Sometimes you learn, and then re-learn.

So, Dusty is unofficially mine. :) I've done a little with him, but nothing major. I hurt my back on Saturday, so I just went up and hung out with Jackie and walked Cocoa around the arena. I tried hopping on Kimi but quickly regretted it, as my back was very sore. I also slid off the saddle in such a way that bruised the inside of my right thigh. Youch! Anyway, I know Cocoa enjoyed the attention and the break from his normal routine. He even got a little spunky and nipped a little! Sassy boy!

So I took Dusty's blanket off of him, because it's been fairly warm out and last time I checked him he was sweaty underneath. It's supposed to get cold in the next few days, so either I need to get him a new blanket or get the one he is wearing washed. I'm not a big fan of the one he's wearing now because it has to go over his head which is a pain. So maybe I'll get him a new one. :) Just need to figure out the size.

I also got him a new rope halter and lead rope. I went to lunge him, and he lunged fine (except when he tried to call out and swing his head, then stepped on the lunge line and pulled his halter off) to the left, but I couldn't get him to go to the right. He kept walking right to me. I always wondered, when Ute would lunge us during our lessons it was only ever one way. So, I got him to a point where I made him take a few steps with me on that side, so I decided to be happy with that and end on a good note. There was no one else in the arena, so I didn't want to take any chances. I fear that I do that too much. I am working on figuring that out.

I saw Chrissy Fohr as I was heading from the H barn to the A barn, and she asked how things were going with Dusty. She told me a story about a woman she used to train, who started riding her mostly-blind horse who always rode western, as dressage, at age 24 because he needed to feel her more with having limited sight. She said he is now 32 and still going strong! :) It was nice to hear that story. She said she misses giving lessons, and I told her I might just be seeking her out for some! But, probably not gonna happen tho, since it would be a really weird situation with Ute. Oh well.

So I'll head up to the barn tomorrow morning to brush out my insanely dirty boys, and try on a few new saddles on Dusty McTrusty-Pants. :) Cheryl brought me a barrel saddle and a Cashel soft saddle, which are both wider. Hopefully one of them will work for us. I feel like I'm collecting saddles. :( Oh well, just looking forward to bond time with 'm boys!! ;)