UGH Monday already?

I overslept this morning. I managed to make it to work in time but just barely. I hate being late. Can't stand it.

I had a glorious time riding Jones yesterday. It was such a beautiful day, she had not been ridden in a while so she was full of piss and vinegar which made it more fun for me! She tried to get her way more than once but that just made it more fun.....and we went the way I wanted to, not the way she wanted to. We explored all over and I thought I had found a new road and could not for the life of me figure out where I was and where this road came from. I followed it on up and then realized that I had gotten turned around somehow and it was a road I was familiar with. We went past some wild ass miniature horses that she usually will booger (have a fit, try to turn and go the other way, etc) over but she didn't. I let her see them and held her there until she calmed down and started licking her lips. When a horse licks their lips or breathes really big that means they have settled down and are using the "thinking side of their brain." Or so the shows on RFD-TV say. I taught my self how to ride at 6 so I don't know about any of that stuff.

We were gone about 3 hours. I was wearing an orange cap (to let the potential deer hunters know I was human and not a deer) but I still got some sun on my face. I even had on sunblock and didn't sweat but I guess none of it is foolproof, that is unless you stay inside and not at all in the sun. That isn't me. I love being outside and don't plan on changing now.

My mare is not barn sour (to you non horsey people that means they don't want to leave their home and act out and stuff. It can be a real pain in the ass) but I wanted to keep it that way so I decided to make her take the long way to the gate home. When we came up to the yard Dakota was nickering away and very excited to see her. We went around the entire fenced area and then, instead of untacking her at the hitching post I took her in the front yard. Afterwards I took her into the pasture and tied her up and brushed her really well. She had cockaburrows all in her tail from where we had gone through the high grass so I had to get that out. Then I removed her halter and she was ready for dinner. I gave her an extra helping of grain.

I tried to get Stephanie to ride with me but she said "I'm not comfortable in my saddle Mom, the stirrups are uneven." I understand where she is coming from. Her gelding is half thoroughbred and always is ready to run like the wind. In fact if she doesn't gallop him a bit when she first gets on him he is dancing and prancing because he needs to get that out. After all it is bred into him. When a person is uncomfortable in the saddle and you run the horse you feel like you don't have control and am about to fall off.

Oh oh oh and I had my small digital Sony with me to take some pretty pictures, especially of the haunted house we rode past but alas. There were no batteries in it. Poop. It didn't have much effect on my ride though. I was just happy to be out there, me and my horse and nature. Awwwwwwwww...........so nice. I am so very thankful to have my babies and have some really great places to ride right there within just a few miles of my house. In fact, my favorite trail is about 1/8 mile from my place.

Yet another thing to be thankful for. I love my life.