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Saturday June 19 2010
We've been regularly riding out, and fast, but today was a different kind of ride. While we have some horses that you better have a good seat on (especially if you're in front, and you're going fast : ), we also have some that can take beginners out.
Andy and Pati passed through here in December and they've graced us with their presence again.
Today we took them on a ride, only the second time either of them have ever been on a horse - and neither of the first times were very comfortable.
Andy got on Dudley - the Dude -
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and Pati got on big ol' Krusty (ex endurance horse who ran in the US, the UAE, and a European Championship in France, and now thinks retirement, and eating a lot, are the best ideas in the world).
Krusty's a bit intimidating to behold for beginners, because - well, he's so huge. Pati's eyes were wide as Steph saddled him up,
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I was going to take my horse Stormy along for the ride, but Jose kept trying to stick his head in my halter. He kept insisting. So - I took Jose - and got on him bareback for the first time.
He was a bit startled at first when I landed on his bare back (from a step stool! I can't jump 3 inches), and he launched forward, but in a few strides he understood what I was doing - though it felt strange for both of us - and he was agreeable (as he always is).
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Our horses plodded along like a good Dude string, heading up Pickett Creek canyon, up to the notch.
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At the end of the mile and a half, I had a horsemanship test for the Dudes. "Everybody stop, turn your horses around to face me, and line up!" With a little coaching, Andy and Pati turned their horses around. Krusty thought he was headed home so he kept going. "Make him stop! Good!
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We headed home, our Dude horses taking care of our Dude riders - which included me bareback on Jose, because I felt like a beginner at that!
Andy and Pati look like naturals in the saddle, don't you think?
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Looks like all - horses and riders - had a great time!
ReplyDeleteFun Times!!
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