On Saturday morning, Don and I loaded Ellsworth into the trailer and headed down to see Ryan for a lesson and a trail ride. (Ellsworth walked right into the trailer with no aids, by the way.)
Once we arrived, we started by warming Ellsworth up in the round pen.
And then headed out on the trail. Me on Big Red and Ryan on Murphy.
Ellsworth was a star. Since the trail we took is closed to vehicles, Ellsworth had to step over a metal fence bar about a foot off the ground at the beginning of our ride. Good boy! I can tell you without a doubt there’s no way he would have done that five weeks ago.
Ellsworth walked strong and tall and I couldn’t stop smiling.
We walked down the canal path for about 20 minutes, then into the bosque a short distance to the river.
It was surreal to be sitting atop Big Red, quietly watching and enjoying the beauty of the Rio Grande.
And to think, this is just the beginning!
I ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Ellsworth.
July 11, 2011 at 4:31 am
Ellsworth looks so handsome and so proud of himself that it just breaks my heart.
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July 11, 2011 at 4:47 am
You two look adorable together! I could feel your never ending grin clear up to Wisconsin!
I am excited for when you will ride with Lucy and we’ll get to go on a donk trail ride with you both through pictures.
Happy trails! 🙂
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July 11, 2011 at 5:29 am
What a good looking team you and big red make!
Ellsworth looks like he is having allmost as much fun as you are. 🙂
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July 11, 2011 at 6:04 am
When I look at his face, it looks to me like he is VERY aware that his job is to carefully carry you. It looks to me like he is thinking about his responsibility to take good care of you.
Of course you have an enormous smile, with a partner like that! 🙂
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July 11, 2011 at 6:23 am
All I have to say is….Awesome!!
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July 11, 2011 at 7:11 am
Well, that just made my heart sing! Ellesworth has come a long way from the junkyard rescue to the proud trail partner he is now. Bless you for all that you have done for him.
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July 11, 2011 at 7:13 am
Look at you in that last picture! 🙂 Great posture, elbows in, heels down—-you’re making Ellworth’s job a lot easier with all those things.
Congratulations on a great ride!!
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July 11, 2011 at 7:20 am
OMG, he is a donkey who likes his job! Nothing finer than a girl and her donkey riding the trails together.
What kind of horse is Murphy? Looks like another well-trained mount. No wonder you put your trust in Ryan. : )
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July 11, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Flartus,
Murphy is an Egyptian Arabian. Even at a walk, he looks like he’s floating on air. 🙂
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July 11, 2011 at 7:42 am
You two look beautiful…out for your trail ride.
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July 11, 2011 at 8:59 am
He looks like an old pro, like, “sure mom, where-ever you want to go”. You must be so pleased and proud.
Suzanne
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July 11, 2011 at 9:07 am
Ellsworth looks completely at home with you in the saddle. I’ll bet he enjoyed his walk through the countryside too. I’ve always known he was a special guy.
Ryan is definitely a treasure and Murphy sure is gorgeous, too.
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July 11, 2011 at 11:22 am
I see another riding equine in your future so Don can join in the fun. You guys look fantastic.
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July 11, 2011 at 11:36 am
Ohmygoodness!!!!! You both look so wonderful out there, it makes my heart beat faster just looking at those pics and imagining being there with you! I need to find a Ryan here in Oregon!
I’m so excited for you and Ellsworth … next stop: trail ride at 7MSN!!
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July 11, 2011 at 8:42 pm
so when will you and Ellsworth and Linda and Lucy take a ride together. How much fun. The universe will be smiling that day for sure.
I didn’t realize you were that close to the Rio Grande. Is that why it is so green at your place (but not so much at Linda’s…. sorry Linda…)
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July 11, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Y’all are looking great!
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July 12, 2011 at 6:32 am
Geez, you could have tried to look like you were having fun! Kidding–the ear to ear grin gave you away.
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July 12, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Amazing. What a good boy. What has been his biggest training challenge?
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July 14, 2011 at 2:02 pm
I *heart* you both. Job well done. And I remember Murphy, the horse with a sense of humor.
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