Bareback on a Saturday

Horse time has been mostly a daily check-in for fly spray and nose patting lately.  I spent a few hours on Tuesday helping Eric and company get ready to leave for the Iowa Gold Star show (and avoiding my housework), but on Saturday I met E over at Eric's for some riding time.

I pulled in around 9 a.m. and took my time getting hooves picked out and both boys brushed off while I waited for E.  We hadn't set a definite time, and she has a lot further to drive then I do, so when I was done I went ahead and wrapped Sunny's legs and tacked him up.  I figured since it'd been a few weeks since I'd ridden, I'd let him blow off some steam on the longe line if he wanted to.

He bounced off at a perky trot, but it didn't take him long to wind down.  I did ask him to canter in both directions.  He looked stiff and flat to the left, and more than once he took the wrong lead first and then switched.  Right was better, as has been usual lately.  His toes are on the long side, too... all things considered, if I'd been planning for a lesson I'd have canceled, and if I'd planned for a stiff work session I'd have bagged it, but since neither of those things was on the agenda, I decided I wasn't going to feel guilty for riding him.

I'd just gotten on when E pulled in, and while I waited for her to get Mac collected and ready, I worked Sunny through some spirals and body part isolation exercises.  I didn't ask him for much collection - mainly just walking and a few rounds at a trot until he was soft and reaching down for the bit and stepping under and over when I asked.   

Once E came out - and hopped on bareback - I pulled Sunny's saddle off and joined her.  We spent an hour or better just moseying around the arena chatting and laughing at the antics of the one lone chicken that decided to join us.  She kept strutting and scratching and flopping down to take dust baths in random spots, generally right in front of an on-coming hoof.  Miraculously, she didn't get stepped on, but due more to the horses than any concern she exhibited.

Neither horses nor chicken appeared at all concerned, although I initially had visions of puffed up dustmop trying to fly up Sunny's left nostril... and eventually she wandered off to sun herself elsewhere.

When E and I finished, I saddled Thunder and longed him - his first time in the arena.  He tracked around like the trooper he usually is, wide-eyed but listening.  Afterward I rode him through and over the ground poles and then we explored the arena for a while.  Although he's been hauled over there quite a few times, he's always spent his time guarding the trailer.  He checked things out, but didn't seem to concerned about anything - including the rest of the chickens that were clucking and flapping around across the fence from us. 

All in all it was a lovely way to spend the morning, and I feel better for the riding time.  The farrier's coming this week to do feet, and it looks as if the weather may cooperate by cooling off.  I sure hope so!