It was an average weekend and yet, something about it felt wonderful. We rode on Saturday and went up the road and across all our the trail cutoffs. We went backwards around the backside of the hill and we were careful to take trails that weren't too slippery. All the boys did really well--even when they did the splits a little trying to keep their footing. Buster was happy--he got to go and show Shirley how reliable and steady he could be. We all got a little wet from the branches, but it was a good day overall.
Sunday left me feeling very good about Jupiter--he is becoming such a good horse. We rode down to the meadow a different way. We went exploring and ended up near the trashy spot above the steep trail. Everyone did a great job and paid attention going through the brush. I guess Shirley and I flushed out a couple of rabbits that Lynn saw because she was down below us--but we never saw or heard them. We stayed left so as not to go down the steep, slippery trail and ended up on an old quad trail. Lynn says we've been on it before, years ago, but it wasn't real familiar to me. We wound our way pretty far up the mountain until we reached a dead end. When we came down we ended up back on the lower meadow. It was beautiful up in there and the trees were magnificient.
Then we tootled (like that word?) around the meadow and let the horses eat some apples. We went back and forth across the creek. We ended down the west side of the meadow to circle around and come back up and maybe lope a little going uphill (I'm practicing going faster.) We had been avoiding wire and fencing all along the way. Buster had been caught up in some wire earlier and we were on alert. Lynn saw some barbed wire and told us to change direction. Jupiter and I weren't that close to them, so I thought we could go below them to miss it. Instead we ended up in trouble.
I saw it just as Jupiter stepped into it--it wasn't just wire, it was the whole barbed wire fence that had fallen down. One side of it was still attached to standing tree! I made him stop and called to Lynn. I got off and she scrambled up to where we were. I told Jupes to just stand; I rubbed him and kept my voice calm. I rolled the log the fence was attached to toward him so it would relieve some of the tension; Lynn put a limb down to hold the wire down and make him step up and over, while I stood on the one that was loose and curling around and possibly catching his foot or shoe. Then I got him to step forward. He did so well! I am just completely proud of him. Although it was a bad situation--it left me feeling really good. He listened and trusted me to get him out of trouble! We are becoming a good team.
We didn't lope too much up the hill, but I guess Buster showed Shirley she had a horse under her. I am not sure if he was crow hopping or just wanting to bust loose and run--but maybe she'll give him a little more credit and not call him boring as much. He wants to make her happy that's for sure!
So it's Monday again. I have one more volleyball practice, one more game, puppies to feed for three days(my brother's), one more home football game, a boring day of inservice, Halloween to get through, and lots of major projects in all my classes. But, because of my good weekend with Jupiter (and friends), I think I will be okay.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Life's a Beach
Saturday was Jupiter and Ziggy's vet appointment. We drove out to get their flu shots and worming medicine. Both boys were on high alert because there were transients and their dogs laying under the trees in the field next to the vet's office. Nevertheless, they were both very good for Dr. Branch and licked up that apple-flavored medicine. Then we were off to the beach!
Lynn asked the vet if we could ride at Mad River's beach and we were told no, she didn't think so--being who we both are--we went anyway. It was no problem; we parked and could easily see how to get to the ocean from the parking lot. Remember: this is our third attempt of getting over the dunes and actually being on the beach and near the water's edge!
The wind was howling (of course!), but we saddled up and headed out. It was another day of firsts for the boys. Jupes did not like that water creeping up behind his feet. We never did get into the ocean. Zigs did and both he and Lynn felt a little dizzy by the movement. There were lots of horse-eating driftwood stumps and one very scary pink monster. She was dressed from head to toe in pink sweats--hood up and drawstrings pulled tight around her face. Jupes was like a coiled spring and when she suddenly grabbed her companion and pulled her out of the (scary) water--he was positive she was one of the most dangerous things he had ever seen in his life!
We trotted a ways and turned around and headed back--into the wind. Neither the horses nor the riders liked that ride back, which seemed like it took forever. However, I have to say my boy was looking pretty awesome: wind blowing that wild mane straight up, head high and ears forward, tail blowing back in the wind--you know he's beauty! (and I'm not prejudiced one bit!)
Haylee had the best time of all! She loved the sand, the birds, the water--all of it. She was happy and madly running every-which-way. The birds were playing in the wind currents and just hung over the top of her (and not very high) to tease her. She loved it anyway. Nevertheless, I think all of us were glad to be back at the trailer. So there you have it; we finally made it to the beach.
Sunday, we did a short ride on the Hennessey. Shirley said she thought Star, who had his shots on Thursday, was having a reaction and not feeling well. Personally, I am worrying about both of them. Neither seem like they are in good spirits or good health. Star seems to slip a lot more than I ever noticed before and is more cranky too (like he doesn't feel good). Shirley worries me too. But I am looking forward to celebrating her birthday on horseback on top of a mountain with beautiful view of the world!
Lynn asked the vet if we could ride at Mad River's beach and we were told no, she didn't think so--being who we both are--we went anyway. It was no problem; we parked and could easily see how to get to the ocean from the parking lot. Remember: this is our third attempt of getting over the dunes and actually being on the beach and near the water's edge!
The wind was howling (of course!), but we saddled up and headed out. It was another day of firsts for the boys. Jupes did not like that water creeping up behind his feet. We never did get into the ocean. Zigs did and both he and Lynn felt a little dizzy by the movement. There were lots of horse-eating driftwood stumps and one very scary pink monster. She was dressed from head to toe in pink sweats--hood up and drawstrings pulled tight around her face. Jupes was like a coiled spring and when she suddenly grabbed her companion and pulled her out of the (scary) water--he was positive she was one of the most dangerous things he had ever seen in his life!
We trotted a ways and turned around and headed back--into the wind. Neither the horses nor the riders liked that ride back, which seemed like it took forever. However, I have to say my boy was looking pretty awesome: wind blowing that wild mane straight up, head high and ears forward, tail blowing back in the wind--you know he's beauty! (and I'm not prejudiced one bit!)
Haylee had the best time of all! She loved the sand, the birds, the water--all of it. She was happy and madly running every-which-way. The birds were playing in the wind currents and just hung over the top of her (and not very high) to tease her. She loved it anyway. Nevertheless, I think all of us were glad to be back at the trailer. So there you have it; we finally made it to the beach.
Sunday, we did a short ride on the Hennessey. Shirley said she thought Star, who had his shots on Thursday, was having a reaction and not feeling well. Personally, I am worrying about both of them. Neither seem like they are in good spirits or good health. Star seems to slip a lot more than I ever noticed before and is more cranky too (like he doesn't feel good). Shirley worries me too. But I am looking forward to celebrating her birthday on horseback on top of a mountain with beautiful view of the world!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wow. I hope no one gave up on me--I know it's been awhile since I sat and wrote our adventures down. I have had too much sadness and then too many school-related activities going on in my life to be light-hearted and free enough to write on the blog. Even though I am still really busy at school and heavy-hearted without my best friend laying in floor next to me, I think I am ready to sit here and write. . .
Lynn and Alisa had a great week in Quincy riding to Buck's Lake one day and from the pictures, I am guessing, riding across from Alisa's place. The boys behaved and a good time was had by all. Zigs came home with a few scrapes from dinging around in the pasture and Odie added a new white stripe somehow (I didn't hear the story) and became a "paint" horse. (:
Although there has been a dearth of posts by me, we too have been riding pretty regularly. Last weekend we had a small adventure: gun shots! Although it was not our first time hearing gun shots, it was our most exciting. Some men were target practicing at the dump area as we were making our way down the Hennessey. Obviously, they were not going to hear us, so Lynn and Ziggy rushed down the trail from our cutoff above the dump.
