Rode Balthazar for the first time in over two months today.  He turns 17 this year.  With age comes wisdom and experience, right?  No!  We have separation anxiety issues, we have spooking issues, we have jig jog issues.  But for a first ride on Friday the 13th, we made it home intact.  It will just take bum in the saddle time, consistency and the ability to remain calm despite the huge golden orb spiders poised to be worn as face jewelry on the riding tracks.  Screaming and leaping about in the saddle is not conducive to a calm horse. 

Also he's hot and excitable as he's grain fed.  At this time of year the green panic seeds are thick and the horses mow them down.  It happens every summer.  He's a hot thoroughbred anyway but with all the grain, he's molten!