Another day ahorseback

Hold your breath and cross your fingers! The weather map is not looking promising for our trip to Redding.

 

We had a beautiful weekend here and got to ride both days. Saturday was another adventure up the Hennessey; the downed trees on the road were cut away a little more until we reached the turn below the top and it was impassable. Our short cut between the roads just below the top also has several large trees down--not just one or two--4 or 5 that totally mess up our trail. Lynn went down from the topside to see if there was a way around, but it doesn't look like it will work. Shirley was too nervous to try to it and we stayed on the road. She admitted that she wasn't up for as much bushwacking and trying new stuff anymore and wanted to just meet Lynn at the bottom.

When we were first heading up, just above the dumpsite, we were able to drag limbs and detritus to the side and create a sidepass around a tree we can't go under or over. Jupiter even helped by picking up a branch and held it up for me to grab. But he is always a little jumpy, and he didn't really like the movement of the branches under his feet, so he decided to head back to the trailer without me. Thankfully, Shirley and Buster slowed him down and I caught his reins. Later on, he got freaked out by stump and shied so hard I actually thought he had slipped on the ice and we were going down--but it was just a shy.

Lynn and Ziggy had a bit of excitement coming down the new trail to the bottom. Zigs likes to be in front; so does Jupiter. The two of them are getting where they like to take the trail pretty fast. I think some of it is because we are almost back  to the trailer, but I think a lot of it is because it's fun. We got pretty far ahead of them and Ziggy had a fit. I haven't seen him do it yet, but Lynn says he puts his down and twists it around and humps up and acts like he is going to buck to Heaven (which I have seen!). It was one of the steep, rocky slides and he is already raked before he puts his head down! I heard her holler, so we slowed down and waited a beat. Zigs took the lead toward the bottom and Jupiter wanted to trot hard on his heels (not literally of course). We waited a couple of beats for Shirley and Buster, who takes good care of her and doesn't get into the pissing match between the other two; but he does give Jupes the eye occasionally when he is in front of us.

Sunday we went across the river toward Denny/Horse Linto and rode the Forest Service roads. It wasn't anything exciting, but it was riding! It was colder even though there was less snow and it was on the sunny side of the mountain. Jupiter was in front the way out and is not interested in walking with everyone else so I can talk or listen to the conversation. He did slow down a little so we were in conversation range some, but I think because Ziggy walks so fast, Jupiter thinks we need to keep up a little trot to remain out in front. This behavior is mostly on roads--he likes to trot and see around the corners. He is almost always out in front. But when we go on the trails (especially unknown ones), he doesn't really mind Zigs in front--in fact he relaxes a little. Sometimes he waits for Ziggy to take the lead and then he follows; however, he wants to be behind Ziggy--not Buster!

Coming out on the road, I made Jupiter stay in the back--even when there was "daylight" and he wanted to squirt through. I think he is worried that he isn't as fast as the other two and if a monster comes up behind us, it will get him! He looks back often and stays pretty close to the other two. I told Lynn that I had a talk with Jupes while we rode back there about getting along with others. I told him Keota was coming with us next weekend and we were going to have fun seeing new places. I warned him he has to get along and not be pissy around Keota. Lynn said Jupiter doesn't like anyone--he thinks he is an only child and doesn't have to get along. I thought about this as my spitfire cat was cuddled up under the blanket with me while I watched TV and knitted. Hmm. We seem to have a pattern developing! (:

Keep an eye on the weather and a prayer on your lips--new territory awaits!