The sun is having a lie-in today; it's a bit cool,
but I'll warm up once I get Felix
and a couple of brushes in my hands.
After breakfast they are planning some cowboy games . . .
this will be interesting.
There are four dogs and several cats on the ranch;
all are part of the family and give you lots of hugs when you sit down.
I love the ethos: Guests are important, but animals are a priority
and most guests would not have it any other way.
I thought I did well so far today.
I walked Felix to the rail, groomed him
and put the blanket and pad on him.
I still had to have someone lift the saddle onto him,
but I did the straps up. Then got it checked. It was fine.
The notice board tells us what's on for the day:
After breakfast, cowboy games; after lunch, roping;
3.00 p.m., shooting Jackie.
"Well, that's a bit unfair - I'm not that bad!"
I pointed it out; it was shooting Jake!
Ok then, but what did he do?
(Jake was the weapons instructor for shotgun, Colt 45,
semi-automatic pistol & rifle; don't know why
there was an exclamation after his name.)
Everyone got to play with the cows.
I asked for a lesson in steering my horse as it zigzagged everywhere
and as that is not a normal gait for a horse, it must be me.
Lisa, one of the wranglers, took me over to
the big corral that they run the horses into.
She had a look at what I was doing.
Shortened my stirrups and, Hey, presto!
I could feel my legs and steer the horse.
I practiced for an hour - big figure eights, wee ones,
tight ones, every type I could think of.
Next I watched Lisa train a three-year-old
[I assume horse, not child]; it was fascinating.
After lunch, while one group did roping, some of us chose more riding.
Barrel racing; I was never going to win, but I took part.
Three barrels, around them in figure eights;
all the others took their turn, cantered around and galloped back.
I walked round making perfect turns;
on the way back Felix decided to trot.
I went with him, much to everyone's surprise; it just felt right.
By the time I had my three-shot I was trotting almost to each barrel,
walking round and and a good trot home.
I asked: So when do you GALLOP??
Jackie replied:
I doubt that will happen;
one girl came off yesterday trying to gallop.
I'll stick to trotting.
|