Can't complain

I got spurs that jingle jangle jingle. I got spurs that . . .  well you get the picture. (: I can't sing anyway. Saturday was cold, but sunny. Lynn wanted to get in a quick ride before she joined Lee at the car show (from which he brought home another pretty plaque!). So we headed down to the meadow and the hoop-de-do trail.

First things first though, we had to have a little drama. Just so you know--I can do tricks. Jupiter took off before I was completely on and decided to trot (on the pavement) with me only having one foot in the stirrup and one rein. I wasn't sure how quickly I was going to get him to stop, but going in circles with the one rein was passing through my mind. Luckily, he stepped on the rein and stopped and I was able to lean over his neck and get it while sliding my foot into the right stirrup. An ominous beginning.

Lynn took the trail pretty slowly and even though we were last and following Buster (which Jupes hates to do), we did fine. He was on high alert, but I didn't have to fight with him. We led coming out and he did fine. Then we made the loop around the east side of the meadow and up the steep hill to the road above the dump. He never balked at one steep down incline. We finished high stepping and sweaty, but fine. Lynn torqued herself somewhere when Ziggy zigged and she zagged (or vice versa), but she doesn't know when or how. Shirley and Buster were totally in sync--big surprise.

Sunday was fun. It was a glorious day. Warmer, bluer sky, happier horses. Well that is after one got tuned up a little. Mr. You're Not the Boss of Me got his hiney spanked a few times and turned in circles before I ever even got on! But then he stood pretty still and led and followed without question all day. We even saw a bunny beatin' it down the road with the two dogs hot on his trail!

We came down the new brushy trail and had a blast. Jupiter is starting to really move smoothly. Going down the steep inclines today he dropped his butt and kind of slid. Then when we got to the turns he was like ice skating around cones or turning barrels--I think he was having fun. Although I had to duck a few times, he seemed to swing me around and miss all the stobs that stick out sideways and I always felt connected to him. It was fun. I think he had fun, too.

Lynn said she felt better after we rode for awhile and Shirley and Star were the high steppers today. I am totally feeling my inner thighs--I am going to have HUGE inner thigh muscles from hanging on. But Shirley said, "If you're not black and blue, or sore somewhere, you must not be having any fun." So there you have it--we must all be having one hell of a good time. (:

Simplicity

After a lot of debate and general "why are we doing this?" kinds of questions, we made the decision to stay home and ride instead of going to Cueno Creek for the holiday weekend. Everyone was relieved and a good time was had by all (mostly!).

Saturday started out with Jupes and Keota banging around in the trailer--probably trading kicks or attempts at biting. When he came out of the trailer, Jupiter had a little bit of blood on him and a wild look in his eyes; I knew it was probably going to be one of those days.

We set off on our new, brushy trail. Keota wasn't so sure about all the brush and did a little balking. Then his saddle slipped all the way back onto his rump and he didn't like it at all!! After removing one saddle blanket and recinching the tack, we set off again--but Keota wasn't the same. He was unhappy and dancing around a little. After putting up with a lot of misbehavior, Alisa finally switched horses with Lynn. Lynn is the "go-to girl" when it comes to putting a horse into his place. He behaved pretty well for her after he was made to do some circles and get out in front and listen to his rider, but she said he was definitely ready to buck and act up when she first got on.

So, while Alisa enjoyed her calm ride on Ziggy, I used my spurs on Jupiter who acted up on a couple of downhills. He does not like the spurs. He behaved in general, but felt like a live wire under me--ready to go off if he got the chance. Shirley simply sat on her dancing and prancing Star without moving--poetry in motion as usual.

Sunday was the really good day. It started out for me with Jupiter lying down in the field. I called his name and his foot kind of moved like, "Go away, I'm sleeping." Then his head came up and his eyes were half open--he was thinking it was a good day to sleep in and enjoy the sunshine on his belly. When I walked out there, he ate his carrot, let me put his halter on, and still lay there. In the meantime, Lynn brought Ziggy over and I held his rope while they chased Star around. Ha.

We drove up Underwood and rode all around the mountain. Everybody behaved and everybody had fun. I know Alisa and Keota enjoyed each other and Jupes didn't get spurred. We did a little bit of trotting on the dirt road and everyone was happy--especially Alisa who says Keota is super smooth.

So once again, good friends, good partners (dogs & horses), and good times leave us with good memories to cherish. It's all good. (: