Definitely Reagan's Last Ride

20 minutes
Rode Reagan
0.92 miles

Windy, chilly, and getting dark .,. just about the perfect time to throw a saddle on Reagan and take a spin around the block.  She was a sweet girl, but nervous about the wind.  Had a bit of a spazz attack when my hat fluttered in the wind so I brought it close to her shoulder then retreated until she was able to let it touch her while holding still.

  

After that, she was just as good as gold.  We wandered down the road, out in the open desert, and then circled back home all at a nice calm walk with her head in perfect position.  

I rubbed her neck quite a bit and told her what a wonderful mare she is and how much I appreciated our time together.

After our ride, I taught her how to take carrots out of my hand because her new owner will probably want to treat her in hand.  She really liked that lesson!  Gonna miss you red girl ... but you're headed off to new adventures ... and you're always welcome home.  Always.

** Reagan's new owner picked her up Sunday, May 3rd. 

Happy trails to you both! **

Possibly Reagan's last ride

24 minutes
Rode Reagan, ponied Morgan
1.13 miles

20 minutes
Reagan, ground work

Reagan leaves either later this week or early next week.  I wanted to get in another ride or two to work out any kinks before she goes.  Figured I'd take Morgan with us, just to spend time with them both.

They are so adorable together.  Morgan took being ponied well, though she lagged behind most of the time.  Can't complain about the ride, they both did everything asked of them with nice forward momentum.

Such an odd view for me

Reagan gave me some guff when we got home ... she decided to run away from me when it was time to be put back in the turn out arena.  This caused her to have to work an additional 20 minutes after she was caught.  I was not happy having to chase her around, but was happy with her ground work.  Though she hadn't done ground work in nearly three years, she responded quickly to requests and kept her focus on me with only minor corrections.

Not going to lie, I'm going to miss this mare.  Wish I had room for six sometimes.  But, she will thrive being somebody's only horse ... she loves the attention and the grooming that comes with being somebody's absolutely favorite mare.  I'm happy for her and her new owner :)

Reagan's Ground Work

24 minutes
Reagan - ground work
0.14 miles

I knew it was going to be dark soon, but I wanted to work on Reagan standing still at the mounting area.  I saddled her up (and stole back my old saddle pad which Bill "borrowed" almost a year ago) but left her in a halter for flexing work.  She gave her head quickly, quietly, and consistently from both sides so I switched her to the bitless bridle.

We spent the next 15 minutes having her stand while I climbed in the saddle, then flexed her neck to each side.  Sometimes we flexed twice, sometimes three times, sometimes only once, but each time I settled in to the saddle she flexed before I asked her to move off.  I'll reinforce the lesson on Thursday and Friday just to make sure it's cemented and then let her new owner know what we've done.

Bittersweet Day

10 minute ride
Reagan
30 minute ride - Bill & Majesty

I had listed an ad for Reagan and received a phone call from a wonderful lady earlier in the week.  She wanted to come take a look at her and a horse our farrier was selling on Sunday.  So, we loaded Reagan and Majesty up and hauled them to the local arena. 

We chatted while I saddled her up, explained that she was in heat, so this was going to be her at her very worst ... Reagan snorted indignantly to show me what she thought of that statement.  She took a step away from the mounting block while I slid into the saddle, but that was the worst of it.  

I walked and trotted her around the arena then hopped out of the saddle.  As soon as the lady got comfortable in the saddle a smile slid across her face.  She looked at Reagan the way I did, which made my heart warm.  She rode for a bit, then asked her friend to ride her as well.  Reagan carried the lady's friend around the arena and listened quietly for cues and basically was perfect.

The lady bought Reagan.  So, we will bid happy trails to Reagan the third week in April.

Meanwhile, Bill and Majesty took a stroll around the area, through the local sand dunes, and was a gentleman to the lady's grandson.  They ambled about for 30 minutes, then we loaded them up and took them home.  Morgan had to check each of them when they were put in the turn out.  She makes me laugh sometimes.

Helicopter Ears

19 minute ride
Reagan
0.81 miles

Those ears of hers never stop moving for an instant ... I've taken to calling her helicopter ears.

Just a quick jaunt around the desert close to the house at a walk.  Once I get in the saddle, I don't say a word until we get home.  I talk to Morgan constantly, but with Reagan, not a sound unless I'm making a correction.  The quiet seems to work out well for us both. 

First Bath of the Year

45 minute ride
Rode Morgan & ponied Reagan for 20
Rode Morgan with Bill & Majesty for 25
3.11 miles

Morgan and I headed out for a quick ride with our buddy Reagan in tow

Reagan wasn't too happy with the arrangement.  She dragged her feet and kept twitching her ears, but kept moving forward.  She and Morg are in heat, but behaved well considering the circumstances ... not too mareish.

