Saturday and Sunday Strolling

After a quiet week horse-wise, whereby I didn't manage to see the girls since the barefoot trimmer visit last Sunday. This Saturday dawned bright and warm for us here in Lux as our Indian summer blessed us with some more glorious 20°C sunshine.

Saturday 3.10.15

Nancy's potential leasee came to ride her again and I'd considered riding in the arenas due to the lack of saddle time since Beka & I went into the woods together last weekend; but the yard was a hive of activity as it was prepared for a SJ and Dressage show today. Jumps were set up in the arena i was hoping to ride in and a dressage court was being set up in the largest indoor, the only option to ride was the large outdoor as tents were being set up.
Call me a chicken all you want, but i know Kika and all that activity would absolutely fry her pea brain. Add that to the fact she hadn't been ridden in a week ... I didn't fancy my chances so we opted to scarper into the woods for a stroll.

Sweaty-Betty, you'd think she'd spent
 the hour in the woods galloping flat out

Potential part-leasee was super impressed with Nancy, especially when towards the end of our stroll i mentioned that Nancy was a little more up than she would normally be. Kika was less forthcoming with the good behaviour compared to last week. There was no striding boldly forward leading the way, however there was much hiding behind Nancy & hoof holding needed by Miss Kika.

Scoffing apples faces

This morning dawned overcast, grey and a little drizzly, knowing the yard would be mayhem with the show I opted to grab my gear; tack Nancy up at the field and take the two girls for a stroll in the woods. Things got off on the wrong foot when Nancy took offence to a field of corn, I have no idea what she could see but Needless to say if she wasn't going forward neither was Kika who of course decided she was not napping just yet. I slid off (voluntary dismount) and hand-walked/dragged them passed the offending field.

When something catches her attention,
we have to stop & stare

What is it about cooler weather that blows out cobwebs/changes scenery in such an offensive way for the beasties?!

Despite that initial hiccup, all went well after that. I went for a longer stroll than the last number of outings. I managed to nab myself a start time for L. Williams & Hillary's 2ptober contest, the entry deadline for which has been extended to Wednesday 12th. There are fab prizes up for grabs in case you haven't seen these wonderful ladies blogs, which I would find astounding as they are both better bloggers with more interesting content posted with more regularity than any of my drivel.

I probably could have made it easier on myself by not attempting to time myself while leading another horse...One who is partial to literally dozing as we stroll, thereby pulling me slightly off balance but then again having my attention split kept me distracted from any niggles or whining of muscles not used to stretching in that way ;-)
Nancy got mucho praise for being such a good girl and continuing to plod along as i faffed about trying to strike my balance while keeping Kika as engaged as i could get her. I can tell you my right shoulder is already grumbling at me.

How Kika typically accompanies Nancy & I
for strolls - aka sleeping & dawdling