DAY 47 & 48 - More Easy Riding

Friday, I gave Possum most of the day off, as I had a ton of stuff to catch up on. He didn't seem to mind. We finally got going around 3 in the afternoon. As I was grooming him and putting on his tack, he was acting very "in your pocket!" Maybe he thought I had a cookie for him.

We went out for an easy stroll around the hood, nothing too hard. We ended up at the Dodge barn, and said hello to Donna and her boy and Big Mack. Then I rode him out to their big field to do a little work, but between the wind, the distracting very loud noises from some clear cutting going on on a lot down the hill, and the dog and baby running around, Possum was acting a wee bit ornery! He actually tried to *rear* (which is more like a hop up from his hind legs and pinned back ears and a head toss) when I asked him to move forward a couple of times! He just did NOT want to have anything to do with WORK! Taking into consideration our *big trail ride* the day before, and all of the other distractions, I let him off easy.. we did trot around a couple of times, and by golly, he was straight and collected! Even when he is cranky and rebellious he is going well! Yea Possum!

A view from Friday's stroll

Anyway, after the field, we walked down to Lenny's around back and then headed home, trotting briskly past Big Mack in his paddock. We trotted over the little cross rail in our back yard, then we called it a day after about 50 minutes out. He was happy.

Saturday, I got in touch with Donna with a text and she was available to go for a short ride around the 'hood. I got Possum ready and rolling by noon, and we ambled down to her place to catch the end of her free lunging session with Mack. It was really cool to observe! She practically has him controlled with body language and voice alone! She said he came out "out of the box" very frisky and fresh, but by the time Possum and I arrived, he was looking calm, blowing a few snorts and licking his lips. Donna led Big Mack into the barn to groom and tack up, and while we waited, Possum and I walked around his paddock, and did a few short trots, then we walked around all the trees in the yard between the barn and paddock.. looping around them like pole bending, almost. At the walk, of course.

Donna gave her middle boy a short "pony" ride on Mack, then she got on and we walked to the right on to the road. Down to Lenny's then into the field across the street. As we walked around the very edges, the horses remained good as middle boy Jonathon came zipping around on his mini dirt bike! I joked we needed to get that boy a pony, one that is more his size (Indy, the camp pony they took in last winter, was just a bit too big and strong for him.)

Out with Donna and Big Mack on Saturday

We enjoyed the beautiful view on a clear day, then ambled down behind Lenny's and back around to the road, picking up a trot towards the barn. Then we continued on towards my place, and took a right up to the path that leads to the gazebo. Up the hill we ambled, and around the loop a couple of times. Then back down and into our driveway and around the little loop in our back yard. We parted at the top of our driveway, and both horses were a little upset at the separation but quickly recovered. Another fun ride with two great horses! Yea!

Happy horse on Saturday evening