The rainy season has arrived

I have neglected my blog for two months now. I'd like to say all that time was spent riding Cleo, but much of it has been devoted to work. I have been very good about riding on Tuesdays during my lessons and most weekend days. Actually, I have been making great progress with Cleo. We have been spending more time riding outside,up and down the lane, and in the outdoor arena, but now that the rainy season has arrived, we will probably be spending most of our time in the indoor arena. On Tuesday, I will move her fence line up for the next six months so that the grass can grow over the winter and she won't turn the entire paddock into a mud pit. So far this year, she hasn't gone crazy when the weather turned windy and damp. I haven't had to use the stud chain in months to walk her to and from her stall.

In fact, she has started a second career--a lesson horse for two 9 year olds. She seems to know they are little and vunerable and behaves perfectly. Yesterday she gave one of them a lesson with Emily as the trainer. She still misbehaves sometimes for me since I ask her to do more than they do, but a swift but humane flick of the whip and she gives right in. Last year at this time, I would have been afraid to reprimand her fearing some buck or spook, or whatever, but now I trust both of us more. Today I had to remind her three times--once at the mounting block when she wouldn't stand still, once when I asked her to trot to the left, and once when we were following Carrie and Lisa toward the outside arena after a successful jaunt down the lane through puddles left from last night's rain. I had a great time. It was so much fun. The sun peeked through the clouds just long enough for us to take our little trail ride; it was unseasonably warm and I rode in short sleeves and a vest. Now if I can just get through the next few months with respites like these every so often.

Last night and tonight Cleo slept in her stall for the first time since last April because of the rain and the wind. She was covered in sand and mud when I got her out of her pasture to ride today. Winter is a mess. But at least I can ride year round here. And she has a fuzzy winter coat that makes her look and feel like a stuffed animal. Cleo is the perfect horse.