I wanted to call this post "Back in the Saddle Again" because Beamer is finally sound again after having sprained his ankle, so it was time to saddle up and ride.... but the wasps in my tack room nailed me when I opened the sliding door (it's a metal shed) and I got stung on the top of my head. Bad wasps! Bad,bad wasps! They met their fate for that- Ted went uptown and got some Brake Cleen and sprayed down their nests and hidey holes. But, meanwhile, I couldn't get my saddle out, so I snuck in low and got the bridle and brushes, and went for a bareback ride.
Accompanied by the dogs, of course.
All 3 of them.
Yes, Amber, you can come too.
At first, Amber wasn't quite sure what was going on....
It's ok Amber! Come on!
Yup, just stick with Tess, she'll show you how it's done.
All 3 dogs, lined out and heeling- good dogs!
Meanwhile, Beamer couldn't believe his eyes- we were walking past a perfect horse buffet of fresh oat grass and he wasn't allowed even a bite!
Beamer wasn't the only one who got sidetracked- the dogs found some interesting smells.
I tested their obedience by having them all lay down and wait until I gave them the command to heel. They did great! It's so nice having two "broke" dogs to teach young miss Amber how things are done.
As we rode, we could see that there were thunder clouds boiling up over the mountains. That blue above the mountain is actually a cloud.
There was a storm brewing allright, and as I sit here typing, the north wind is howling, breaking branches, tearing the bamboo blinds off the window, and trying it's darndest to straighten out the mountain ash tree that was leaning to the north. Methinks it will be leaning south after this storm! (Had a power outage for 3 hours before I finished writing this post!)
Anyway, we headed home.....
Amber kept heading into the oats and lying down, hoping for a cool-down break.
I did a little trotting, and got the dogs all lined out, and I must say I'm pretty happy with Amber on her very first trail ride. She stayed well with the other dogs, kept up, listened well and heeled. However, as soon as we got within a hundred yards of home, she bee-lined to the water trough in the colt's pasture and had a good soak. Gotta love those border collies!
All in all, it was a lovely ride, albeit short, and the nieces will be here tomorrow so Beamer will be busy teaching them for the next couple of days.
10 comments:
I love those simple bareback rides :) My labrador loves the horses but I don't know if I would trust her enough on a ride. I'd be afraid she'd try to run off and wouldn't listen.
Glad to hear The Man is back to his old self, bet he was glad to get out. Amber is growing like a weed...those dogs and water lol. Kali finally learned how to swim the other day. At first I thought her eyes were going to cross right out of her head, Shirley you would have fell over laughing if you could have seen that expression.She seems a bit more confident after a few times out...she even brings the sticks back now.Dollar store- fake wasp nests- best investment we ever made...we can actually sit and eat outside.
Glad Ambers first ride went well. It's so nice to have the dogs to ride with. And behave! Our 2 pups are doing great. I can ride through the cows, and Spook looks, but stays close. She has Bandit to look up too. I can take bandit into a herd off cows and sort just one out. She will leave the rest alone and the cows just watch. Hopefully Spook will get that way when she's 6!
Cheri
Glad you and Beamer are back in the saddle...sorta ;-). Beautiful spot for a trail ride!
Lovely that you can still ride out safely with your dogs. It isn't possible here any more. Having to leave them behind took a lot of the fun out of riding out for me and contributed to me being ok with giving up horses at long last. Gee, that looks like one pretty neck and pair of ears to sit behind, though!
Sorry to hear that Keechy. I think it will be many years before I give up horses- they will probably have to pry my cold dead hands off the reins!
And yes, it is a very pretty neck and ears, and my favorite view!
Ah, back in the saddle - how wonderful! Your commentary and photos are great!!
What a wonderful ride, and glad to hear that Beamer was able to accommodate!
Amber is turning into a real beauty! Chance loves his pool to cool off in too...good thing I like the smell of wet dog. Lovely ride, it is such a beautiful area you live in:)
I'd have said it about myself too, Shirley but increasing age and infirmity can change one's thinking. I hope for you that you do indeed ride on forever, and in the meantime, enjoy the hell out of it just in case!
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