Thursday, August 3, 2017

Finding Our Inner Hippo

I was going to include this on my lesson post, but it really deserved it's own post.

One of my goals for the year was to go to GP Trainer's, have lessons, and then go swim in her pond. It has a lovely beach in with good footing, and is big enough and deep enough that you can walk around in really deep water, or actually swim. I spent a bit of time working towards this goal of playing in the pond: the Cowboy Dressage lady and I worked on getting Penn to step in water. We played in the water complex at Loch Moy. I started riding him bareback.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Next year we're going to go for actually swimming, but this was a ton of fun too! I don't think I'll get down to her farm in time to swim again while it's warm enough to do so, so that's why it's getting pushed back to next summer. Just enjoy the photo montage... which is actually a mix of photos, gifs, and video clips!

First steps in. He liked blowing bubbles and lipping the water.
He was so game to get in the water and go to a deeper section of the pond!
I think he stepped in an underwater hole or something, or was just surprised by the ground falling away!



A good time was had by both of us!

Sadly, we couldn't get M's horse into the pond. We tried Penn leading her in, but he was enjoying himself and playing like a little kid, so he was pawing and accidentally splashing her, and then swished his tail and got her pretty good with water drops... The offended mare look was legendary, haha! The water was great BTW- the pond isn't spring fed, so by the end of July, Virginia's hot summer has heated it up to almost bathwater warm.

Until next time everyone...

14 comments:

  1. I dream of a pond like this to play in. How fortunate you've got a great place to go play.

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    1. I know, I'm so excited to have something like this to play in!

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  2. 😍😍😍 I love this so much. Swimming with horses is sooooo fun when you have the right venue! This looks epic.

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    1. Yes! Next year we'll swim properly, but this was still 12 year old little girl giggle worthy!

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  3. Awww so glad you make the time to do fun stuff with Penn too.

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    1. He's such a good soul, I try to do things that might be fun too. Penn seemed super pleased with himself - lots of pawing and face dunking and was very proud of himself on the walk back. He was very tired though from all that pawing!

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  4. omggggggg this is so awesome hahaha - penn's face during that water exit!!! so funny! he's such a cool dude

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    1. It was very awesome! I thought he'd be a bit more resistant to the water but he was very brave!

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  5. Eek. I'm so jealous. I want to go swimming with my horse!

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  6. Transition to teenage girl and hufflepuff pony: Complete :)

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    1. Now I know how to get younger instead of older!

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