Back in the saddle and baby spam

And it feels great!
I should have waited to get the ok from my doctor at my 6 week follow up apt, especially since I had a c section. But, 4 weeks post partum I decided enough was enough, and got my first PP ride in on a friend's Paint mare, Rio. 

Rio is a 9(ish? I don't recall) mare. I met her and her owner while I was working/living at a dressage barn last year. She's a super quiet, extremely laid back horse. To the point of being dull.. but, I think that's the way the owner likes her. It made for a good first ride back.

It felt so good to land my butt in a saddle. The ride was good. Low key.. we mostly plodded around the indoor. We w/t/c both directions and lightly worked on getting her off of my hands. She is so heavy in the hands. She is ridden in a kimberwick "because she pulls on your hands". I don't agree with bitting up for that reason, but not my place to disagree about it. I just really appreciated being on a horse!

I rode Rio again the following week. It was a similar ride. We did more transitions, changes of direction, etc to help the mare lighten up a bit. She behaved per usual, but did give a little tude when I didn't let her plow around without reason. Not saying that's what she does with her owner, whatsoever, that's just been MY experience with her. Again, I just loved the opportunity to ride. A bonus was that this time arond, I left Elly with her dad so I didn't have to worry about her at the barn. Last time my preggo sister held her while I rode. 

The next week I had the privelage of riding another friend's Westphalian mare. She is so nice. Definitely more my preffered type of ride. A substantial 16.2, easy to handle but not a dead head, gorgeous, fancy Warmblood status, etc. This mare, Nova, is a former Jumper. She apparently has plenty of show experience over fences but needs some work on the flat. I didn't jump her, just got acquainted with her on the flat. Her big stride is much different from Rio. It took a few minutes to get used to, but once I did, I was in love. I took her through her paces and tried to learn her buttons. Her owner wasn't there, so it was just trying different things to see what she responded to best. It was a fun ride. I want to take lessons on her to see what she can really do. Just a very cool horse. 

Last week I went back to work part time. I work at a small private horse farm. It's been hard leaving my baby at home, but her Dad gets to watch her and it's only 4ish hours a day. 

I'm loving being around horses everyday again. Thursday I rode one of my favortie horses, Bittersweet. He's a little 14 .3 Polish Arab. I've ridden him a few times before. This was definitely our best ride yet. We rode around the property. I admit I was a little nervous to take him out by himself. Because Arab. But he was good. Not too looky, no real spokes. He has this adorable WP-esque trot and canter that I hadn't experienced on him before. We rode english prior to this, and I didn't think to ask it of him. I just had a blast. Can't wait to ride him again next week. 

I had him tied to this hitching post to hose him down. He did great with the hose. I sprayed one side with fly spray, and sprayed both sides a couple of hours earlier. He flipped out when I started to spray his opposite side. Set back on the lead twice and broke the clasp on his halter. Because Arab. 

Still love him. :)

Little Elly babe is doing fantastic. She is 8 weeks old now. Time. Flies. She got her shots yesterday and it was quite heartbreaking. She's doing good now, though. 

Also.. baby wearing is a life saver.