Had our first ride at home. Balthazar was agitated at being separated from his buddies. His knee was much improved but the ride was more about going out and coming back rather than riding. He was good, hesitant at first to walk down the road but once we got going he walked out well - more from nervousness than any desire to go anywhere but we'll accept what we can get.

Before that however we had to get through the trauma of grooming and tacking up. He was so upset that he forgot I was standing nearby and bumped into me. Had to remind him that he did have to mind hismanners a little bit even if he was upset. Took him into the paddock for a bit of parelli work. Took awhile to get his attention but we did get it in the end. We even did a fairly competent version of the Falling Leaf exercise. Having worked through a few of the exercises, he was more settled and easier to handle.

Only rode up to the old house, now the home of Cooper the very large Bull Arab cross, who barked, if his deep cavernous Woof! could be labelled a bark, as we approached. I got off Balthazar hoping he would have a pick but he was too anxious. Returned home, had to circle him twice as he wasn't listening and getting worked up but all in all a very satisfactory ride.