A good Monday

Monday is my day off, so I spent it on "me time"  which, of course, means horse time. First I got on the tractor and cleaned the mare pen, turned the manure/compost heap as much as I could. In the afternoon, I took Beamer out for a ride, just a nice walk and trot around the hayfield. We worked on shoulder and hip control, which with him really isn't necessary as he's so light I just have to think what I want and he does it.
What we were doing looks like this(sort of!)

Working in a straight line, I moved his shoulders over (not just his head and neck, the front feet had to track off the line of fall) for a few strides, then went straight, then asked him to move his hip out of the line of fall, all the while riding a perfectly straight line. We did both directions for shoulders and hips, and then did a more difficult maneuver- ask all four feet to go straight while bending in the ribs. You can't ask for much bend before the feet move out of the track, but it's a good exercise to work on keeping your aids light and your horse responsive. This whole exercise will also tell you if your horse is sore or stiff in any part of his body.
Beamer was so good, we just relaxed for the rest of the ride. We checked out the neighbor's cows, and used the opportunity to see where individual cow's flight zone was. Some didn't move at all as we approached, and some were turning away at 50 ft.
As we rode along the edge of the hayfield where there is a drainage canal, we spotted this hawk at the top of a tree.

The tree was tall and my camera was maxed out on zoom. Beamer kindly stood still for me, and I was real happy to get the next photo.

Also, I wore my new helmet; it was quite comfortable and fits really well, I hardly noticed it. It was a really good day, topped off by a prayer service at our church in the evening. Life is good- at least, as good as it gets- I can't wait until Ted is back  home from working out of town.