Jupiter, who was raised near a cannon shooting range, shouldn't have been spooked; however, he has lived with me for a few years now and I am spooky, so. . . anyway, he stopped dead in his tracks to listen when it was loud and near. Star didn't seemed bothered, but Shirley said they were doing dai-dos behind us. When Zigs and Lynn took off, Jupes thought we should too. At the top of the little tiny chute, I stopped him to get back in some semblance of control. Shirley was yelling at me to "Go! We all need to be together!" I liked the together idea, but I wanted to be ON Jupiter and together, versus limping down the road without him while he was together with them. (:
Once I felt he was listening to me again, we started down the road toward where Lynn and Zigs were conversing with the shooters. Shirley and Star zoomed past me, but as we came into view, I am sure we were high-stepping and looking good. Jupiter had his head high and I could feel his fancy foot work and twinkle butt underneath me. The men were nice and even waited until we were at the trailer to resume shooting.
I have heard good reports from Quincy that there is lots of riding going on midweek; including lots of happy dogs and crazy bridges that echo. I am happy that Keota and Sammi (and Alisa) have found fun new friends to have adventures with.
I have four regular season volleyball games left and we are hoping for a chance to be in the playoffs; however, it will depend on how well my team holds it together without fighting amongst themselves (this is part of coaching I didn't miss). My students in my classes ask me every Monday, "Did you get to go riding this weekend?" hoping desperately the answer is "Yes," because then they know I won't be as cranky. (:
My little black ball of attitude is curled up on my lap, my grades are in, it's Thursday and I don't have an away game for another week, so all is relatively well in my little world. I hope it is in yours, too.
Lynn and Alisa had a great week in Quincy riding to Buck's Lake one day and from the pictures, I am guessing, riding across from Alisa's place. The boys behaved and a good time was had by all. Zigs came home with a few scrapes from dinging around in the pasture and Odie added a new white stripe somehow (I didn't hear the story) and became a "paint" horse. (:
Although there has been a dearth of posts by me, we too have been riding pretty regularly. Last weekend we had a small adventure: gun shots! Although it was not our first time hearing gun shots, it was our most exciting. Some men were target practicing at the dump area as we were making our way down the Hennessey. Obviously, they were not going to hear us, so Lynn and Ziggy rushed down the trail from our cutoff above the dump.
Jupiter, who was raised near a cannon shooting range, shouldn't have been spooked; however, he has lived with me for a few years now and I am spooky, so. . . anyway, he stopped dead in his tracks to listen when it was loud and near. Star didn't seemed bothered, but Shirley said they were doing dai-dos behind us. When Zigs and Lynn took off, Jupes thought we should too. At the top of the little tiny chute, I stopped him to get back in some semblance of control. Shirley was yelling at me to "Go! We all need to be together!" I liked the together idea, but I wanted to be ON Jupiter and together, versus limping down the road without him while he was together with them. (:
Once I felt he was listening to me again, we started down the road toward where Lynn and Zigs were conversing with the shooters. Shirley and Star zoomed past me, but as we came into view, I am sure we were high-stepping and looking good. Jupiter had his head high and I could feel his fancy foot work and twinkle butt underneath me. The men were nice and even waited until we were at the trailer to resume shooting.
I have heard good reports from Quincy that there is lots of riding going on midweek; including lots of happy dogs and crazy bridges that echo. I am happy that Keota and Sammi (and Alisa) have found fun new friends to have adventures with.
I have four regular season volleyball games left and we are hoping for a chance to be in the playoffs; however, it will depend on how well my team holds it together without fighting amongst themselves (this is part of coaching I didn't miss). My students in my classes ask me every Monday, "Did you get to go riding this weekend?" hoping desperately the answer is "Yes," because then they know I won't be as cranky. (:
My little black ball of attitude is curled up on my lap, my grades are in, it's Thursday and I don't have an away game for another week, so all is relatively well in my little world. I hope it is in yours, too.
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