Typically my Saturdays consist of me getting up early, feeding the horses and then loading Buddy up for a trip to Pretty Boy Reservoir. Pretty Boy offers miles and miles of lovely trails and I can't think of a better way to spend most of my Saturday.
Because Mark works on Saturdays, I spend most of my excursions alone. Well with Buddy...but alone of human company. But this past Saturday proved to be different.
As we (me and Buddy) were pulling our trailer into our favorite parking place on the road, we noticed another trailer. Yay! And even better, we noticed that the person and their horse had not left yet.
As I exited the truck...the other rider called out, "Hey! Wanna ride together?" I was thrilled! I quickly unloaded Buddy (who was equally as excited to see another horse) and got him tacked up. He kept nudging me as if to say Hey Ma! Did you SEE that other horse over there? This is cool!
I got mounted up and the other rider and I made our introductions. Turns out this wonderful new friend lives only a few minutes from our farm. She was riding a gorgeous chestnut TB (thoroughbred) gelding. He was only 7 (same age as Buddy). Only one detail that would prove to make lots of work for Buddy…her gelding was 16.2! Buddy is only 14.2. About 8 inches shorter than her mount. LONG legs and off the track.
Now I say off the track…but this guy was calm as ever and took everything in stride…BIG stride. We had the loveliest ride…and Buddy seemed to really enjoy having a new friend (even though he had to jog to catch up every now and then). The boys got along smashingly. So well in fact, that when my new riding partner wanted to jog the last part of the trail (we did not as I wanted to cool Buddy down) Buddy got right upset at being left. That was fine…I ignored it as long as I could and then I ‘explained’ to Buddy that this was not appropriate and would not be tolerated. He quietly agreed.
The cutest part of the ride was when we got back to our trailers. Each of us taking care of our horses and preparing for our travel home. She loaded up and was headed out. As her trailer passed mine…her horse gave out a holler. Buddy looked at me with this look that was priceless. I could feel what he was thinking Ma! That horse likes me! So he hollered back. They exchanged goodbyes for 2 or 3 hollers…until Buddy’s new friend was out of site.
I can’t wait to ride with them again…I wonder what Buddy will do? Ma! My friend is back! He really DOES like me. Makes me smile just thinking about it. I hope to get pictures.
Yesterday I had a VERY LONG day at work. 14 hours to be exact. Needless to say when I got home, I was exhausted and had a raging headache. In fact I went to bed at 9pm. That rarely happens.
This morning when I woke up, I felt better and was ready to start another long day. When I entered my bathroom on the 1st floor, I was pleasantly surprised by the gift that Mark left me.
This is just one of the many reasons why I love him so...
Next month Mark will be traveling to KY to take the exam to earn his certification with the Drystack Stone Conservancy. In preparation he's been building walls all over the farm...this is the latest.
It's being built right near where we park our Airstream...I think it's going to look really nice. Heck it already looks nice and it's only half done!
