With full intentions to go for a ride on Flash today, Hubby got all ready to go, and I saddled up both horses, and then, unfortunately, Hubby just wasn't strong enough in his legs to climb into the saddle, even with the 3-step mounting block. I'm still working on getting Flash to stand completely still, and he did pretty well, but he moved a couple of times just out of reach, After a while of trying, Hubby decided it was best if he skipped the ride today, and left me to take BOTH horses for a ride! I started with Flash, going on a fairly speedy ride. He got a bit excited again, so I decided to do what I've been threatening to do for a while, start getting him conditioned for endurance riding, so I let him go as fast as he wanted, no matter what kind of trail we went on. We cantered down wide roads, gaited fast through single tracks in the woods, generally covering a lot of ground in a relatively short time (compared to my slug Apollo, anyway). Other than wanting to go, go, go, he behaved himself quite well, a lot better than yesterday, but still with a lot of P&V being expressed. Got back to camp, grabbed a quick bite, then off again on Apollo, who is long overdue for some exercise. He started out his usual sluggish self, and after about a half a mile, when I got nice and relaxed, he suddenly exploded for no apparent reason, except maybe because there was a live oak tree with a particularly low-lying, menacing branch on it, and it took a one rein stop to quiet him down. Then off we went again, slug, slug, slug, until about another mile or so in, and then suddenly, he exploded again, though I had no idea why. One rein stop, settle down, then slug, slug, slug. Then we saw a couple of deer on one side of the road, and kind of watched them as the crossed the trail behind us, then 5 seconds later, after they had gone, another explosion! Grrrr! I don't know what got into him, except lack of practice, but we exploded a couple more times, once stepping so far sideways I came out of the saddle (glad I had my helmet on!) before we finally got back to camp. Still don't know what all that was about, but Flash was happy to see Apollo and Apollo seemed to bask in the adoration, so things are getting better between them. Hubby said Flash whinnied practically the whole time Apollo was gone, though Apollo doesn't quite share the same enthusiasm, at least not yet. That day will come, though, I'm sure! Got the horses put away, fed the panting and finally tired Lola dog, and relaxed the rest of the evening, after a rather tiring but productive weekend!
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