The End is Near!

Finally, after a very, very long run of very, very cold temperatures... we're going to have a full week with highs above 30 degrees! I'm completely ecstatic to get back on Val tomorrow and start up with dressage again. I feel like shouting huzzah and dancing around in the streets, I'm so happy!

We should get in a solid week of work on our dressage, and then we'll probably have a lesson on Saturday. For the first ride back, I want to keep it simple and just work on our basics, making sure that we have forward and that he's really connected to the bit.

And you know, I did have plans to go on a snowy trail ride, but I couldn't get out when the snow was still fresh and fluffy. It was so deep by the time we came back from visiting family and there was a crust on the top, so our wonderful snow-trail ride plans were put on the back-burner. We'll have to hold on to hope for a nice, light, 3" of snow that we can go exploring in.

Insanity

I honest to goodness feel like I'm being driven a little crazy. We have had some ridiculously cold weather here- the highs have been below twenty for a very long time now, and the temperatures have been too cold to ride. We've had well over 8" of snow and there are some drifts out at the barn that are at least 18"-24" tall! Even if the temperature does poke its nose above 20, the windchill gladly brings it back down to ridiculous.

The poor horses are going stir-crazy locked in their stalls, and I'm going crazy from being home from school for the past forever without the ability to ride! I love snow, but it's keeping me from the one activity I truly love to do.

To top it off, I keep day-dreaming about going to an event and doing cross country again. I can't get the idea of galloping out of that start box, cool, calm, and assured, out of my head. I can't wait until that moment. I hate that my last cross country round was so terrible, and I just feel like I need to get out there and rectify that.

So, I'm going crazy all around. Just for a weather update, if you're curious:
We're getting another 4-6" of snow tonight. The temperature tomorrow will be around 22. It'll be below 10 on Thursday with a low of -15 and the HIGH will be 0 on Friday, with a low of -12. The wind chill on Friday? -35 degrees! I don't even think I can comprehend how that is going to feel. Luckily, that's shavings day, so I'll have plenty of time traipsing around the barn to truly grasp it.

When the moisture in your nostrils freezes and you're reluctant to breathe in the air, you know it's cold.

Rant over. On the plus side, it might be above freezing on Sunday! All the snow might melt, and I might finally be able to ride again. Fingers crossed!

I am incredibly envious of anyone that's able to ride right now. Enjoy it, you lucky ducks! :)