Alert the media! I took a riding lesson

Disclaimer: Photo right is not me or Harv! Judging from comments there
has been some confusion...

During the week or so when Riley was on turnout, it was such a treat to watch him cavort around. It reminded me of something that had slipped my mind -- Horses are fun, remember? While the turnout is postponed for now, I know now that Riley is going to be fine. Riley is going to be fine, and I can get back to enjoying my horses instead of worrying about them. To that end, I arranged to take a riding lesson on Harv.

Never mind that I'm riding him about twice a week.

Never mind that it's hard to make time in my schedule.

Never mind that Harv is well on his way to age 23.

I set up a lesson time with the dressage trainer at the barn.

Lesson prep
The night before the lesson, Harv got steam-cleaned with towels I'd soaked in hot-hot water and rung out. Then he was wrapped in polar fleece ears to tail while I pulled his mane, de-mudded his hooves, and banged his tail. My tack got a thorough cleaning, and I pulled his show bridle and my Petrie boots out of mothballs.

That morning there wasn't much to do but brush Harv off, tack him up, and head out to the indoor arena. I was pleased to see that it had just been dragged and watered. We walked on a long rein. As we went by the arena mirror, I noted with satisfaction that Harv -- actually both of us -- looked mahhhhvelous. We were all set! And about then I heard the sound of a car approaching. The lesson was about to begin.

To be continued