Time flies!

When you're having fun! ;] I've had a blast with Rio so far. 

The first time I got on him went really well. He was very nervous, but didn't do a thing wrong. It has taken some time to get him to relax under-saddle (and he still has a ways to go) but, he is coming along great. We have gone on several trail rides, gone over a few ground poles, and have checked out a lot of "scary stuff". I am, admittedly, more nervous on him than any horse in a long time. It's getting better, but for some reason I haven't been able to relax completely on him. Which in turn, doesn't allow him to relax. But!, it's a work in progress! =] 

One ride was exceptionally .."interesting".

We started off doing some ring work. Right now our ring work just consist of getting comfortable together. Afterwards, we went on our first trail ride alone (second trail ride all together). He was a super star! Such a good boy.. no spooks, no refusing to go through/over things. Then we came out of the woods and walked around the pond. I asked Rio to step a foot in the pond several times. When he finally decided to do it, the horse jumps entirely into the pond. =| 

I was just totally flabbergasted that he did that. I bailed, and he got out of the pond. He proceeded to run off like a jack ass, as I swam out. I immediately got my phone and camera out of my pockets and took the batteries out in hopes they my have a chance of survival. ;]

As I ran through the soy bean field, soaking wet, Rio charged around the pastures looking for a spot to get back safe with the herd. He would not let me get near him, it took me a good 20 minutes to catch him. Right after he ran into the street. Thank God I finally got a couple of people's attention for help.

As soon as I caught Rio, he seemed un-phased. I took him into the barn, and put him in the cross ties. I took off my boots and untacked Rio in my sopping wet socks. I gave him a thorough lecture, then we kissed and made up. =] 

I'm not mad at him in the least, if anything.. I'm happy he trusted me enough to jump into a pond! Hahaha

Anywho- today we had a really nice ride. Jen (fellow boarder) and I set up a ghetto jump course (well, actually mostly a ground pole and cavaletti course lol). Jen rode Matayo and I rode Rio. I lunged Rio for a while first as it really seems to help him relax if I do so. I lunged him over a couple of the jumps that were super low.. maybe 18". He jumped them sooo awkwardly and over jumped them every time, haha!

I hopped on and did some trotting laps and then started over the ground poles. He did really well with not spooking when he hit the poles and they went under him. I was pleased with how he did. I didn't jump him today, I don't think I'm ready for his crazy jumping just yet! Hahaha.

Then Jen, Lori (another boarder), and I finished off the ride with a really nice trail ride.

Enjoy some Rio extreme spam!

On the Bonesy front, he is doing well being back at MMS. Mai had a dressage lesson on him a couple of weeks ago. His leg has gotten swollen again, and the wound opened up. Mai has been really thinking about purchasing him, so she had the vet out to do a second set of radiographs. The radiographs showed that the foreign body looks like it is making it's way out of the leg. So we are going to hold off on surgery.