Mustang Saga

I rode all three horses today.

Wait.  Did you catch that?  I RODE ALL THREE HORSES TODAY!

Joseph had his first ride tonight!  He had been doing so well earlier in the day, but I had to quit to go to a baseball game.  I came home with a headache and it was getting dark, but Joseph was still in the round pen because I'd planned on saddling up again.  I didn't feel like saddling up again.

When I got out to him, he was so peaceful and sweet and attentive.  I figured what the hay.  I tied his lead rope around like reins and went to the mounting block.  (With lots of treats in my pockets to keep the boogeyman at bay.)

I tried throwing my leg over on the "correct" side of the horse, but my leg wouldn't do it.  After I got him turned around I threw my leg over from the off side, and that time it worked.  I fed him a bunch of treats while sprawled across his back, then slid off the other side.  Grabbed more treats and did it again but sat up this time.  The third time was absolutely awesome.  I fed him treats, scratched all his good spots, and stayed up there long enough to enjoy the moonlight and take a picture. 

I'm glad the picture turned out, even though it's not a good one.  Our first ride!

He is going to be a great horse to ride bareback.  Wonderfully comfortable.  Tomorrow though, the saddle goes back on and we will actually move our feet. 

I'm so stoked I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight.