So I splurged on a pair of riding pants. I ordered a pair of blue, boot cut Irideon. I always thought it was silly to buy riding pants because jean are just fine. Then I realized how distracting it is too feel the seam rubbing a trench on your thigh.
Let me tell you, they better be tough. I can't afford two pair of these.
Then I found this:
What do you think? Anyone have one of these? It holds 30 gallons! And it's a saddle rack (I'm missing one).It would have to wait for next month's budget, though.
As for other dangerous activities, I'm looking at saddles again. I know, I know. I'm crazy. I was even online looking at horses!
But, if our rumored bonus comes through, then I may finally get myself a nice saddle. Doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Unfortunately I always find the beautiful saddles and horses when I'm not in the market.
They don't call it temptation for nothing...
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Lisa from Laughing Orca suggested I should ride Lily. I wanted to clarify - I do ride her. Unless I'm riding with someone who doesn't have a horse. Lily is Sierra's and DH's ride, so when we go out, they ride her. I haven't been able to ride her lately because there is someone riding with me. And I'm still trying to work with Cibolo.
He has, as my barn owner says, many wonderful qualities. Maybe it's asking too much to have another horse, younger and a gelding, with the same attitude as Lily - because I'd like to try some modest endurance riding in the near future.
Maybe the things I'm dealing with are relatively minor and can be solved over time with concerted effort. Like Cactus Jack suggested. Miles of activities to stay engaged.
Or maybe these issues are a hard wired aspect of this horse's personality. As Trail Rider said, he might not be the solid trail horse I'm looking for. (Trail Rider, look out, you may have a quarter horse to freak out - how fun will that be?)
I honestly don't know. But I'm going to ride Lily when I have the chance. Because it is fun to have a good, level headed horse in your life.
And by working through some of this with Cibolo, I'm also convincing myself that I'm not just being a person who is "blowing" it with this horse, and would blow it with any horse. I have gotten rid of a good deal of fear in dealing with this situation, and while I did dismount, I did so with presence of mind, not in a panic, not with fear.
I recognized, responded, and repaired. I cantered down the road and up the hill. I rode off alone. I focused on riding a line. I'm becoming a better horseman in the process, and that's probably what fate has in mind for me.
Wolfie, Susan, Kate, and Lytha, you're right. I did make some serious progress by pushing through that mess. Maybe that's what helps a horse like Cibolo.
Cibolo may be better suited to arenas, or he may be better suited to trail riding only with his set herd. Or it may just be about mud. I have no idea. It really will take more time, more riding to make a final determination. Leah, it seems, has a similar dilemma with Poco.
It's funny, both Poco and Cibolo got all the tools they need to be great trail horses - except, perhaps the one between the ears.
Still, I'm definitely learning a thing or three. I'm learning what it is I want from my horse partner and what I can bring to the partnership. I don't want to be a bump on the saddle rider. I want to trail ride, to work together, to be a supportive partner. Ride long and hard, listen, and learn.
For now, I have to continue to explore this. And, as long as I can keep both my wits about me and myself safe, being pushed to be better at reading and handling a horse like this is not a bad thing.
But boy, does it have some moments.
BTW: Head over to http://www.no-rollkur.com/ to sign a petition to stop the abusive practice of rollkur in dressage... The folks in charge of this need to understand that the practice has no place in professional horse work.