More Surprises!

55 Minute Ride
Morgan - Bill and Wasabi
2.55 miles

Psst, guess who's joining us for a ride today?

Bill and Wasabi!  Long time, no see, right?  In fact, Wasabi's last ride was December 24, 2014.  This made the 9th ride for Bill & Wasabi

Wasabi was happy to be out, very cooperative and doing great ... for the first 30 minutes.  Then she started to give Bill some guff.  She picked her front hooves off the ground three times (less than a foot off the ground; she was testing not committing) and he put her in check quickly and quietly.

She was perfectly fine once we headed home and Bill let her stretch her legs as a reward.  Morg and I ambled along behind, content to just be out.  It was really nice to be able to ride with someone again!

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.

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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.

Morgan is not one to miss a snack ... ever

29 Minute Walk/Ride
Morgan
1.81 miles

Hey Morgan, it's your turn for a walk!

Who, Me?

I think I'll just stay here and snack. You go ahead without me, I'll be fine.

Seriously Morg, those are the most adorable ears ever.  I could almost give up riding just to stare at them for a while.  But ... I hear there are carrots for Morgans who go for rides.

CARROTS?!  Mmmm, Let's go!

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!

Forecast: More Wind and Rain

19 Minute Walk
Morgan
0.79 miles

It was chilly this morning, and the horses were all damp and muddy

I did the best I could to groom Morg, but she was still sandy.

I figured she was going to roll in the sand as soon as I turned her out, so I tossed on her wool blanket and headed out for a walk.

We didn't go as far as we normally do, but I had fun walking, chatting, and snuggling my little bay girl.  She seemed far more interested in the grass than my conversation, but I didn't really expect her to be chatty.

Happy Birthday Morgan!

13 Minute Ride
Morgan - Solo
0.71 miles

Starting the new month out right ... full of cuddles and smiles

It was wet, cold, and windy yesterday.  Today it was wet, cold, and windy.  Since it wasn't getting any better, I decided to hang out with Morgan for a while.

 

We celebrated her "birthday" by sweet talking Bill into taking a few pictures of Morgan and I before we went for a ride.  Morgan found a few mints in my pockets and was happy to stand around snacking and posing.

Nothing says Happy Birthday like cheesy photos!

 

We only rode for a few minutes ... the wind picked up and was blowing sand in our eyes.  So, I rode Morgan home, untacked her, and gave her some warmed beet pulp before returning her to the herd.  

I just adore my Morgie girl and look forward to many more years with my bestie.