Why Don’t We Ride?
So after figuring out the goofy computer/network issue this morning I got ready and went over to the farm where the horses are. Bitzer of course came along for those that may be wondering. I started with getting Angel out of the temporary pasture. She was not keen, as is her usual, about going over where the electric fence had just been. Aside from that, we were on our way to the area.
Angel got a good grooming, feet picked out, and a lot of time spent on getting the tangles out of mane and her tail. I was originally thinking that I would only get her out and groom her and not ride her. However, I had someone around that was wanting to get on her. As she had not been ridden since the fall, I didn’t think it would be prudent to just let an inexperienced rider get up. So, I saddled her up and took her for a short little jaunt. My feeling of need to get up was, as should be expected, completely unmerited with her. I quickly got off and the other person rode her around for a short while, Angel doing her excellent job of baby sitting. Oh, and as I know of a couple of you reading this will be interested, the girth had to be fastened one notch larger than usual for Angel.
After giving Angel scratches and some treats, I turned her back out. Then I proceeded to get Jack. Mad Jack more specifically. He likewise got a good grooming though maybe not to the same level as Angel, as I knew Jack would be, well, Mad Jack – and hence would get all sweaty from his extra exertions.
As anyone who has ever seen Jack when he is typically himself when he is mounted – he did not really disappoint today. As soon as I was on, without any leg anywhere he shot off like a bullet. And of course he immediately turned back toward the pasture where his buddies still were. And of course as soon as I turned him away he wanted to do his little rearing and such. After he settled just a bit we had a good 30-40 minute ride. He did of course want to keep his speed up the whole time. And when done, as predicted, he was a good deal wet. He got a good rinsing and walking out, before being returned to the field as well.
It was a good beautiful day and the riding was great and much helpful for my mental state. I should definitely get out to ride more often in the coming weeks.
