A magical day

 Dan and I headed out to Ashland today to enjoy this gorgeous weather and the woods. It was a glorious day. Deliciously chilly enough that I had on long sleeves and a thin fleece pullover. But it was sunny and the sun warmed my soul (instead of scorching me!). And we were only walking, so no sweating. Well, Dan sweated a tiny bit. 

   

We tacked up and just headed out. I let him choose mostly. We ended up going across the small dam and then down into Down Under. It's so pretty there. Except he almost lost it before we hit down under. He was snacking on some grass just before we hit Down Under and they have the big stack of wood ready to replace the bridge in the corner of the pasture. I guess he didn't notice it and when I finally got his head out of the grass to move along, he saw it and spun and almost bolted. Whoa dude!!! Ha ha. Luckily he stopped and turned and stared and let me talk him down. And then he felt silly for being so spooky. ;) 

   

Then we headed up to the cowpens. Sadly, they chopped down or moved the awesome jump. Not that Dan and I would have jumped it, but... it made me glad that I had done it on Funny already! Then we went past the hay fields and into the fire swamp. Then from there we headed across the dam. And we scared up the pterydactyl. Twice. But Dan didn't mind. He didn't want to swim or splash today. Which wasn't a bad thing. Especially because pawing in the water probably isn't good for his shoulder at the moment. We headed back up alongside cross country and headed in. 

 

He felt pretty good. At the end he maybe got a little fatigued and just felt... a little neuro almost. Maybe a little weak in the right hind.. maybe a combination of all the things. But it makes sense if his left front is sore and his right hind is sore.. that he'd feel a little wonky. And it was only briefly at the end but then he worked out of it again. I was tempted to trot and see how he felt, but I didn't. 

  

When we untacked I did feel like his saddle was smooshing down on his traps. I wonder if I should switch to riding in the big felt pad for a bit and see if that makes a difference. I did also put in a text to Nancy to have her come check Funny's saddles and was hoping she could check Dan's too. I think I remember her saying she did western saddles too. His neck just looks so awful sometimes. And his topline is definitely getting worse again. 

   

But we had a good ride and enjoyed each others company and the lovely weather and lovely views. 

Tonight at dinner I got mad at him though because he was just slamming his teeth on the bars again. I think I hurt his feelings because later when I went to blankets on the girls, I didn't bring any treats because I was tired of getting mobbed. And it's kind of dangerous when I'm trying to blanket them and he keeps coming over and butting in thinking I have treats and trying to chase them off. He kept his distance but then once they were blanketed and I was snuggling with Funny and taking full moon photos, he came up and started "smiling" for me in an attempt to get a cookie! Awwww... smart boy. And you're super cute. But I don't have any cookies. But we snuggled a little bit. He's still Dan though and grumped a little bit. But enjoyed his ear rub.