a nod is as good as a wink...

Here is a muddy Sovey rump.

Here is some caked on mud on Sovey's other side.

We have had some furious rain storms all summer and I really thought they were over. I was wrong. Last week both boys greeted me many times covered in mud. One of those days it was still hot and humid and I stupidly decided to hose the mud off Pie. Pie isn't as keen about water and hosing as Sovereign so by the end I looked like I had rolled in the mud and he looked slightly less muddy. I turned him back out and he walked straight over to the wettest, muddiest mudhole and promptly rolled again. It was then I remembered that I am just a stupid human. Pie was clearly covering himself in mud to keep the gnats and flies at bay. Why did I try to interfere? I often wonder about humans and our domestication of these very able horses. I do so love to ride, though, so mud removal seems essential to do that. Pie stands nicely for grooming it all off, but Sovey doesn't like it one bit. I can hose him off because he loves water, but soon that will be out of the question because we don't have hot water. I have discovered that if I graze Sovey while slowly working to get the mud off, I have some success. Most days when we ride I wonder if our neighbors think we are lazy horse owners who won't take the time to groom properly. I hope I get the grooming of mud and grooming in general sorted soon because I think grooming is one of the most special times with a horse.

Something else that has me stumped recently is how all my blogger friends get such nice photos while they ride!?! I can't figure this out. Maizie has taken some great photos, but she is on the ground! How are you all riding and shooting pictures? I think I am fairly coordinated, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it. Yesterday Mom and I headed out and I was determined to take some good pictures of Pie and Sovey while we rode. First, I have to admit, I don't have the proper pommel or cantle bag. I don't have anything like that so I stuck my camera in my sports bra. Ouch. Next, the wind was whipping really hard, so keeping Pie's feet on the ground demanded most of my attention. At one point, the barn must have blocked the wind and I attempted to shoot. I held the camera out in front of me and behind me and what follows is all I got!

Pie's mane. I have taken this view before. In fact, I only seem to get this view. Sometimes I think that it will look like I just use the same picture over and over. Really, this is from yesterday!

Mom and Sovey and a mean sky all blurry and crooked.

I had the camera behind my back and I was just pushing the shutter. The clouds sure look ominous!

Pie's mane and ears - again! So cute!

Mom and Sovey. It looks like she is yanking his head, but I think he turned to look at something. It was sooooo windy and the boys were looking quickly in all directions. I think Mom looks so cute here! And Sovey...well, he is just the sweetest, cutest bunny rabbit ever.

I never thought Mom would ride with me yesterday. It was just the perfect blustery conditions for two cute Thoroughbreds to buck and act silly. Mom never said a word about it and as we headed out, I realized that my worries were unfounded. Pie and Sovey like riding so much that they don't look for excuses. Also, the few times Pie did buck and shy, Sovereign just stood and watched. We remarked how unusual that is - most horses do whatever the other guy is doing. Not Sovereign. He is calm and trustworthy. After we rode, we talked while we hand grazed the boys under the apple tree. Sovey closes his eyes as he munches apples and grass and I know he is happy. (Pie is happy too - he makes applesauce EVERYWHERE!)