More Experiments with Booker

So we took a chance and put the dressage saddle and snaffle bit on Booker and took off for our run down the road last week (or the week before, I can't recall).  He did really well.  His brakes aren't great but actually they don't seem a whole lot different with the snaffle than they did with his usual bit.  And the dressage saddle seems to fit him well so that's always a plus.  He looked really nice trotting down the road, very "english."  Guess this cow pony missed his calling as a dressage horse ;)

I was a bachelorette over the weekend so we met up on Sunday for some horse fun.  We decided we need to go further than our usual 2 mile run.  But neither of us wanted to run longer.  So I suggested we use a bike.  Which was definitely easier than running.  First we had to introduce Booker to the bike.  If you've ever ridden your horse near a bike trail you are probably aware that bikes are the #1 silent killer of all horses.  Not really but since they are so quiet they sneak up on ya and before you know it you are standing next to your horse instead of sitting on his back.

So we took a few passes in the driveway to get him used to it and then set off for a roughly 6 mile ride.  We swapped at the halfway point.  Had a little "moment" near some pastured horses but other than that and some real jerk-offs in their "my-penis-is-really-small" pick up truck (hello search engine hits) we had a really calm ride.  Lots of posting, holy cats, I haven't posted 3 miles in probably forever.  Surprisingly I didn't hurt the next day.

So this week I made it out alone on Tuesday for a little ride.  I didn't have a lot of time so I just tacked up (dressage saddle and snaffle) and we went down the driveway and back and forth in front of the property.  Just working on our downward transitions mostly.  No cantering, just trot/walk/halt.  We also watched some big farm implements drive by.  It's that time of year again.

Booker is well on his way to be a nice versatile and steady mount.  We are either going to introduce him to umbrellas tomorrow or shoot some blanks in the .22, depends on if it's raining or not.