Don't ignore the red flags

I broke one of my own rules today, and therefore I deserve to get my butt kicked- only, it's already a little sore, thanks to my own stupidity.
I decided that today was weaning day for Rio. I also decided to get a ride in on Gussie before it got too hot to ride. So I put Rio in the round pen, and shortly after, caught Gussie and saddled her up. There was a lot of screaming going on, Rio to mama, mama to Rio, Beamer to anybody who'd listen, and Gussie was a little upset. Red flags with Gussie is head up, neck tense, and not looking at me at all- focussed on all the emotional turmoil, which gets her all emotional too. Twenty years ago, what I did next, I would have been able to handle, but today when I stepped up into the saddle and Gussie wound up like a coil spring, I didn't have the strength in my arms to hold her head up or the strength in my legs to kick that huge butt of hers out of gear. On top of that, I was riding in the Wade saddle, which is a little hard to pull leather on. So when Gussie bucked, I knew there was no way I was staying aboard, so I baled off the near side fortunately landing on my well padded posterior, and was smart enough not to put my hand out to break the fall (one broken wrist was enough, thanks!) so elbow and shoulder it was, and a half roll got me up on my feet and mad at myself. And a little mad at Gussie too, if I must be honest!
I hollered at Ted to come and get Rio out of the round pen (not NOW but RIGHT NOW!) and put Gussie in, tied the reins up and made her work until she was licking and chewing... and probably wondering who that crazy woman was ...I got large and in charge.... I climbed back on, put her through her paces, some spins, sidepasses, etc. and then went for a nice relaxing ride in the hayfield- silly mare, that's what I wanted all along, just a nice quiet putt on a beautiful morning.
You can see from this photo, that she was pretty happy when I got off, also that the Wade saddle fits her well- no dry spots.

Meanwhile Rio was all by himself in the stud pen, ( Beamer was out in his pasture) and not very happy.

Once I had Gussie in with the other mares, I grabbed Chickory, who now gets to be Rio's buddy. He tried to slurp milk from her, but she bit him in the butt. He was so happy to have a buddy he was literally dancing circles around her.

He had worked up a sweat as it's really hot here today, so I cooled off his water with some nice fresh cold stuff.

He settled down and quit calling, happy to have his best bud Chickory to keep him company. We'll see how tonight goes.

I'm glad I have two foals coming next year; they'll keep each other company at weaning.