1/4/11: Back to Work.

The horses can finally get ridden again because the heaps of snow have melted. Jessie and I have been riding since we got home from London on New Year's Day. The horses are crazy after having a full two weeks off! They barely even got out of the stable because of all the ice in the yard, so they are out of shape and very fresh. Yesterday I had a great time trying a new kind of equestrian sport: driving! A few days ago, Mr. Drea bought a pony that can't be more than 11 hands from a local farmer. The pony came with a homemade wooden cart, and Luke drives it to the gas station and the pub. I got to try it out, and I must admit it might be more fun than show jumping. I felt like British royalty driving Dexter down the road!

This morning I was very bad and slept in. I went to find Jessie in her room at about 8:15 and she had already been to the barn and come back for breakfast! I think the extra sleep was probably worth it. I flatted five horses, and a physiotherapist came to work on several of Jessie's horses. It was very interesting to watch her work. She made small adjustments in the horses' necks and rubbed different muscles and joints like a masseuse. Jessie said she works wonders on the horses! She worked on Tucati, who is one of the horses that I ride, so tomorrow I hope to feel a difference in her movement.