Right before I went out to say hi to Truby, I got a text saying the Painted Desert was really awesome and they wouldn't be home until much later. It was a beautiful evening, almost cool out. I decided to go for a little bareback ride in the front field since I unexpectedly had the time.
Arizona has great sunsets
One of the things I absolutely love about Truby is that she's a very comfy horse to ride bareback. It's like sitting on a chair that's just right. She's smooth, and soft, and padded in just the right way. Since we're both rather lazy, we like to go for little bareback rides with just a sidepull (bitless bridle). We don't do anything fancy, but it's wonderful to just go for a stroll and enjoy being with each other.
turns out, I don't have a nice pic of her in a sidepull
We went into the front, and as I patted her back I noticed how sleek and shiny her coat is. Ah well, just going for a walk, no worries, I thought as I hopped on. And by "hopped", I of course mean used a 3 step dressage queen mounting block! Even thought Truby is just about 15 hands, I am not in any way graceful or athletic, and far too heavy to be throwing myself around. So we DQ it proudly.
yay! DQs! What's that? Is it cookies?
Our ride was lovely. We strolled around the trees. We looked at the Catalina Mountains. we walked along the fence line, and up and down the tiny little rolls in the pasture. Then we stopped to admire the sunset. And we walked off again for another few minutes of bliss.
nice view of the Catalinas
golden sunset
We stopped for a moment, and I heard a quiet "fhhhhhht', and felt Truby tense under me. I went to put my hand on her neck to reassure her, unsure of what the noise was...
ahhhhhhhhh!
And then the sprinklers went off, and Truby exploded! I had forgotten the field got irrigated in the evening. The sprinklers are a couple feet high, and shoot water out in alternating patterns of full circles and semi circles. And Truby does not like them. Truby does not like the sprinkles with a fox, she does not like them in a box, she does not like them a ham, she does not like them, Sam I am!
So there we were, standing in the middle of where THREE sprinklers overlap. Me with loose reins and bareback, Truby in a panic, every muscle tense. She leaped up and forward a bit, trying to run, trying to rear, maybe to spin...she couldn't quite figure out where to go, but she was ready to get there! I remember sliding back, and thinking "oh shit, I'm gonna fall off!". I fought to keep myself on, and to stop Truby. I remember looking for a place so I could fall safely. Not seeing anything, I just hauled on those reins (sorry, Tru!!) and gripped with my legs. I finally got her stopped, and looked for a place to jump off. We were in front of the tall metal pole fence, so not there. The ground on either side was uneven. I feared that if I leapt off, I wouldn't stay on my feet. With Truby's panic, she could easily trample me if I lost my footing.
Truby does not approve of sprinklers
As I looked, one of the sprinklers to our right changed direction and splattered Truby on the bum! Cue the rodeo ride again. This time I was sitting better and more prepared, but really not wanting to play buckin' broncs! Luckily I was able to steady her much faster, and found a flat place to land. I jumped off quickly, stayed on my feet, and rushed to give Truby all the hugs, pats, and comfort she needed.
water attack!
With me safely on the ground, Truby calmed quickly, but was still pretty unhappy. For several minutes I gave her pats, and hugs, lots of apologies and laughter. Poor Truby! What a terrible thing to interrupt our ride! And to add insult to injury, I had to walk her back through allllll the sprinklers to get back to her night pen.
everything is better with noms
Happily Truby recovered fairly quickly and completely once back in the safety of her nighttime pen and away from the sprinklers. I stayed with her while the sun set. The next afternoon she was 100% happy Truby. Perhaps now I'll remember not to ride up front in the evenings?
unlikely
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