Riding Treasure

[april]

Treasure is always on the verge of being hyper, sweetheart though he is, and he seems doubly so today. At the walk he’s on the verge of breaking into a trot, at the trot into a canter, and at the canter into a gallop. At the gallop he’s practically airborne, so I’m always riding him right on the edge. “You know boy, sometimes you’re hard to ride, but I know that just means you love life. I wouldn’t want you to be any other way. I love you just as you are.” I ride him bareback down the trails. I always love seeing my horses feel so fantastic, and Treasure shows that he couldn’t be feeling better the way he tosses his head and prances so enthusiastically he’s almost doing the piaffe. We come to the open meadow we love to gallop through so much, and as we race the wind in our gallop. It’s pure, wild delight for both Treasure and myself. We’re both of the same mind, glad to be loving and living life to the fullest. It‘s still early morning, with the sun just barely up, and the mist gives the whole thing the most perfect dreamlike feel. We sprint all around the open meadow until I can feel Treasure starting to tire (which I have to watch for since he‘s too spirited to ever admit the possibility of needing a rest.) I ease him back into a walk, and although his breathing is a bit heavy, he’s not at all sweaty or tired otherwise. His steps are just as spritely as before, and he holds his head just as high. I can feel extra satisfaction in his paces though, telling me how thoroughly he enjoyed our romp. We take the long way home to cool him out, just taking in the beauty of the day.