Sweet Wild Syringa

[thistlebloom]

After enjoying some varied days, but mostly getting warmer temps and some sunshine, today we are getting Arctic blasted.
This is the snowhorse, who has a perfectly fine 3 sided shelter but doesn't use it.

Notice the icy ear lining. Brrr!

In other news, I practiced throwing my new saddle on old Luke, to get the hang of the heft (and slipped on for an irresistible ride around the yard) then saddled up Syringa uneventfully. Being brand new the leather is not broken in so is still quite stiff. Cinching up takes longer, but she stood fine, thanks to the hundreds of times with the borrowed saddles.
I have to say it feels great to ride in. Very balanced and comfortable. Too bad it doesn't fit Luke also or I could get more miles in it.

 

[flowerbug]

i'm not sure if that means you have or have not yet ridden Syringa yet or not?

 

[baymule]

Snow horse. ☃ ❄

My horses would go stand in their barn. they love their barn.

We want a picture of you riding in your new saddle!

 

[thistlebloom]

i'm not sure if that means you have or have not yet ridden Syringa yet or not?

Have not. The footing in the round pen still had some ice on one portion, and after today the whole thing is snowed over and icy again. I will have to trailer to an indoor arena. I'm in a bit of a time crunch now since gardening season has started up again, and I'm also doing a bit of phonics tutoring 3x a week.

Snow horse. ☃ ❄

My horses would go stand in their barn. they love their barn.

We want a picture of you riding in your new saddle!

Luke loves his shed too.
I'll let y'all know when the mustang gets the first ride on, complete with pictures.

 

[flowerbug]

i'm missing sweet tater stories and pictures!

 

[thistlebloom]

It just so happens today was her first mini ride! She did awesome! Finally had decent weather and good footing at the same time.
Thanks for asking FB.

 

[flowerbug]

aw! great! how did she react and what happened? i mean, this is the big event here. i want deets! lol glad it went ok...

 

[digitS']

Thistle'

it looks like the two of you are headed ..

. in opposite directions.

 

[thistlebloom]

Thistle'

it looks like the two of you are headed ..

. in opposite directions.

No, we were on the same page I was leaning forward to give her slack in the left rein as I laterally flexed her to the right, and also rubbing her neck on the left as she was a little stuck on the right side.

Here's a few illustrations of the sequence of events...

1.Checking her lateral flexion on the ground. 2. The instant of my first full mount (throwing a leg over and sitting).
3 and 4 flexing left and right for softness.

aw! great! how did she react and what happened? i mean, this is the big event here. i want deets! lol glad it went ok...

She was very settled and calm. I'm glad for the amount of time I have spent with her, getting the basics good and building a trust relationship. The actual mount was wonderfully anticlimactic. I didn't move her off because my neighbor showed up on her horse to do some exercises in the field across the road and Syringa was distracted. So I called it a good place to end and dismounted. I'd rather do a little a lot, than a lot a little and end up backtracking and redoing.

A look back... the day I first saw her at the adoption grounds.

Yesterday, 21 months later, a pretty satisfying day.

 

[flowerbug]

wow, i can't believe it has been that long! it seems a lot shorter than that! eek! congrats and keep up the good work.