Words, Words, Words

This is my 100th post! I can't believe it. I started blogging in October, and absolutely love it. I have met so many wonderful people, and been inspired by so many. I've been ranging far and wide over people's blogs today, and am so impressed at people's talents and capabilities. I am fascinated reading how people look after and ride their horses in other countries, all the amazing crafts that people are involved in, but most of all, I am inspired by people's faith in the Lord, which in turn deepens my relationship with him. I love to know I am part of something vast, and that the same God who watches over me, is blessing you, too. Isn't it fantastic, really?
I've been praying today, actually, as when Missis came out to do the horses she still looked really rough. She was worried, as she thinks it's a grumbling appendix. She went indoors, and the next thing I knew, Pongo had come home and was taking her to the doctor's. He asked if I would have the boys after school if he wasn't back, and of course, I agreed.
It transpired that Missis was packed off to hospital, and Pongo came back at sixish, picked the boys up and went off again. It sounds like they might operate either tonight or tomorrow morning, so if you are of the praying ilk, please lift her to the Lord when you can.
Obviously this means I will be mucking out over Easter after all, but Mr O is home and will help.
There was snow on the ground when I got up this morning. I was astonished. Missis had decided to keep her horses in, but Barnaby was pretty insistent that he'd be going out, so I swapped his, Max's and Zak's rugs, and put them in the field, then got their beds done. The wind was whistling round the house, so I went out at 12.30 to see if the horses wanted to come back in, which they did. But suddenly, around 4pm, the wind dropped. It would have been the perfect time to ride, but of course I had the boys by then.
But when Mr O got home, his first question was, "Are we going to ride?" and the answer was, "Yes!" so he got changed quickly and we went to tack up. I was a bit nervous, as this was the first time we've ridden Barnaby and Zak together, and I really wasn't sure what they'd be like. The wind had picked up a little again by then, but I got Barnaby ready, and we set off.
I have said that I want to use a mounting block when I get on Barnaby, as he is bigger than Max, and although I can get on from the ground, I don't think it's fair on either of us really.
We set off, and I said that I had to be in front. Barnaby was walking phenomenally fast. He didn't spook at anything, though. We decided to do the ride that we did on Saturday, but in reverse. We rode down past the riding school, where a woman in riding gear was just getting into her car. She actually paused and said, "What a lovely horse!" as we rode past. I was grinning from ear to ear. I may as well tell you why... Normally when I'm on Max and Mr O is on Barnaby, people stop to admire Max. Now I am on Barnaby, people admire him and not Zak. I'm just going to pause for a private, internal moment of smugness....
Now, where was I? Oh yes, I decided to go this way round as most of it would be uphill. As we got to the steep bit I just let Barnaby get on with it, and he was amazing. I could hear Zak gangling along behind us, wanting to canter to keep up, but Mr O made him walk. That is a major difference between Barnaby and Max/Zak. Barnaby would much rather trot everywhere whereas both Zak and Max would rather either walk or canter. Does your horse prefer one particular pace?
I don't think Barnaby was too keen on having Zak so close behind him, but altogether it was a brilliant ride. It's lovely to ride a horse that doesn't spook as we go past dustbins. Also, my legs are perfectly still on his sides, which makes a big difference.
We have had the entry forms through for the first Amber Valley Riding Club ride, which is on April 25th. I can't wait.
Just a note, though. When we got back, Max kept looking at me as if to say, "What are you riding him for?" and looked quite sad. Oh dear.