CANTER Mid Atlantic’s Dixie Rumble

Saturday was a gorgeous day for riding and my friend was visiting so we decided to tack up Indy and Dixie for a trail ride. We discovered that Dixie was not to fond of the hair that I was currying off Indy and he exited the barn I promised my friend he was perfectly quiet to ride..don’t worry (famous last words right).

We headed past the redneck village through the woods. Then we exited out of the woods and walked across a short section of road where there is a bridge. We got up there and heard something coming. A golf cart passed us going as fast as a golf cart could go. I tried to wave to them to slow down but they looked at me like I was crazy. Neither of the horses even cared and we walked over the bridge which is a different color. Dixie picked up his feet really high but went right out. Then we head up a hill into the fields. We did a lot of trotting and cantering and the horses were super. My friend could not believe the difference in Indy who used to be all about the short quick strides. We easily trotted and canter alongside Dixie. She quickly fell in love with Dixie and thought he was so comfortable (he is) and well behaved. Both horses took turns leading and at one point neither Dixie or Indy wanted to go past this one section of woods. I think maybe there was something in there. I have learned to just trust them..so we went through the farmers wheat a bit (don’t tell) and then made our way back to the woods. It was a great ride and with the warm weather both boys got hot. 80 degrees in April is not easy to adjust to.

Yesterday, I got out to the barn and it was lightly raining. I had went to a clinic on Sunday so the other horses didn’t get ridden. I wanted to ride Dixie first (he is the easiest of the bunch). I get on and walk down to the ring. The rain has picked up a little bit and as I make the first turn in the ring going back towards the barn a wall of rain and wind hits us. Dixie is a saint and although I can tell he is thinking I am crazy he shakes his head a bit and goes on. The rain is now really coming down and there is water running off the brim of my helmet. I am already soaked so I figured I might as well finish my ride. It took him about ten minutes to relax and as soon as I had a couple nice trot circles and changes of direction we trotted back to the barn…I don’t know why because really I was already wet but it was fun.

There is something about Dixie that just makes you want to ride him. He can be strange in the barn almost like he is waiting to be scared but when you are on him he is confident. He is my go to horse right now when I want to have a ride that will make my smile. My personal horse, Junior, also fills this role but he can have a bit more drama. He probably would have had a hissy fit about riding in the rain. Matter of a fact at our clinic this weekend he started squealing and prancing when he got rained on. He was offended that he got wet..especially his ears! 

The rest of the week looks great weather wise so I am excited. I have a few field trips planned for the horses and maybe a hunter show for Dixie this weekend. I really hope I can get people to come and see Indy. He wants a new home with his own person. I think maybe people aren’t interested because he is small?? Small but cute with a super mind and lots of mileage for a cheap price. I want him to find his person because I always feel guilty not being able to give him as much personal one on one time as he wants.