We promptly headed towards the barn and saddled up old Sebastian and got Dad on a horse for the third time in his life! He just rode around the corral, and really started to get the hang of using his legs to communicate with the horse. Seb was great, of course, because he's old and tired and the most willing animal I know.
After a tour around the ranch, we had good steaks and a large group around the table. And of course, we played music! Dad and I played the Hindemith and Wendi, Clara and Faye played a few of their piano pieces.
Sunday morning, Mom and I saddled up (Mom rode Drifty, I rode Ginger) and rode up to the West pasture. Mom was a champ. It was a 3.5-4 hour ride, and she powered right on through (though she was grateful when I suggested she get off and soak her head in the creek!). We loped around a bit and saw all the little bitty baby calves and laughed at their funny little moos. The afternoon was relaxing since Mom refused to move (and it was over 100 degrees). I was so grateful that they came up to share this wonderful place with me for a while. I only wish they could have stayed longer!
Last weekend the Lankisters went to Allenspark for Wendi's sister's wedding, so I stayed here and held down the fort for three whole days! I must admit I was a bit nervous, but everything went well; I didn't hurt myself and the fats got fatter. Huzzah!
Keith assigned me Lucy (a halflinger filly) as a project horse to start. I've learned very much about starting horses - just in time to prepare for my training class this coming year! A couple of days ago, I put the first ride on her, and we did quite well (Only one buck!). The second ride will hopefully come today once Keith and Wendi's dad get back from their drive up the mountain. It's hard to ride a horse that hardly knows any commands. The trick is to "blend in" and stay on. That one buck came in when I gave her a smart kick with my leg because she was turning the wrong way. Whee! This is getting me all keyed up for school in August!
And lastly; kittens. I finally got some pictures of a litter of kittens. These are a couple of Lizzie's kittens that, until recently, were living up in the hay loft. They would peek out the window when we were in the corral tacking up and mew at us. How fun to have an audience, especially such a cute, furry one!
This picture is so typically "Josey." She loves those kittens to death.
The kittens totally didn't care about Gnan at all. Poor Gnan felt so unloved!
Remember, if you decide you need one of these furry things, you just let me know!
