New Permutation

Awareness of the outside world. Not so much the specifics as the fact that the announcement features rider, horse, owner, AND groom. USEF: US Equestrian Announces U.S. Olympic Dressage Team for Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Jun 25, 2024.

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Last Monday we had a new configuration for the morning walk. Over the weekend, Milton hitched both days. Rodney had gone for handwalks in the morning to get our steps in. It was too hot to come back for an afternoon ride.

Therefore, on Monday, Milton walked in hand, while Rodney got ridden, since he’d missed out on any work over the weekend. Plus, I wanted to ride our last VT mile so that I could say we rode over the finish line. [Line By Line]

This was a new one. Rodney loved it. He trailed after Milton the most chill he’s ever been on a ride. Occasionally he would pull out as if to pass.

Me: No, you can follow.
Rodney: Really? Okay.

Possible causes.

One. Rodney seemed happy to see his saddle but not Milton. He wanted to be the big horse? I could be imagining this. I was not imagining when Previous Horse felt this way. If he went first. Fine. He go off and graze while Mathilda & I went out. If Mathilda went first, he’d strafe us. Seriously.

Two. Heat. Too hot to fuss? Rodney finds heat relaxing?

Three. With Milton untacked, it was really, really obvious, even to Rodney, that nothing was gonna happen.

Four. A mysterious one-off that will never be repeated?

Who knows.

Onwards!
Katherine