Hardly worth writing here as I'm doing no Parelli stuff at all, only riding.  I waver between being inspired and working with the exercises and not giving a stuff and just getting out there and enjoying the riding.  Have ridden most of my life without benefit of Parelli  so it's not as though I'm lost without it.  Anyway. 

Today we finally went up Wayne's Mountain.  The land has been sold so wanted to explore it before it changed hands.  The new owners (have met them) will probably allow me to ride their land but it's never the same - like tromping through someone's living room at will. 

At any rate, I dismounted and walked beside him.  It was a  long steep climb and as Balthazar isn't fit (and he was already puffing) it didn't seem fair to ask him to slog up this never ending hill with me on his back. 

It was brigalow country.  We followed the outside curve of the mountain then tacked into trees and rocks and no grasses.  Long inviting views on a level with other mountains.  Felt very far away from civilization.  Nice time with Balthazar.   Don't know whether he appreciated me walking with him rather than riding him. 

Rode along a fenceline on an animal track.  No cattle are in this paddock so it was more a wallaby track we followed.  As it narrowed and the bush closed in we had no choice but to turn around.  Dismounted for the descent.  That was the only time my treeless saddle has been less than perfect.  Could've used a crupper as it started to slide over his withers.  Because the track was slippery with loose gravel it was easier to walk down beside him.  As it was, even on this cold day, he was completely soaked with sweat.  Gave him a hose and a flake of lucerne.  Will give him tomorrow off.  Was a pretty big day for him.

Didn't ride for 10 days as I *did* my back.  Rode yesterday and today.  Easing both of us back into it.  Now that he's shod want to get us fit.  Yesterday rode partly up Wayne's Mountain.  Balthazar, poor boy, had that foamy sweat afterwards.  Today, as we've had some rain and the road has a tiny bit of 'give' in it, we walked/trotted to Jackson's Yards and back.  More rain today so more road work tomorrow.  As this rain is unusual for this time of year it won't be long before any trot or canter work can only be done in the arena so while there is the opportunity I intend to take advantage of it.  Otherwise the road is too hard and too concussive.

Saw Peter the other day.  He's going to work with Rebel, hopefully ride him and get him fit too.  Peter has great but somewhat arduous tracks around his property.  Would be lovely to explore them but unfair to do so on unfit horses.  Would like to have Balthazar fit enough to float him over to Spinach Creek and  ride up and meet Peter, do the exploratory ride then return to the float and home.  I've got the tracks here to accomplish that level of fitness. 

Also just need consistent bum time in saddle.  He's alternately antsy (he had a huge spook and spin at some twittery birds in the bushes today) or lazy.  Know from my endurance training days that alot of what's perceived as *wrong* with a horse stems from not spending enough time riding them.  As they get used to being out and about, and none of that out and about time is a big deal, they settle down and become terrific companions. 

Cool autumn morning yesterday.  Decided to get serious about Balthazar's fitness.  Would like to do this 6 hour ride through the bush in conjunction with a local resort.  Not even sure they still offer this option - horses for guests and day trippers who can bring their own.  Know someone who did this ride.  They loved it.  In order to do this comfortably however, my unfit thoroughbred needs to get some miles under his girth. So we trotted 3 km to the end of the road.  It's not obvious but it is a long slow uphill gradient.   Thought he had a stone in his boot as he was walking somewhat reluctantly so got off to have a look.  My poor boy!  He was puffing and sweating as though he'd run a race.  Even suspect he tied up a wee bit hence the reluctance in going forward.  His hindquarter muscles were possibly a bit hard.

Walked him all the way home, interspersed with spots of grazing in lush grassy areas.  Asked for a trot just before dismounting and he moved out freely so perhaps it was my imagination.  At least he didn't whinny for his buddies while we were out nor did he have to fight the temptation to break into a jog.

This morning I'm going to get him out of the paddock but instead of work I'll take him for pick.  Just to keep him guessing.