Mondays with Morgan

25 minutes - 1.18 miles - Morgan & Luppy

 I take it you want to join us for our walk Luppy?

Morgan doesn't look like she cares, so come on ... we'll all go for a walk.

Love the laser eyeballs of Wasabi and Rhulain in the background.

We took a different path today, and Morgan didn't seem to mind as long as the alfalfa cubes kept coming.  Luppy was a bit confused by the change in our route, but stuck close by and didn't get lost.

It was a nice smooth path.  I will use it again because it could easily extend it to 1.25 or even 1.5 miles with minimal effort and offered areas to walk, trot, and canter.

Morgan's routine is knocked off kilter

34 minutes - 1.70 miles - Morgan and Luppy

Morgan is not happy.  Not happy at all.  

First, I decided to take Luppy on our walk with us. She snorted at Luppy.

Then we left using a different gate.

AND I had the audacity to go down a different path.

Morgan ground her teeth the entire walk.

What was that noise? Luppy.

WHAT was that noise? Luppy.

What was THAT noise? Luppy.

Yep, That's how the whole walk went.

But, how does something become a routine? Repetition.  Morgan is used to her routine, but I like this path better so we'll keep using it until it becomes the norm.  Or until Morgan grinds her teeth down to nubs.

Should Have Stuck With The Original Plan

40 Minute Ride
Morgan - Solo
1.82 miles

Does this look like the face of trouble?

Nope, looks like an adorable Morgan ... yet she was a pistol today.  I should have stuck with the original plan of riding Reagan and ponying Morgan today.  I got greedy and figured I could sneak in a 20 minute ride on both Morgan and Reagan.  Mmm hmm.

It started out ok ... we walked for 10 minutes then I swung up into the saddle.  I should have stuck with the original plan and kept to our normal path.  But no, I decided to follow this wash and ride parallel to the sun. Mmm hmm.

Morgan wants a treat for putting up with me. 

And she wants it now.

Once we turned towards home, Morgan got high headed and snorty. She wouldn't walk. At all. I kept having to pull her down to a walk, circle bushes, do figure 8s, flat out run in the opposite direction, whatever I could think of to get her mind back on me.  What should have been a pleasant 20 minute ride turned into a 40 minute fight because I couldn't stick with the original plan.  I forgot she'd had 4 days off and needs a routine.

Sorry Morgie girl. I'll listen to my instincts more and my greedy side less. Tomorrow will be better. I promise.

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.

Extending our Route

43 Minutes Total
Walking for 31 minutes - Trotting for 10 minutes - Lope - for 2 minutes 
Distance: 2.97 miles

Had a rough start this morning ... I decided to ride rather than walk next to Morg for the first portion and her anxiety at leaving the herd was evident.  Wouldn't walk a straight line or focus for the 15 minutes.  

Once we got to the trotting portion of our ride, she settled in smoothly and we extended our route by an extra half mile.  Simply fabulous on the way home, even when I asked her to walk most of the way.  

Really enjoying our mornings together!