August 2009
Yesterday....WHICH GATE IS WHICH

Took Doc down to a back paddock which has sparse grass and pretty flat.
Had a good practice and a pleasant little trail ride around the paths
that surround the paddocks. When we arrived back at our paddock I rode
Doc into his paddock through the big main paddock gate which we had left
open when we left. Don't usually use that gate, but the "little" gate
had mud and water to slush through. Also the "little" gate is narrow
and I am worried the saddle will get scraped if horsey is over to one
side too much. So we used the "huge" gate.

Back at the barn; Joe was off filling water or some such chore. I
removed Doc's tack and took him out the "little" gate to hose him off.
Used the hose and then soaked him down with a bucket of liniment. Love
the smell. (Horsey had rolled in something dead and the mint smell was
wonderful.) So...fussed and groomed till Joe took over, stealing Doc
for a walk and some grass. Horsey STILL shedding....or could this is a
new shed already in anticipation of his winter coat? Been working on
getting that "show" shine and mission accomplished! Found that using a
"slicker' block does the trick.

Anyhow.. after about a half hour horsey was dry and Joe returned him
back to his paddock using the "little" gate. We then got involved with
Trina trying our Wintec saddle on Daz. She is in the market for an
english saddle and wanted to try the Wintec. Doc watched (nosey) at the
fence as we changed the gullet to the proper side for Daz and Trina
mounted up. The Wintec had the largest sized gullet from Doc and we now
needed to down size to almost the smallest for Daz. Huge 16+ hand Daz
and in a small size for his lanky self.

We adjusted, refitted and Trina rode; Doc observed from the sidelines
going in and out of his barn from time to time for some hay. (I think
he was jealous).

Finally we finished our saddle fitting hour and packed up to go home.
We had arrived at the stable at 9 and it was 2 already. Horses watered
and hayed....all paddock doors secured. Doccie's barn door latch (two
of them) in place. Always checking here. In the truck we went and
homeward bound. As we proceeded up route 9 a dim light went off in my
head. "Joe, did you shut that "huge" gate to Doccie's paddock?"
Answer: "No."
!!! :@ :

Turned around..SPED back. Horsey gate OPEN. WIDE OPEN! Where is my
horsey???? (where is my brain?)

Here he comes...hay hanging form his mouth. Coming over to see why we
came back with an expression that said: "Hey Guys! Did you come back
to shut my gate.....Duh?"

Can't believe we are soooo careful and left the gate open. Good thing
we realized before too much time lapsed. Doc had to know that gate was
open. Think he was amused at how dumb we both were.

This getting old thing is not fun.

Us.... :D