All Settled In!

Hello all! It was a little bit chaotic the first couple days but we are finally settled in and I can finally update the blog!  This year the Valinor crew is residing in the lower barn at Quail Ridge Farm, it's an open shed row type barn but very nice.I hope to include lots of pictures in the blog this year but something is being tempermental so no pictures just yet- but I promise they are coming!!!

Wed consisted of setting up stalls, tack and feed rooms, organizing paddock space, etc ect. The horses all fared well on the journey and settled in nicely- Diem gave us a little scare as he acted a tiny bit colicky the first night, but was fine after some banamine and bute.  Thursday was a full day of R&R for all the ponies as they got adjusted to their new turnouts and daily rountine,they were all so happy to be stretching out in some good sized paddocks!  We also picked up and moved in Carino and Marissa. Marissa, I am excited to say, has taken on the roll of working student for me; I'm so glad to have the help!

Friday was the first day under saddle and everyone went for a hack around the track.  Carino and Ari paired up in the beginning and they were all business as they settled into their trot sets and relaxed into a nice loosening canter up the long back hill.  Twice around the track was a solid 40 minutes and a nice hack to stretch them out.  The rest I took out solo, Devin, who I was prepared to dance with the entire time actually settled nicely half way around and by the second loop was acting like she's always done trot sets!  Diem was a little looky to start, but he also settled nicely and was very workmanlike by the second loop.  Beacon, naturally, opted to toss a shoe in his paddock so I had to call Tom (farrier) who was thankfully right down the road to come and tack it back on for me. He REALLY needed to work so we only did one loop around the track and then modified to do a light dressage school in the arena- he was actually really super.

Saturday (yesterday!) everyone did a propper flat school in the arena. They were ALL fantastic!  Everyone started off very focused and got some really good work in- hopefully this becomes a trend!

I'm heading to drop Jim off at the airport now, then back to do rides.  Check back later for more updates and (hopefully) pictures!!!