You can't take me for granted and smile

Today Pie reminded me that I can't take his good nature for granted. Yes, he is usually a relaxed boy, and yes, he is...ahem...slightly chubby and lazy. But, our cool temperatures and wind had him twirling and whirling throughout the weekend and yesterday. In fact, all the horses have been acting especially feisty. Sovereign has been leading them in races in the pastures and Foggy has been bucking his cute little bunny bucks all over the place. As I groomed Pie this afternoon and tacked up, he jumped and twitched at every little noise. He was covered in mud, but I realized that any real grooming would be impossible. I decided to brush lightly where the saddle goes, and get the rest off later after our ride. I cleaned his feet and did not hurry, but I also didn't expect the sleepy, calm grooming session we usually have.

Once I was on, I balanced him between a slow, relaxed dawdle and a forward extended walk. After 20 minutes with very little sidesteps or shies, I asked for a trot and he was relaxed and happy. Oh, thank you, Pie, for getting your wiggles out and keeping me on! We ended up having a super great 50 minute ride all over the farm and in the woods. And, I was able to get most of the mud off in our post-ride grooming time. Pie was a completely different horse.

I drove home with a huge smile on my face. I am so lucky to have these horses. They take care of me and allow me to ride them almost every single day - even when our conditions are less than favorable. I was still beaming from all my horse love when I reached our driveway and met up with Brian and Maizie as they headed out for a run. They had just got the mail and in it was my acceptance letter into the State Museum's juried art show, Art of the State 2012!!!! My watercolor, Coke, was accepted! Hooray!