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!

Junuary

Saturday we enjoyed the "Junuary" weather in Redding. It was 80 degrees for Heaven's sake--it feels like June rather than January. Even the cherry trees are starting to bloom. However, once we got up over Buckhorn, the temp dropped 40 degrees. Well, we can't change the weather and we can't change the threat of drought. But we can go out and enjoy the sun with our "BFFs!"

Alisa, Shirley, and I had our hands full. No "boring" horses for us. Keota was dancing and prancing and acting like he hadn't been ridden in awhile, even though he has been. Buster continues to become more and more of a handful every time he is ridden--twirling and prancing. Thankfully, that is what Shirley likes. Jupiter--well that's another long story; I'll just suffice it to say, "Whoo-hoo! I stayed on!"  Of course the best rider with us, has nicest mannered horse who never gets worked up or misbehaves.

Ziva got to go on her first real ride and she did wonderfully. I told Lynn she stayed on Haley's "4" rather than her "6." (: She slept the whole way home, but then was ready to run with the 4-wheeler and feed the horses when we got there. She's just a few days over six months and weighing in at 32.8 lbs. At one point (which doesn't happen very often), she and Haley stood motionless together and it was the first time I saw how much bigger than Haley she has become. Because she takes up so much room in the backseat, Haley had to stretch across Ziva's hip in order to lay down going home. Sammie and Happy were great on the trail, although Happy had a few times she "upset the apple cart" with her barking.

They say it's healthy to have something to look forward to as it helps smooth out the rough patches of the week. Well, last week it was going riding; this week it is the Bull and Gelding Sale! I can hardly wait.

It Snowed Last Night--this song is exactly how I feel!

I love the snow and I love that I have had an extra three days off! Sorry to those of you who have to work. If it makes you feel any better, I have been sitting here grading papers and reading portfolios! But picture me at my table with Christmas carols playing and lights brightening up the Winter gloom. I love Christmas!

The pictures are mostly of Ziva (go figure!), but some are of Thanksgiving activities, too!

Pitching a fit

It rained Saturday, but Sunday we headed out to Underwood. Thankfully Lynn and Shirley waited for me and about 1pm we headed up the hill. We rode drag and Jupiter was not happy. I saw Ziggy's butt (I can only see when I am on Jupiter since Zigs' behind is too tall for me) and there were bite marks all over it. Lynn tells me that he and Jupiter are fighting. I guess the J-man is either trying to move up or simply mad he had to stay home too many weekends. Anyway, that was my first clue.

I fought Jupes all day. We rode a little sideways unless we got to the front. On the way down toward the truck, we made a wrong turn. Ziggy got ahead of us. I was holding Jupes back and Buster was filling the middle. Jupes humped and bucked and pitched a fit. But I stayed on! Seriously, he needs to be ridden miles and miles!

I don't know what this weekend will bring: maybe a new pickup for Lee (ha! for us to haul the boys with more like!). I get to babysit Haley, so Ziva will be happy. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and hanging out with Alisa and family. Bring the guns! It'll be a redneck good time. We should be on TV. :)

Any day riding is a good day

I missed two weeks of riding because of school stuff. Lynn sent us an email about their ride one weekend. It is too funny not to publish and record on our riding blog! So here it is:

Today started out just a little off.  First when catching the boys, Buster and Ziggy,  and while haltering Buster, he and Brady enjoyed  a granola bar, then I haltered Ziggy.    Ziggy did not get one and he knew it.   While heading to the gate he bit Buster twice!  Ziggy does not do that, that would be Star the old grump, the curmudgeon.   We hooked up, which took about five tries which is also a little off.  Then we saddled up and loaded up.  

 We get to our destination, the cul-de-sac at end the paved part of Hennessey Rd.  All is fine… so I think.    We unload.   I notice Ziggy has his head in the clouds looking up the road.   Then he starts wheeling back and forth and seems very uneasy.  We continue to get ready.  He even got a swift kick in the belly, which he did not even notice.  The thought of getting knocked to the ground while trying to tack up went through my mind.  Sometimes he is just big,  most times he is just normal, well maybe a little taller than everyone else.   I am in the horse trailer's tack room and I hear Mom yell, "Lynn, Lynn! Your horse is leaving with out you!"  Yep, there he goes headed up the road.  Head up, going to go see what the heck.  I run and I am trying to grab the lead rope that he is dragging.  I missed a couple of times.  Finally I get my foot on the rope and get him stopped just up the dirt road.  Ah I see, cows and lots of them, all in the bushes and one was coming right down the road has now stopped dead in her tracks.  It’s a stand off, but not for long.   Back to the trailer you big dummy.  We had quite the discussion with me doing all the talking and you know I was calling him an idiot, it’s just cows, you see them all the time.  

