Saved From Myself

Wow, a whole weekend without rain. I was feeling the effects of having ridden both horses on Saturday, but decided to take Jaz out again Sunday just on general principles.

We usually ride down our little paved road, but I decided yesterday to take him down the highway that runs on one side of our property. It's paved, 2 lanes and the main east-west thoroughfare in these parts. It's busy, by country standards.

This photo, taken last summer for Aarene's Virtual Trail Ride, shows the probably 20 ft. easements on either side. This barn is several miles down the road, and as you can see there's plenty of room to ride. It was where I'd hoped to turn around and head back.

I walked Jaz across the highway and hopped on. As wonderful as Jaz is, he can be a little toot some days, yesterday being one. With all the rain we've had, I knew the ground wasn't totally dry and there were thin rivulets in low lying areas. Mr. Prissy Feet hates getting his feet wet. He danced, we spun. I kept turning him around and urging him forward.

We went a few hundred yards and he stopped and planted himself. Directly in front of us was a large culvert, which looked weird head-on. I got down, figuring that's what was bothering him, and I would lead him past it. I stepped in front of him and started sinking fast. It was still a lot squishier than I thought, as in dangerously so. Jaz could have easily broken a leg in that ooze. We backed out of it, I got on, we crossed the highway, and rode back down our boring old road.

Thank you, my sweet Jazu, for having sense enough for us both.