Ups and Downs

Star completed her medication regime and now I'm waiting for the weather to cooperate to ride her again.  I'm guessing our trail riding days are over and we will have to stay in the front yard for riding - we need to avoid dust as much as possible to avoid an episode.

I rode Zoe everyday this past weekend.  We had one of the best rides we've ever had on Saturday - so relaxed, responsive and willing!  On Sunday when I took her out again I half expected to pick up where we left off on Saturday but I was wrong!!  She was feeling sassy for sure!  She's no longer in heat so I'm not sure what her deal was, it's a mare thing I guess.  She started off by shying away from both the saddle pad and the saddle when I was tacking her up.  She acted like a young horse who has never seen a saddle before, crazy mare!  Then when I took her halter off to put the bridle on, she tried to walk away...seriously.  What was her deal??  I decided to round pen her first and I'm glad I did!  She jumped into the air and did a big buck and then settled down to work.  She must have been feeling pretty good that day!  As I was mounting up she started to walk away so I immediately halted her but at the same time my foot was slipping into the stirrup on the other side and she let out a half buck.  Thankfully, I already had a hold on her and that was all she was able to do.  I have a feeling she did that out of protest of being stopped but feeling my foot on the other side possibly bumping her.  She's the type of horse that lets you know if she thinks you are being unfair or too harsh.

We got to work at a walk, a VERY fast walk.  She was itching to go faster but I wanted it to be when I asked her not when she decided.  This night she was even more connected to me than usual because we were at the point where I would think trot and she would pick it right up.  But whenever I began to think about slowing down she would SLAM on her breaks.  Gotta love the rope horse instinct!

We both got a good workout going before we got back to the point we were the night before; collected, relaxed, willing and listening.  Once there, I called it quits and I think she was ready to quite also.  Overall it was a good weekend of riding but had a rough patch or two!

Until next time!



Quote for the day:
"The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains."

-Josephine Baker