Riding someone else's horse

My work friend, Marion, has two horses, a young Friesian cross named Teeno...

and an older, semi-retired Haflinger called Violet.

For the last couple months, she's been sharing the Haflinger with another co-worker, who is currently horseless. I have been a teeny bit jealous - because Haflinger! - but also, I have my own horse. It's all good.

On Saturday, I worked a shift with Marion. She told me Sue was really busy and couldn't ride with her anymore. I saw an opening and went for it. One thing led to another, and this morning I drove to Franktown to go on a ride with Marion and her horses.

We saddled up and headed out... on foot.

We squeezed through a gate that was mostly blocked by a downed tree. Then we used that same tree as a mounting block, and the ride began in earnest.

Our path took us through trees...

and meadows.

We went up...

and down hills,

saw several deer...

and were treated to several magnificent mountain views.

It was just the right amount of cold...

and I can not say enough good things about dear, little Violet.

This was a perfect ride. I did not want it to end.

But alas, end it did.

And then both Marion and I changed out of our stinky boots, drove to Parker and went to work!