Joseph had a couple days off this week and I didn't get to hang out with him until late tonight, so I didn't bother trying to take pictures in the dark. I saddled him at the trailer and unsaddled him at the trailer, with some liberty work in the round pen in-between. It was nice to not have to lug everything to and from the round pen myself.
He's a pretty sweet guy, and he really tries hard every second. He offers too many steps when I ask him with the stirrup to step over. He's an over-achiever. I had him do a fair amount of slow trotting with the saddle on. There was a subtle hurky-jerky rhythm to his trot, more power in his strides for a couple steps, then relax, then more power, then relax. A bit of tension there, I think. He had one slight spook and scoot, I don't know why. I wonder if he accidentally touched the fence with a stirrup or something. I calmly asked him to continue on and he did. I think we need to do a lot more wearing of the saddle, and working while wearing the saddle, before I up the ante in any way.
Speaking of saddles, there's a lovely treeless saddle for sale locally at a steal of a price. I'd love to ride Joseph treeless, even if not all the time. But I can't afford it even at the bargain price. Oh well, I can't complain much. I already have a very nice saddle.
I pulled up in the driveway earlier and spotted one of the horses at a distance through the round pen rails. The way the sun was, it looked like Tonka. He's still here, even though he isn't. When I think I see him it doesn't surprise me; what surprises me is the split second later when I realize he's not here. I think it's been harder lately because the seasons have rolled around again and now it feels just like when I lost him. I'm not one to remember anniversaries of deaths and other bad things, in fact I purposely do not remember dates like that, but I can't help but feel the season changing.
Better to have loved and lost, as they say. I wouldn't trade my time with him for anything, even if it means I have to miss him now.
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4 comments:
Your time with Tonka was truly special. Such a thing should not be forgotten. Hopefully it will become a bit easier for you.
What kind of saddle are you looking at? I had an Ansur at one point. That was an amazing saddle. I had no back pain when I sat on it.
Joseph does sound like one who needs to take things slowly to build his confidence, although it also seems like he really tries for you.
I still miss my horses who are gone - Promise has been gone for 12 years now - I only had her for a little over a year - and Noble has been gone for 3 - it's hard to believe it's been that long. I agree that the time we have them is well worth the pain of their loss.
It's a Bob Marshall. I owned a treeless saddle for a week or two once but it didn't work out for long rides because my back is too crooked. I'd love to have one for shorter rides though.
Have you checked out the Ansur? They are pricey, but they are built very well. I actually felt less back and knee pain just from sitting on mine.
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