When we arrived home, we saw Bill and Majesty heading up one of the dunes by our house.  I put Reagan away and Morgan and I raced off to catch the "boys."  We rode around the open desert for a while then headed home.

Since it was still light and Morgan was smelly, she got a bath.  I let her wander around the yard to snack (and dry) for a while, but as soon as I put her in the turn out she decided she needed a sand bath.  

Lucky she's cute!

Change of plans

24 minute walk
Morgan & Reagan
1.01 miles

Morgan ... I think Reagan wants to go ... she's staring at us rather intently

Everyone ready to go for our walk?

I thought you wanted to go for a walk Reagan ... turns out you just want the snacks at the half way point.  I see how it is.

Night Walking

8 minute walk
Reagan
0.30 miles

Hey Reagan, let's go for a walk!

Now?

Yeah, but a real short one ... say out one driveway and in the other

Ok ... let's do this.

Thanks for accompanying me tonight. I like spending time with you.

Awww, you're welcome.

2 Glorious Rides

46 Minute Ride
Reagan - Bill and Majesty
2.15 miles

Look who's a pocket pony now!  She's right behind me step for step once she's saddled up.  She certainly likes to go out now

And look who joined us ... Bill and Majesty!  It's the first time we've ridden these two together since November 2012.

We did some light dune work, but nothing too strenuous.  Just enough to have some fun

Goatly antics make Reagan wary ... 

She wouldn't take her eye off that silly goat

It was a nice, calm ride and the two of them seemed to be a match in temperament and pace.  I pushed Reagan into faster speeds to get her to stretch low and long.  After two tries she was reaching out beautifully.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

36 Minute Ride
Morgan
2.48 miles

Morgan was none too happy about having to go out solo OR being ridden second.  Look at that face!

We rode out the gate rather than having me walk for the first 20 minutes and she did fine.  A little hesitation, but she moved out nicely when asked.

The sun dipped below the mountain on our way back home, so we picked up the pace a little.  I love spending time with Morgie and today was no exception.

So, um ... Reagan left me in the desert ... alone

39 Minute Walk/Ride
Reagan
1.89 miles

All was right in my world ... I said "Hey Reagan, ready for our outing?"

And she came right over to me.  I thought: "Today is going to be awesome."

We walked out the front gate and wandered out to the sand dunes.  I said: "Geez, it's been a long time since I've been in the dunes.  I kind of miss them."

 Upon hearing this, Reagan decided to do me a favor and let me have some quiet time in the dunes. Alone.

*sigh*

I had moved her over to a mound of sand so I could step in the saddle for our trip home.  Her butt was too far away, so I hopped off the mound, walked around her, and gave her big bum a push.  She promptly scrambled up the mound and took off at a run.

*sigh*

I followed her tracks and found her in the neighbor's yard.  I checked for injuries, and finding none, I tightened up the cinch and climbed into the saddle.  We retraced our original path at a "trot" (that was the most awful bouncy hot mess of a trot ever ... whatever did they do to you Reagan?!?) then turned around after half a mile and walked home.

Not a horrible way to spend the morning, but it did make me late for work.  And what excuse did I have for my boss?  My sorrel mare left me in the desert a 1/2 mile from the house.  Honestly!

What did I learn from this adventure?  

1) Don't let go of the reins with Reagan; 

2) Get her in position before trying to mount; and 

3) Work on that trot!

Double my pleasure

23 Minute Walk
Morgan and Reagan
1.01 miles

Clowns to the left of me ...

Jokers to the right ...

Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!

Took both mares out for a walk today ... they behaved really well! Morgan kept "checking" on Reagan, but Reagan was only interested in the snacks.  

Reagan needed a refresher on gate etiquette this morning and after 5 passes, she settled down and walked through like a lady.  

No complaints ... it was a great way to spend a chilly morning!

Reagan's Turn!

26 Minute Walk/Ride
Reagan - Solo
1.10 miles

Reagan: Quick, let's get out of here - Majesty sounds upset he's being left behind

Today was Reagan's turn for a walk. I saddled her up with the intention of riding her the half mile home.  Decided to try the bitless bridle today and it seemed to work better than the cross under headstall.

Why are you standing there taking pictures still?  Isn't it time to go?!

She did so much better today leading!  No rushing, no dragging behind, no crowding, and no trying to snack.  I could tell the rocks were bothering her feet, so we walked in the sand next to the road. The terrain changes had her working a bit more and thinking about her foot placement.

Reagan looking contemplative

Had to ask her to stand twice while I mounted, but that's a vast improvement.  Made her flex her neck both ways before walking off at the house, then repeated the request under saddle.  Repetition and consistency seems to help ease her worries. 

In her zen mode ... she's as quiet and calm as can be ... while eating

Rode her the whole way home, with only minor correction.  Anytime she moved faster than a walk she had to circle once then move forward.  Took us five circles, but then she settled to a beautiful walk.  

She jumped over the fallen log today without any prodding and headed for the "U" driveway rather than the gate upon arrival at the house ... which means she's learning the pattern and anticipating my requests.  The routine seems to be helping.

Two In One Day ... It's starting to be a habit

35 Minutes (25 min walk, 10 min trot)
Rode Morgan - Solo
Distance: 2.91 miles

I got a new saddle pad which fit Morgan perfectly!  Which means the green one belongs to Reagan. Figured it was going to rain tonight, so I'd better get a ride or two in quickly.

Morgan was reminding me I hadn't brushed her mane yet

We walked our normal path before I swung into the saddle.  She's so much better about holding still now when I go to mount.  She set her own pace today with me just providing guidance on where to go and when to slow down for the footing changes.  

Morgan selfies ... they make me laugh

Morg chose the route back, and we meandered through the streets until we arrived home.  It was a wonderful, but too short, ride in my opinion.

Morgan failed to notice a girl walking a dog ... when she did see them, she made a sharp swerve to the right which had me off kilter for a few seconds.   Never had her do that before, but no harm, no foul. 

35 Minutes (20 min walk, 5 min ride, 10 min mounting groundwork)
Walked/Rode Reagan - Solo
Distance: 1.24 miles

Saddled Reagan up just for the practice and because I wanted to see how the green looked on her ... it's not bad ... wish it was teal or navy blue, but I can get used to it

Reagan selfies are just as funny!

Took Reagan for a walk out the front gate, and the goat tried to follow us.  We had to turn around and chase the goat back onto the property.  *sigh*

Reagan is never too pleased about walking, but the tuft of hair between her ears makes me giggle every time I see it

When we got to the normal turn around spot, I led Reagan over to the area I usually mount Morgan from and tried putting my weight in the stirrup.  Reagan immediately moved forward.  So, we spent a few minutes relaxing and learning to just stand quietly while I got settled in the saddle.

Reagan's wonky ears

I slid into the saddle and let her move forward, but she wouldn't walk calmly and was breathing heavily.  I stopped her, walked beside her for a bit, then tried getting in the saddle again.  We had to have the discussion about standing still while I mounted again, but eventually I sat in the saddle and asked her to walk.

Yep, that's the view between sorrel ears, at a nice, calm pace

We repeated the process three more times over the course of a half mile, but finally she held still the first time I put my foot in the stirrup, relaxed into a walk, and dropped her head.  All the tension left her and I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures from the saddle.

She's going to be just fine, as long as I stay calm and quiet, she will learn what's expected and what is acceptable behavior.  I really like this mare ... she just needs guidance.

Double Time!

45 Minutes (20 min walk, 15 min trot, 10 min walk)
Rode Morgan - Solo
Distance: unknown, tracker lost connection

Reagan was completely unfazed by the saddling process

Morgan and I went for a 20 minute walk and then I hopped in the saddle and we played in the dunes.  There wasn't another soul to be found ... not a single jackrabbit, crow, horse rider, or quad was out and about.  It was a glorious bit of wandering with just the right amount of exercise.

Reagan's "Aren't I cute?" look

I have an app on my phone that tracks our ride, provides our average mph, total distance, and shows our path with a red line on the map.  I was so excited when we were done to see how much distance we had covered and what our map would look like.

Reagan just found out that cute doesn't get you treats

Only we must have lost internet connection somewhere in the dunes because it didn't save any of our progress. *sigh*  Oh well, we'll stay away from that set of dunes in the future.

15 Minutes
Rode Reagan - Solo

Her ears just crack me up ... here's her burro imitation

Morgan and I had left late morning, so there was plenty of sunshine left to try Reagan under saddle.  I initially was just going to try on the saddle for fit, make all the necessary adjustments, and then take her for a walk.

Little tufts of funny hair tucked between her funny ears

She was so placid about the whole situation, I decided to get in the saddle and let her walk around the yard for a few minutes.  She was clearly nervous about any pressure on her face (even with the cross under headstall) so I used my legs to cue a turn reinforced by laying the reins across her neck. 

After the first five minutes, she released the tension she was clearly holding and breathed out softly.  To stop, I asked out loud then sat deeper in the saddle.  Worked out great!