The Joy of Riding

I decided last night that I would enjoy the last nice day before bad weather hit. Instead of poking around, puttering to do chores, I rushed out to grab my saddles and tack. I wanted to ride Zeke and Maverick.

I'd only been on Zeke twice before yesterday. The first time was simply to try him out and the second time was two weeks ago when I finally got all the tack situated that should fit him. I can't believe I'll have had Zeke now for almost a month and I've only ridden him three times total. Talk about insane!

I pulled both horses out and tied them to the trailer. Luckily they are both easy to saddle. I figured if I had them both saddled, I could hop off one and hop on the other without messing with tack. I have my standard barrel racing saddle on Zeke. I did forget that he does have a sway back and needs different saddle pads/blankets. I'll remember for next time. Silly me just forgot them. I have my spare western saddle on Maverick. It was a cheapo in case Maverick did something naughty. I didn't want him to ruin my normal saddle.

I decided to hop on Zeke first and ride him around. I didn't get the chance the last time to really ride for more than 10 minutes because the herd had come up. Last night I got to putter around and see what types of things he really knows.

I absolutely LOVE Zeke! I swear it's like riding Ace all over again. Zeke is like riding autopilot. It's amazing. He gets excited but knows to slow down. I think he even knows voice commands to walk. He whoas on a dime. I don't even have to put pressure on the reins. Just tell him WHOA and he stops right in his tracks. He backs with ease (although I'm sure I was giving him mixed signals). He even neck reins. I haven't had a horse that neck reins since Ace! Riding Zeke was so much fun. I felt so comfortable on him. I felt bad that I hadn't put a better saddle pad on so I didn't do much with him.

When I first bought him the previous owner said he likes to go. So I want to teach Zeke that just because I am on doesn't mean we need to go fast. He really wanted to trot around the pen but I figured we should take it slow and just walk. That way he'll learn that riding doesn't always mean running.

I was also warned that he's hard to mount; that he would constantly move. Either Zeke was being lazy last night or was distracted but when I went to swing into the saddle he stood perfectly still even after I got settled in (which most of my horses don't do... I know, bad habit I need to break).

I decided I better get a little bit of time in on Maverick. The shadows were really starting to lenghten and I knew I'd be stuck doing chores in the dark if I continued to ride Zeke. So I switched over to Maverick.

I figure Maverick was in the same mood as Zeke. When I went to get on, he stood perfectly still. For some reason I have problems getting into the spare saddle so it's always an ordeal for poor Maverick.

We didn't work too long. I need to come up with some type of pattern to ride or something. He gets so darn bored. How can a 4 year old get bored? He's also lazy! It takes all my energy to get him into a slow trot. I really need to take him outside the pen and start working him in other areas so he gets more exposure. I think different areas will help keep his mind active. The trainer outright said that Maverick did much better outside during those training sessions than in the indoor arena. I'm guessing it's because there's so much more for Maverick to see outside. What can I do with him to keep his mind active and happy?

Maybe while it's raining the next few days I'll be able to come up with a few patterns to try out on him. I just need to get my lazy butt out there and haul the posts and barrels around to set up a course.

I also decided while doing evening chores that I may need to put the girls on beet pulp. It's not that they aren't fat already. But I would feel better if they had some additional weight. All of Babe's weight sags below her rib cage so I can feel her ribs slightly. Queen feels like she's the right weight. I just worry that they aren't getting enough. I'd rather that they were "uber" fat going into winter.

We desperately need to finish the other mare pasture. I'm afraid their current pasture is completely done. I threw out some hay last night but I'm guessing I'm to the point where I'll have to hay them morning and night until I can get them moved to the other pasture.

We had talked about running away for the weekend but I'm feeling stressed about the mare pasture. And I also heard that the Black Hills will be getting a bunch of snow. If I'm going to have to deal with snow for six months, I'd rather stay away from snow as long as possible. Maybe next year we'll run away. We have too much to get done now to go anywhere. Not only is snow right around the corner, hunting season is going to rear it's ugly head soon so I definately have to get Babe away from the road.

I'm also in the process of figuring out where everyone is going to go for the winter. Placement includes who goes in which pasture with which buddy, who goes in which stall in the barn or hay shed, etc.

I have this Friday off but the weatherman is calling for lots of rain Thursday and Friday. They are talking one to two inches of rain. So I may be outside in the rain Friday making sure the oldsters are dry and comfortable. I still need to tackle cleaning out more of the barn and getting the second box stall set up. I put a bug in dad's ear about the second box stall I want to build. I think he's creating some plans so he can make me something! I was also thinking of trying to make some type of stall in the pony pen. They have cover but no real protection from the east wind. I'd like to build a "mini" stall so that they have a place to get completely out of the wind.

It's sad that I've been thinking so much more about winter these last few days. I guess it's the colder temps. I simply want to make sure everyone is comfortable through this year's long winter.