The rain keeps a lid on our riding. The sandy ground drains well, but it’s still a bit too spongy to trust. Encore! has a penchant for leaping when the ground is uneven. I must have her absolutely trustworthy on this issue. No side stepping because her rider loses balance. No, she must stop when she feels a dramatic weight shift. She’s learning. For now we walk, walk, and walk on the soft soil. She’s stepping under and working hard to stay quiet, long and low. She is a big affectionate filly with energy to match her enormous appetite.
Today Shirley, owner of the two Arabians that call our little farm home, bought a 4’ x 8’ piece of plywood to discourage Encore! from plowing her way into the hay in the shelter’s breezeway when turned out. At four p.m. we let all the horses run out together into the lower meadow. Happily, they raced around, and Encore! in her exuberance, tossed her heels to the wind. The lawn up near the dome ultimately became the preferred pasture and all four horses chomped on the un-mowed grass. The grey sky didn’t stop the soulful sunshine, and this herd of horses felt the warmth from the inside out. It’s been awhile since they grazed on green grass. Every bite was an enthusiastic affirmation that living wild is the best way to live.
Happily, we get a horse trailer this week from Lisa and Vern Johnson, neighbors up on Sweeny Road, so when the sun shines and the soil becomes solid, Encore!, Daubery, Shirley and I will take our first short trip around the neighborhood. Encore! and I look forward to our first real ride-about in open country.
Catalina
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