Thought about riding western (for about a New York minute)

I have a friend and neighbor who started taking riding lessons a while back. She rides western. I have only ridden in english type saddles. My dressage saddle is my favorite. My friend told me this week that she took an english lesson at her barn and liked it. She thought she might take more english lessons. I casually told her that I had contemplated taking some western lessons too. I said this within ear shot of the dear husband who promptly told me he knew someone with an Arabian western trail saddle for sale. We drove out on on Friday and picked the saddle up for a trial run. Tonight I finally was able to ride in it. I gotta tell you that it was not anywhere near as pleasant as I had expected it to be. I am use to feeling a living breathing horse underneath me, and all I could feel in that saddle was leather. It seemed to fit Boo well. The stirrups were to long for me, and I had them as short as they would go without punching another hole, which I didn't want to do considering I had not yet bought the saddle. The clincher was the seat was uncomfortable. I had only ridden in it for about 20 minutes and my bum hurt. This was not going to make a good trail saddle for me. So we are taking it back with a thanks but we'll pass. Looks like hubby won't be getting out of that Tucker saddle he promised me.

Our accident prone Baythoven has injured himself again. He had a puncture wound on his butt. It was swollen and oozing and slightly hot. Hubby trailered him over to the vet's where they proceeded to pull a splinter out of him that had to be 3 inches long. I swear if there is a way to hurt himself or some disease to catch, Bay will find a way to do it.

I'm baaaccckk!!!

I cannot even believe how long it has been since my last post. Once summer hits life is like a whirlwind. I haven't been doing nearly as much horsey stuff as I want to be doing, but I think for the rest of this month that might be different.

I have had company since June 22nd. The last ones left this afternoon. I am exhausted...but happy. Don't get me wrong. I loved seeing everyone and wouldn't change it...except for I would want to spend a little more time at the barn.

The 4th of July is "Cowboy Christmas" and my hubby takes his rodeo seriously. We were in Mollala on Thursday night, St. Paul on Friday night and did a marathon in St. Paul on Saturday. Went to the parade and both rodeos. Didn't get home until after midnight. The little buckaroos are my grandsons.

Boo and Bay are doing fine. Enjoying the dry weather and Boo is enjoying his time off. He carried the twins around a bit this afternoon and thought that was a cushy job.

I promise to try to post at least 2 to 3 times a week. I've been enjoying reading everyone elses posts when I could steal a little time for myself.

A Horsey Weekend

I went and audited a Ritter clinic yesterday, visited with old friends from our previous barn, and accompanied a friend and neighbor to her first ever horse show. I was the designated show Mom. She did a fabulous job. Came home with 2 ribbons out of 3 classes. She should be proud of herself. I know I was proud of her.

Today I am exhausted. Hubby took off early this morning for the St. Paul trail ride. I was suppose to go with him, but I chickened out. Not quite ready for something quite so large and frought with scary possibilites. All turned out well for him. Bay is such a laid back guy. He was definitely a good ambassador for the breed. Mick said the best thing was that he was interested in all that was going on around him. Looking and taking it all in while being quiet and obedient. That's why we like Arabians. They are intelligent. They like their people. They are beautiful. I know a lot of people feel that way about their horses, and I am not dissing any other breed. I am just declaring my love for mine.

Tonight we are going to the Rose Garden to watch the Lippizzaner Stallions. I've been once before and loved it. Hope this time is as good. We are meeting up with friends. So it should be fun. I am pretty tired though, so it may be a struggle to stay awak. This weather makes me want to curl into a ball and eat comfort food. Ugh!

Trail Ride at Willamette Mission Park

I am so tired tonight, but I just couldn't go to bed without telling all of you how wonderful Boo was on today's ride. We went to Willamette Mission Park down by Salem. I was somewhat reluctant this morning as I had heard the weatherman say they expected thunderstorms in the Salem area today. The last place I want to be in a thunderstorm is on the back of a horse wearing metal shoes. Still, I figured if I got there and it looked bad everyone would bag it and if they didn't and I was still uncomfortable they could go for their ride and Boo and I would nap in the trailer and truck respectively.

Napping turned out to be unecessary. The weather was gorgeous and I didn't hear a single clap of thunder. There were 4 of us and all of the horses did very well. Boo did me proud. He went first, second, and third in line without complaining. I didn't try bringing up the rear although I will in the future. He didn't have any major spooks and didn't do any jigging either. It was a wonderful day, and I am looking forward to riding much more this summer than last. Maybe hanging out in the pasture all winter long did help!

Keeping Busy

What a busy time! Finally feeling top notch again. Boo and I hit the arena yesterday and let me tell you...I lose muscle and stamina quickly. Sometimes it seems like I am in this never ending cycle of getting back into shape. Does age do that to you? Still I persist.

Today I am headed out for a trail ride. Looking forward to it and somewhat nervous. Guess that's normal. I think it will be alright. I've been to this place before and it isn't a difficult place to ride. It will only be Boo's 2nd time out on the trail this year. He barely went at all last year. I am hoping that the year in the pasture with other horses, strange sights, sounds, and smells, will have made him a little less spooky. Guess we'll see.

New puppy has been keeping me quite busy. Now that she's settling in, she is into everything! You need to watch her 24/7. She sure has a lot of energy as old dog is finding out. I have to be aware of that and make sure Poko gets some time to herself. She's not use to this constant canine companionship. They do enjoy one another though and they tire one another out too which is helpful.

Yesterday longeing, today a trail ride

Had a lovely trail ride today with my hubby and a couple of other boarders at the barn. Boo was very good. I was actually surprised at how good he was. No major spooks at all. Hard to tell why some rides set him off and others don't. Hope to get out there again some time this week. I'd really like to trailer somewhere and ride on groomed trails. Longed without side reins yesterday just to get him moving after his time off. Going out tomorrow and the ride will more about work. Getting back into the swing of things. Feels good

I'm back...

I haven't posted in awhile. Went out of town...when I got back I promptly came down with an evil virus that knocked me off my feet. Yesterday was the first time I've seen my horse in over a week. We missed one another. This will be short because I have to go get ready for a trail ride. Happy trails!