I just got back from my first horseback-riding lesson in years. I went to the Sunset Riding Academy in Sunol and had an evaluation. One of their instructors was out sick, so rather than having a one-on-one, I joined the advanced Western class (even though I'd be taking English style).
It was SO much fun! It felt so good to be up on a horse again. And not in one of those horrible wooden Western saddles that they have had on the few trail rides that I've done. We walked. We trotted. I even cantered (though I had a hard time getting the horse to canter and keeping him cantering).
The school seems okay. The horses seem in good condition. They have the students tack up and groom the horses a bit. Kind of fun. It's been a long time since I've curry combed. I came home smelling of horse and leather and dust and sweat. It was wonderful.
It reminded me of the time when I was a child and we went into New York City to see all the Christmas lights. And I insisted on petting every single carriage horse in Central Park. I came home and my little blue mittens reeked of horse. My mom washed them as soon as she could, but I thought they smelled wonderful.
In other news, the vet called and Smudge's blood work all came back negative. No feline leuk. No FIV. No FIP. The fecal sample was a little too dry, so I have to bring them a fresher one on Monday. But it looks like the little guy will be okay. Thank goodness. And they don't need to do another blood draw. Which is good because I would hate to have to put him through that again.
