Dublin got a day off and Cowboy got to celebrate his 17th birthday (Happy Birthday, Cowboy!) by going for a ride at Pt Reyes. I'm sure he was thinking "Now that you've been on the black horse, why am I having to work on my birthday?" I don't think Dublin is ready to hit the trail just yet.

Perfect weather at Pt Reyes. We rode from Five Brooks up Stewart Trail, went down Lake Trail for a bit, and then came down Bolema trail. That's the biggest workout they've had this year. Lots of hills. Cowboy was blisfully happy and moving out. He may have overdone coming down the hill. He really likes to charge downhill, but at his advanced age it may have been a little too much for the feet and joints, and halfway down he started acting uncomfortable again. Hard to pin down exactly what hurts, but something does. So I got to do a bit of walking until we hit the flat part at the bottom. He's out eating grass now and looks none the worse for wear. He will get a foot soak tonight before dinner.

Tomorrow, plan to get on Dublin again and this time try riding him without him being led. I didn't think that was going to be an issue, but he was definitely a bit confused when Laura quit leading him yesterday, so we'll ease him gradually into the concept of his instructions coming from above and behind. And the instruction is not to go as fast as possible, please!