Brett and Winston

Brett's been a life saver with my broken foot.  He does all of the chores, morning and night, without complaining too much.  He doesn't complain when my foot is too tired and achy to stand on in the kitchen and make dinner.  I'm working from home as much as I can, but I still need to go into the office once or twice a week -- and he drives me there and back.  Yesterday, he even offered to ride Winston for me.

I went down to the barn with him and got Winston out of the pasture.  Winston met me at the gate and slipped his head right into the waiting halter.  I groomed him, with Brett hovering in the background, worried that Winston would step on my walking boot.  Winston didn't do anything of the kind.  He was even a gentleman about picking up his feet -- instead of the usual whining and squirming.  He was filthy.  The fine dust of the pasture was embedded deep in his coat.  I went over him three times with the curry comb and stiff brush and it still flew off of him like Pig Pen in a Charlie Brown comic strip.

My dressage saddle is too small for Brett and his is too wide for Winston.  Instead, we tacked him up Western so Brett could use his saddle and they would both be comfortable.  Winston wasn't sure about Brett riding him at first, and Brett wasn't sure about Winston.  They quickly figured each other out, both of them working at understanding the other.  Winston's ears were on Brett and before long he was striding along in a nice frame.

It was a little tougher for Brett.  Winston is very different from Flash in his energy level, stride and sensitivity.  Brett had to really swing his hips to stay with Winston's walk and the trot was too big for him to post well in the trail saddle.  On a long rein, Winston was soft in his eye and relaxed.  Brett tried taking up the contact and Winston immediately tensed up.  I suggested that Brett just work with him on a long rein since contact is a work in progress.  I know the feel that I have to use to keep Winston relaxed but it's hard to describe.  Right now, I just want Winston to get some exercise.

They walked around the arena for 20 minutes or so.  Brett said he'd be happy to ride him again for me.  Winston liked the idea too.  Brett is a lot more about fun than I am so I think they will have a good time together.  Maybe Brett will work with him on obstacles and such.  I think they would both enjoy that.