Sunday, July 24, 2011

Driving and Riding


It has been ridiculously hot here for the past two weeks but on Friday it finally started to break. It gave me a chance to hitch Linus to his new cart for the first time. I took the above picture while I was in the middle of hitching him because it blew me away that he stood there so calm and relaxed while I got him ready. It has been a month since he had harness on and over 5 months since he pulled anything! It was also the first time I had hitched by myself. It was smooth as silk..he listened like he does it every day. I started by showing him the cart, when he tried to bite it I knew he was ok with it...that's his "oh, ok. Carry on", so I moved it behind him and hitched it up. What an easy cart to work with! I walked behind it at first to make sure he was ok with it and then I got in and was surprised by how much I actually liked the style of it!
We did two large circles of the front lawn. I kept where Allie could see him but she still put on quite a show of running, bucking, calling and farting. Linus ignored her and when I brought him back around he wasn't sweaty but she was! He made me so happy that day.
Today was a really nice day and we saddled the horses up to go for a ride. This time I tried his fly mask on over his hackamore and it worked really well. Linus was much happier! We went up the trail beside the farm and through the hayfields. The guy who has hay down there was hauling it home so we met him with his tractor and wagon. The horses were not at all bothered. Allie was a little bit nervous today because we had a very bad wind storm last week so there were lots of downed trees and branches to pass. Linus was rock solid steady though and that really helped keep her calm. He was a dream to ride today. He wanted to trot a bit on the trail but I told him he wasn't ready for that and held him back. He didn't try again.
Happy Belated Birthday to those I missed and I hope everyone has a blast in Vermont this weekend! I so wanted to go but had a wedding to go to yesterday.

1 comment:

  1. Hot!!!! I guess the frig is has been hot! I know you are wishing for snow, but keep it under your hat for a while. It's summertime, and we need some time to revel in it. I am glad you like your new cart. It is funny that you mention about Linus biting it. Ah-D does that. Here's a hint. Don't leave it in the paddock overnight to get him "used to it," because you may wake up to find a big bite hole in the seat. :( -Susan and Bad Boy Didder p.s. anyone have any tips for me on seat repair???

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