We're ridin' now

I was chatting with Kate, my farrier, yesterday about how we feed, prep, pamper, doctor, train, nurture, spend money on and clean up after our horses, yet we bought them so we could ride. Well, after 3 years, I am riding and so is Bob.

Wednesday with Dan

We trailered our horses for our weekly neighborhood training and drove to Dan's ranch to use his huge outdoor arena. The rain threatened but never followed through. I tried my new Wintec dressage saddle on Banjo, but it just didn't feel right and his gait wasn't there. So I switched back to the gaited National Bridle Saddle and he did better. I could never seem to get him into his running walk gait. We did a very comfortable canter, though.

His one rein stopping is getting better! I've had some luck on the left and no luck on the right. Dan had me try the right, and when Banjo said "no" I made him canter and tried again. And again. Finally he said "yes". When we were done all the horses were sweating. Some of it was high humidity, but a lot of it was hard work.

We are all beginning to feel like accomplished riders, ready to hit the trail with confidence. Maybe next week.