Today was a ‘gift’ of a day in terms of weather here in Virginia. No humidity, cool breezes, bright sunshine, everything rich, green, or in bloom.
While there were various scheduled rides and things to do horsey, I just didn’t want to be on the highways or trailering with the holiday weekend.
But I needed a horsey ‘escape’ from a LOT of things (OMG, don’t ask…)…and I left for the barn by 7:30. Of course barn owner had not even fed when I got there, I knew I’d arrived too early, but we chatted about it, and decided to take advantage of the weather, and the opportunity, and to plan a long ride out.
I did groom a lot while my guy was digesting ‘breakfast’ but he was one unhappy camper at not being turned out with his buds…he was like " Wait !!! I haven’t had one blade of grass yet!"
Since daughter has been home from college for awhile, he’s been arena schooled more often, by her in prep for showing this summer, and of course see’s me coming and then knows its ‘ride out’ for a few hours time.:yes:
So, poor guy, I guess he knew what was coming.
Both BO and I longed the two of them for a bit…ME because i wanted some transition work for my guy, as I knew most of our ride out would be walking…HER because her mare was showing a need to blow off some steam.
Then we were off …the trails were so BURSTING ‘green’…quiet and quite cool in the woods, the streams were full, showing a LOT of overflow run off silt, etc from the heavy heavy rains we have had here. The light lines had that kind of breeze you HOPE you can remember when its July here…just a fabulous ride.
We rode further on that particular trail/area than BO had ever gone before…we just ‘kept going’ as it was such a perfect day. I’d guess we rode a solid 2.5 hours? Anyway…steep light line hills for trotting…clay dirt farm roads and hay field circumferences, and wooded trails and creeks.
One tiny proud moment: I realized the last two times we’d ridden out together, that BO wanted to take/work a certain horse who had given some trouble (barely) that she wanted to take the time to work through. I am always happy to say ‘sure!..whatever!’ as my guy has certainly always had issues I wanted to deal with as well…Anyway, as I said, I quietly realized "Good GRIEF…its MY pony who is being the trail babysitter/‘good example’ (!!!) :eek::eek: (Trust me, you’d have to KNOW my ‘pony’)…
Anyway…he HAS been good. He HAS gained this QH breeder and owner’s respect in all his ‘crazyee ayrab’ moments.
I had a beautiful day at my barn, with my horse, and appreciative of my wonderful BO. On the way home, I noticed many many hayfields being cut and baled, and the honeysuckle was heavy in fragrance. Radio blasting I realized I was smiling.
I had that ‘horse time’ rescue from the stress and unhappiness I’d been trying to escape. Mission accomplished.
What a fantastic ride you must have had. And boy do I hear ya about your horse finally being the babysitter. I was in that position today too on an endurance ride. I agreed to sponsor 3 juniors and my pony had to be the big girl. She had a few hairy moments but nothing bad and they were all my fault. It sure does your heart good to see them develop doesn’t it???
(how kind of you to offer, regardless!):yes:
Rode Saturday and Monday, both great long rides with good friends, all mounted on terrific horses :D:D Weather was perfect, didn’t run into any trail hogs, a good time was had by all. Well, except by the group of Wild Turkeys we ran into, and scared the bejeezus out of !!:eek: