Mustang Saga

Scout had his hooves trimmed yesterday, and really he was a rather good boy. I was complaining a bit, and then Laura asked me if he was really being all that bad for a kid his age. I had to admit he was being a good boy. He took his hooves away a few times, and was fiddling with stuff a bit, but for a baby he did quite well. I've heard some stories about stubborn babies, and he certainly wasn't that bad. Then I quickly refreshed him on leading and crossing over in the front and back, and then turned him loose.

Soon after that, as I was gathering my things, all hell broke loose and the three boys were running like demon steeds, irrational and strange. Tonka and Mack both had a bad horsefly, or maybe they got stung. I couldn't find a fly on either of them, but they both acted like they were being hurt for a long time. Maybe one of those stings that throbs and stings for a long time afterward. I sprayed them both down with fly spray and soon they were acting more normal. Tonka even let me spray him all over without a halter on.

"A Black Horse in a Dark Place." Laura thinks that would make a good story title. Poor Mack ran into his cave to hide from whatever was biting him.

Later in the day I took Bella away from Scout for the first time. Here are the boys pining after her. Aren't they handsome?

Bella had a nice relaxing grooming session in the shade. I swear this horse is so laid back and not worried that you'd think she was sedated. She checked out a tire and a barrel and walked over some scattered ropes like they weren't there. I think she's going to be a great trail challenge horse.

We wandered over to the bridge and I asked her to step on it. Here she's not so sure it's a good idea:

She needed some reassurance:

And she did it! Needed some more reassurance though:
She was a little nervous about backing off, but she did just fine. Then I quickly tried out the saddle blanket, which she hasn't worn since last fall, and then only once, if I remember right. She wasn't comfortable with it, but she did very cautiously step forward and back with it on her back .


By this point Scout figured his mama needed to get back in the pasture NOW! He was running and calling for a while before I put her back. He nursed immediately. Mack was almost as clingy.

Today I went up to Spokane and picked up a saddle that Arlene was kind enough to let me borrow. I have never ridden in an Ortho-flex saddle, and I'm very excited to give it a try. Thank you Arlene! I think it looks nice on Tonka:

Scout wanted to eat it. So I let him try it on too. It made him want to eat it more. (Don't worry, I didn't let him get his little teeth on it.) I didn't get a picture because I was holding the saddle. He didn't mind much at all though.

I think I'm going to insist on some riding time tomorrow. I can't wait!