Revelling and Reviewing

Spring is finally here, so our first winter with Mister and Willow is over - with all of us alive and happy!
I've learned some things:
1. Old horses can learn new tricks: they both back up now before I put their feed down instead of crowding me while I yell ineffectively.  And they stay out of the barn until I'm finished cleaning up, topping up water and putting out hay - until I INVITE them in when I'm ready, and I take my time now. Thanks to Mister for the not-so-subtle hint that I needed to step up my "I own all this space - not you". He almost got me.
2. Willow in heat can be a crazy-@$$, scary, thousand pound nightmare. And just a few days later, perfect as pecan pie. My, my, my.
3. I LOVE cleaning up after them. I expected that to wear off by now, but it hasn't. I was frazzled about this at first, especially when the weather was wonderful for riding. I was spending so much time cleaning, measuring, feeding, watering, picking feet, moving hay, farrier appointments, vet appointment, and very occasional grooming that I didn't have nearly as much time as I did last year for RIDING! Riding is why is wanted a horse. Riding! I've just done the bare minimum, really, so she wasn't completely unridden over the winter. Not at all feeling pressure about that anymore since I realized I've just been revelling in all these activities and I'm Ok with that for now.
4. I LOVE "Spring Ahead" reminders to get that extra hour of daylight back.
5. I DO miss my partners in crime at Tidal Treasures as I have only been there for the farrier days and Ginger evenings. Much thanks to Sebastian, Ginger, Dylan and Leon!
6. I've learned that Willow is in much better shape than I gave her credit for. I worried during my 15 mile ride last October about how much trotting she could do. After watching her trot off and on for hours in knee-deep mud during one mare-in-heat crazy afternoon that she can trot MUCH longer than I can so I should RELAX. I believe I was given that advice already by TT crew - I will heed it this season!! I'm still a bit annoyed at her for grinding up that much pasture.
7. Willow can take good care of herself - lesson learned on the same M-I-H afternoon. She trotted just so long, then rested. Trotted. Rested. Trotted. Rested. Hmmmm. Got it.
8. I can walk up to Willow while she's laying down and give her a nice long scrub. Not so sure that one's so important, I just like it.
9. Feeding too much hay just means I'll be carting it out to the compost pile for Willow to munch on days/weeks later. Give just enough and spread it around outside if at ALL possible!
10. I LOVE watching them. Mister is boss of Willow except for a few days a month. I'm betting I now know which days. And why, for the rest of the month he seems to give her NO slack!
Thanks for the lessons, Willow and Mister - I'm took notes!!