Paige’s Page

Several weeks ago I worked hard to get the path cleared through the rest of my woods to hook up with my neighbor’s horse trails through her woods.  There were still a few small trees that needed to be cut down, though, and this week my husband took his new chainsaw and went back there and cleared it out the rest of the way.  I was so excited to ride Cassie back there, but then it rained.  I was pretty bummed!

This evening after work I saddled Cassie up and away we went!  Once I convinced her that it was OK to leave Paige behind in the stall, she seemed to really get into the ride.  I had a great time, and I think she did, too!  She was breathing heavy the whole time just because she was excited.  She wanted to trot so I let her, but I kept her slow and collected because of her injury.  She was totally sound the whole ride and was eager to go.  A couple times there would be a fork where she wanted to go a different way that I had decided we were going, but I think it was mostly because she was a little unsure of herself with it being her first time out there.  I just kept a light contact with the rein and leg so she could feel me when she would waver.

I finally got an oversize bridle and this was my first time using it.  It fit her so much better, and she seemed much more comfortable in it.  I also got a 1/2″ wider bit that is a 3-piece eggbutt snaffle (was using a plain eggbutt snaffle before), and I do believe she liked it.  She was pretty responsive, too, considering that she was formerly being ridden in a different bit.  I can’t remember what kind it was, but I think it was a stronger bit, which is understandable since she’s a big, strong girl.  I’m hoping that since we are just doing mellow trail riding now that she will become accustomed to responding better to the snaffle.

When we got back from our ride, she immediately plopped down and had a good roll, then ran several laps around the pasture.  I was a little worried she was going to hurt herself, but she was obviously very happy and feeling good, which I was glad to see!

Paige whinnied to us from her stall the whole time we were riding, poor baby.   I rode her last week and hope to get some work in with her tomorrow if the weather cooperates.  “Riding” is still a loose term with her, but we are making progress.  Nowhere near ready for trails at this point.

I had my camera phone with me tonight but didn’t think to snap any pictures until I was grazing the girls afterward.  Their pasture is grazed down pretty good, so I took turns letting them graze on the lush grass outside the fence.  Even caught Paige rolling!

Also recent news, Paige’s last baby (Rosie) is a two-year-old already and her owners have started her under saddle. Isn’t she beautiful??

I would also like to take a moment to remember my old horse, Risky (Risky Business), who passed away recently.  After I went to college, my mom kept him and trail rode with him for several years.  He finally got to the point where he just wasn’t sound anymore, and she found him a wonderful forever home where he lived up until a few weeks ago.  They loved him very much, and had to have him euthanized because he went down a couple times and they had a really hard time getting him back up again.   He was 28 years old, which is pretty darn-tootin’ old for a quarter horse.  We were very blessed that he had such loving owners.  I like to think that I am paying it forward with Cassie now.

These were taken the last time I visited him, which was about four years ago.

Rest in peace, Old Man.