Fit

I have a new riding companion and she invited me to go out on the airport trails, which are trails for equestrians only. (But wildlife didn't get the memo!) We didn't see any wildlife but bears and cougar are known to frequent the area so talking and hollering occasionally ensures that they know we are there and they avoid contact. Most of the trails wind through the forest with occasional steep hills. There is a place where you can ride to the top and have a view of the Kootenay River valley but that will be the next ride. 

The other horse is a 23 year old Tennessee Walker, very nice mare. She also has another TW that is a champagne, a rather rare colour. 

Gussie is not very fit, due to me not riding much this year. I always give mares time off after breeding to make sure the foal settles, and then it was stupid hot most of the summer, so we are just hitting the trails now. 

We climbed one hill and the saddle did slide back a bit so I reset it at the top of the hill. 

We rode for about 2 hours, and this is the view from next to the farm my friend owns. 

Gussie had her feet trimmed a couple of days ago, so I rode in one of her new pairs of boots, the red ones, and they did fit a bit looser than I liked. I will try the Treks next ride as I think I can get them just a bit tighter. I'll save the red ones for when her feet have grown out a bit.

Now that Gussie has gotten fluffy gained weight the Wade saddle fits her better. I have purchased a couple of saddle pads recently; a 1 inch thick 5 Star and a thinner Weaver pad with a merino fleece bottom, which I used on this ride. Judging by the sweat marks it seems to be a good combination. 

Yes Gussie is standing with her butt on a hill

Meanwhile, back home....

Look who is fitting in! Jayne is now in with the in crowd 😎 Such a humble and quiet mare, I just love her. 

Riding day 35