2017 Goals 2.0

     I looked back at my 2017 goals post and since I’ve knocked off several I feel like I need to reassess and potentially add more and modify others.  I may end up being more of a “Quarterly Goals” type of person rather than “Yearly”.  We’ll see how Mort and I handle these!

Horse Related:

Show First Level

     Schooling show or recognized 

     I think the updated goal will be to show first at a recognized show.
Counter Canter

     This is still a goal, but updated to make it more complicated.  I want his counter canter to be adjustable and uphill. 
Simple Changes

     Also in this are walk to canter and canter to walk transitions. 

Haunches-in

     We’re starting our work on this.  He’s starting to understand it at the walk.  Goal will be to have it at w/t/c within the year. 

Attend a dressage clinic

     More than one would be great, but we’ll see how that budget goes. 

     I’ve gone to two so far this year.  I’d like to do about four over the whole year.   

Train Mort to be quiet for clipping

     This mainly applies to ears.  He’s awful about them and I should work on that. 

     I’ve been working on this and will continue to.  He’s getting better, but still really worries about the left ear. 

Poles

     I want my horse to be able to w/t/c over a pole without falling apart. 

     We’re getting better.   He can now tackle a single pole on the ground w/t/c—add raised poles and three in a row.

Massage

     I really want to get him checked out by a professional.  He’s so tense with the chiro that I think a massage might be better for him at this point.  I’m at least curious as to what she would have to say.  I conveniently have one who boards where I do, so I need to hit her up. 

     Done—he likes massage and I will continue to utilize it. 

Flying Changes

     I want to introduce these to him and then back off and not play with them again until we’re really established in second level work and wanting to move to third.

Medium Gaits

     I want to really get a medium (maybe even extended) trot and canter versus just lengthens. 

Human Related:  

Run Half Marathon

     I ran my first one in October and while I finished I didn’t finish in my goal time so I need round two.

     Also continue running 3-5 days/week with at least one hard and one long. 

Become a better trainer

     More lessons—someone to watch me and keep me honest

     Get better about knowing when to push—just got to experiment and be bolder/more demanding

     Demand more only when I think it will be successful OR when he needs it for balance/schooling

     Continue riding 4-6 days/week—only way to get better is to keep trying to get better

     Ride more effectively—sitting up with a strong core. 

Start seriously saving for a house/property

     Our lease is up in April and we’re tired of renting.  I’m also for damn sure tired of moving. 

Keep the family life good 

     As with most horse-obsessed folks I need to make sure that not all of my time and our money goes toward the pony stuff.  Balance in life and crap.  Luckily Steven has his own hobbies too so we’re good about doing our own things (yay for not being dependent), but this is something I always need to keep in mind.