indulgence

I ask Major to do a lot of things. Some basic, like ground manners, and some tough, like navigating over rocks carefully. I think a good trail horse has to listen to their rider, but also have a good bit of autonomy. I have to just trust him sometimes, nitpicking down the trail is not my thing.

We did a quick ride to Granite Bay before the weekend of scorching temperatures. He wasn't super enthusiastic heading out, leaving breakfast behind, and being a bit bored of the same trail (me too). So when we headed home I let him choose. We trotted and cantered, walked over rocks, I didn't really say anything, he made good decisions. At a three way trail intersection, he chose the path down to the lake, not towards home. He waded in, took in the view, ate wet weeds, seemed pretty content. It isn't much of an indulgence, but for everything he does for me, I don't mind the detour.


He also took a different scenic trail, barely used, don't know why, but he wanted to. Maybe he wanted a different view. Trotting quickly along we did almost run down a poor, confused ground squirrel, that made me laugh (sorry squirrel).


I guess I also had to indulge him after the flymask episode. He has a regular mask, but gets a sunburned nose. I was wondering aloud about a long-nose mask, and B at the ranch had one I could try. We put it on Major, and couldn't stop laughing. He was not amused. His big ears didn't fit, they were squished, and he had them laid back (he really never lays his ears back!) His poofy pitiful forelock was pulled through the hole, but it looked even more ridiculous. Sorry Major.


After all that torture, he gets all weekend off, as it is over 100 degrees, my car thermometer read 105 in the shade. I don't need to do that kind of heat training! But Major got a special treat, a carrot popsicle! He was a bit suspicious, but I think he'll eat it all up.