Today we went exploring. What a good time! We drove up Underwood and parked way up the hill. It was steep and rocky and a little narrow, but Lynn just motored us on. Piece of cake (although she worried about it all night!). The elevation where we parked was 4200.
After we parked, we headed up a skid road. There wasn't much brush to stop us, although there were a lot of down trees.We rode on both roads and through the trees. There were some beautiful views overlooking the river gorge (South Fork) and back at Ironside. We had to skirt some down trees, but all the horses just did what was asked of them. They are all such good mountain boys. We hit some deadends, but somehow ended up making a loop back onto our first trail. Ziggy knew where we were, but I think the rest of us were surprised.
We got back to the truck and kind of rode around looking for another avenue to explore, but decided to load up the boys and head downhill to another spot and ride out of there. Although it didn't seem like it, we had put in about 3 hours at that point, but no one was ready to stop. The boys loved eating all that high mountain grass and definitely wanted more, so they were okay with going on another trail.
Once we got out and on another skid road, we found ourselves in some prickly brush. I saw Ziva jump up and over a small bush rather than let it touch her. The trees have grown over the road some, but it was a nice ride. Unfortunately, we came to a log that wasn't high or low enough to navigate and both sides were too steep to go around, so we headed back.
The boys were happy to see new trails and the dogs all stayed close. Ziva really want to chase some quail down a super steep hill, but she listened and stayed with us. Hailey was a on a dead run after something--high above us on the hill--but she came right back when Lynn called her. We heard a big wood pecker or two, but didn't get to see them. I saw some tracks of something else, but I am not sure what it was. I don't get to go tomorrow, but I'll relish this one all week. It was a great day. (as usual!)
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Easy rides
Two beautiful mornings dawned and smiled on three happy riders. Saturday we rode up Underwood. It was uneventful (Jupes behaved) and the dogs stayed close by. It was warm and sunny and aside from lots of traffic on the road, we rode all over and enjoyed the day. It has dried out and the slopes weren't too slippery.
Saturday afternoon, Lynn and Lee drove up Underwood. They drove up the road we usually ride to see if we could park the truck and trailer off the main road. They also drove up past where we cross it. Lynn says there are a couple of good trails we can explore on up there. Next weekend we will try it out.
Sunday we planned to go down to the meadow and ride the loop around it. We met a couple of regular walkers who told us that it had been totally torn up by vehicles. Julie said that they had even gotten two or three trucks stuck coming up the hill where the roots are. They fell some trees and had a tow truck come down to pull them out. Both meadows had fallen victim--even down by the barn. We heard enough. We did not ride down there. Not even seeing the new calf was worth seeing the devastation.
We rode up to the top and made a quick loop. We gave the boys a snack and on the way down, fixed one of our trails. The boys are out of shape and Jupiter stopped often to catch his breath. But it was fun. I think I can now handle whatever life throws at me next week!
PS Ziva now weighs 42.6 lbs and is 43 inches tall at her front shoulder. She'll be 8 months old next Sunday. She is becoming a great trail dog. Also important notches on my timeline for this week: I will have had Jupiter for 5 years on Thursday! My how time flies when you're having fun. :)
Saturday afternoon, Lynn and Lee drove up Underwood. They drove up the road we usually ride to see if we could park the truck and trailer off the main road. They also drove up past where we cross it. Lynn says there are a couple of good trails we can explore on up there. Next weekend we will try it out.
Sunday we planned to go down to the meadow and ride the loop around it. We met a couple of regular walkers who told us that it had been totally torn up by vehicles. Julie said that they had even gotten two or three trucks stuck coming up the hill where the roots are. They fell some trees and had a tow truck come down to pull them out. Both meadows had fallen victim--even down by the barn. We heard enough. We did not ride down there. Not even seeing the new calf was worth seeing the devastation.
