How to Start 2013

My morning: Wake up. Realize the forecasters were right and it did get below freezing overnight. Annual reminder of just how cold 29* really is. Realize that there is no way the pony will be happy to get out in this weather. Luxuriate around the house until noon time, the sun is bright, and it is over 50* out. Then go down to the barn.

A horse friend once shared one of her superstitions with me: "Whatever you do on New Year's Day is what you'll spend a lot of time doing the rest of the year."

Read between the lines: Any excuse is a good one to saddle up and ride, right? For years, we had a tradition of riding on New Year's Day, with a potluck gathering at the trailhead with friends afterwards.

Maybe it wasn't the long-ride-and-expansive-spread of yore, but I did ride today.

And I've got the tights to prove it:

Full-seat tights. Great for bareback riding.
Not so great for staying clean.

I've been taking it pretty easy with the pony, sticking with just bareback for now in an attempt to ascertain whether or not my saddle is the cause of her mysterious, tripping-out-on-one-hind-leg incidents that have been occurring since late summer-ish. 

Always happy to get out, even if it's a short ride.

And I came bearing the last of the seasonal treats: leftover peppermints from some of my holiday baking. Mimi loves peppermints. They're probably her favorite treat ever. Just a crinkle of the plastic wrapper and she will mug you endlessly.

Peppermint kisses!!!

"More peppermints for the cute pony, please?"

I love this pony. It's hard to believe she's going to be 20 years old this year.

Herding me back out to the pasture.

Looking forward to a bright 2013 with some new and exciting adventures on the horizon!

Pony Luv!!!