My First Ride On Murphy, My New Horse!

On By DianaIn Barn stories, Living life

I have some flowers blooming and so I just had to start this post with this beautiful flower. I have had a super busy weekend as this last week I was asked if I could help take care of horses at the barn. There is a horse owner recovering at home after being in the hospital with a staph infection and I am so thankful she is recovering. She has a good friend who is helping with her horses but she had a planned vacation which is where I come into the picture. I also have had other’s who were away this weekend for one reason or another and in total I have been taking care of 8 horses including my own. Some just needed meds and water buckets filled and others needed meds and some turn outs. Amongst all of this I rode Chloe out with my girlfriend on the trails early morning and then I exercised Murphy Saturday and Sunday I made time after my trail ride to get on and ride Murphy for the first time! YAY! I’m so HAPPY!

As I write this I still have 2 more days of extra horse care. One of the horses will drop off my list as their owners return Monday. I will just turn out my horses the next 2 days since I have to get everything done before I have to go to work in the afternoons. I am thankful it is cooling off a little bit and there has been nice breezes each day so the weather has been good being outside for most of the day. I can’t wait to share my ride so let’s get to it, here he is Murphy doing all grown up horsey things with his new Mom, ME! 😀

I should not admit this but I look so frumpy! It has been so hot, so I am wearing clothes that help keep me cool. But for me it’s all about Murphy, and he looks so handsome!

Aren’t we always so critical of ourselves! And I am rarely in my photos since I’m taking them. I asked to be in this so I need to stop being so critical. However, I do not like the way I look in this photo as I wish I was wearing riding apparel, like English riding breeches. But this is super comfortable for me and eventually I will be riding him in my western saddle as I get him use to it as I want to eventually get him ready to ride out on trail. Baby steps, it will all happen and it is SUPER FUN to ride him English as well. Maybe one of these days I’ll buy a pair of riding breeches, it would be worth the investment and I can ride in my western saddle in English breeches too. I have to say, I am really enjoying this whole adventure!

My first ride on Murphy! What a good boy!

I am so proud of Murphy! For those horse people out there, I lunged him before I rode him and he trotted around like a champ with the saddle and bridle on and remember he hasn’t done anything like this in just over a month. He relaxed on the lunge line, as he trotted around each direction which is what I was looking for before I mounted up on him. We have a mounting block in the arena and he stood perfectly still as I positioned it to mount and he didn’t move a foot. After I sat on his back he just stood there as I patted him and then I asked him to walk! YAY! What a solid horse, not scared or frightened and took everything in stride like he’s done this a hundred times before and I could not be happier. It will be fun to look back at this video as our adventure grows and he gets more and more rides under his belt!

I know they are almost identical photos except Murphy is licking in one of them so I think it is really cute. I like the other one because he has his ears forward! Haha, my girlfriend who took these photos said I’m just clicking and clicking and so I have 8 or 9 to choose from and these I zoomed in and these are I thought good enough to share.

I decided to share more photos of this weekend as I took some of my girlfriend on her horse Roscoe and a couple of photos out on the trail as I rode Chloe with Roscoe! It’s just so fun to share, I hope you enjoy too!

I tried to get both Chloe and Roscoe in the photo as we rode down the trail!

As I share with you my weekend I am thinking of how fortunate my girlfriend and I are to share this love of horses and being able to ride together each week. We are truly blessed and as I mentioned in my previous post my girlfriend and I have known each other for 50 years. We grew up together and rode ponies when we were young so in many ways we are doing what we grew up doing! Haha, that may not make much sense, but it is amazing that for the last 10 years or so we were able to connect and board our horses together or near each other so that we can keep riding together just like we did so many years ago. Who is able to do that? I don’t think a high percentage of friends stay this close.

