Every little girl's dream is to have a pony in her back yard. Well, at least that's what I used to dream about.
On Friday, I asked myself, "why the hell not?". I board 1/4 mile from my house, my back yard is large and fenced in with stockade fencing, and I had the ability to get my horse and walk her to my house. Plus, the grass is starting to grow in. Lawn needs mowing, pony likes eating, two problems solved!
I drove to the barn and gave Lu a good grooming. I had heard walking on the road can help toughen up feet, so I justified this crazy expedition with "oh, but it'll help her feet!". I put the chain over her nose since she hasn't been on the road in a few months, and off we went, up the driveway to the main road.
The road that the barn is off of is a two-way road, with one lane in each direction, and a speed limit of 35 mph. Some people slowed down to pass us, but most didn't. One guy pulled over and asked me if I was ok.
"Yes, I'm fine, thanks!"
"Are you lost?"
"Nope, I know where I'm going, thanks!"
"Where ARE you going???"
"Just down the road!"
He looked at me like I had three heads and then drove off, probably thinking I was a lost cause.
Yeah, a lost cause with a HORSE! :D
Before long, we were in my back yard. Lucy's eyes just about popped out of her head. Grass! GRASS! GRASSGRASSGRASSGRASS!!!
I turned her loose and off she went hunting for the tastiest blade.
Cairo came out of the house and her eyes just about bugged out of HER head, too. Sure, she comes to the barn and goes trail riding with Lucy and I all the time, but this was the first instance of her yard being invaded by the horse.
They wandered around together and then Cairo decided it was playtime, and she started trying to get Lucy to play with her, as if Lucy were a dog. I warned Cairo to get away from Lucy's feet but it was too late and Lucy kicked out and got Cairo right in the shoulder. Cairo yelped and hobbled pathetically over to me so that I could inspect her shoulder. She seemed ok, so I took her inside and then took Lucy back to the barn. Cairo was totally fine when I got home, not even limping at all. I am grateful that Lucy had no hind shoes on and I'm honestly happy that she taught Cairo why the hind end of a horse is not a good place to be! I am sure if she really wanted to, Lucy could have done some serious damage, and she did not. I just hope that this lesson sticks and Cairo doesn't push Lucy's buttons again.
Glad that Lucy is feeling a bit better with the boots on! Houston is barefoot and I keep feeling bad but the dude has never worn shoes and has kick butt feet so I am embracing the low farrier bill for as long as I can. I think that in the next few months he will probably get front shoes but it will all depend. Mr. Farrier and I are just playing it by ear.
ReplyDeleteVery cool that Lu got to visit your backyard. I am glad that Cairo wasn't hurt and I too hope that she learned her lesson.
Hopefully you will have some great rides in the next few days :)
If he's barefoot and happy, consider yourself lucky! I'd love that!
DeleteI think I missed something... why is Lu going barefoot? Cause it's cheap? ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad Cairo is ok. I've always wanted a pony in my backyard, too.
though the initial bill may be cheap, I've spent double my "savings" on hoof hardeners and we missed a week + of riding...argh!
Deleteno, that was not my main motive, though it would have been nice to save the money. the farrier thought she was a good candidate and that her feet might be healthier without the hind shoes on, so we decided to try it.
I would totally put Pippi in the back yard if it was closed. Heck I've seen people put horses on chains like dogs, maybe I'll try that, justing kidding(;
ReplyDeleteI love that you took Lucy home for a visit! I grew up in a small town and like every horse loving little girl, I could never understand why my parents wouldn't get me a pony to keep in the backyard. For goodness sakes...we had a garage to keep it in at night :)
ReplyDeleteYup, pony in backyard = my dream come true! So cute, hope you get to do this more often!
ReplyDeleteYOU LUCKY GIRL!!!!!!
ReplyDelete1/4 mile? I just died.