Seven Hours in the Saddle

I wish there were more days like this! After helping Farmer Rick get a good start on milking, my first lesson pulled into the driveway.  Off we went to the horse barn!

We saddled up and headed out down the road.  We had several stops to make, so we scooted right along.  It was a planned trip.  I want my students to be able to handle their horses in many situations outside of an arena.  A horse can be a completely different animal once removed from the confines of an enclosed space. Since I had several invitations to drop off to surrounding neighbors, it would be a good opportunity for my student to encounter barking, sniffing dogs, scary horse-eating items in yards, and curious kids.  Although this particular student and I have ridden on the road before, it would be a good opportunity for her to experience mounting and dismounting on a horse that has one thing on its mind - green grass and buddies at home. But we survived the trip, horses acted up a couple of times, but we managed to keep things to a low roar. 3 hours.

Once home, Farmerette saddled up her gelding and we both headed out in the opposite direction from home and delivered invitations in that direction.  We had a wonderful ride. 2 hours.

After loosening the cinch on my mare and putting her in an empty stall for a few minutes' rest, I headed to the house for a quick bite to eat.  Once lunch was done, my mare and I let the cows out on the hayfield for a couple hours of grazing.  What a beautiful day!  The sun was warm on our back, the cows were rather content - most stayed away from the road.  My mare was able to get in several mouthfuls of tasty green grass once the cows were settled down - all was good.  After two hours of grass munching, the cows were ready to come back to the night pasture and rest in the sunshine before being brought in for milking.  My mare was unsaddled and out to her own pasture in a quick five minutes.  2 hours.

So, after seven hours saddle time, I was ready for a little break from the action before evening milking, but as I headed down the driveway, Farmer Rick pointed to the tracted and cornpicker and asked for some help.  So the dog and I jumped in the cab of the tractor and headed out to the field.  Four loads later, it was time for evening milking.  But as tired as I was, who could complain after spending the most enjoyable day in quite some time - in the saddle on a good horse, on a beautiful sunny day.