As of Friday night at around 10:00pm EST, I am once again in possession of my Domino pony. He arrived at the barn and unloaded like a pro. Unfortunately, I was showing about three and a half hours away in Michigan and could not visit him until Sunday night. I was very happy to find my fuzzy monster looking well.
On Monday I went to do a thorough check of his condition, since I couldn't see very well the night before. I also had to check the fit of my saddle, but the poor thing was covered in mildew so I decided to take it home to clean it up that night. Domino seemed happy and healthy, so I let him go out in the outdoor arena for a little play to watch him move. He let me know he was feeling just wonderful. After a couple laps around the ring, he settled in to graze on the short grass and I let him enjoy his turnout and stretching time.
As I started to clean the saddle up, I discovered that it was a nice old Crosby! I rode in a Crosby Prix des Nations for a little while and loved the saddle, so I was immediately excited and hopeful about the fit.
I went to visit him on Tuesday and turned him out in the big field with three other horses. He was being a bit of a brat with the foal - I don't think he's ever seen one before - so I ultimately separated them and decided it was time to try a little riding. Domino hasn't been ridden since the last time I saw him in August, so I wasn't expecting much. I also didn't have a bridle or stirrups on my lovely saddle, so this was shaping up to be an interesting ride. I checked the saddle fit and was moderately pleased with it, so I "tacked up" (aka, attached an extra long leadrope to the leather halter and put a saddle pad under my stirrupless saddle) and headed out to the arena.
Almost immediately Domino started dancing around the mounting block and being a pain. I finally got my butt in the saddle, fully prepared for a short bolt or buck. What did I get? Absolutely nothing. I was thoroughly surprised. I nudged Pony on with my heels and he stretched down into the contact/halter, rounded up, and stepped off. He rode off my seat and leg cues perfectly - so responsive and willing. We had a little walk/trot work and ended on a nice little leg yield. Not bad at all for an out-of-work pony's first ride at a new place with no bit in his mouth in a forward cut jumping saddle!
Today I headed up to the barn after class and turned Domino out with two of the horses from yesterday, but no foal. He settled right in with them, so I'm letting him spend the afternoon out. I'll go ride him again in a little while after he's had some social time.
Pony love for all!