So finally able to mount up.   Then trying to proceed down the road to where our trail takes off up the hill.  And immediately I know I forgot my spurs.  Crap.  Oh well I was not going back.   A slap on the butt a few times seems to be working.  The lead brockle face cow is now off the side of the road  and of course Ziggy and I had to go see it up close and personal.   I really think Ziggy was embarrassed.  We had a great ride to the top.  We turned left up the road.  We hear dogs barking.  Two older men were getting fire wood.  They were quickly getting their three Pomeranians into the cab of the truck, as Happy is running hackles up towards them, but tail wagging like mad.  Haley said  ya, what ever …we’re on a mission to somewhere, and I don’t even care about your dogs or you I have stuff to do.  I hollered at them, saying we will hurry, as they were rolling big rounds 18 inches or so in diameter and about 3-4 feet long, down the hill and onto the road and loading them into a trailer.   I am sure that big flying round things would have but us on edge again.    We trotted on by saying hi.  We went up the road, down past the lake and on to a lower road.  We then turned right on our new trail, and down the hill, it’s a great day. At  the bottom road we took a water and granola bar break.   For some reason I could not quit my coughing fits that had started earlier in the day.  So now my nose is running, no paper towels a.k.a. snot rags new or used in any pockets.  Toilet paper works, just does not last for this type of job. 

The rest of the day was uneventful, until Ziggy tripped, going too fast down hill forgot to pick up his feet, I yelled at him and he turned his head around to me, his lips just a poppin' at me.  I told him that he better not back sass me!   I swear he rolled his eyes like “whatever!”.   We un-tacked , blanketed the horses and loaded up.  With us and  dogs loaded up in the pickup, down the hill we go.  Half way down the hill I look over and Mom still has on her helmet, and of course cocked to one side, it was a hoot.  What a beautiful sunny day.   

Arrive and unload at home.  Jupiter let us know he was not happy being left home and whinnied for the boys when we arrived home.  I chuckled--here's this all machismo horse with a very high pitched whinny…. Too cute.  Next time Jupiter!  

I wish it didn't have to end

Wow. I have had a great weekend. My horse and I are becoming true partners and my dog has new friends.

Weaverville is a great ride with beautiful colors and it surprises me that more people are not on the trail (but I'm glad not to have to share it!). Shirley scared the beejeebers out of us, but snapped out if it and recovered quickly. I know my brain was going at warp speed planning our next moves--pushing back the thought that even if she said that was how she wanted to go, none of us were ready for it. Thankfully we didn't have to put into action any emergency plans and we finished the ride as if nothing happened!

Oh there was that little straight up the bank endeavor by Jupiter. . . but otherwise everything was pretty normal.

We had a great ride around the Hennessy; Keota is getting more and more confident in his downhills and the joy of riding him is evident on Alisa's face. Star gave Shirley a good ride--a few bucks and crow hops between friends is acceptable as long as the rider stays on, right? That's what Jupes tells me anyway. Buster was his dependable self and then there's Ziggy. I think he feels lots better now that his teeth and gums are all healed up. Lynn said she about got swept off by the manzanita bushes flying through the twisties going up toward the bottom west meadow. She said she thought she should do some trimming. Her whole foot got caught in the crotch of a bush and it nearly took her off. I told her they were fine--it was her Woody Woodpecker red sports car careening out over the turn that put her in the bushes!

We saw the golfers again on the east meadow and had another nice ride down there. The cows had a few calves and were being protective, but Keota is getting used to them. The boys didn't get any apples, but I think they had a good time, too.

I think I need a day off in order to get anything productive done before I go back to work--but at least I'll smile and remember what a good time I had! Thanks for putting in the all the effort of coming over, Alisa!

Just another Sunday

Great ride today! The boys were huffing and puffing a few times, but I think they had fun, too. Lots of ups and downs and quick turns around trees. We love our boys!

Lee babysat Ziva again and as I type this she is crashed out by my feet. There are new pictures in Picasa (Ziva Grace! file) that show her new haircut and her size next to Haley. I tried to upload some video footage of us walking up the trail behind the trailer court. Can you check out my account (NickersandNeighs)? There should be three--Ziva, Haley, & Happy 1,2,3. They are just silly and may make you dizzy--

http://youtu.be/YVIG5A_qCnM
http://youtu.be/cFU0T6UUd5I
http://youtu.be/PbyAjRIJj50

Shirley and Lynn waited for me to come from church--I sure appreciate it. Once upon a time, I did not saddle my ride. I watched, but it was all done for me. Now it feels weird if I don't saddle my own horse. Although I know it was done by a professional :) I find myself checking everything. I am glad I can take care of my own stuff nowadays.

I am asking for Friday off--if I have to cancel, I will, but I want to be ready. What the heck! :)