In Which I Actually Ride

March is being it's usual bipolar self- cold, then warm, rain then snow. When the weather has been good to ride I've been at work and unable to take advantage of it. I had hopes for this weekend but the weather turned cold.

Friday was sunny but the wind in the morning was something that could cut you with a knife. It felt like my face was being peeled off. I hid inside for a large part of the morning but had to go out to empty the manure cart and put the garbage out for collection. Down in the woods (and out of the wind) I could feel that the sun had actual warmth to it. The wind did seem like it was easing up. I drove the tractor up to the ring, did a small repair to the fence (winter does take it's toll) and saw that the ground was in good shape. I sent a text to Cynthia and her daughter and then began to drag the ring. Ashley is home for University break and had wanted some pony time.

They both came a few hours later. Cynthia was on puppy sitting duty and Ashley and I got the horses ready to ride. Carmen was acting grumpy about the whole thing but Irish was looking quite perky. I decided to check out how the buckle nose halter worked under the bridle. Carmen and I were in the ring ahead of Ash and Irish and it gave me a chance to see the mood. She was up and alert but not stupid. There was a lot of energy to work but I wanted her to use it appropriately. There was one big leap and run she did that almost tore the lunge line out of my hand.

WHOA!   I yelled and she screeched to a halt looking at me. I took a breath and asked her to move out trotting and she tried to take off again. I could see that Carmen had herself in a tizzy and was looking to me so I just kept calm and asked her to trot around like a civilized creature. This helped to put her brain back in and she began to settle. Fortunately we we lunging off the halter so she didn't hit her mouth.

Meanwhile Ash and Irish are coming up the hill and Irish is practically prancing. He's so excited to be ridden. And he kept that mood the whole ride. He was forward and looked great. There was a some tension but he relaxed as soon as Ashley did and he had his 'this is fun' face on. It really is adorable.

I mounted Carmen and we began to head off. I felt like a sack of potatoes and I kept having to remind myself to sit up or relax my seat, or let my hands follow.  To be honest Carmen and I did very well together. She was pretty calm about things and when she wasn't I was so it all worked out. There was only one spook and it made me laugh so she relaxed as well. There was nothing big about the ride- just walking and trotting, circles, direction changes and some leg yields. It was just about getting back into it. The first trot transition she thought about balking but the saddle is still working for her so it was a non-issue.

Cynthia brought the two dogs up for part of our ride. d'Arcy was trying to pull her up the hill and Guinness was not sure about the whole thing so her arms were stretched in two directions. I spoke to Guinness from Carmen's back and I could see his amazement about the whole thing.

We stopped once in the ring to rest and she relaxed with a droopy head and a leg cocked. When I asked her to go back  to work she began to amp up. Usually I amp up as well and it all goes to hell but not this time. I stayed on the work and she settled in.

I dismounted pretty happy with everything. Carmen was much more happy then she was starting out.

Now the weather is bitter cold again so no riding today. But I'm glad that my riding break is over!

soon we'll be doing this all the time!