Lots of people in this area quit riding this time of year but we ride whenever the weather allows. Day before yesterday I rode 3 horses for a friend who has been sick and cannot ride as much. He has 26 horses. Many are ponies. I rode 2 of his mares that hadn't been ridden in a year and a new one he traded for 3 weeks ago. They all did fine. All saddle horses so it was very comfortable.
Rode 2 of ours today even though it was cold. Buddy did fine. I've been working the "boogeryness" out of him. He did really good today. Took him a bit farther afield than last time. Had to stay in the pasture as today was the 1st day of deer season. His flat walk is uncomfortable as he has such a long stride. But when he steps into his saddle gait, it is heaven on earth.
Rode Firefly today. She is a strawberry roan RMH / TWH cross we had given to us about 5 months ago. She is 10 years old. Her former owner had brain surgery and gave her to his daughter as he could no longer care for her. His daughter was nowhere near stong enough in her constitution to handle this mare so she passed her on to me. She was astonished that I rode the mare as soon as I unloaded her the day she gave her to me. The mare is pushy and will take advantage but she is really a nice horse. She needs a lot of hands on. She gave me a bit of trouble today bucking a couple of times but her heart wasn't in it. It was cold and windy, she hasn't been ridden in about 3 months and she is in season. All things considered, she was pretty well behaved. LOL
I also rode 1 of James' mares. She is a new one he has and she and her 7mo foal are the only 2 he has at the farm. She is a real saddle horse and a pleasure to ride. Very easy to handle and pretty also. A liver chestnut. She is an older mare. We are weaning the foal so she can gain her weight back before hard cold sets in.
