Wildlife

This morning I did not want to get out of bed, what else is new? 5 am is tough to take when you don't get to bed before midnight. I had checked the weather forecast and it looked like lovely weather for a ride this morning, followed by thunderstorms all afternoon. Levi heard the alarm and sprang out of bed, feet pattering to our room. I told him it was too early, he should go back to bed. He said "But I really want to play with Legos." So I said okay, as long as you are quiet. 


Driving out to the barn the temperature was a perfect 60° and I was even a bit chilly. Sinwaan saw me coming and walked a couple steps the opposite direction. He was not in the mood to work today!  I really don't like taking him out before he's had any breakfast, but I do let him munch along the way to make up for it. We pass a couple of alfalfa fields that have some overgrowth at the roadside where it isn't mown.


The conditions were perfect this morning and I was so happy I had decided to put in a ride. Along the way we saw two bunnies hopping across our path, and even a little family of killdeer - three chicks and a protective mother, whom they didn't pay much attention to. Sinwaan was a bit slow heading out but once we turned onto Last Chance (2 mi in) he took more initiative at setting a faster pace. We did a lot of nice trotting and just enjoyed the lovely (calm!) weather and sunrise. I was pleased that we were able to maintain more of a steady pace today, even heading back towards home he was steady. We had a brief canter towards the end, and then a walk to cool out the last 1/4 mi. He still seemed willing to move out and not as tired has he has been at the end of our rides. Fitness is building!


The heat crept up on us during those 8 miles and by the time we got back to the barn it was already in the mid-70s. Sinwaan had started to sweat today, which was expected, but hasn't been usual for him lately with the cooler temperatures - and wind. He was glad to rub his big itchy head all over me once I took off his bridle. And then it was straight to his breakfast. 


:)