Western vs English

Today I invited 2 lovely ladies who I volunteer w/ Mondays in a Hippo-therapy program.  It is a Hunter/Jumper barn - ergo - English saddle is mostly used.  The kids range from 3 to ?  & we either side walk or lead the horses around the arena.

Here is a snapshot taken taken last Christmas in the arena.  I was leading the pony & the therapist - who had the camera - was also a side walker.



The property is pretty much land locked, but has both outdoor & indoor riding arenas.  I had shared photos of where Buddha & Tia were & invited the ladies to join me on a Saturday.  They readily accepted :)  I was very excited to share the WESTERN style of riding with them as they both only have ridden English @ the therapy barn.  The stage was set............

                  Here are Bernadette & Tia meeting each other.

            As well as Jin & the Buddha....notice the English tack.






                

                 I lunged & rode both horses before they got on.

   Bernadette was 1st - Bud was a true gentleman & they got along wonderfully :)

                  Jin also rode the Buddha sans any issues :)


                    

          In no time @ all they both were comfortable enough to ride together:)

                   Bernadette decided she liked English better.....

                      And Jin admitted she preferred Western.....


They rode & rode & rode .....it just made my heart hum...as I can still remember my first time on Bud....I did not want to get off!  Afterwards, we finished up barn chores -  they both learned was how to muck out stalls, water, groom & turn out.  Thank you ladies for sharing my world & for the delicious lunch on the way home....it was truly a GREAT day :))

Good-bye Mel.........Hello Miss T

I have discovered that the only thing you can count on in life - is change.  My dear friend Melody recently moved to Arizona to help take care of her aging parents.  She was VERY concerned @ her horse Tia.....as Arizona is NOT known for their grassy plains.......

             Here is Melody & her horse of over 30 years  - Piedmont




My dream has always been to own several horses - BUDDHA will always be # 1 :) - so when the opportunity presented it self.....I bought Miss T.  As you already know she is a beautiful 11y/o Paint Quarter horse & can be ridden both English & Western.

After Pieddy passed - Melody spotted Tia who was being boarded @ the barn & was up for sale.

                  Miss M & Miss T looking all photogenic :))

               Here she is running around during free lunge time.

            Nor sleet, snow or rain kept Melody from seeing her girl.

Mel celebrated 20 years of being @ the barn ....so I included her on Bud's 20th B'day cake :))

                                  A closer shot




So, now I have 2 horses that are very well behaved, a pleasure to ride, & will keep me on my toes physically & mentally. 

I am very happy that Melody was able to sell her house (especially in today's market) & move to a warmer state to help her folks - BUT - I am very sad for me.... who will miss her smiling face on Saturday mornings, along w/ her doggie tales of the week, not to mention all her support & love she gave me over the years.

Bud & Blackjack........

This Saturday it was just Kayla & I w/ our equine & we decided to ride in the other pasture as the tract was under water (again).  Horses that do not have shoes on do.... better in the wet grass.

            It was a hot one ...so we took several breaks under the huge trees.

                   The Buddha loves to hear how handsome he is :))

                And of course he can't resist the temptation of food

                          Yum ....a nice juicy weed!!!!

                     Tia checking us out from her stall....

              And, of course, Kayla & Blackjack having their lil love fest.