We rode up to the top and made a quick loop. We gave the boys a snack and on the way down, fixed one of our trails. The boys are out of shape and Jupiter stopped often to catch his breath. But it was fun. I think I can now handle whatever life throws at me next week!
PS Ziva now weighs 42.6 lbs and is 43 inches tall at her front shoulder. She'll be 8 months old next Sunday. She is becoming a great trail dog. Also important notches on my timeline for this week: I will have had Jupiter for 5 years on Thursday! My how time flies when you're having fun. :)
Monday, March 3, 2014
Sidestepping
We got to ride up the Hennessy on Saturday! It was a glorious morning. The sun broke through the clouds and it was easily in high 50s/low 60s. Lynn rode up front and broke trail which kept Shirley and I drier. However, we have not had the rain the lower part of the state has received, so the branches weren't too full of water. None of us got drenched like we have in the past.
We rode up to the top, turned right and went down along the ridge. Instead of continuing on down to the lower meadow (which would have been slick!) we turned up the rode and came back up to the left-hand road which brought us back to the top. Then we headed back to the trail head. Jupes spent the whole way up and around in the back, but he didn't fight me too much. However, once we got to the top and headed back to the trailer, he'd had enough--it was time to trot out.
Coming down the steep stuff, he did really well; he just let his back feet slide down nice and easy. I heard Lynn telling Zigs to "keep his head up and pay attention," but they too just slid down. It was Mr. Boring, Buster, who came down the fastest. I think he is tired of being considered boring and he wants to lead, but if he isn't going to lead, he at least wants to be in front of Jupiter.
As we were headed down the road, I channeled Alisa and Keota. I have been hearing how cool it has been in the arena where they have been working on things. I know Keota is a great side-stepper (among other things) and I remember hearing Alisa talking about how she moves her leg to get him to do it. Well, Jupiter once was trained to do all kinds of good things too, that is, before he came to be with me! He has probably forgotten most of his good training. Anyway--we were too close to the edge of the road for my comfort. I had been trying to lead him with the reins away from it. Then I remembered Alisa & Keota. I used my right leg and pressed into the middle of his belly and wah-la! He stepped away from the edge! Thanks Alisa. :)
Ziva went with us and did fantastic! She stayed right with us and paid attention to the horses. Lynn groomed her yesterday and she looks beautiful as well. So happy Monday and happy birthday to Lynn. I wish we could be ahorseback to celebrate instead of at work!
We rode up to the top, turned right and went down along the ridge. Instead of continuing on down to the lower meadow (which would have been slick!) we turned up the rode and came back up to the left-hand road which brought us back to the top. Then we headed back to the trail head. Jupes spent the whole way up and around in the back, but he didn't fight me too much. However, once we got to the top and headed back to the trailer, he'd had enough--it was time to trot out.
Coming down the steep stuff, he did really well; he just let his back feet slide down nice and easy. I heard Lynn telling Zigs to "keep his head up and pay attention," but they too just slid down. It was Mr. Boring, Buster, who came down the fastest. I think he is tired of being considered boring and he wants to lead, but if he isn't going to lead, he at least wants to be in front of Jupiter.
As we were headed down the road, I channeled Alisa and Keota. I have been hearing how cool it has been in the arena where they have been working on things. I know Keota is a great side-stepper (among other things) and I remember hearing Alisa talking about how she moves her leg to get him to do it. Well, Jupiter once was trained to do all kinds of good things too, that is, before he came to be with me! He has probably forgotten most of his good training. Anyway--we were too close to the edge of the road for my comfort. I had been trying to lead him with the reins away from it. Then I remembered Alisa & Keota. I used my right leg and pressed into the middle of his belly and wah-la! He stepped away from the edge! Thanks Alisa. :)
Ziva went with us and did fantastic! She stayed right with us and paid attention to the horses. Lynn groomed her yesterday and she looks beautiful as well. So happy Monday and happy birthday to Lynn. I wish we could be ahorseback to celebrate instead of at work!
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