Legging Up Your Saddle Horse

Welp, it's that time of year again when it's actually FUN to go to the barn and not freeze your buns off or sweat with the oldies.

So, it's been over a month since I forked my crabby mare and today I threw the saddle up there, untracked and hopped on. Well, 'hopped on' might not be the exact way I did it but I clambered up there, much to my mare's annoyance. Deal with it, sweetie...

Anywho, she was a little like riding a hay wagon that needs a tune-up. Knowing my Princess the way I do, when she's uber fresh, it's not a good idea to take off cross-country unless I have an ambulance following fairly close behind so I stuck it out in the large pen I keep her in.

After about 15 minutes or so, I saw a hint of sweat in the triangle of her neck. Good. So I egged it up to a bit of trotting and then back to walking, mainly walking. Most of the time she was a good girl, a bit of the time she was the Wicked Witch of the West. We had a couple of 'discussions' of which I came out the victor and she capitulated. I admit, I called her a few unladylike names and questioned her ancestry, such as was there a donkey in there somewhere??

By and large, we did well though. I had to really work at keeping her ear on me as she found untold things to look at on top of the mountains. I did so many figure 8's and stops and backs and serpentines that I lost count. Bending was practically unheard of as she preferred to dive into turns and my inside leg got some good workouts. As an aside, I don't wear spurs but use lots of my calves.

When I felt she was doing well and had a nice sweat going, I quit on her and just sat there. She tried to count and I popped her one and she didn't try again.

When I went out to feed this evening, she was definitely subdued. Tomorrow we'll go again and if she's a bit better than today, we won't do as much and it'll be an easy day. Since she's not cooped up in a stall and can romp and play as much as she likes, she's in decent shape but needs to strengthen her legs and back muscles.

It'll come, it'll come. Now, get out there and ride, everyone!!