Where's Izzy?

The last you heard, he was a complete jackass. I am not going to say he's turned into a sweetheart - oh my God, that would be great; but no. In his defense, after that first ride with shoes, he settled right down and was actually quite a nice boy to ride.

From this summer.

I am only ever frustrated with him when he forgets that he's 10 years old instead of 3. Those are the days when we have to have a come to Jesus ride. Those involve a lot of praying - probably by both us. Since we had several very submissive rides in a row earlier this week - and it was hot as hell, I decided to take him up to the old golf course.

It's private property, but the owner doesn't seem to mind that I ride out there. He keeps it mowed and watered, but there are still places with tricky footing (gopher holes, etc.).  There are some small undulating hills and a copse of trees that I like to weave him through. It gets his mind off being anxious.

From late spring.

He was a bit of jerk, but it was fun to canter out in the open over terrain that wasn't flat and smooth. Once he started focusing on where his feet were going, ​he seemed to enjoy himself; for a minute anyway.

Even though he was wringing wet, his own fault, I rode back to the ranch and put him to work in the arena. We did a minute or two of trot work and then picked up the canter both ways. It was almost funny. His trot and canter suddenly got very relaxed and supple. I could see him thinking, oh, thank God it's so NICE to be HERE. The arena suddenly seemed to be his happy place.

Big baby. That's okay. A win is a win.