Barn Mascot

The people at the barn I work at are AMAZING. Each and everyone of them. Since Denali was retired I've been getting my horsey fix by hanging out there. I live vicariously through them as they buy and ride horses that cost more money than I make in a year.

 A few of them have decided that their only goal is: get me on a horse.

I think it's sort of become a game between them. Who can get me on their horse, and how long am I willing to stay on their horse. Yesterday I went out to the barn to hang out with my new friends. On of them bought the boy I have been in love with since he moved to the barn. He's beyond fancy and amazing. While I was watching them practice things I've never dreamed of doing she stopped and asked me if I wanted to ride him. Umm....A. He's super fancy. B. He's curretly in a double bridle, and I can barely manage one set of reins. She didn't take no for an answer. I gracefully fell off the mounting block I was so nervous, but managed to crawl up on his giant back. We tied up the curb bit and I just sort of wandered around on him using just the snaffle. I was a giant chicken and so she led me around. That was fun. I hopped off him and had another girl tell me to get on her new girl.

Today was my first day with my new lease boy. His owner came out to the barn around 1:30 and together we went to get him. He's a dutch warmblood, imported to the US and competed up through 4th level. He's not massive, but bigger than Denali (around 16.2.) While we were getting him ready there were two other horses in the cross ties. Some cats were running around so they started getting unsettled. Not Mr. Steady. He stood perfectly still and was a saint.

Once down in the arena she explained that he hasn' been ridden in a week and that he hasn't been turned out (even though they do all have runs off their stalls.) I was a bit nervous, but he was amazing. Didn't take a wrong step and did everything he was suppose to do plus some. She told me about a horrible accident that she had on a horse a few years ago (ICU bad) and she got him to rebuild her confidence. Good choice.

I got on him and apologized right away for my nerves. I knew that I was going to be stupid on him, but that only lasted a few seconds. I instantly felt great on him and safe. We did walk/trot transitions and circles. I didn't canter him, but apparently it's amazing (it looks amazing.) I'm already in love with this guy. He's mine on Thursdays and Sundays. We will see how it goes!!