The tractor just left after spreading the rest of our new arena footing. My horse is sound for the first time at our house, so perfect timing on his part - and he LOVES the footing! A little too much after two months off, and he had a cross-country gallop after ripping the longe line out of my hands. Not normal behavior for him, but a hot horse not working for 8 weeks makes it a little more excuseable. I’m hoping our longe session today leaves him mellow enough for me to hop on tomorrow, but I’m still waiting to see a canter circle without aerial maneuvers! It’s just good to see him back in action. And he had fun jumping on his run (thankfully not running into the cactus), and kept a lovely balance on his own the whole time down the hill back home at a gallop!
I’m also healthy for the first time in the same 8 week period he hasn’t been ridden. (Yes, his injury was probably related to a need to release energy since I was sick/not riding.)
I have a second horse to ride as I try to re-build fitness, and she’ll be awfully fun out on the trails. I’m learning about the area - where the maintained 1/4 mile racetrack is, as well as a couple other schooling areas plus the trails with more hills, etc.
My rescue mare is loving the chance to go for walks with us every evening, and I’m going to have a friend help me start ground driving her. Just because she’s not physically up to being ridden doesn’t mean she can’t get some good training in her!
