What a Day!

This was one fine day! The temperature got up to +11C (+52F) and the sun was out! Water was running off the fields like crazy. Spring may have finally arrived. I was going to saddle up Biz and go for a nice quiet ride. It was quiet, but busy. Lady (yellow lab) and her small boxer buddy decided to come along. Brooklyn and Boots showed up also, along with a chocolate lab from somewhere in the neighbourhood. I could not get all 5 in the picture because Boots is a bit of a loner. I think dogs have a sixth sense that tells them when somebody is going riding. No dogs in sight to five in front in 4 seconds flat.

I tried several times, but could not get them all. The small ride turned out to be 2+ hours. Needless to say, the dogs were somewhat pooped.

 Me, I hope I can still walk in the morning.

Boots disappeared about 1 1/2 hours into the ride. We are riding on the county roads and side roads, plus a few fields that were in the sun. During the day, there is not much traffic, and what there is slows right down for horses and dogs. Generally, there is a good natured wave, a smile and perhaps a laugh.

The latter happened today when one of the County workers stopped his truck and said "You need another dog". I told him that I had another one when I started out, but he disappeared.

I also asked him if he'd seen any foxes around

You know "a boo-halloo!"  Just kidding. No one fox hunts in these parts.

When we got home, Biz, Brooklynn and myself, (the others branched off at their homes) this is what we found.

Overall, I would say that Biz is our best all'round horse at the moment. She is very trusting, quiet and well behaved. 

Alpine will be getting a few more miles on her to get her up to the level that Biz is at. Yesterday, she decided that she was going to go into the ditch. She bounded in, sunk to hip level ( mine) and panicked! First time I have been on a horse that was rearing and jumping at the same time. It was a good little rodeo until she managed to get out. I had to lead her for  a couple of hundred yards until she calmed down. If you are a horse,  there are many horse-eating ditches around just waiting to suck you in.

All in all, a very good day!