A great day with horses

After giving Moon Pie his bottle, I walked him up to the barn to spend the day with the rest of the woolies, and then grabbed a few horse cookies and walked down the hill to visit with Baby Doll, and my neighbor's 3 horses.
After petting and giving treats, my neighbor and friend, Valerie walked up to hand out some carrots and visit, too.
After chatting for a while, she encouraged me to go for a ride with her and possibly saddle up Baby Doll a little later as well.

We've had Baby Doll at home with us now for about 2 months, but with the wicked windy and cold weather, I've not felt much like riding our new horse, especially since all the wind seems to spook her a bit.
John has been nagging me almost daily, "When are you gonna ride that horse, Lisa?" And I usually have a few excuses lined up. But along with the weather, I've also been nervous about riding because of the new environment and responsibility that goes along with that.
There is something so much different between riding a horse at a lesson barn in a somewhat safe and controlled environment with a trainer, compared to riding your own horse on your own property, on your own.

And I'm embarrased to admit this, but I tend to be the kind of person that, unless all the planets are in alignment, and everything seems perfect and convenient, I fudge out and talk myself out of situations.

So, the really super thing about my friend and neigbor, Valerie, is that she somehow gets me past that wall of fear or nervousness and gets me moving forward again. And in regards to horses, that's a really really good thing.

After heading back to the house and changing clothes and shoes, and having a snack, I walked next door and we got two of her horses, Nadia and Scout saddled up to ride.

I rode her 20+ year old arabian, Nadia. I've ridden her before and she is real joy to ride. And a sweet horse, too.
Valerie rode her gelding, Scout, who is also a sweetie and a little goofy, too.

We rode around the arena for a bit and then headed out to the trails in the 'back forty' behind our houses. The wind was still whipping around, but the sun was warm and the horses both did pretty good considering the wind. I thoroughly enjoyed our trail ride and can't wait to do it again.

I also encountered quite an adventure just before we headed out. While walking through the gate, on Nadia, in Valerie's arena, my jeans snagged up on a piece of wire and ripped all the way down from thigh to ankle!
It was the funniest thing!
I felt and heard the rip, but thankfully the wire didn't touch my skin or it probably could have been quite an injury. So I was grateful it was just my jeans. But it made me laugh a little later, too, because I realized that if I had been 20 years younger, I would have made a beeline back home to change my pants so noone might see my ripped jeans and bare leg.

But, I think, now that I'm over 40, I'm not as worried about what others might think, and, most importantly, I was not going to let a pair of ripped denim ruin a good horseride! hehe

After we came back from our trail ride, I walked back home and changed my pants and then went and got Baby Doll and led her over to Valerie's barn.
We thought it would be a good idea to let her run a bit and get out some of the extra energy, or 'spit and vinegar' before trying to ride her. John walked over, too. Baby Doll is a beauty to watch.
It was a good thing we had her running, because she had some bucks and gallops to work out. She looked really good out there, too.
At times she seemed to almost float on air. I could have watched her run all day.
She often ran to me hoping I'd let her just hang out and not run around.
Then afterwards we brought her in, brushed her out and saddled her up.
Valerie offered to take a ride on Baby Doll first. I enjoyed seeing someone else ride her, and it was a good thing, too. I knew something was up with Baby Doll, and she didn't dissapoint.

Baby Doll was usually ridden in only a hackamore or halter at the lesson barn. And I often rode her bareback in the round pen. She was responsive and quiet for me. She never needed a kick, just a click to get moving. And she tended to be sensitive, but sometimes a little stubborn on the turns. So I knew she probably wouldn't like wearing a bit, and that she might be unnerved by any kicking.

She gave Valerie a few small bucks at a lope and canter, and soured up a little at the turns. But Valerie took it all in stride and seemed to enjoy the ride on this beautiful horse of mine.
Valerie worked Baby Doll for a while around the arena, and had her thinking and working, too busy to think about any mischief.
Valerie stretched Baby Doll's neck and loosened her up. Baby Doll kept looking at me, like "What next, people?"
Then it was my turn to ride and Valerie encouraged me to get up there and walk around. Baby Doll was nothing but good for me.
Valerie reminded me to use my legs more, instead of the usual clicking to make my horse move, because when I might be on a trail ride with other people, that could confuse the other horses. So, I worked on not clicking, and using a very light heel touch on her side and a squeeze with my thighs. I bet I'll be sore tomorrow.
It was such a terrific day.