Rhulain's Cranky Face is Still Kissable

1.26 miles - 21 minutes - Rhulain

Uh oh, someone is not happy about leaving her herd. 

A month between walks is far too long.

 She started to perk up once we got on a familiar path ... The one that leads to the snacking spot.

 Ah yes, Rhulain never misses an opportunity to munch down on fresh grass shoots, dead leaves, and brush. Her motto is ... Try everything once!

 At the halfway point, we got in some good snuggle time. Lots of her snacking and me drinking in her essence. I had forgotten her smell.

She still takes my breath away. So gorgeous! She might have slowed me down on the walk today, but I needed the time with her. The occasional morning snuggles are no substitute for real horse time.

Much Needed Morgie Time

37 minutes - 1.80 miles - Morgan

Bill and our foster child decided to watch a John Wayne movie ... I escaped as fast as possible and ran outside with a halter and leadrope in hand.  Rhu took one look and walked away, but Morgan came right up and stuck her nose in the halter.  Well okay Morgie girl, let's go!

We had no particular destination, and with 45 minutes until the sun set, we wandered.  I turned on the music and sang out loud.  She set the pace and I guided our course.  We trotted for a while, but mostly we just walked in companionable silence.

Sometimes you don't realize how much you need alone time until you actually get some.  All the tension melted out of my shoulders in the first five minutes.  Every time I get a chance to spend time with Morgan it reminds me how awesome she is and how utterly grateful I am to have her in my life.

Peace.

33 minutes - 1.55 miles - Morgan

I'm so grateful when I can get time to myself ...even more so when I can spend that time with my horse ... but the best time ever spent is with Morgan.  I love this horse; absolute love.

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!