Friday, December 9, 2011

We're in the promised land


On Wednesday morning I headed over to the barn to ride Max. Here you can see his ears looking at his Palomino friend, Chip, while Meghan gives Chip a bath.


Katie and her Arabian gelding, Reign, took the lead on our ride to the horse park.


We encountered sprinklers in one yard and driveway. It was a hot day and the sprinklers felt good, but the water stinks like sulfur. Reign did not like the sprinklers and Katie dismounted to walk him through - I really liked that! 


At the horse park, Katie cantered Reign. 


Max and I watched.


This is a photo of the bridge on part of our ride.  I rode over this bridge last year on little Lakota.


Here is good boy Max on the bridge.  I love Max. Can you tell?


I hosed Max off and we headed to the church for grazing. Another perfect ride!

On my last post, aurora commented that she didn't know how Max and I got paired up. Actually, I totally lucked out - he is the best! 

Every year we vacation in Florida and I have tried to ride a little bit while I am here. There is a fabulous online network of horse owners and riders in this area. I joined in 2008 and was invited to ride with some of the people when I was in town. A few years ago, I rode a sweet Thoroughbred named Red. Last year I rode a few Appy friends, Lakota and Mac, at a local barn and I also rode with my friend, Janet, on her horse, Danno. 

The weather in Florida wasn't too great last year, though, so I had lots of time in the condo to sit with my computer and read about all the local horses and happenings. One horse in particular, Max, caught my eye. I don't know what it was, but a photo of just his head made me notice him. There was something in the way he tilted his head in that picture that expressed his cute personality. I read posts from the lady who trained him and I knew that I liked her. She shared my philosophy about riding and caring for horses so I emailed her and said that I thought I might like to lease Max this year if he was available. 

I never leased a horse while we were here before, but it seemed like a good plan. A year passed and I contacted the trainer again and then Max's owner phoned me in September. She is actually selling Max, but was willing to lease him to me while we are here. I had never met Max and I can't explain how I knew, but I felt like he would be perfect. He is. 

After two vacations in a row of unusually lousy Florida weather, our activities and weather have been ideal this year. It is unbelievable. I am not sure you would believe me if I told you all the details and I keep pinching myself to make sure I am not dreaming. We have dolphins swimming right up to us while we kayak, and pretty runs on the beach as a family because Maizie's leg is healed. Noodlebug sun bathes on the porch and I am riding a sweet horse. We are in the promised land and I am so very grateful.



5 comments:

  1. Max sez... "and what's not to love?!"

    Glad you're having such a wonderful trip. Looks heavenly in your pix - thanks for sharing. :)

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  2. That sprinkler looks like fun, but glad it's not on up here--brrrr! Looks like you're having a great time with Max.

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  3. It looks amazing where you are and I am so glad you are having such a great trip. Max seems to be an absolute sweetie, I would want to bring him home with me!
    Abby

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  4. Thanks for the explanation, sounds like a match made in heaven. So glad you are having a wonderful time, in such a beautiful place!!

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