Lucy Gets a Turn

Finally, she said.  Finally.  I've been watching you with Tex, and I'm not happy about it.
I know, Lucy.  I see you with your head hanging over the fence watching us and I hear you calling me.  I'm sorry.

Sunday, we were able to ride.  We've had a handful of days without rain or snow, and two days with temperatures reaching the low 50s. The ground was still sloppy in most places but the small arena behind the barn was in good shape.

Lucy was anxious to get the show on the road.  I groomed and tacked her up as quickly as I could, but she still pawed impatiently.  I felt like I was grooming a bear and not a horse, her hair is very thick and long.

I walked her around the arena a few times since she's only been in there once or twice.  She settled a bit but still managed a spook spin as we finished our sixth lap.  I decided to lunge her.  Brett and Pistol watched as Lucy raced around, crow hopping and flinging her head.  When she was obedient and prompt to my voice commands, I got on.  Actually, I stood at the top of the mounting block taking deep breaths before I got on.  It had been two months since our last ride, she was full of it -- and I was nervous.

I needn't have been; Lucy was very good.  Very forward, but able to relax and stretch.  We didn't ride terribly long; I didn't want her to get sweaty since it would take her forever to dry.  Mostly, I tried to remember our lessons on transitions from the workshop with Sandy in September.

I'm not sure when I'll get another chance to ride.  Storm systems are lined up over the Pacific; rain has started again and will last at least through Sunday.  We need the rain more than Lucy and I need to ride, so I'm okay with that.    The nice thing about Lucy being almost 14 years old is that her training is solid.  If she doesn't get ridden regularly, she loses fitness but not memory.

Our Sierra snow pack is at 110% of normal for this time of year; fingers crossed that the wet cold weather continues.