(no subject)

So the baby rats are 2 1/2 weeks old now, which means they are the epitome of Teh Cute. I got some photos of Clownface's litter today.

This is exactly what it looks like. This is the runt, determined to nurse. And one of her sisters sitting on their very patient mama:


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wobble wobble (riding log)

Back at my lesson barn today for the first time since June. Tina put me on Bearito, who is exactly as I remember him: bratty on the ground, and toooo much fun ridden. He is exceptionally well-trained for a lesson horse, and very smooth-gaited.

Photo of Bearito from last spring. He's about 22 years old, and 13 hands, and with that neck is too much pony for little kids. One of the reasons I'll be riding him is that he needs to be a bit tired out for therapeutic riding lessons later in the morning.


We did not jump today; instead we did flatwork for almost an hour, nearly all of it at the trot and canter, and (for me) nearly all of it without stirrups. Tina wants me *sitting* to the canter, and after a summer of two-point at the canter on Minnie, well, yes, I need to work on my seat. (I was somewhat hopeful about getting Guiness back, but he is a bit green for the level of this class, and I don't have any business trying to do this stuff on a green horse...)

I left that lesson slightly wobbly from the workout, but had promised goddessfarmer that I'd ride Trumpie, since neither she nor Alice were available today. I was supposed to take him outside, but because I had some questions about unfamiliar tack I needed to use, I stayed in, so just in case I fell off, there would be someone nearby. I rode him for 45 minutes, about 75% trotting and cantering, and trying to figure out exactly what I need to do to get him on the bit. (I can do it, but it happens mostly by accident.) He was patient with me, at least, though the percentage of "on the bit" was fairly small. Nonetheless, he's a very good boy, and he has good manners. And he gives backrubs when you take his bridle off!

Now even more wobbly, I went to groom Minnie. Poor Minnie is... bored and lonely, not surprisingly, and very appreciative of apples. I would have cleaned her stall, except there were no fresh shavings. Sigh...

And then, having ridden 2 horses and groomed 3, I did one errand, came home, took a shower and fell over. My legs are definitely a bit sore; that wobbly feeling is for real...