Paige’s Page

I finally got some pictures of me riding Paige on Good Friday.  Mike came out and took a bunch of pictures of us.  I am so tickled to finally be able to see what we look like together!

This was my first time riding her since last summer, so I wasn’t sure how much she would remember.  She did great, though. She’s a smart, good-natured horse, and she has a lot of trust in me which goes a long way.

Getting her hooves cleaned out:

Getting her saddle on (she’s already figured out to puff out when I tighten the girth):

Did some brief ground work, and she was responding to me well.  Here I am testing my weight on her back to see if she remembers this:

It’s all good, she says.  What a pretty girl.  (A little tubby, but we’re working on that!)

Started out well, remembered brakes, gas, steering (not power-steering, though), and backing:

Now she’s decided she’s done and she’s not going forward anymore.

Time for some more groundwork and for Mom to get an “arm extension”:

Back up in the saddle.  I guess we’re not done yet?

Oh, hey, Mom’s arm got longer.  Guess I better wake up:

Much better:

Getting a little far from the barn and Cassie now, so I’m getting some resistance here since I’ve pushed her outside her comfort zone:

Not happy cuz Mom’s being persistent:

SO much better:

Ending on a good note.  She went outside her comfort zone, but did what I wanted her to and ended in a relaxed, but attentive state.  Here I’m loosening her girth after dismounting far away from the pasture gate and Cassie:

Aww, I love this picture:

What a good girl!!