Bedia

I had another ride on Bedia today.

She had bright eyes and was relaxed, very different than before.

I put my own tack on her (after swapping out gullets), and noticed that she really prefers my double ended elastic wool girth. She started fussing when I first put it on, and then the teeth grinding and glaring got less and less with each hole up. By the last hole she wasn't grouching at all. I know some people think elastic is bad, but I've seen horses prefer it and I really do. I also use a breastcollar (and crupper whenever I can) so my saddle doesn't have to be as tight.

Bedia looked so pretty in my stuff!




Me and the space cadet lady and her daugher went out for an hour tour-ride around their town. I cannot say trail because so much of it was asphalt (even though the asphalt road was actually, a trail). I really love Solingen. It is shaped like Renton back home - a mysterious blob of a city that touches many many other cities, with many hidden gardens and woods. We came across a big river and I couldn't believe it was the Wupper - it was huge! You could swim! People were kayaking with helmets on. Oh, I wanna!!

Bedia responded much better today to my body language (weight and seat aids) and even gave her head to me every time I asked.

We only had one problem - when we arrived at the foot of a steep hill, she started freaking out and trying to run up it. Funny thing was, the two horses I was with just plodded along. She was the only one with the issue. I turned and turned and yelled at her a bit, and asked the kid in front of me to please not canter off. The spacey lady said "OH, the girls always let her run here." Yah....I've been guilty of that one in the past (but I fixed it cuz it makes the horse no fun if someone just wants to mosey up that hill).

Gaits. That horse is so odd! I was leading her a good portion of the ride (while the others were mounted) because I hate riding on pavement. I took note of her gaits.

She has this weird prancy thing, each leg raises in exaggeration before coming down again. Not prancing, cuz the rhythm is still slow and calm. It's kind of like someone trying to show off. A ballerina, walking, raising her knees elegantly. I really should have brought my camera!! The mare's head is low, she's calm, her legs just go up higher than normal. So odd!

On the trail the trot was not very comfortable even in my saddle. *sigh*

But she was a good girl.

I did not like all the paved trails they must ride on there, and I do not like the idea of driving a half hour to ride, when this is horse country. But I really liked the horse. She responded well to me and ...ok, I have to say it, she has Kacy's Wa mare's thick shiny purple-black mane, and Ozzy's deep mahogany bay color. Soooooo pretty. When cars drove by us I saw a bright, happy look in her eye too.

We'll see. I have another job interview on Tuesday whose result could dictate a lot in my life.

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Important homefront news: Mercer caught her first mole today! I've never been more pleased with her! I was surprised that it was rather small - perhaps a young mole. I'm used to the Idaho Spud sized moles from home!


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Baasha's eyes are much much better tonight! Thank you for your concern and help - I have looked into your ideas. I am so relieved right now I think I may even be able to sleep through the night. If you looked at Baasha tonight you'd have no idea that there is a problem. In fact the medicine makes his eyes look bigger and brighter, I groomed and groomed him tonight til he was dreamy.