Twice the fun!

22 minutes - 1.25 miles - Morgan

Grabbed Morgie and ran out the gate as the sun started to slide behind the mountains.  She was nervous today ... means I haven't been keeping up with our walking/riding schedule.  My fault.  

Love spending time with my bestie, Morgie!

17 minutes - 0.76 miles - Rhulain

Quickly untacked Morgan and grabbed Rhulain.  Saddled as quickly as I could and headed out to the open desert.  She wanted to trot so I let her, bringing her to a walk when I knew the ground would be uneven, then let her pick up the trot again.  She was really responsive to cues today, but jumpy.  Love spending time with my Rhu!

Wished I could have spent more time with both of them, but darkness comes all too quickly in the winter.

*Contented Sigh*

18 minutes - Morgan - 1.19 miles

Morgie girl, let's go for a quickie

  

We'll take a quick walk, let you snack on some stuff, and then I'll ride home, k?

Best.View.Ever.

Morgie was exceptional today. I never lifted the reins, and she never moved faster than a walk.  I wasn't in a rush to get home either Morgie girl ... if only that sun wouldn't set quite so quick.

Quick, before the sun sets

10 minute ride
Morgan
? miles

Bill was busy talking to a gentleman about laying our new floor, the animals were lazying about in the sun, and then Morgan called out to me ... I caught her drift ... we had a few minutes before dinner time and Bill wouldn't notice our escape if we hurried ...

And those are just the cutest ears to watch the shadows lengthen through.  So we snuck in a quick ride.  I don't know how long we were gone, I didn't care how many miles we rode, I was just happy to be with my Morgie girl right there, in that moment of bliss.

First Ponying Session

20 Minutes 
Rode Morgan, ponied Reagan
Distance: 0.5 miles

Morgan looks so worried here!  Poor thing ... it's just a quick ride Morgie!

We ran errands all day, so I didn't get home until just about dark.  I quickly threw a saddle on Morgan and a halter on Reagan and set out down the street.  We didn't go far, but it was still enough to reinforce the leading exercises I'd been working on with Reagan and to get time with both of my mares.

After a nice workout, every mare deserves a snack (and a bath)

I will say that Reagan did wonderful going in and out of the gates, waited patiently for me to mount and then stayed on the side she was assigned.  That's a big improvement over our last venture together.  She still lags behind on while walking away from the property and tries to take the lead on the way back ... but she did much better and quick, quiet reminders had her positioned where she should be in a few seconds.

Once again, I am so, so thankful for Morgan.  She's such a steady, willing, and forgiving partner.

Turnout Fun

Tuesday, October 14th  5 minute ride  
Solo

Morgan giving me a hug before we rode

I only had a few minutes, so I tossed on a headstall and clambered on Morgan's back.  We stayed in the turnout pen.  The other horses were wandering around the turn out impatiently waiting for dinner, so we got some interesting reactions.  

First there was Wasabi:

She threw a hissy fit ... kicking up dirt, snorting, racing about

Then she decided to play "follow the leader" .... with her being the leader, of course

Then there was Majesty:

He looked pitiful ... this is his "I'm starving, please feed me" face

Two laps around the turn out and I hopped off and fed everyone.  Just a quick pick me up before heading to the town council meeting.

Sneaking in a quick jaunt

Monday, October 13th  15 minute ride   
Solo

Rode Morgie down the street, turned around and came back.  It's getting too dark to ride more than a few minutes when I get home, which is a bummer.  I didn't grab a camera or my phone, so there's no pictures.  Just a nice, leisurely stroll down the street with my best horse!

Morgan and Bill on June 22, 2013

October 16, 2012

Got home with enough daylight to ride, but had to be in the house within an hour.  Quickly fed and groomed Morgan.  Used the brown bitless, need to buy new reins - too long, though the thickness is nice.

Didn't do too much, just out one driveway, in the other driveway, around the west yard and back to the tack shed.  Left her snacking at the horse trailer while I filled buckets for the morning.  Then fed her an additional 3 pounds before scooting in the house.