Off To A Good Start

Today the sun came back.

 In December, we had 16 days of rain.  I don't think we've ever had so many days out of one month with rain.  It's only January 2nd and I'm already done with winter, with rain, and with damp cold.

But today, like I said, the sun was out.  It was chilly with a stiff, cold wind in the morning.  By late afternoon, the wind had died down and the temperature was close to 50F.  Brett went down to ride Mufasa.
Can you see him down there getting Mufasa ready to go?

I finished up my last bit of work and hightailed it down to the barn to get in a ride before dark.  Jackson, Flash and Winston were hanging out together, watching my approach.  Can you believe Jackson made it through all those muddy, wet days in December?

Putting Jackson in the paddock where the ground drains and dries faster than the stall run-outs has been brilliant.  Brett put a water trough in the run-in so he doesn't have to slog down to the pond if he doesn't want to.  Jackson used it so much, and it kept his feet dry, that we decided to make it permanent.  Brett started putting in a water line so we can fill it with a faucet in the run in shed.  You can see the pipe in the corner, marked with a big rock so Jackson doesn't step on it.  If it were Winston, the pipe would be chewed to bits by morning but Jackson is beyond that baby behavior.  Thank goodness.

Brett and I both had great rides.  Brett and Mufasa looked like a team and Brett said he felt like he was really riding Mufasa instead of just careening around the arena.  Gayle gave him great instructions in his lesson and he's already made progress.  Winston and I worked on canter and leg yield.  His attitude was willing and full of effort.  His trot was solid and his canter is starting to come together.

On Monday, we bought a tack trunk for me to take to the show later this month.  My friend, Heather, told me about it.  The box is actually a tool trunk from Home Depot.  $68 instead of $200 like the ones in the tack stores and easily as big.

It fits my tall boots, my tack box, my braiding bag, my helmet and my show pads -- with room to spare.  I bet I could fit my saddle in if I wanted to -- not necessary since we have saddle racks in the horse trailer tack room but...wow.  I love this thing.

After riding, we did the chores.  Finessa and Tuffy were crowding me.  I must be overdue on a donkey post or something.  The cuties.

Mufasa has settled in well.  He eats with the others, he rolls, he takes naps in the sun and he canters around playing with Winston.  He seems very happy and devoted to Brett already.

No rain in the forecast for the next week.  Yes!