Sorrel Diamond in the Rough

A few weeks back I found an Australian saddle at an antique store (hunting through antique stores is a little hobby I have besides taking care of all the horses at Borderlands). I’d always wanted an Australian saddle but they were out of my price range. The first booth I came upon had the Australian saddle and it was a steal. I have only tried it on three horses but it seems to fit each one of them. And it’s oh-so-comfy!

I was itching to try out the saddle last night and decided I had just enough time to do chores and get a quick ride before the storm blew through. I decided I would grab whoever came to me first. Lucky for me, it was Maverick. That boy has me in a conundrum. He’s one of the nicest horses I’ve ridden and yet he still spooks me out for no reason what-so-ever.

I haven’t messed with Maverick since last fall around mid October. No riding, no ground work, no nothing. I know, I know. I should be better but life seems to get away from me these days. But I decided that there was no time like the present and I would just ride around the yard.

Maverick blows my mind. He can be so naughty to the horses but when there’s a saddle involved, he’s down to business. I threw the Australian saddle on, grabbed his bridle, put my periwinkle marshmallow helmet on and walked him to the front of the barn. He was all up in arms smelling everything, checking everything out. I didn’t want to hop on right away in case he was planning on blowing up. I like to round pen him but the mares and Thor are in that pen so I was left without any option. I don’t like lunging him because he does buck and throw a hoof in my direction.

So instead, I led him to the barn where he spied Savanna and Prize. I have those two out on grass while I’m home. I don’t know what Prize will do once he discovered electricity. I’m dreading that day.

Maverick wanted to check them out but instead we got down to business. I hopped on and away we went. Keep in mind Maverick hasn’t been ridden in almost seven months, there’s a mare and baby (although he did meet Sahara and was not interested in her in the least; he actually wanted to stay away from Sahara). And to top it off, there was big gusts of wind with a storm on the horizon. But Maverick did beautifully.

My mind is always so boggled by how good of a horse he really is. We didn’t do much other than walk around in circles, which he gets bored with quickly. We did a little bit of trotting to get him responsive to me, boy was he rusty. And then we walked over a log and tried to go up and over a hill. He’s a quick (and lazy) guy so he tried to out maneuver the obstacles. I forgot what a good boy he really is. He’s not as stunning as Chaos so I didn’t choose to take Maverick for showing, but I may have to consider hauling Maverick to a couple of shows just to get him used to all the commotion. I think he’d like it immensely.

He’s gotten rather naughty with the other horses so I need to give him a job and keep his mind focused on riding time instead of harassing time. Poor Sam can’t seem to get a break from Maverick. I’m planning on taking Chaos to the Black Hills but I may leg up Maverick just in case.

I’m always so nervous hopping on Maverick the first couple of times. I’m not exactly sure why. I’m not sure if it’s that we connect or that he’s so laid back and lazy. I can’t quite figure it out. I guess I was always expecting the hyper Arabians and he’s so laid back. I’d like to put a few lessons on him so that I don’t continue to put bad habits on him. I know he needs miles and miles and miles and I’m going to start working on it. Hopefully he won’t sit for another seven months before I can hop back on him.

Maverick is my sorrel diamond in the rough.