Mustang Saga

Today sucked.  Nothing bad happened.  But it sucked anyway.  I want my horse back!  I want to stomp my foot like a spoiled toddler and demand him back.  But that doesn't really do any good.


I went on a short trail ride with Scout.  It was hijacked by a bunch of ladybugs.  If you look real close at the next three pictures you can see them swarming.

Turns out Scout doesn't like bugs.  I tried to get a pic of him tossing his head but the only evidence is the rein jiggling.

This was just a tiny fraction of a percent of the ladybugs we saw today.  They were in patches, we'd go a long way without seeing any, then there would be another swarm.  

At first I tried to correct Scout for tossing his head, but then it became evident that the only safe answer was just to keep on moving through them.  He REALLY didn't like them.  I wouldn't have been surprised if he had started jumping around in frustration if I'd tried to make him behave.  Other than that it was a real good ride.  No complaints.  Except that he's not the horse I want to be riding.  I have got to get to the bottom of my problem with Scout.  Note that I said MY problem.  It's not him.  He's a good horse.  I just don't love riding him.  He knows it.  So we're just like co-workers who try real hard to pretend we like each other and can work together.  Although I have to give him more credit than I give myself.  He's trying harder than I am.  I just can't find the want to.

Amy may have had a breakthrough realization with her horse today. He's been a bit dangerous at times lately.  At one point when he was having a herdbound moment and she thought he might be about to start bucking, I looked at him and he appeared to be half asleep.  Aha!  Looks like perhaps he's "checking out"/ internalizing / shutting down.  Which would explain why he suddenly blows up so explosively.  Lots of food for thought there.


I also got Pedro out and saddled and bridled him today.  We were in the round pen working on giving to the bit (unmounted) when my sister called and said she could go trail riding after all, so I quickly stripped him of his saddle and went to get Scout.

And speaking of donkeys - they are excellent therapists.  They give the best hugs.  You wouldn't think so, considering they don't have arms, but they really do.  You ought to come try it sometime.  However, they don't seem to quite understand what's going on when you sit in their dinner.  Bob was so unnerved he had to go stand somewhere else.  Pedro kept eating.  But he wouldn't give me any kisses.