We all came through Milton just fine. Less rain and wind than Helene by a long shot here, we didn't even lose power. Thank goodness. I feel for the people to the south, some of the rivers we canoe a lot are flooding and going to get even higher over the next week. I am ignoring the whispers of yet another storm out in the Atlantic right now.
Back to ponies... Butterball's cut right in front of the girth is STILL healing. And after our
XC lesson two weeks ago, I got serious about NOT putting a girth back on him until it is healed.
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| Pesky little thing, taken about a week ago |
So in that spirit, we've done a TON of bareback hacking.
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| Some of us have been snacking too |
As I explored a powerline cut bareback in misting rain the day before Milton, I realized this is what I've been searching for. I think my greatest joy comes from the quiet walks in the woods. I LOVE jumping and can really savor those moments where things click in dressage and there is a new understanding of moving off the leg and another degree of lift to the withers. But truly? I want a horse I can hop on and hack through the woods on and feel like they're having a good time too. Bonus that this one has the comfiest pony back so he is MADE for sitting on bareback.
Butterball is not (yet) a seasoned trail horse, so he certainly has his moments. He spooked pretty hard at a banner flapping in the wind directly behind him and less hard at machinery rustling in woods that he couldn't see through. But generally he approaches things in a confident manner with a sense of curiosity. After those spooks, he came right back down to earth. And food trumps all for this pony, so a mouthful of grass later and he was totally content. He just took a moment to pause and stare at the clown donkey and horse duo across the road from the barn and the herd of cows that TROTTED towards him at the fence. After consideration, he wanted to head closer to them to investigate.
It doesn't hurt that he's adorable and a heck of an athlete, but his level headed confidence is my absolute favorite thing.
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| Those ear tips tho |
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| 💗💗 |
What is your ideal horse? Which characteristic in a horse is MOST important to you?
A hack through the woods or on the trail is my favourite as well. A good trail horse is worth its weight in gold!
ReplyDelete100%!!
DeleteAw he’s just such a good boy <3 my mare isn’t exactly seasoned on the trails yet either but it’s fun getting out anyway!
ReplyDeleteAlso. Obvi take with a grain of salt bc I literally am only looking at one pic, but that wound reminds me of an ulcerated circular wound on Charlie’s leg that kept not healing and wanted to always drain and my vet pegged it as a summer sore and prescribed treating topically with moxidectin
It is healing, just gets set back every time I put the girth on, boo. We're finally closed up now with just a bit of pinkness!!
DeleteTBH he sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteHe is the best.
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