Back in the saddle

Last night I thought I’d try to get “back in the saddle” to see if I could handle it. I headed straight to the barn after work, caught Cat, saddled her up and headed down the road (ride #33). She was full of P & V so we did lots of circles and w/t transitions. Her feet are tender since the injury so I’m trying to take things slowly getting them back to the rock crushing feet they were. The last thing I need is road founder.

I knew I only had an hour and a half to ride so I headed down rollercoaster hill. I did ask her to canter up the big hill but I could tell she wasn’t ready. At the top she took a nice, long break before we headed back.

The farm is located just off the top right hand corner of this picture.

After taking a break Cat and I headed back. She was very quiet and relaxed – even as we passed the calves in the field playing. That was until the big red tailed hawk flew up out of the ditch. This was the not so good part of the ride last night. Let’s just say I have some work to do on her spooking along w/a few other things I need to work on myself.

The rest of the ride home was uneventful. It was near dark when we pulled in the drive. I did do a bit of LFR just so she doesn’t think home is a place to rest. So far she hasn’t “rushed” home but I’d just as soon keep it that way.

I had planned on hitting the trails with a few friends this weekend but I’m pretty sore. I don’t think a weekend trail ride is going to help either so I’m going to stay home. Depending on how I feel hopefully I can get a few short rides in.