Now the board wants to adopt policies that accomplish the same ends 'by the back door.'  

I left at 11am to get to the gym and move on with my day, while the discussion was still on-going.  Both our FFG attorney and board president (in my and many other's opinion), displayed condescending disapproval to most of the questions and comments that concerned members were making.  
Later I heard that the board (not unanimously) ended up voting to adopt the new sewer policy, so now the declarant has even more control.  This is most unfortunate.
  

After a good leg and aerobic workout, I showered and then went to Food City.  I was home at 2:30 and enjoyed a hearty meal I had bought at the grocery store hot food bar.

Rather than walking after my meal, I did some more yard and creek clean up down back.  The backyard and flower beds are slowly getting a much needed grooming, and I am hoping winter is now behind us.    
   

Friday 2/27 - Today's weather was not just fair, it was absolutely beautiful.  I was at the ranch from 9:45 - 4:45.  Even though the ground was rather wet and squishy, and quite muddy in places, I decided to go ahead and move Rico back to the upper paddock, in with Amiga and Zorro.  This is in preparation for keeping him off the rich spring grass and limiting his pasture time all summer long.  

Above, Rico is showing his patience and trust, standing ground tied while I take some photos.  
After walking him around the paddock fencing, inside and out, I turned him loose in the stall where he will be fed (video).  I was so pleased that he walked with me calmly, but was definately looking around and then remained quiet and ate some hay while in the shed.  



Amiga and Zorro were locked out on the front pasture, giving Rico a chance to look around without being disrupted or distracted.  





When I opened the gate from the paddock to the front pasture, Amiga and Zorro came in and Rico went out to where they had been eating hay (video).  But then Rico decided he needed to join up with the other two.  




There was a little running around and posturing, but nothing too dramatic and no fighting.  Zorro then did try to keep himself between Rico and Amiga.  








After some time in and around the pond (video) the three Pasos did calmly return to the front pasture and back to eating the hay I had put out there.  
 


While keeping my eye on the horses, I did some little jobs and helped Joe hang the new, lighter weight gate he had bought.  Meanwhile, Rico decided he needed to be back with his old buddies, and did a lot of racing around the front pasture. 

 
Joanne arrived and helped us with the wheel and our dilemma of how to hold the gate open. 


Then Joanne and I headed out on a ride on Zorro and Rico.  The weather was ideal.  We kept the ride slow and relaxed because Zorro was a little sore and Rico had worn himself out running around the pasture.  Also it was still kind of muddy and slippery.  




Amiga was glad to see the boys back, and Zorro actually let down his guard long enough for Rico and Amiga to enjoy munching grass together.  







A potential boarder and her husband arrived just as Joanne was starting chores.  I showed them around and gave them the paperwork with rules, procedures, and boarding contract to read through.  



Rico was confused as to why he wasn't being fed with Cash and Cowboy, whom he has been eating with the past four months.  He stood watch by the fence between the front pasture and the lower paddock.

Joanne had to lead Rico up to the upper paddock when it was now turn for the Pasos to eat.  It all went very smoothly, getting them into the correct feeding positions, and they all ate happily and calmly. 

I fed Miss Kitty (Shirley's cat) on my return drive home.   



It doesn't matter whether you are a fair weather rider, a hard core rider at any extreme, or somewhere in-between; the best type of rider is one who rides within their own comfort level, skills, and safety boundaries.  Each style offers different benefits: hard-core riding builds superior skill and resilience, while fair-weather riding maximizes enjoyment and safety.  Do what you are comfortable with and don't worry about what others are doing.