Rusty!! I had been delaying going out to see him because I was regretting my decision to sell him just a bit. (I've been working hard with Dolly, but we still aren't close to being really comfortable out on the trails yet - I'm sure we'll get there eventually...) I love riding in the fall and Rusty is the most reliable trail horse I've been on - although he is kinda pokey and slow. :-) I guess I can't have it all!
He looked good to me - a bit chubby - I'd rather see that than too thin though. I gave him a bunch of treats and brushed him, then hand-grazed him for a bit. They offered to let me ride, but I just didn't feel like it. I just enjoyed hanging out with him for an hour or so. He is fitting in well in the little riding school program that this farm has and they even took him to a few shows this summer! I guess he did some walk trot classes with their beginner kids that are too tall for ponies.
One last picture on the way out - he looks kind of cute in his orange rain sheet. He is in a nice big paddock that opens out on to several acres of grass pasture. Nice to know that he has lots of room to move around. It was a beautiful fall day and the area where the barn is located is very nice. Lots of rolling hills, farms, pastures and some forested areas.
I was drooling over all of the nice hills - it would be so fun to ride these quiet country roads to condition a horse for endurance!
Beyond the cattails are a couple of horses from the farm out wandering their pasture.
A view of another riding school a few minutes away from Rusty's farm - I wanted to take the picture a bit earlier, as I was coming down a big hill on that road, but there was an impatient driver tailgating me, so this was the best I could get. This place was nice and tidy, although the location beside a busy highway wasn't the greatest. All of the scenery looked so nice in the bright fall sun - there are even a few leaves left on the trees. I was also able to make a stop at our biggest tack shop on the way home, which was kind of convenient! All in all, it was a nice way to spend a sunny Saturday morning!
7 comments:
Rusty looks good. It must feel good to know he is doing well. Glad you had a nice visit with your old friend.
Awww, I'm such a softie. I was so happy to see an update on Rusty. Over the course of following along on your blog posts about Rusty, I had grown quite fond of your handsome, sweet-faced fellow.
I'm glad you were able to visit him and see how well he is doing in his new home. How nice that the new owners were offering to let you ride him, too. Did Rusty remember you. Was he happy to see you?
Beautiful photos all (except for the darn pushy tailgators!),
~Lisa
Oooh, I think I might know where Rusty is.
It's so nice to hear about your visit! I've been wondering about him. He certainly seems well cared for.
I know it can be discouraging but you'll get there with Dolly, I'm sure you will.
Rusty looks good :) How awesome that he got to show with the kiddies.
I have no doubt there have been times when you really miss trusty Rusty...but he looks good and it sounds like he is getting to bring horsie-happiness to others.
Rusty is looking good. I'll bet he was happy to see you too. It's nice that you are able to visit him, I'm sure he appreciates how much you care for him.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting... and for listing Living a Dream as a favorite!
I kept scrapbooks for my kids through their elementary school years. Hmmmm, someday maybe they will treasure those, as you treasure the one your dad put together. How nice for you to have his comments.
I poked around your blog, since you said that was like your journal and where you could talk 'horse'! I love your saddle! It looks really comfortable! And I do like the 'sorta English' pommel. We use a saddle with a similar pommel where I volunteer for therapeutic riding. The less steady folks like that you can hold on a bit easier than a normal English saddle, and we like that there isn't a horn to get in the way when you are trying to dismount a rider.
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