Ride Planning with Anxiety, one week out

Things accomplished (but not yet noted) last week

mellow, not-even-remotely-conditioning ride in new treeless saddle. Good: knees were happy. Bad: no conditioning or energy drain accomplished. (Pony got to run in the arena afterwards instead.)
sent one saddlepad off to be washed. Thanks, barn friend L! Two more in that pile if the first one goes well, and that always makes me feel better before a ride.
Drove an hour north to the consignment store to look around. I found a Woolback pad with inserts at an excellent price and promptly bought it, despite that not really being on my shopping list or in the budget at all.
mellow, not-even-remotely-conditioning ride #2 in new treeless saddle with new Woolback pad, complete with Thelwell pony imitation. I could kick with my heels if I really tried, but otherwise my legs could not reach the horse. Highly entertaining.
Packed half my bag of clothes.
Contemplated buying new rhinestone hearts for bridle. Did not buy yet – but found some!

If you’re reading all this and wondering where the preparation is.. me too. At least I’m only slightly stressed about it so far?

Weekend plan: Serious Ride in actual endurance saddle. Possibly two rides. Put hoof boot spares together.

Final week:
– follow up with farrier and/or re-cable and fit all hoof boots
– bathe & rebraid pony
– quick tack cleaning – leather cleaner on billet straps, dunk all biothane in a bucket
– pack my camping gear
– review NATRC cards from previous years
– pack pony camping gear / non-tack accessories

DIY Horse Ownership switched over to her own domain and is running a contest – take a look and update your feedreaders.

Comments

Ride Planning with Anxiety, one week out — 6 Comments

Olivia @ DIY Horse Ownership on June 13, 2016 at 12:36 pm said:

What ride are you prepping for? Also, what new treeless saddle did you get? Thanks for the link!

Reply ↓
- Figure on June 13, 2016 at 5:45 pm said:
  
  We’d been aiming for the two-day NATRC ride this upcoming weekend. Treeless is a Bandos Trail saddle, with reviews and photos and such to come in a week or so. It’s been difficult to find any good information on it online, so I’m working on a really thorough write-up.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Olivia @ DIY Horse Ownership on June 13, 2016 at 5:51 pm said:
    
    I tried to sign up for that ride and they told me they were cancelling it. I’ve never heard of Bandos Trail Saddles. I look forward to the review.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Figure on June 13, 2016 at 5:53 pm said:
      
      Alas, yes 🙁 I think they must have been super-short on entries. Just got that call this afternoon.
      
      Reply ↓
      - irishhorse on June 14, 2016 at 9:44 am said:
        
        Any chance you can substitute Wild West Endurance ride? I’ll be there starting Friday if you need anything, I also volunteer my crew/SO, he’s quite helpful!
      - Figure on June 14, 2016 at 9:54 am said:
        
        I wish! It was a great ride last year and I loved meeting up with all of you. I’m still lacking in pony transport, though 🙁 I need a new job to be able to afford truck and trailer, and that is rapidly moving higher on my to-do list, even if I won’t be able to swing the actual purchase for a bit..