Catching Up @ Tavern

Things have been going really well at Tavern, as I've said in the past. It's so amazing to see the difference in Brantley (and myself) since the move. Although I've been letting work life really get to me, more than ever, as soon as I get to the barn I forget about everything. Even time. I don't think about getting everything done and leaving as soon as I can or what I haven't accomplished. Brantley's days off are not followed with, "I should've rode yesterday, I hope today goes okay." I'll get to the barn and hang out for what feels like forever, grab a coffee, play with my friend's daughter, help clean, turn out/in, and then brush him instead. Or just give him a good rub down. He's become so willing and we're back in English tack going over cross-rails.

We've mastered opening the gate (or I should say HE has mastered opening the gate). I can run my hand along the fence while he walks by without him have a meltdown. I'm becoming more confident on him again and A has even gotten to come and ride! I rode him bareback for the first time and it was awesome. It was one of those F-It moments where I had been working on walking him up to this tree stump down by his field gate and running my knee across his back and my leg down his butt for "mounting block" purposes. And one day I just brought a helmet (because I'm dumb but not that dumb) and after a quick pat-down, I jumped on. He danced around sideways, backwards, and got a little humpy but once he figured it out, the head went down and we walked quietly up to the gate through the field. I couldn't believe I finally did it.

It's amazing how much people take for granted the small things they can do on their horse while I have to think about everything I do first. Being able to reach down and throw your arms around their neck, or take off your jacket on those odd fall days after a good work out? We'll get there... Slowly but surely. I have faith.

I've also been able to get in my dumb-horseman rides on this fat little Halflinger who needs the exercise. Her saddle doesn't fit so well... So I've been riding with my bareback pad that I've used once on Lucky. Love it! And then we downgraded even more to bareback and rope halter (which I don't think this horse has ever had anything like that on her face). I'm not doing much ground work or "training" with her because I don't want to overstep my boundaries but I'm hoping as time goes on, I can use her for pony friends who want to ride with me. Or they can just ride B!

Birthday month is coming up... And I have the weekend off. I think it's time to Cowgirl Up and party a little.  <3