Back in the Saddle Again! Part 2

Back in the Saddle Again! Part 1

At first I thought there were two perfect candidates for this ride. One is Dandy and the other, Legs. Since Dandy, Rachel and Grandma have some issues to resolve, the stallion was the obvious choice. I was really looking forward to our ride.

Legs was probably glad to see me although that's not what he said. The horse stood back in the corner shaking his head at me and stomping his foot. He was definitely telling me off for all the time I'd neglected him. Just like his mother, Scandalous, who used to go into the corner, turn her butt to me and pout because I had been gone, this horse clearly let me know he was upset with me.

Normally I'm not crazy about dealing with crabby horses, but this kind of crabby actually makes me feel kind of good. There's something warm and fuzzy feeling about knowing your horse has missed you, don't you think?

I peeled off his ton of clothes while he just kept on shaking his head. It was clear he was going to be a bit naughty. After all he had a point to make. Just because he'd been cared for didn't mean that I could abandon him. I laughed as he gave me just a little shove and then lightly rubbed his head against my arm. He was definitely glad to see me.

Leading the horse across the arena to the cross ties, he still kept up his attitude. With a bit of prancing and a bit of talking and still lots more shaking his head, the horse let me know he was glad to be getting out of that stall and doing something. This horse loves to work.

As we turned into the barn aisle, the stinker pulled me over towards Hope's stall. Knowing he's not supposed to be talking to girls, he just has to make me pay a little whenever he feels neglected. He stuffed his muzzle through the bars of her stall, puffed up and screamed that sexy to mares , "Don't ya want me!" call of his.

Pulling him away from her stall took little effort because it really wasn't about talking to her as much as it was about telling me! Like I said, he gets naughty! Not big, dangerous, naughty, that's not his style. But just these little things that say "I know better but YOU left me!"

Of course, he had to squirm a bit in the cross ties, shake his head as I tried to clip him and paw when I tried to put his polo wraps on. The horse knows all the things to just make it a hair harder to get him ready to go. He doesn't want to discourage me all together, just push my buttons a bit. But I just laugh! After all, it's nice to be missed. I missed him too.

Most people I know do lots of lunging before they ride. I only do it with the young horses and usually the stallions. But Legs is past that stage. He is such a good boy, no matter how fresh he is.

Once I throw my leg over him, the horse usually goes right to work. He really hates the lunge line so we have a deal. He behaves and I don't lunge. With the cold I've had, I didn't want to stir up the dust before I ever got near the saddle anyway. so we passed on lunging and went straight to mounting.

I knew he wasn't going to stand still when I tried to mount. And he didn't disappoint. The horse swung his butt away from the wicker stool/mounting block. Yes! the one that bucked me off. It was only a half-a**ed attempt to avoid. He moved right back into place and stood quietly while I climbed aboard. Just one more thing to say the horse was clearly glad to be back to work.

I had to ask Legs to move forward. He didn't even try to cheat and walk off on his own. I really didn't do much more than a warm-up. I didn't want to push my luck with this cold. Just being back in the saddle was going to be good enough for me. No big ideas or lofty goals for this first ride, just enough to fill my heart.

I did lots of flexing and bending, some two tracking or half passing. The horse was as responsive as ever. He tries so hard to please. He is such a pleasure to ride.

Mostly for six weeks he's been just lunged a couple of times a week and been turned out the few times the weather permitted. He still was such a good boy. You'd think I hadn't taken any time off at all, he was right where we left off. If I can just ride, I actually think we might make it to the show ring this year.

His lope is finally getting awesome. And his transitions are getting pretty awesome too. His bad way has become his good way. And his new bad way isn't far behind. This horse is finally beginning to perform to his capabilities. It's been a long hard road but worth every step. This horse is such a kick to ride!

Unfortunately, it wasn't long after I got off the horse, I began coughing again. Last night wasn't good, even Dave noticed that my cough had gotten worse. So I didn't go back to the barn today but the plan is to go tomorrow. Cross your fingers!!

The coughing today hasn't been much better but it's still much improved from a few days ago. If it gets worse, I'll make arrangements to see a pulmonologist. (I had planned on seeing one last year but by the time of the appointment arrived, my asthma quit bothering me so they advised me to wait.) In the meantime, I can't help but think about heading back to the barn. Even thinking about this ride makes me smile. I really needed that.



Visit Blog Village and vote daily for this blog Here They are now measuring the rankings by votes out, so if you find my blog on the site, please click that link too to improve my rankings. TY

baby boomer Arabian horse Arabian horses horses horse dream horse horse addiction