Will and I actually had a "date night". Tristan and Jayden went to stay at Nana and Papa's while we braved the crazy weather last weekend. We took Palmer and Bella to the St. Jude's Saddle Up Trail Ride at Jubilee State Park. This was our first trail ride with them. Friday night, we got there, unloaded, threw tack on. Brock and Ellie rode them around the camp sight to make sure they wouldn't act their age. They did just fine. Curious, a little nervous, but they didn't act out, didn't buck, etc like some young horses might. Will rode pretty miss Bella and I took my steadfast Palmer. We rode around the camp several times with no incidents. Trucks and trailers pulling in, generators running, dogs, other campers and horses everywhere. So, we went with another of B&B's group for a short trip on the trails. Again, no incidents. YEAH!!! The next day, Brock took us and a couple others on a 20 min trail ride to make sure that our horses weren't going to give us any problems. They passed Brock's test! We ended up riding Saturday with one of Palmer and Bella's half siblings, Mercedes. She is a gorgeous girl!! It was a great date for us. And now we know that our young horses are trail ready. Hopefully we can do that again soon. A huge thanks as always to B&B Reinebach for inviting us and ensuring that we all had a great time. Can't wait to see the group pictures.
I confess, one of the things that drives me crazy is being so short and having to practically use a ladder to get into the saddle with Palmer or Bella. So, taking Britney's advise, I starting thinking about getting a pony that I could ride as well as Tristan, Jayden and our horse crazy nieces. This past winter, I happened across an article about the Fell Ponies. And beings they look so much like a Friesian, I was smitten. So, being the researcher that I am, I searched and searched for a Fell mare that was trained to ride. Well, lets just say that there is not a huge selection. But in my searches, I came across DreamHayven Farm. And there was Bella (Fell Pony, not our Bella. hehe). And it was love at first sight. I have been stalking DreamHayven's website and doing lots of emailing back and forth. Will and I decided to take the plunge and get Bella. We have had her now for for three days and we LOVE LOVE LOVE her. If you know my kids at all, you know they are anything BUT quiet. This beautiful mare stands calmly while my two kids are carrying on like they do. Tristan is absolutely crazy about her. In fact, Thursday night when he met her, he wouldn't leave her until I told him (at 9:30 pm which is WAY past bed time) that he HAD to go in, take his shower and get to bed. He was completely comfortable being in the paddock with her. He and I decided that since we have a Bella already, we were going to use part of the pony's registered name as her call name. So, LemonDrop it is!! I can't even tell you how exciting this was/is to me that he is this excited about a horse.
Friday I decided it was time to take our pony for a ride. I didn't even have to tie her up for saddling. She stood calmly while I saddled and bridled her. Sadly, with the English saddle, I couldn't reach the stirups STILL... So, out came the 5 gallon bucket and off we went. She was good as gold. Since it was getting dark, we just went down the road a bit and came back. Tristan wanted to ride her too, so I threw him up on my saddle (and darn if his legs almost didn't reach the stirups...). B&B have trained him well. He didn't have a problem with her at all. I of course held onto her just in case... But they did great together.
Today was not what I had hoped, as in, no riding today. It would rain, then clear up, rain, clear up... UGH!!! But at least it was not hot. Not even in the least and with the nice breezes, the flies were MIA. That was wonderful. We did manage to get the little garden at the Y in the drive cleaned up. It was a little crazy/wild/ugly hot mess. We have plans to put up a sign for the farm there. That will be nice. I am hoping at some point to get some different plants in that area. Those crazy rose bushes that are there are not my cup of tea. To high maintenance for me. ;)
We are going to have to do some major updating to our website with the addition of LemonDrop. She is expecting a foal next year, so keep your eyes out for that!!
Loving these kids' excitement.
