Animals and Pictures

Lydia and I went on a ride today...she was on Lena and I rode Smoke and ponied(led) Charlie. Charlie hasn't been worked in quite awhile....so he was rather stubborn! He nearly pulled my arm off at first because he was hanging back and pulling on the rope. After about a mile, he consented to walk up by my leg where he was supposed to be. When I got used to handling two horses I put Smoke into a trot. Once again, Charlie hung back and nearly pulled me out of the saddle, but I managed to hang on! On the way home, I put Smoke into a trot again...she was trotting so fast Charlie had to lope to catch up. He was getting madder and madder because he was having to move so fast and finally he blew up! He jerked so hard I almost lost the rope then he put his head down and started bucking. I yanked on the lead rope a couple times and at the same time, turned Smoke in the other direction, adding to the force of my yanks. He quickly settled down and stayed beside me the rest of the way home. I think he and I will be going on some long rides together!!! It's better that he learn respect without me on him!!
I tool Lydia down to Storyland Creek yesterday afternoon. We call it Storyland because when we first discovered it when I was little we said it looked like something right out of a story book...thus the name! Lydia was having lots of fun!
Saturday we were giving the neighbor boy, Dakota, a ride on the horses and Bannie was all rigged up in my western gear...I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures!
This is a busy week for us with the auction closing. Wednesday and Thursday are preview days and Friday and Saturday are pick up day. Wednesday I have an orthodontist appointment and tomorrow I think I'll be home....working on the last revision of my first book before its off to the publishers!
Enjoy the pictures and our lovely summer weather!
Lauren