Hi, I'm Ev. I'm training to become a horsewoman. These are my adventures and misadventures. I'm green as hell, but so far, so good. I'm now learning from Bo (and sometimes his wife DeDe) at D&D Ranch in Pope Valley. I am extremely lucky to have this opportunity, I feel quite blessed, and I feel that they, and horses, have really turned my life around.
Solomon is my baby- a big old flea bitten grey Appendix gelding who is very kind and way too smart! I love him so very much. He is a rescue and was meant to be co-owned rehabbed, and maybe rehomed to a good home. He turned out to be over 25 years old with injuries that ultimately do not make him riding sound, so he is retired.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Riding!

Woohoo!

I have a local friend with a really sweet solid draft cross mare. I'm about 14% of her weight, heh. She's 17 hands tall! A total babysitter, too. I've ridden her twice now, and we're learning to understand one another. I've never really ridden a horse like her before- her legs are so long that her movement is HUGE! Her hips swing in long, wide, broad strokes. Very different from the stock horses I'm used to riding. She's also an English horse, though she sure doesn't seem to mind me riding with a loose rein. She does require a little firmer signals, but I use the least amount I can, and she's starting to get softer with me, as well as starting to focus on me more.

I still haven't figured out how to sidepass with her yet, haha! But we'll get there in time.

I'm going to ride again on Wednesday. So looking forward to it! It feels like coming home, sitting on the back of a horse. It's been a long time since I've really gotten to RIDE, but we happily tool around in the arena together. Perhaps in time, once I'm up to speed, we'll get to go out on some trails.

Here she is!



Solomon's doing really well. Last time I went out to see him, I followed along while Maggie and Breaker's mom and dad went on a trail ride!

Here are some videos of the day. Heh, I totally fell on the side of the hill, which was a lot steeper than it looked like.





I'll try to get some photos up sometime. He is such a gorgeous, happy, healthy boy these days! :D