Seasons changing at Sam Dale

Finally, I am back on schedule with our Sunday afternoon rides at Sam Dale Lake. I have been out of town so much, I have not been in five weeks. We picked a great day for it-- about 75 degrees, although it was windy. Radar was his usual wonderful self, I love riding him more every single time. I have to remind myself not to ask too much of him since he is just a baby but he acts so solid that I forget how young he is. He seems to learn things so quickly and easily--like today, his shoes slipped on the asphalt. A month ago, he would have scrambled to get better footing, probably making things worse. Today, he just rode out the slide and moved along. He probably slipped four times, but I don't think there was another issue the rest of the day, and I know I was more concerned than he was. Nothing phases him.

The big event of the day was that Head rode a new horse. She came from a rescue organization that Linda works with pretty closely, and little is known about her, other than she is 7 and does not know much. And she GLOWS in the dark! Head is doing really well with her though, and she was pretty impressive today. She has been called Nellie (as is Whoa Nellie!) which I cannot stand so I am trying to think up good names that I will then pester them with so I don't have to think of that poor girl being called Nellie all the time. Linda rode Thumper, who is 22, and does not make many appearances, so that was kind of neat.

About 2/3 of the way through the ride, I saw what I was sure was a colt running straight at us on the trail. It never occurred to me to wonder why that was, I just accepted that it was happening. I swear it took me a couple of minutes to realize that it was not a colt, but a deer, and it was part of a pack. None of the horses seemed to think it was strange that we were being invaded by deer running straight at us, which was a nice change from some trips!

All in all, another great trip. I wish Barry had gone but he stayed home to finish fence, which I had about as much faith in as the Great Pumpkin showing up for dinner, but the damnedest thing happened----he FINISHED THE FENCE! At least the wire part which is what he has been working on since July (more off than on of course, but whatever) I am so proud of him. This is a huge weight off both of our minds. The top board still needs to be put on, but I think we have until spring to get that done, since they won't be leaning over the top to get grass on the other side until there is some.

And in case you think this day could not get any better--another crazy thing happened .After I got home from trailriding, about 6:15, we attempted to load Target to take him to the trainer. I was all ready to try Head's foolproof idea (and kind of looking forward to it, since I was still irritated at Target acting up earlier in the week)- and Target just got right in the trailer. Well not right in, but he was in within 3 minutes, and no one was pissed off about anything. Well maybe Radar was as he was still in there, and had to go on an extra road trip as a result, but what is another hour and a half in the trailer in the name of brotherhood?