grew and grew...

Monfils, that is...

bear in mind i haven't ridden since that crashing fall on 5th September...

so, got the dirt off, tacked up... he grew a shade....

got on .. he grew some more...

happily someone was on hand to assist with the girth tightening...

round to the arena .. and he grew some more, the mares are back in the mares field next to the arena and were doing their usual leaning over the fence, they haven't been in that field for months.... so ladies man grew a bit more

and i'd forgotten how solid a HM saddle can be when it's cold, it was like sitting on a brick..mind, couldn't have put hot water bottle on it, as the place upon which the kettle sits with which to boil hot water, has been moved and not replaced (it will have to be replaced before winter kicks in properly ...so will have discussion with person who moved the ledge shortly)

so i got off again and did some in hand work (without stick, yet!  and he worked well)

then left him in for the night, and hope he doesn't knock his water bucket over like  he did night before last...

still, at least i got on, and the still sore bit on my behind didn't hurt when on the saddle...