Once again I am the one with the equipment problems! Jupiter had been acting up the last time we rode and seemed to hump up and put his head down like he would like to buck. We fixed his bit problem the previous Saturday with a hackamore that we both like a lot better. Then Sunday, when everything had been going along so nicely, he started acting like something was wrong. As we neared the old dump site, Lynn suggested my saddle had turned and that was bothering him; so I adjusted the saddle and I rode on in. At the time, it crossed my mind that maybe he liked the idea of me walking in the last part from the day before and was being a pill.
We went up Underwood today and had just a great time. Jupiter and I went off alone a couple of times and he really listened and did not fuss about anyone else. We had a great day. Then we went down the long, long steep part of the trail. He did fine, but afterward I got off and readjusted the saddle back off his neck more because it seemed too close (even with the cruper). He kept acting funny as we continued down toward the road. I think I got off two more times to try and make adjustments. Finally, I just knew he had had enough. So Lynn got off too and checked the saddle.
It turns out he has outgrown the little blue saddle. The tree was jabbing into his shoulders. Lynn and I switched saddles and it was obvious that my old saddle fit him better. (Remember it was too big and we had to buy a pad?) We went off the road to try it out and it seemed much better. He did not act like it hurt anymore. However, because he was sweaty and the cinch loosened a little, the saddle slipped a little to the side. So when I got back up on the road with Shirley and Lynn, I just got off and walked the rest of the way. Lynn walked too, as Ziggy had the other saddle on.
Jupiter is such a great horse. He did fantastic today--even with the saddle poking him. We cantered quite smoothly and we went a little faster than we normally do. He and Star got along without a lot of pinned ears and dirty looks. Tomorrow I am going to try Lynn's latest idea--the woman is full of them! I am going to try out her endurance saddle without the horn. We'll see how the fat boy (and fat woman) does. (:
When we got home today, the boys immediately rolled. Ziggy is so funny. He just flopped himself and threw his feet over from side to side. What a lot of leg flailing! Jupes went down a second time near the bank that leads up to the water trough. He rolled over and found himself up against the hill. After a lot of leg kicking and scooting--he stood up again and looked around to see who noticed. Silly thing, if he'd flopped back over he would've been on the downhill side. Anyway--all three of them were covered in mud again and eagerly waiting for dinner.
Ziggy is now eating a new thrush product that totally looks like the powdered cheese from Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. It's not his favorite. Lynn mixes it with his grain at night. Tonight, he was eating more hay than orangy-looking grain when Jupes came down to see me and see if Zigs had any grain left. (Star had moved him from his box.) Zigs let him have it. The look on his face was like, "Go ahead, you're welcome to it if you think you'll like it." Jupes wasn't too sure either. Then came Indy. (Star had moved him too.) After a little bickering, Jupiter let Indy have the yucky orange stuff, too. Pretty soon all three orange horses had very orange lips and whiskers. Kind of like what your fingers look like after eating Cheetos.
I know it's only February, but we are planning our Memorial Day weekend. I keep forgetting it's a long time off! We need to meet at Whiskeytown or Redding sometime soon. It's supposed to have been a little over 60 degrees over there today--prime riding weather. (:
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