DAY 65, 66, 67 & 68 - More Riding & Another Lesson

Tuesday, "Day 65," I had a gig scheduled for that night at 6 p.m., meaning we had to leave by 3:30 or so. I decided to give Possum the day off. I was able to do some yoga and chores, and I did give him a good brushing, cleaned the abrasion on his cornet band, and take him out for a short walk and some grazing. He seemed fine.

Wednesday, "Day 66," I got him out sometime in the early afternoon, and we made the usual rounds up and down and around the hill. I can't remember the details, but he was very, very good. I think we worked in the field a little bit, in anticipation for the riding lesson with Ryan scheduled for the next morning. I think we were out for a little under an hour.

Checking out the views on Wednesday, Oct. 29

Thursday morning, I got up earlier than usual and had him fed by 7:30. Around 8:45, I got him ready for our lesson. He was fairly agreeable, actually.. it's like he knows when we are going to go see "Auntie" Ryan. I hopped on him and we walked calmly up to the Dodge farm, where Ryan was working with Donna and Big Mack out in the paddock. Big Mack had been pretty fresh that morning, and even slipped in the mud and was all jazzed up, but by the time we got there, Donna was up in the saddle and riding around under Ryan's watchful eye. When they were finished, she met Possum and I out in the field, and she walked around with us while we discussed all things Possum.. It's always great to be able to relay my concerns about him with her, as she is so wise and experienced with Possum and with horses in general. Then we got to work.

We trotted around in each direction, and she was once again impressed with how forward and straight he was going. Then we worked on our trotting paces.. a few steps of a very short trot, then we'd trot at a regular pace, and then I was to ask him to extend his trot to a bigger pace. Then, we worked on the downward transition, keeping his hocks under him and his carriage up. We've gotten a lot better at that, too!

Then, we cantered in each direction. His first transition to the canter was perfect! He even celebrated with a little hop and a head wiggle to prove it! In the opposite direction it was a little less perfect, but still pretty darn good for a little camp pony! That was the best lesson to date so far. I was so proud of the little guy, and of me, too! After I brought him home, he got another big pile of hay, and Donna and I went off solo for a weekly walk.

Friday, "Day 68," I got Possum brushed and tacked up in the early afternoon, and he was being a bit nutty during that.. There had been a big truck next door at Dad's, and some commotion going on in the back yard, and he was very concerned about keeping an eye on all of that! But, I just kept a steady hand and voice, and even when I went to put his bridle on and he insisted on walking away from me and back over to the stall door so he could look out, I just kept calm and proceeded. I gave him a little extra time before mounting up by leading him over to the back end of the paddock so that he could see that the commotion next door was now over, and that seemed to satisfy him enough to focus back on me so I could mount up.

And off we went, left down the hill, where our first obstacle of the day was passing the cleared lot just after the big, scary pipe, where there was a man and his truck and his tractor on the trailer behind it. I decided I was not going to let the potential of spooking at all of this stop us from walking by, and I believe my confidence in the situation gave Possum confidence to walk by without making a big deal about it. Then, when we got to Dr. Doyle's place, there were some trucks and men working down there, too, so again, we stopped and looked for a while, then moved on calmly when we realized, again, that we were all going to live.

On the good stretch of the road back towards the scary pipe and the man in the field with his truck, I asked for a trot, and he picked up a forward, high-headed trot, but that was okay with me. We briskly trotted right by the man and his truck in the field, and then we slowed to a walk, and then Possum let out a few snorts, letting me know that he was beginning to come around again to just being a mellow riding horse. We walked for a bit down New Road, then turned back for the hill. I had him trot about half way up, then we walked the rest of the way.

We passed the Rhoad's driveway, and there was a man there and his truck, but by this time, Possum was all like, "whateve's!" Then, we went down to greet Big Mack, who was standing by the gate in his paddock, and seemed very pleased to see us! We "chatted" for a couple of minutes, then Possum and I walked down to the back corner of the large field, and I asked him to canter a couple of times. Then we trotted at the top of the field, and worked a little bit on the different trot paces and the downward transitions. Then, after a short rest, I asked him to trot past Big Mack at the gate and all the way back over to the road, where we slowed to a walk and continued down to the field behind Lenny's. I spotted a cat (probably feral), an orange tabby, hunting in the freshly mowed field grass, so I pointed Possum in that direction. Of course, the kitty scampered off, but Possum and I meandered around that big, hilly field for about 15 minutes, enjoying the views and the clean Halloween's Day air. Also, the last day before hunting season begins, and having to be watchful of those crazy people dressed in hunter's orange carrying guns!!!

More riding on Halloween Day

We were out for about an hour and 15 minutes, and Possum was pretty darn mellow by the time we got back. I brushed him down and took care of the rest of the chores before he got his supper and off we went to our gig at Sunday River.

Today, Saturday, it is rainy and windy and it is still below 40 degrees! But, Possum seems pretty darn chill so far, hanging out away from the wind in his stall, munching hay. Don't know if I'm going to ride him today or not.. though tomorrow is supposed to be worse! I'm not going to worry too much about it, though. I've got late gig tonight, and of course, the afternoon gig on Sunday.. I am quite sure Possum will survive, either way.