I did split off in my late teens when I went to a horse trainer and showed in the Hunter/Jumper division. My girlfriend also went off to college so there were some years of separation. We both got married and during our early years of marriage having babies of our own and once they got a bit bigger that horse LOVE never died and only grew stronger. And here we are with grown children and now grandchildren and horses that we love and can ride together. So much to share, I could write a novel. ❤

Thanks for visiting my horsey loving post! I am so excited I can ride Murphy now and will keep ya’ll posted on our progress. I love to share video’s and will continue to make them when I can and with help from my friends. I am thinking of investing in a Pivo as then I can video with no help and I have seen on other posts they follow the horse really well as you ride around the arena. One step at a time I always say… something to think about!

Horse Crazy Mom and Grandma!

~Diana ❤

27 thoughts on “My First Ride On Murphy, My New Horse!”

  1. Murphy is a very beautiful horse I am so glad your are having him have him and Chloe met face to face yet? How long before you are able to take him out on the trails that will be fun and I bet everyone that always sees you riding Chloe will be surprised to see you riding your new baby. Have an amazingly bless day.

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  2. When I walk Murphy past Chloe’s stall I let them sniff each other but other than that they are not out together. I’m just handling them separately at this point and I am enjoying them both in this way. It has been great FUN working with him, and I’m thinking it will be a few months before I attempt a trail ride since he doesn’t know much yet under saddle. He’s very smart so we will see how the arena training goes with him. Thanks so much and have a wonderful day and week ahead!! ❤️🐴

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    1. Thank you and good observing! I had to wait to ride him because of his leg but to be honest I wanted to wait so he would be really comfortable around me too. We are getting along GREAT!! A FUN weekend!! 😀

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      2. You have great body language skill! Haha! And being around horses, that’s definitely one huge way they communicate, and so I try hard to watch them and communicate with them. They communicate with calming signals, we need to learn this so we can be partners with them. I’m getting a great start since Murphy feels comfortable around me and he feels safe. Sorry to go on so, it’s all so fascinating to me. Your last sentence is the best, because I want to remember to have FUN! That’s definitely the key!!! Thank you! 🤩

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  4. So lovely you can ride Murphy now Diana and he looks so honest and willing and very affectionate too 💜 Wishing you happy times ahead and please give Chloe and Murphy a big pat from us all 🤗🧡🐎 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Xenia! Murphy is all those nice things you mentioned and I feel so fortunate to find him. I’ll give them both a pat and please do the same to your furry friends there, from all of us here!! 💜🐾🐴💜xxx

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  5. workinacresnothours

    Love the flower so pretty. Fancy pants cowgirl. You look fantastic & both you & The Murph look so great together. He looks like he just loves you giving you hugs & kisses. lol. We are our own harshest critics aren’t we. Love the photos & the video is too cool. I am beyond excited for you. say Hi to the Bestie & Roscoe, awesome that you both ended up living so close to carry on enjoying the pony fun. Pats & hugs & carrots for all. ( ;

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    1. Howdy Sweet Cowgirl friend!! Thank you so much for your kind comments and yes, we are our harshest critics, haha, I try not to be but sometimes it seeps into my thoughts! I’m so happy you enjoyed my photos and video! So much FUN!! I’ll say Hi to my girlfriend Sally, she’ll enjoy as I tell her a girlfriend across the pond is sending pats, hugs and carrots to all!! 💜🐴💜

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  6. Odd. I thought you left a comment on my smile post, but it is gone and not in trash. I came here to reply to my comment, and my comment to this post is gone as well! The WP Gremlins don’t want us to communicate! Oh well, I am glad you were able to ride Murph! Also cool about you and your friend still doing stuff together 🙂

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    1. Oh how odd!! I’m trying to remember if I left a comment or not as I’m visiting so many, hmmm… Definitely may be some WP gremlins around! Especially if you posted something here? And it’s gone but I received this message so that’s good!!!
      I’m super happy about riding him, there’s a lot of training to be done with him since he’s so young he doesn’t know much, but he’s kind and willing so we will progress at a good pace I’m thinking. That first hurdle was good to get under our belt!! FUN to share!! And thanks for visiting and yes, so happy and lucky we’ve been friends for so long, she’s like a sister really!! Have a great week! I’ll stop by your smile post! 😀💜

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      1. Actually, I think it was someone else – sometimes I see the little gravatar or icon and think I know who only to find out later that it wasn’t…. But I know I left a comment on this post besides this one!

