I was really not thinking that yesterday would be as good as it was. I had to run for a bus that wound up getting to my stop four minutes early and missed it, turned around and ran the whole block back (and I mean, RAN the whole thing), and waited for the first bus on the only other route that works to get to the stable. That came WAY later than I thought it would, and I wound up getting to work a whole half hour late. It really wasn't my fault. I got out on time. Bus driver picked the ONE day I was like a minute behind because I had to stop and fix something with my boot to pull up early and not bother to wait until he got back on schedule. ARG.

But yeah, needless to say, I was expecting my morning to be gawd-awful. But I just ninja'd in to the yard and started raking, Pinto left for a second and returned with Ma practically draped around her shoulders, and after our usual "we have a ton of horse-related places we need to visit in the next year" morning conversation, Ma told me she had a birthday present that she hoped I liked. She blew me out of the water. She gave me a SADDLE. O____o

It's a weird saddle, but it's a SADDLE. And a damn nice one too. It's an australian saddle- a kind of mix between your western saddle and your english saddle- and hoo boy is it comfy! I'd never ridden in a real one before- I've been using the stock saddle I fit to Sam when she was here. It was quite the experience. It feels a tad funny because it sits differently on a horse. You really have to work on keeping your balance in this one. I'm hoping that this will force me to pay attention to my seat and make me a better rider for it.

It's in near-perfect condition. Ma said it'd been sitting for three years in her tack room and that I was welcome to it if I liked it. _{Which I do. :3} It's a really dark brown/purple color, like Sam used to be (I would have LOVED to have seen it on her! She would have worn it SO nicely) with a higher cantle than what I'm used to and iron stirrups instead of the traditional western ones. Riding in irons is a bit weird but they're textured on the bottom and my foot doesn't slide in them. Which is a nice feature.

I'll get a picture soon. Probably when Pinto gets back from vacation and we go riding again. Have fun in Colorado, Pinto! n____n

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