On some days Tarma is sweet and smart and relatively chill, riding out on the buckle and easy. Today she had a different feeling, so my friend called her Tarmageddon and it fits. Even when she’s at her worst, just not checked in or throwing shade, it never feels dangerous, just a different shade of conversation.

We worked through everything safely minus one no brakes moment, which we sorted out by backing up trail a bit, which is not her favorite thing. Her opinions today included not wanting to give space and race brain, which while a new issue is easily sorted out as several folks I ride with are experienced endurance riders who are well familiar with it.

I also had some boot struggles, which meant I had to dismount and remount several times. I’m trying new boots called Flex Boots on her rears, as she can interfere behind sometimes, and while they aren’t rubbing her, she did manage to get them each off several times before I figured out I had to tighten them even more. Tarma handled each incident with aplomb, letting me fetch a thrown boot or futz with a twisted one without any fuss.

All the horses are a muddy mess, but the trace clips for the mares seemed to help them not feel so sweaty and itchy. It wasn’t our smoothest ride to date, but we had some good conversations and some good trot and center sets. I just keep laughing and loving this spicy chocolate mare even more each ride!