False Spring

January has been incredibly mild and definitely trail riding weather. We had the horses shod and then went out to the Hennessey to do a little riding. Jupes had a major equipment malfunction--he no longer fits the bit we had been using. It took me a little while to figure out what was wrong with him, but finally Lynn saw it. I knew something wasn't right, but I couldn't figure it out. We weren't looking in the right place! Once Lynn saw it, I replaced the bit with a halter and we walked out a few miles back to the truck. Jupes was much happier with it out of his mouth. Poor thing had been trying to tell me he was being pinched!

The next day (yep, we got to go two days in a row!), I used a hackamore. He really likes it. I am sure he is thinking how full he can get his mouth once we go somewhere where the grass is growing. That bit just got in the way of his eating. Speaking of eating--he is roly-poly. The saddle doesn't sit well anymore either. So he had fits over that, too. Ever notice how it is always me with the equipment problems? What does that say?

Ziggy lost a shoe on Sunday. Poor thing. He is such a sweet, gentle horse. He adores Lynn. He's like a big (make that BIG) puppy. But I worry that all these feet problems will have him ending up like Fritzy. ):  Lee gave Lynn the go-ahead to buy a new horse.

Star was full of himself. He looked like a Merry-Go-Round carnival ride horse. He went up and down as much as forward. Good thing he's smooth! Anyway, Shirley said he didn't care if Zigs was in front of him, but he did not want that whippersnapper Jupiter leading the way. The two of them competed all day on Sunday. Jupiter thinks maybe he'll move up a notch and Star is feeling the need to put him in his place. They were giving each other the eye and laying their ears back as we trotted along the road beside each other. Probably they need more grain! Ha!

I am looking forward to the Bull & Gelding Sale in Red Bluff. We are going to have fun. Horses, cowboys, shopping--what's not to like?