Meeting Mom's Filly

Hi Fans! Yesterday I met Mom's other filly, Isha JayaMae. Mom seemed to like her a bit too much and I started worrying she was going to spend all her time with this girl instead of me. And where the heck were the stud muffins? Then Mom's filly offered me a carrot. Not quite as good as a stud muffin, but I'll take it. Okay, I thought, maybe she isn't so bad after all. I decided to call her "Sis."

Sis groomed me and made my mane and tail shine, although she made fun of my forelock, which Mom had cut. I hope she knows her hair has split ends and needs work itself. After Sis was done grooming me, Mom did some ground work with me, and then we got ready to ride. Sis rode me bareback, and Mom rode my BFF Sundae. We started out on a short ride through the woods across the street from the barn. Mom said she just wanted to show Sis the trails, so when we go riding next time, she knows her way around. Well, that didn't work out so well, as Mom didn't know her own way around. She led us on a wild goose chase. We circled around the same trail 3 times, and this trail had lots and lots of puddles, which I jumped every time (good thing Sis used to be a jump rider). It turned out to be quite an adventure! Our 1 hour ride turned into 3. I wonder if Mom will be able to find California. Finally, Mom found the main trail, and we headed home. I was disappointed Mom found her way back. I dragged my feet and Mom said I was sulking again. Sis said we shouldn't let Mom be the leader anymore.

Today Sis showed up to see me without Mom. She said we were going for a ride--just the two of us. I was very excited, and as Sis was grooming me, I kept nuzzling her to get her to hurry up. We were just about to leave when I heard hoof beats on the driveway. It was a new friend! A 17-year-old Paso Fino mare, Chiquita, said she wanted to see me off on my journey. Sis told her we weren't leaving until Monday, but we invited her and her mom, Cyd, to go riding with us. We rode through the woods again, Chiquita leading the way. It was hard to keep up with her! Chiquita had this fancy, fast walk; I had to keep trotting to keep up! Sis seemed pleased to be trotting, but I kept thinking this was supposed to be a relaxing trail ride. What is it with all this training?

At the end of our ride, I started to get excited when I realized we were going to neighbor Terry's lawn to graze. I don't mind trotting when I know we're going to eat! We had to cross two large puddles before we got there. Chiquita crossed them like it was nothing (show off). I followed and stopped in the puddle and did a little showing off of my own! I pawed the water, and put my nose in it. I am starting to think puddles aren't so bad after all, especially because everyone makes such a big deal when I go through them!

Right after we crossed the beaver swamp, I headed straight for the street. I was so excited to go to Terry's lawn! Sis had to tell me to "Whoa." When we said good-bye to Chiquita, I rushed off. I think Chiquita was wondering what the big deal was... if only she knew how good the grass tastes at Terry's!