Riding Time

I really do need to get more pics of the herd. Everyone is starting to really shed out and glem with their summer coats.

I forget how much I really enjoy riding. I spend most of my time on the ground, caring for all the horses instead of sitting on their backs enjoying their view.

Last night I decided that I would go for a quick ride around the place. I need to get King and Rain into alittle bit better shape before the first trail ride. I'm not sure they'll really be in shape but at least I'm getting some of the kinks out (at least that's what I'm telling myself).

Rain decided that he wanted to snitch a couple bites of Bob's alfalfa so I grabbed Rain first for a ride. I can't believe Rain can be bought for just a mouthful of alfalfa. Crazy horse! I decided I'd continue riding Rain with the english saddle so that I can focus more on my form. When I switched to my western saddle it felt wrong. I may need to shorten up my stirrups.

I fiddled with Rain for a little bit and watched these dark clouds roll in. The weatherman never said anything about rain so I wasn't expecting a storm.

After riding Rain, I pulled King out. He's getting shoes today so I wanted to stretch his legs a bit and get him ready for the farrier. I decided this time instead of just putzing around that I'd try and make King work a little. King is such a slow walker that it's almost annoying. He also fiddles with the bit if he's not focused on where he's going. So instead, we trotted up and down the driveway and all around the place. I'm not sure how Dad survives King's trot. I swear King was going to trot all my organs out. I felt alittle bruised after all that trotting. I keep thinking King may be perfect for english riding. He has a pretty easy trot to post to (if I could only post).

While I was riding, I kept an eye to the sky. The dark clouds kept rolling in and all of a sudden I saw a lightening strike. I am not keen on riding when there's lightening. It's not bad if I'm riding a short horse but King is pretty big and I'd rather not act as a lightening rod. So King and I trotted around for a little bit more and then called it quits.

I had to spend an additional half hour after riding King, pulling out all the cockleburs. I wanted him to look half way presentable for the farrier. I hate having scuzzy horses when people show up.

I think Brego may be adjusting to Chaos and all his antics. I'm not thrilled with how Chaos treats him when it's food time. I now have to throw out a couple piles of hay to make sure Brego gets any food. Chaos is pushy and Brego would rather starve than go against someone. But I've had Chaos and Brego in together for two full days and it seems like Brego may start picking up on Chaos's lead. Chaos is by no means a leader, but he's a leader to Brego.

I'm hoping to pull Chaos out and put someone else in for Brego to meet. I hate to rush him but I really want him into the big herd pretty soon so I can free up that smaller pen for riding. I'm afraid that once Brego is in the big herd he'll get pushed around and wont' get as much to eat. I sure hope the pastures start to green up so I can get the entire herd out there and not worry about who is getting how much hay. I may need to start setting up smaller pens for at least the night feeding.

The farrier is coming out tonight about 4:30 to get shoes on King. Hopefully I'll have enough time to pull King out and brush him down before the farrier gets here. I prefer to ride them around the yard a bit to get the kinks and extra energy out of them but I guess that won't happen this time.

Tomorrow should be a fairly busy day. I'm hauling Tommy, Skippy, Farley, Gypsy, and Trouble to the vet's for their yearly shots. I'm also hauling Rain and King up so that Dad and I can go for a ride before Sunday's trail ride. I'll have to drop Rain and King off and keep heading in to the vets. I am not comfortable giving the ponies their shots since they are small. I'm sure I'll ask the vet some questions so that next year I can get everyone their shots and not be faced with a vet bill. It should be interesting getting everyone loaded. I think Gypsy will be the hardest one to load! :-)

I'm sure it'll be an experience to blog about! I should try and get some pics of the entire load headed up to Madison. Talk about a dog and pony show! Could be a pretty funny sight to see.