Beautiful snowy morning today (11/16). Stayed up too late working on TCF work but it is always a sort of rejuvenating therapy to see Arrow. When I arrived she was eating in the loafing shed with the other (big) horses- she almost disappeared between Kit (a quarter horse/TB) and Sienna (a QH)... but I found her and after a quick groom I brought out a big western saddle. She gave it a couple looks and sniffs but then didn't move as I laid it on her back and cinched it up. The belly strap didn't bother Arrow but she did look like a toy horse under all that leather and silver.
She's getting pretty good at being tied too-- still just looping the leadrope around the fence but tight enough that she can't easily pull free and she no longer tests it.
With carrots and camera in pocket I drove her back along the frozen puddle and stopped her next to her tire. I just loosely tied the leadrope attached to the tire around the saddle horn and off we went down the road. At first she steered like a drunk and we made wide curves back and forth over the snowy road but then we improved and even trotted down the lane with the tire. She pulled it off both sides of the saddle and backs up and turns beautifully. I think she could plow my garden this spring if I could get her to my house.
Back in front of the barn I stepped it each stirrup and swung up and sat on her from the left side. Didn't get all the way on from the right because my ankle is still hurt. Gave her carrots from the saddle and flexed her neck.
She took her western experience completely in stride--- can't wait to hit the trails.
(photos coming)
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