Chevy's Coaching Blog - Get Gritty With Chevy

Get Gritty With Chevy

Married with Horses

10/22/2020

“Oh Chevy, you don’t understand. Your husband is a horseman. He gets the horse thing, and supports your riding.”

This comment from a client recently had my head spinning.

Mostly because she was right. I do have trouble relating to partners that don’t “get” the horse thing.

My husband rides, and he is pretty punchy. He likes his horses hot, and he likes to ride fast. Confidence is not an issue for him! He understands the amount of time, blood, sweat, tears, and $$ it takes to make a good, safe horse. While he doesn’t show, he understands it and gets that it is important to me.

Chevy and #RanchHorseBreezy's Great Buffalo Adventure, Part 5: YOLO

10/22/2020

French Creek Horse Camp-the view from my campsite.

I awoke on Saturday morning feeling sad. Today was the day that I would need to pack up my little camp, load Breezy, and head back home.

The past three days had been wonderful. I had met some really cool people, ridden along the beautiful French Creek Trail, felt the rumble and heard the thunder as I galloped alongside a herd of buffalo, and ridden in the dark on a rescue mission.

Chevy and #RanchHorseBreezy's Great Buffalo Adventure, Part 4: Maps Should Have Scales

10/22/2020

The Roundup was amazing. (Read Part 3 for the Roundup story if you haven’t already.) Breezy and I made our way back to the French Creek Horse Camp after the Roundup and relaxed for awhile.

At about 2:30, my camp neighbors (the Sherriff’s Posse members from Colorado) asked if I wanted to join them for a short trail ride along French Creek. They had pulled out a trail map, and guessed that we could take a relaxing ride on the French Creek Trail Loop. Scott, the cowboy poet and amazing campfire cook, was staying back at camp and making pork chops and biscuits, and told us to be back by 7 for supper.

So Allan, John, Andrea and I saddled up and off we went.

Chevy and #RanchHorseBreezy's Great Buffalo Adventure, Part 3: The Buffalo Roundup!

10/22/2020

I woke up every hour that night, checking the time in a panic, worried that I had overslept and missed the Roundup. At 4:51 am, I got out of my sleeping bag, too excited to sleep. I made coffee, fed Breezy his morning hay and grain, and headed to the camp shower house for a quick shower. I got dressed in a new shirt and my favorite wrangler jeans. Even though my stomach was full of butterflies, I made myself eat some reheated pancakes.

Chevy & #RanchHorseBreezy’s Great Buffalo Adventure, Part 2: Orientation Day

10/22/2020

I woke up Thursday morning feeling excited. Today was the Buffalo Roundup Riders Orientation Day!

As I sat drinking my coffee, watching a mama bighorn sheep and her baby run around, I thought about how blessed I was to be here today. I also thought about all of the work that Breezy and I have done over the past few years to make this possible.

Chevy & #RanchHorseBreezy’s Great Buffalo Adventure, Part 1: The Journey to Custer State Park

10/22/2020

Loaded up and ready to go!

The trailer was hooked up and packed with everything I could possibly need for a 5 day adventure. The truck was fueled. Extra spare tires were strapped to the flat bed.

#RanchHorseBreezy was a little reluctant to load (seriously Breezy!?!), but a quick wave of the flag reminded him of proper trailer loading procedures.

And then we were headed west!

This adventure is the furthest I have ever hauled by myself. Planned for this adventure was many activities that were most definitely outside of my comfort zone. Honestly, my biggest worry was whether I would be able to back my rig into my camping spot when I finally made it to Custer State Park!

Does your horse have a PHD?

9/17/2020

When a horse has a PHD, it almost isn't noticeable.

When a horse doesn't have a PHD, it is very noticeable.

What do I mean by PHD?

Post Holding Degree.

Does your horse have a PHD?

Gritty Riders Don't Should On Themselves

7/8/2020

I should exercise more.

I should pack a lunch to save money.

I should pack lunches the night before so we aren’t in a rush every morning.

I should spend more time helping my kids with their homework.

I should clean my house.

I should finish that home improvement project I started months ago.

I should go through my closet and donate those clothes I haven’t worn in years.

I should finish reading that horse training book I bought months ago.

I should ride my horse more.

I should be able to ride better than this-I’ve been taking lessons for years!

I should have achieved those goals I set for myself already.

I should be at a horse show this weekend.

I should…

Should is a dangerous word.

I Confess...I'm a Recovering Equine Micro-Manager

6/12/2019

Hi, I’m Chevy, and I’m a Recovering Equine Micro-Manager.

I know I am not alone in micro-managing my horses. I think it is a common thing for riders to do-and I also think there are different reasons why riders micro-manage. And most of them have fear as a root cause.

Now, by micro-managing, I mean that the rider is constantly giving aids to the horse, and never letting the horse think for themselves. Mostly, by micro-managing, the rider is preventing the horse from making a mistake.

Back in the Saddle After Baby

5/26/2018

If you have ever struggled with fear in the saddle after having children, then my newest article that has just been published in the Performance Horse Journal is for you!

Read it online at: http://horsedigests.com/1HD/5-18/html5.html#page/39