Entertaining the Neighbors

It was so nice out today that I am cautiously believing that spring is actually here.

After a Maine Mounted Search and Rescue meeting, I came home and decided to work with Harlan for a bit before taking him out for a spin.  We just worked in the pasture, where Daisy followed us around and Tanner slept in the sun. I stored the cart whip on Tanner's butt momentarily and promptly forgot about it. Five minutes later it was still on his back because he hadn't moved an inch. Oh how I love that doofus.

After getting Harlan's mind engaged and stretching both of us out, I hopped on. We zigzagged up the road, Harlan trying to walk as slow as possible and sneak opportunities to turn around. I pushed him on, past all the horse-eating obstacles and on to where the paved road turned to dirt. I rode through his spook that segued conveniently into a bucking fit and thought we were finally relaxed and enjoying the ride.

Pre-ride cuteness. And dirtiness.

I vaguely remembered the farmer up at the top of hill saying to avoid the dirt part of the road in the spring, but I thought it was just because it was muddy. Nope, it's because it turns into sinkholes. 

Poor Harlan found it out the hard way; when it shifted underneath him he spooked and spun and I got slung off. (I landed on mud and had my helmet on so was completely fine.) I tried to hold onto the reins as I was falling but was perilously close to pulling him down on top of me so I let go. He spun in a circle and at least had the courtesy to pause and wait for me to get up...as soon as he saw I was up and mobile he took off for home at full tilt. Finch abandoned me to chase Harlan - not sure if she thought I was still on him or just left me for something more fun. I choose to believe the former. 

The farmer's wife saw Harlan gallop by tacked up and shouted to her husband, who got in his truck and came to find me walking down the road. He gave me a lift home, past ALL the neighbors who had come to the end of their driveways after seeing Harlan run by. Nothing like having witnesses to a fall, right? 

I found Harlan in the barn eating hay, looking out the door at me as I walked up. I calmly got back on and we walked allllllll the way back up to the hill, both as a lesson and because poor Hobbes got left up there.

[Side note - As we were walking up the hill for the second time, I thought to myself, Hmmm...this method makes sure Harlan gets twice the workout with minimal effort on my part. Maybe we should make this a thing, like a ski hill! Ride up the hill, let the horse run back down while you get a lift in a truck, and ride back up again.  Anyone want to go into business with me?]

It's times like these that I really wish I had a riding arena or round pen. It would've been nice to get some energy out before heading into the treacherous wilderness that is Smith Road. No harm done though and tomorrow's a new day. And here's the best thing - it was SO NICE out today that I don't even care that I fell off.

And at least the neighbors got a show.