Both arenas are still icy, but the BO and I decided that a close to a month off from riding was just not acceptable. So, we tacked up and went riding off into the corn fields.
I must say that I am SO SO proud of Hampton. Here we are ... a big 3 year old getting fed quite well, hasn't been ridden in close to a month, it's a chilly day, no lunging and we ride straight out into open fields. (And, um, the last time I had Hampton out in the fields it didn't go well) A recipe for disaster for a lot of people. Hampton was a perfect angel. My BO's mare is a safe, sane trail horse so I knew having her along probably tipped the scales in my favor, too. And hey, we only walked but at least it was a ride!
We were out for maybe 40 minutes. Saw a coyote, a few hawks, plenty of tracks in the snow from various beasts. Sometimes, when we both quit talking, just the sound of the horse's walking in the snow was so peaceful. And for a few minutes, I forgot that I couldn't feel my toes an I just enjoyed the beautiful winter scenery .. and my horse.
We got a little too close to a perimeter fence at one point and I heard something growl. "Shit." I said outloud. I was expecting a coyote to appear or something but thankfully nothing happened. Whatever growled though meant business. Yikes.
Yikes is right! Good boy Hampton for not getting scared!!!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, that sounds like a lovely ride, growl and all. What a good Hampton! I would be super happy too:)
ReplyDeleteAwww...Hampton is such a good boy, and you are a brave girl...I my chicken butt would have lunged him for a good half hour before climbing aboard! Glad you had a good ride :)
ReplyDeleteGood work to get out there in the cold and ride! We're pretty much down to walking when we ride, since it's too icy to do anything else - in fact it's too icy to ride at all except on the small grassy area behind our barn - and then it's too cold . . .
ReplyDeleteGood boy, Hampton!!!
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