Back in the saddle!

First time back in the saddle in over a year and we saw a double rainbow. Great sign!

Mokoto.

Woods - a massive gray OTTB gelding.

Mocha & me.

Mocha, the pony I rode.

Art in one of the tack rooms.

My first working day at the barn was magnificent. In fact once I was heading back to our Honda I had called Dan and literally "SQUEEEEEEE"-ed. I trimmed two horses firsts, Woods & Mokoto, and I barely touched the nippers. I just used the rasp and hoof knife, mostly, and erred on the side of caution and left them longer rather than shorter.

After I worked on their hooves I got Mocha the pony out of his stall and warmed up in the arena. He was being a little pill because he could tell I was unsure of myself in the English saddle. A Western saddle has so much more security, at least I think so. I kept looking at the ground and thinking, "Oh my gosh, if I fall off, I'm going to break all the bones in my body." I've never been that way before so that was a new feeling and I did not like it!

After I warmed up the three of us (Eve on Woods, Catherine on Rocky and myself on Mocha) went on a village ride. We walked, trotted, loped cantered, and even galloped! If you come to visit that is not the normal "village ride", it is walking only but we had a special ride. We even saw a double rainbow! I am happy to say I did not fall off and am much more confident than I was when I initially got my feet in the irons (stirrups).

I go out again tomorrow to trim a couple more horses and I have my first dressage lesson on Sunday. I am loving this! Evelyn is coming with tomorrow (Thursday) and will hang out in her stroller while I work -- we'll see how much I am actually able to get done.

Speaking of Evelyn, she's squawky-squawking so I'm going to go. I'll be back later with pictures from her two month birthday and some other fun ones. :)