So today I went riding and I actually got to ride my own horse! Pretty exciting because it’s been at least 6 months since I’ve ridden him!
It was beautiful out today and feeling like spring. Mother Nature is bluffing however, we’ll be getting more snow this week.
So I wasn’t planning to ride today. My horse is at a friend’s farm and I went up to visit last night for a fundraiser and to visit. I didn’t bring my saddles or any bridles or anything. Lucky I keep on the ready with boots and jeans.
My horse is really great, I’ve had him for almost ten years. But I’ve never left off of him for 6 months and just not ridden him. I’ve ridden my share of spring tune-ups so I’m fully aware of all the drama that can come around if you leave a horse sit for that long.
Additionally, my horse can sometimes be a bit of a drama queen, he has a big motor, and he’s very sensitive. So he’s not what people describe as “quiet” or “bomb-proof.” He’s typically described as “hot” and “all business.” To his credit, he’s very well mannered and he does have a gentle soul. It’s just he can get a little full of himself even when ridden all the time.
I didn’t have my own tack and Mr. Sensitivity is a bit particular about his saddle so there’s gamble number one. The saddle *seemed* fine but others have *seemed* fine too and have not been. He is very clear when something is not working for him. I can appreciate that.
I had to use a longer shanked, low-port grazing curb. He does go in a curb but it’s short shanked so there’s gamble number two. (Yup, particular about what’s in his mouth as well.) Normally I ride him in a snaffle, however that would not be smart or practical for THIS ride.
Next, we were on a farm-farm. Not a horse-farm – so no arena – just a big big field (takes an hour to ride around). Gamble number three – he has all kinds of room to gain momentum should he decide to take the stage.
I also went out with my friend who was putting the first ride on a new horse she just got last year. That would be gamble number four. (And for her, gambles one, two and three all at once. Her four was riding with my horse.)
We used to do this all the time, ride horses (we didn’t know) in fields when they haven’t been ridden in forever or are known to be sour. I was 22 then, and if I had a problem, I bounced right back into the saddle.
Now, if I get bucked off I need to go see a “specialist” so I try to avoid that. Luckily practice has made better so getting bucked off is no longer a frequent thing. I think this is part riding and part learning about heading things off.
Add to my gambling, loose and excited horses wanting to follow us + a four wheeler. I asked my friend's husband to take a picture of us and found out he was just snapping pictures...so here's the picture book version:
It was beautiful out today and feeling like spring. Mother Nature is bluffing however, we’ll be getting more snow this week.
So I wasn’t planning to ride today. My horse is at a friend’s farm and I went up to visit last night for a fundraiser and to visit. I didn’t bring my saddles or any bridles or anything. Lucky I keep on the ready with boots and jeans.
My horse is really great, I’ve had him for almost ten years. But I’ve never left off of him for 6 months and just not ridden him. I’ve ridden my share of spring tune-ups so I’m fully aware of all the drama that can come around if you leave a horse sit for that long.
Additionally, my horse can sometimes be a bit of a drama queen, he has a big motor, and he’s very sensitive. So he’s not what people describe as “quiet” or “bomb-proof.” He’s typically described as “hot” and “all business.” To his credit, he’s very well mannered and he does have a gentle soul. It’s just he can get a little full of himself even when ridden all the time.
I didn’t have my own tack and Mr. Sensitivity is a bit particular about his saddle so there’s gamble number one. The saddle *seemed* fine but others have *seemed* fine too and have not been. He is very clear when something is not working for him. I can appreciate that.
I had to use a longer shanked, low-port grazing curb. He does go in a curb but it’s short shanked so there’s gamble number two. (Yup, particular about what’s in his mouth as well.) Normally I ride him in a snaffle, however that would not be smart or practical for THIS ride.
Next, we were on a farm-farm. Not a horse-farm – so no arena – just a big big field (takes an hour to ride around). Gamble number three – he has all kinds of room to gain momentum should he decide to take the stage.
I also went out with my friend who was putting the first ride on a new horse she just got last year. That would be gamble number four. (And for her, gambles one, two and three all at once. Her four was riding with my horse.)
We used to do this all the time, ride horses (we didn’t know) in fields when they haven’t been ridden in forever or are known to be sour. I was 22 then, and if I had a problem, I bounced right back into the saddle.
Now, if I get bucked off I need to go see a “specialist” so I try to avoid that. Luckily practice has made better so getting bucked off is no longer a frequent thing. I think this is part riding and part learning about heading things off.
Add to my gambling, loose and excited horses wanting to follow us + a four wheeler. I asked my friend's husband to take a picture of us and found out he was just snapping pictures...so here's the picture book version:
One
Two
Three
Typically I’m a terrible gambler so I suppose I was due for some luck. The biggest problem was saddle fit combined with everything else. The saddle fit so it was cake. (I'm sorry I couldn't provide anything more sensational than this, I could never do the news.)
You know, I have an awesome horse. I think I knew that before but I just got reminded. He was the same horse. The exact same horse the way I left him.
Hey maybe this is what I (*we*) get back in karma for “saving” Fargo. Apparently the water is receding!