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  7. Thank you, Diana, for sharing your beautiful flower and horse photos and video. Murphy looks handsome and already appears affectionate and loyal to you. Your smiles show how happy you are with him and at the barn. Your longtime friendship is very special and how wonderful that you and your friend can now enjoy riding together. I just finished reading a short novel titled War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, about 180 pages. I think you’d love reading it if you haven’t already.

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    1. Thank you Natalie!! I’m so happy you enjoyed and he just loves people and I love hearing the comments with how he expresses his affection towards me as that’s what we need to be a team that supports each other especially being out on the trails. So we are getting a GREAT start!! You are so kind and generous with your wonderful comments, my friend and I are almost like sister’s, she’s close to all my family members too!
      Oh and I haven’t read the book but I saw a movie called War Horse, I wonder if it’s the same (movie about the book?) I’ll definitely get the book to read it as they tend to be better than movies of they are one and the same. Thanks for recommending!! 💜😀

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  9. that is very special to have a friendship last so many decades and also share the horse conniption
    –
    Murphy is so young and strong looking
    —
    and regarding the note you made about how we humans can be so critical of ourselves – this is so true and I think it takes a very healthy person to “get over it” – hahah and just take and share some photos – life is too short.
    also, comfort does matter and I say get the clothes you want if that is what you really want or need – but sometimes people spend way to much time and energy trying to think about what to wear when at the end of the day it comes down to functionality and comfort – and sometimes certain human Quine attire is ostentatious and well, let’s all celebrating being who we are and casual and comfortable is beautiful :P)

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    1. Thank you sooooo very much. I should never take for granted my long time friendship. And having the love of horses together is super sweet!! ❤️
      —–
      Thanks for the comments on Murphy! I figure as I age I can handle training one more young horse, and he has the sweetest disposition and is willing to please. I think we are going to make a great team!
      And yes, it’s taken me years to feel completely comfortable in my own skin and owning my frumpiness – Lol 😀 I agree, life is too short to worry about such things. I will celebrate being who we are and casual and comfortable is beautiful! Wise words!! Thank you!! ❤️💚💙❤️

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      1. Murphy is such a gift!
        And causal and comfy has a place (esp on a horse – ) but I do like to get dressed up at times – really depends on the occasion
        –
        Hope your extra duties are settling down – that is nice of you to help care for the other horses 😉

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  10. As long as you are wearing a smile, you look great! Love seeing your horse photos and the beautiful flower at the top of your post. The flowers are all so perfect and beautiful at this time of the year.

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    1. Thank you so MUCH!! You are so sweet, and now that I’ve looked back on these photos I can see I look just fine! Smiling is the most important thing which these horses definitely make me smile!! The flowers are all so beautiful, I agree!! ❤️🐴🌺

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  11. I love the video and the pics!!! looks like you guys are making a grand team hahaha well as one who doesn’t know any horse body language does it mean anything if a horse licks you or it just means you look tasty regardless of how you think you are dressed… clothes don’t maketh the rider hahaha

    ~B

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    1. Thanks B! I’m realizing I look just fine, haha, especially since I’ve gone back and looked at the photos. We are getting along GREAT! So thankful, and they do lick your hand probably tasting a little salt maybe especially if it’s hot and we are sweaty! They also lick your hand after you give them a treat as they will look for more treats. You always want to keep your hand flat so they know your fingers aren’t carrots. They are pretty smart about that though. Good to hear from you! Thanks for visiting my horsey posts! 😎🐴🤩

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