Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
First love
When Lynn and I were young--I'm not sure if we were in junior high or high school--I rode her Appaloosa, Bubbles. It was my first time on a horse by myself. I don't know who was more nervous, Shirley or me. We did not go far and I don't think I did very well. It was probably a good thing Bubbles was patient and knew what her job was.
As an adult, my good friend Sandi kept inviting me to join her in the summer for what she said was the best way to revive and rejuvenate. She and her husband owned a packing outfit. They took people into the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area all summer and into hunting season. It was Sandi who hooked me into trail riding. At the time, she did everything for me--saddled, bridled, and held the horse while I got on. It was my first experience of feeding horses regularly, mucking corrals, and the pleasure of just sitting and watching horses interact. We had lots of adventures and the memories of those summers will always be precious.
Brady will always be my favorite horse, but those summer memories lead me to my first horse love, Kibbles. Kibbles taught me how to ride. We went many miles and we were always safe and he always helped me make good decisions.
Another horse that is special to me is Studly. I have not ridden Studly, but my dog, Izzy has! Although the story is way too long to share here, suffice it to say that after one very long ride, my dog needed to hitch a ride home. Studly didn't complain once and Izzy decided that being "ahorseback" is the way to go!
The pictures are of me; Kibbles; a favorite young man named, Terrence; Sandi; Studly; my hero, Jack; & most important of all: Izzy, my baby. This was our trip into Thompson Peak the summer of 2003.
As an adult, my good friend Sandi kept inviting me to join her in the summer for what she said was the best way to revive and rejuvenate. She and her husband owned a packing outfit. They took people into the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area all summer and into hunting season. It was Sandi who hooked me into trail riding. At the time, she did everything for me--saddled, bridled, and held the horse while I got on. It was my first experience of feeding horses regularly, mucking corrals, and the pleasure of just sitting and watching horses interact. We had lots of adventures and the memories of those summers will always be precious.
Brady will always be my favorite horse, but those summer memories lead me to my first horse love, Kibbles. Kibbles taught me how to ride. We went many miles and we were always safe and he always helped me make good decisions.
Another horse that is special to me is Studly. I have not ridden Studly, but my dog, Izzy has! Although the story is way too long to share here, suffice it to say that after one very long ride, my dog needed to hitch a ride home. Studly didn't complain once and Izzy decided that being "ahorseback" is the way to go!
The pictures are of me; Kibbles; a favorite young man named, Terrence; Sandi; Studly; my hero, Jack; & most important of all: Izzy, my baby. This was our trip into Thompson Peak the summer of 2003.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Out for a Sunday ride
Today was the best day we've had all week. The sun was up and shining and it was only about 80 degrees--perfect! Last Sunday, Indy's head was so high, he hit the visor on my helmet once and I flossed a little with some of his mane hair a couple of times. Although we were jumping logs and running more on the trail last week, this week Indy was mellow and easy to ride. He did not throw his head or flip his reins at all. Yesterday, Indy had his shots and his teeth "floated." I think maybe his teeth have been bothering him and having the bit in his mouth was uncomfortable. Anyway, we had a great day.
Lynn and I went on a short ride that included a pond and trail that isn't marked--Lynn loves to trailblaze--so we made one to fit our ride. It ended in a short, steep path back onto the road and both horses went down it smoothly and easily. Red is learning lots of good trail habits and Indy, whose reputation has not been good, seems to have matured and is a pleasure (if slow sometimes) to ride.
The slides to the left show Lynn & Red in front of the pond where she heard two big splashes, but she failed to identify the source. The rest are of Indy.
Lynn and I went on a short ride that included a pond and trail that isn't marked--Lynn loves to trailblaze--so we made one to fit our ride. It ended in a short, steep path back onto the road and both horses went down it smoothly and easily. Red is learning lots of good trail habits and Indy, whose reputation has not been good, seems to have matured and is a pleasure (if slow sometimes) to ride.
The slides to the left show Lynn & Red in front of the pond where she heard two big splashes, but she failed to identify the source. The rest are of Indy.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Introduction: Who am I?
I am a horse lover from way back. I always wanted one and it just never happened. My very best friend, Lynn, is a horse woman and she and her mother, Shirley, are very generous people. They share their horses with me. For the last few years I have ridden Brady--a beautiful, Arab-Thoroughbred mix. He is full of personality and fun. He has taken care of me and helped me to become an emerging horsewoman. Unfortunately, he is getting older and I now am having to learn how to ride Indy, a pretty boy Arab with more looks than good sense.
We live in Northern California and we try to ride every weekend. Lynn and Shirley have created their own trails near their home. We trailer the horses about 15 minutes to a wide place on a mountain road and then "go for it." However, we also love to go other places. Our first exploration this year was to the Jelly's Ferry area between Red Bluff and Redding, CA. Lynn was test driving/riding Red, her newest acquisition.This was a long drive for us (3 hours), but it was fun to see new trails.
Our second ride was on the Orick horse trails.
We only did a short loop because we had been to the vet for shots first and just wanted to exercise them a little so they would not get stiff, since we live an hour away from the vet's office. This is a great place to ride--not only is it beautiful in the spring, but all year long it is a haven from hot weather.
Over Memorial Day weekend we tried a new place--Cueno Creek Horse Campground in Rockefeller National Forest. What fun! There were creeks to cross, Redwood trees to gaze upon, and tons of trails to choose from. We had a good time and plan to return over July 4th.
The slideshow is of our adventures up to this point. The list of characters include: Odie (the first sorrel) and his favorite person (and one of mine, too!), Alisa; Lynn is on the young sorrel, Red (also with a blaze); Shirley is with Star--a gorgeous bay; Brady is the handsome bay with the blaze. The pictures start at Jelly's Ferry. Notice the snow on the Trinity Alps in the back and maybe a shot at Mt. Shasta in one of them. Next is Orick and the ferns. Following that is Cueno Creek area. We rode several trails and experienced diverse trails.
We live in Northern California and we try to ride every weekend. Lynn and Shirley have created their own trails near their home. We trailer the horses about 15 minutes to a wide place on a mountain road and then "go for it." However, we also love to go other places. Our first exploration this year was to the Jelly's Ferry area between Red Bluff and Redding, CA. Lynn was test driving/riding Red, her newest acquisition.This was a long drive for us (3 hours), but it was fun to see new trails.
Our second ride was on the Orick horse trails.
We only did a short loop because we had been to the vet for shots first and just wanted to exercise them a little so they would not get stiff, since we live an hour away from the vet's office. This is a great place to ride--not only is it beautiful in the spring, but all year long it is a haven from hot weather.Over Memorial Day weekend we tried a new place--Cueno Creek Horse Campground in Rockefeller National Forest. What fun! There were creeks to cross, Redwood trees to gaze upon, and tons of trails to choose from. We had a good time and plan to return over July 4th.
The slideshow is of our adventures up to this point. The list of characters include: Odie (the first sorrel) and his favorite person (and one of mine, too!), Alisa; Lynn is on the young sorrel, Red (also with a blaze); Shirley is with Star--a gorgeous bay; Brady is the handsome bay with the blaze. The pictures start at Jelly's Ferry. Notice the snow on the Trinity Alps in the back and maybe a shot at Mt. Shasta in one of them. Next is Orick and the ferns. Following that is Cueno Creek area. We rode several trails and experienced diverse trails.
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