September Weekend

After being so busy at school during the week, it was nice to spend the weekend with My Boy. I feel like I've turned him into quite the weekend horse warrior as of late. It's not my preference but until I get through Curriculum Night this week, it had to be. Do you ever feel bad when you can't spend time with your horse during the week?

Saturday dawned foggy but it quickly burned off and the day was sunny and warm. My Boy let me catch him without ado (I think it was those apples, really!) I groomed him then took him up to the arena. After small circle warm ups on the 12 ft. line, I turned him loose and free longed him. He galloped and bucked and trotted out nicely, working up to a light sweat. Free longing can sometimes be a challenge, a lot of green temptation has grown tall in the corners of the arena.

But you know what? My Boy keeps an eye on me always as he circles around the arena and rarely tries to get a bite. And how is it that my teen aged pre-arthritic horse can do rollbacks and near-piaffes while snorting loose in freedom in the arena?

I noticed my horse looked shinier than usual. I wonder if it is the new joint supplement I am using? It also contains a hoof supplement. I'd like to think it's money well-spent, but I have a feeling the shine is due to another reason. As my horse begins to grow in his thicker, pre-winter coat, his color darkens to a coppery sorrel. This color reflects the light better. Over the summer, he roans out and it refracts the light, he never looks as shiny.

As I walked him out to cool him, I tried something different. I led him on the off side. I have to tell you, if you haven't already, you have to try this. It felt more awkward then this righty writing with my left hand while wearing an oven mitt (okay I have never tried this, but it sounds hard.) My horse and I stumbled along the arena fence. He kept wanting to stop, and walk behind me and up along my right side. I kept urging him on. I had to stand a couple feet away from his shoulder, further than I would if I was leading him from the right side. Finally we got it going but he wasn't happy about it (note the ears.) I do think it is good to mix it up. Especially on the trail, you never know when you might have to lead or mount your horse from the off-side.

After I put My Boy back in his pasture, I grabbed a Tupperware and headed to check the blackberries. To my delight, many more had ripened. I had to fight through spider webs to get them. A true sign of fall, no doubt! Can you see the web? And the spider in the middle. Eeek!

I had enough to attempt a cobbler. I googled a recipe for blackberry mountain pie . It sounded easy enough and they had all the necessary ingredients at the home I was dog sitting at.

I took a few pictures only to prove that I actually did it. Cooking is not my thing, but I do love to bake.

I have no idea how this was supposed to turn out but I tell you, when I licked the batter bowl clean, oh goodness, it was sweet!

The cobbler turned out a little mushy and I'm not sure if that is how it is supposed to be? I am pretty sure it was done, it was bubbling quite good and the top was nicely browned. I actually thought the cobbler was pretty good. I do think the one thing I was definitely missing was a dollop of vanilla ice cream! I scooped some of the cobbler to take to Paint Girl and her man, since I made it with the berries from their property. There are still many berries left to pick and I have a feeling I may be trying a few more recipes before the summer fades. Paint Girl's man suggested a blackberry milkshake, what do you think?

Sunday, after gathering my things and saying goodbye to Abbie, I went and saw my horse again. The day was lovely and I was in the mood for a trail ride but with nobody to ride with, I had to settle for arena work.

Self-portrait on horseback. I look a bit like an alien, don't I?

We jogged circles and worked a little on loping. We didn't make much progress but we loped a little. For me, that is progress. I got some manure and rocks picked from the pasture and the shed fluffed up a bit, but it does need new shavings. Until next weekend.....