Weather: Sunny and 60F. SUNNY! 60F! Patches of dry ground, even.
The Plan: Ditch all other options (wine tasting, for example) and play outside.
Breakfast: French toast and coffee
Morning activities: Brett worked on pieces of reclaimed barn wood he is going to use for the guest bathroom window frame. I cleaned out the refrigerator in the barn -- despite being on the lowest setting, cans of root beer froze and exploded. It looked like diarrhea... thankfully, it smelled like root beer.
Then, we rode. I rode Lucy who was practically perfect in every way. She was relaxed, but forward. I remembered how to ride. (honestly, I was worried about that) All the years of taking lessons paid off. As soon as my butt hit the saddle, the voices of my trainers chimed in: legs on (because she's a sensitive mare), sit up straight, Velcro those elbows to your hips... Brett rode Pistol. As I was trotting along feeling unimaginable joy at the fluid ease of Lucy's trot, Brett called over, "It sure feels good to be riding." Exactly what I was thinking. I love riding that mare; more than any other horse I've ever had, or had the pleasure to ride.
Lunch: in the garden with goldfinches flitting in the branches above my head.
Afternoon activities: we rode, again. Brett rode Flash and I rode Tex.
They were both good as gold. Tex was relaxed and affectionate. He stood, ground tied, like a statue while I set the saddle on his back. He lined himself up at the mounting block (okay four tries, but still) and stood quietly while I mounted. We walked around for a bit. My goal was to have him relax at the walk. I won't work on trot until he is relaxed and supple at the walk. He did relax and, while he struggled with bend and never got to supple, he did lift his back underneath me and carry himself in an excellent frame for brief moments. Its a place to start.
Dinner: Brett treated me to dinner in town, at a new restaurant. It was excellent -- Czech owners and Eastern European food -- reminded me of my Hungarian grandmother's cooking.
I don't think life gets any better than this.
You are not kidding! That sounds like a perfect day and all the horses did so well!
ReplyDeleteYeah baby!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful day! We were above 74 on Saturday and I too said to myself Best. Day. Ever!
ReplyDelete74 Wow!
DeleteWhat a great day. I had tears in my eyes reading about Tex. You have made such a difference for this horse!
ReplyDeleteTex has already come so far -- further than I thought we'd ever get. It's amazing what time and patience can accomplish.
DeleteI am so jealous of you right now- but in a good way. What a perfect day!
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea of how many times I've envied you riding Carmen in the past months. ...in a good way, of course. I hope that blizzard is gone and you can get back out there.
DeleteOh, that does sound like heaven!!! We're having awesome spring-like sunshine and warmth for a few days too...oh my gosh, what a blessing! But I am so jealous of you getting to ride!! I know exactly how you feel though, after a long hiatus and your body just doing what it's meant to do. Love it! It's been way too long for me, and I am so looking forward to it. A few more dry days and we'll be there. What wonderful day you all had!!
ReplyDeleteIt was an absolutely wonderful day. Hopefully, you'll dry out enough to ride soon too. And what a relief that everything came back to me.
DeleteGood for you and Brett and all the horses! It's so good to have a wonderful day riding in beautiful weather. You deserve it after all that wetness you've had.
ReplyDeleteWe've been getting pounded with snowstorms and wind here. No riding. I've got to say in all my years I've never heard thunder or seen lightening during a snow storm ... but I have now. Crazy weather.
I've never heard of thunder and lightening during a snow storm -- that must have been one crazy storm!
DeleteWhat a lovely day!! So nice to hear!!
ReplyDelete