Gettin' Them Rode

As with cleaning stalls, grooming, pony rides, and braiding tails, the excitement of all things novel are often short lived. I feel the need to preface my upcoming comment with that admission because I know that while this is fun for me now it is a lot of damn hard work to keep horses conditioned. With that being said, I've secretly (oh who am I kidding, it's no secret) wanted to have two riding horses, and I should qualify that I've wanted two sound, functioning riding horses in the same barn that I can ride and work on the same day. I dont know why exactly... or maybe I do....the truth is that having more than one horse that needs work (not just a horse you ride recreationally) is something that in mind is reserved for the hardcore horseman. Or maybe it is that I just love being at the barn so much and having another horse to get rode gives me an excuse to stay longer.

Anyways, this week I've been getting lots or riding in on both my own Princess as well as her pasture mate Marm. Marm is a 12-year-old QH mare with a lot of past training in her but she hasnt seen hard work in years and is a lttle rusty. Marm's Mom would like to see her get back in shape and asked me to help out. My own girl also needs miles and some foundation work. How qualified I am to be doing foundation training is questionable but I cant afford a trainer and she's all mine so I guess that makes me the girl for the job. I'm going to do my best by her which means arena time and lots of wet saddle pads. So this afternoon I headed to the barn with the plan to get both horses rode. And I did:) I took Princess out first and she was just a gem, leaving the barn and Marm (who was freaking right out) behind without so much as a backwards glance. Marm on the other hand... not so much. She is a sensible mare with a good mind and heart but she's so attached to Princess it isnt even funny and today she just about lost her noodle at the idea of being away from P. I was a little proud of myself for dealing with her antics with measured patience and calm nerves. I just ignored her bulging eyes, got on and got her rode. She really is a good girl, she just needs to get a few more rides out on her own to get back in the swing of things. More on that later. For now here is a little video from the other day. I am on Marm and Princess is standing tied in the barn waiting her turn.

...and yes, that would be my abnoxious voice in the background talking nonsense again.