Things go 'Boo!' at night

 View over the countryside nearby

And so, as the summer comes to an end and the days are quickly drawing in. 'Mr F' and I have had several returns home in the dark.

Last winter I used to take 'Mr F' for walks in the dark, up in the open fields behind 'Buttercup Farm'. At first he was not so sure but quickly got used to it.

To ride with 'Lillian' we mostly rider over to hers, which in itself is already a good 30-40 minutes ride one way, depending on how fast we go. With the days now drawing in, 'Mr F' and 'I' quite regularily ride back to the 'Buttercup Farm' in the dark.

I enjoy riding in the dark and 'Mr F' is great about it. He bravely soldiers on when I ask him to, even though things can be a bit spooky. 

Having swapped the saddle for a bareback pad was the best decision I have made. 'Mr F's muscles have been developing nicely and in the right places. No longer is he front heavy and has now a quite nicely rounded bottom. His balance overall is so much better to what it was at the beginning, 2 years ago.

My sitting trott is slowly improving and I become more and more sensitive to his movements and he to mine. It really becomes effortless and sometimes we are almost one unit. My muscles also had to develop, mostly my core and leg muscles.

We did some cantering yesterday. Where as before I would always stand up in the saddle during canter, as I know ride without stirrups, I have to sit through any gait and canter is so very comfortable on  'Mr F'!

Our relationship seems to have become deeper since spring this year and it continues to grow.

Thanks, friend. :)