Going Western

The other day I hand walked Winston a bit on the bridle path by our property, just to get him used to being out there alone.

Saturday, we went western.  I put on my boots and dusted off the trail saddle.

I don't think Winston has ever worn a Western saddle before.  Fortunately, he is the same size as Jackson so my practically brand new trail saddle fits him.  I thought he looked pretty spiffy in his casual wear.

When we started walking over to the mounting block, he wasn't too sure.  The saddle creaks and squeaks a lot -- the way new saddles do.  We walked around in the arena until he got used to the sounds and relaxed.  Then we hit the open road.

Past the bunnies and the hay shed...

...down the back driveway

 and back to the arena.  In the arena we did a bit of work turning on the forehand and leg yielding.  When he had that down, we went back down the driveway to the gate.

Jackson wanted to know what the heck we were doing going back and forth, back and forth, up and down the driveway.

We got the gate open.  It wasn't graceful and involved Winston getting smacked by the gate (he didn't even jump!).

We turned right and followed the property line towards the main entrance and the goats.

The furthest he had been was this corner.  He wasn't sure about going further.

And he wasn't sure about the two goats that were napping on top of the big boulder (gone in this photo).

Yawning, stretching goats resemble bobcats.  At least, that's what Winston told me.  Not that he's ever seen a bobcat.

We continued on to the neighbor's driveway before turning around.  When we got back to our back driveway, I decided to continue on to the corner since he was doing so well.  I was riding on a long rein and he was pretty relaxed.

We were riding into the sun... a photo no-no.  Or maybe we were being blessed by the sunlight. 

We met a neighbor coming back from a ride on one of her horses and chatted for awhile. 

Then it was back up the driveway to home.

I think he earned this.  Don't you?