My Aunt Sid used to use that expression and it always made me smile.  Spring is here!

I have two things today.  Inspiration and Lists.

INSPIRATION

Here is an inspirational video (click here) that we shot at Arizona’s Cowboy College.  This is a girl who with only a strap around her horse’s neck, takes him over several (not little) jumps, around bushes and trees and whatever else without a fence or any gear except a helmet. Hmmmm.  Kinda inspiring to become ONE with your horse again after a long winter…  I totally remember shooting this and feeling like such a schmoe because I couldn’t ride at liberty.  Anyway, all it takes is lots of devotion, companionship and practice.  And time.  Lots of time.

Did you know that Cowboy College taught this sort of thing?  I didn’t either.  Yup.  It isn’t all about ropin’ and ridin’.  It is about total horsemanship.  Check it out!  We loved it there.  Anyway, here is the video of our Spring Inspirational At Liberty video.

SPRING LISTS

You probably already do this list but I’m writing it anyway just in case my experience helps you:

• clean and repair flymasks (or buy new ones on sale)
• clean out feet and apply thrush cure if needed (If you suspect canker, us the purple mush.)
• detangle manes and tails (this could take several days  ;)  …)
• wash and put away winter blankets
• clean out all water troughs/buckets and remember to check them more frequently
• order your predators
• order your garlic (if you use it)
• order fly spray on sale or make your own
• clean out your trailer and trailer tack room
• road ready check on your trailer — bearings packed?
• put fresh water in your trailer
• grease the trailer ball
• clean tack (If you use leather cream, my favorite is Skidmore’s.)
• clean and oil your clippers – or have someone do that
• check your helmet
• clean out your saddle bags (hopefully no mystery blobs of old treats in there…)
• fix your hoses, floats or waterers
• check/order your hay – this is the hardest time to get hay
• watch a few videos (They make it look so easy…)
• get on your trainer’s schedule if needed
• scour Ebay and Bayequest for tack on the wish list

MY LIST

• TIGHTEN ALL CHICAGO SCREWS (I lost a bridle mid-gallop because of this — not good.)
• CHECK FOR SPIDERS IN TACK (One that made no web and left no clues, crawled out mid ride and bit me.)
• CLEAN THE MOLD FROM YOUR TRAILER HORSE AREA AND TOTALLY WASH OUT THE HAY BAGS/RACKS FOR MOLD  (This seems so obvious but you want to be really careful with this.  Mold climbs up walls and gets into cracks that your horse sniffs.  I have known of respiratory ailments that came from hidden mold in the trailer of a show horse who traveled often.)
• DON’T FORGET TO WARM UP YOUR HORSE AND EASE BACK INTO IT (’nuff said there…)

Oh, and here is a tip.  I found this plastic 5 gallon gas can that BMX/ATV riders use.  It is perfect for water in your trailer after trail rides.  Previously I used the huge trailer tanks but for me, they were kinda unruly.  This is easy to fill, easy to carry and easy to pour (two handles).  I love it.  You can get them at any motorbike store or online.