Trails!

Went on a nice two hour trail ride with Christina yesterday in the Patapsco State Park. I am so going to miss that place when we move, LOL. We got to wade in the river (on horseback) which Kieran gets a kick out of (he loves stomping in the water). And we had two of our longest-ever trots on the trail. We also popped over a couple of logs. Mostly, we just enjoyed the day, it was nice. There's something to be said for big group rides, sure, but I have to say I've had the most fun trail rides when it's only a couple of people. Kieran seems more relaxed, too.

The ride was also a really good length. Any longer probably would have been too much for him since we're still working on getting him back into shape (and definitely would have been too much for Vegas who has a harder time in the heat and isn't quite as fit as Kieran is currently).

Guess if we do any riding today, I'll have to go easy on him. :)

We need some work

Had my lesson tonight and it feels a bit like we backslid. Mostly because it's been so long since we had a proper ride and Kieran was only ridden a few times while I was gone. He's rarely really off his forehand, I'll admit, but tonight it felt like he was dragging himself around by his front legs when we cantered. That and he was getting pretty pooped about two thirds of the way through the lesson.

So we've got some work to do to work up fitness and stamina. But that's okay. :)

Videos (some jumping and a bored pony)

No riding tonight mostly because Kieran had apparently lain in the mud all day and it was still wet and stuck to his coat and there was no way I was going to put a saddle and girth on on top of that and if I'd bathed him I wouldn't have wanted to tack him up wet so we did this stuff instead:





And then he told me how boring it all was:

I LOVE MY PONY

Seriously. I went out and spent all day at the farm today and when I finally got to hop on Kieran (right after he gave a lesson [not that he'd worked hard] so he was already warmed up) and we just did some trotting around over the poles that were already set up and a few times around at a canter before we walked outside up and down the driveway to cool out.

I could. not. stop. smiling!

I missed him so much, I would have been happy just to sit on him. He's so amazing.

After that, he got a quick foamy bath which...normally he kind of dances at the wash rack a bit but today he was pretty content to stand there and let me spray him. I imagine it felt good since it was pretty warm today.

Of course, he didn't get fully dry before it was time to turn everybody out so he ended up ruining the bath but hey....at least he's only got surface dirt on now. :)

Sorry, no pics...I had my camera with me but didn't take one picture. Maybe tomorrow after I go up after work. :)

I miss my pony!

Work's sent me out of town. The weather here was fabulous all this past week and I spent it fantasizing about all the amazing trail riding Kieran and I could be doing.

Then last night, I dreamed about him (I don't usually dream about animals or people who actually exist so it's always interesting when I do). In dreamland, apparently horses are transported in very well padded, unlit, totally closed boxes with lots of hay, straw, and water. Long story.

Anyway!

Somebody on facebook went to the farm and took a picture of him for me:



But I still really miss my pony. :(