Monthly Log

August 2015

Morgan - 185 minutes - 6.75 miles
Rhulain - 414 minutes - 15.0 miles 

Wasabi Saddle Time:
2014:     12.25 hours

2015:  
Jan: 0
Feb: 0
Mar: 1.5 hours
Apr: 0
May: 40 min/10 min ground
June: 1.9 hours
July: 30 minutes (no saddle time)
August: 0

Morgie = Comfort

28 minutes - 1.0 mile - Morgan

Ryver and Lips were out this morning running around, creating havoc, and playing tag.  They make me laugh!

Morgie and I went for a walk this morning. We chatted, we snuggled, and I watched her snack, often.  I simply adore Morgan Moonpie ... from her one black spot (I call it her Rorchach inkblot test) to her fuzzy ears, to her dainty hooves.  Such a feeling of comfort with her ... like snuggling in my favorite blanket when it's right out of the dryer.  Yeah, she's that kind of perfect.

Rhu = Amazing

42 minutes - 1.75 miles - Rhulain

 When I first saw Rhu's picture on the rescue website, I knew I loved her.  People questioned why I would buy a horse from the other side of the United States unseen. My husband offered to fly me to New York so I could see her in person and ride her to make sure.  But me, I just knew that she would be amazing.  She's proved me right every single day.

Today was no exception. We wandered through new scenery, different footing, the "salt flats," went around sand dunes, climbed small and medium embankments, watched clouds float lazily by, and just were there, in the moment, with each other.  No rush, no schedules, no training, just pure peace.

I must have hugged her neck and told her she's amazing 25 times during the ride. I meant it every time.

A Bit of Ground Work

28 minutes - 0.60 miles - Rhulain

Oh Rhu, you're so adorable, from any angle!

We worked on standing still until asked to move today.  Had to try it three times before she would stand still for me to get completely in the saddle.  My fault, I didn't have her either step back or flex her neck once I got in the saddle the last few times. Quick fix and we were off!

We only walked half way around the block ... lots of calling out today.  Probably because the herd could see her and Majesty was whining about not being fed yet.  She still listened well to my instructions, so I didn't chide her for calling back.

I had let Morgan out to wander around the yard while Rhu and I worked.  Morgan decided our lesson was over and she led us to the feed buckets. She wanted breakfast. Now.

When we got home we worked on stopping from a walk and a trot.  If she didn't stop within 3 steps she had to go back a few steps or trot in a circle until I asked her to whoa.  

I was thinking about competing in a local ACTHA ride on Sept. 5th and wanted to make sure she'd stop when requested.  Lots of ear pinning today, but she tried really hard.  I know she's not fond of the lessons ... she'd much rather be out exploring.  Me too Rhu, me too.

Luppy!

15 minutes - 0.65 miles - Luppy!

In honor of National Dog Day, I asked Luppy if she wanted to go for a walk.

She has limited experience in wearing a leash, but she did rather well ... we only got it tangled in one bush :) 

She found this odd set of bones on our walk, but she didn't try to bring any home.

That girl walks way faster than Morgie or Rhu!  She had me panting a bit on the way home.

Rhu was so Amazing that I almost called in sick today

45 minutes - 2.02 miles - Rhulain

 

Morgan and Rhulain wandered around the yard this morning while I did chores.  Morgie shared her snack with Rhu with only minor tail swishing, which was very polite.  Love these mares!

         
Then Rhu and I headed out. We wandered through areas I hadn't seen yet, even though I've been riding here for four years.  Rhu was in charge of speed and direction, while I was in charge of watching for rabbit/snake/turtle holes and steering around them.

Occasionally I would call out "Oh look ... food" which was Rhu's cue to stop and snack. Worked out marvelously.  We were a mile away from the house when I asked Rhu to turn back and head home.

She made it clear that she wasn't ready to turn back.  I'd point her towards home and she'd head that way for a few steps, then angle back towards the open desert.  I checked my cell to see if I could call in sick today and let Rhu continue on her merry way, but I couldn't make a call.

Regretfully, we ambled home.  The weather was perfect: 78 degrees with slight sprinkles.  I'll admit it, I shed a few tears of joy today.  She was absolutely amazing.  

Walk Interrupted

21 minutes - 0.75 miles - Rhulain

Amber: Rhu, there's storm clouds gathering, but I think we still have time to go for a walk.

Rhulain: What's that noise behind us?  

Luppy: Hi guys!  I want to go for a walk with you!

Oh Luppy!  You're not supposed to be out here!   

Turn around Rhu, we'll have to take her home. 

Darn dog, cutting our walk short.

No worries Rhu, you'll just get to eat dinner sooner than anticipated.

Rain is Coming

22 minutes - 0.90 miles - Morgan

Saddled Morgan and took her out for a quick ride.  She was so inviting today!  There's just something so comforting about Morgie.

The clouds were dark and we could hear thunder in the distance.  It was far enough off that we didn't need to rush home, but clearly eminent. 

When we ambled home, Luppy and Ryver met us at the gate.  They kept turning around to make sure we were coming, which was adorable!  Such a wonderful morning!

Morgan Mornings

22 minutes - 0.80 miles - Morgan

Morgie ears first thing in the morning really make my day happier!

Bamboo first thing in the morning really makes Morgan's day better!

Bliss.

28 minutes - 0.91 miles - Rhulain

Poor Rhulain, this is what she has to contend with while I saddle her in the mornings.  There is always chaos going on behind her, yet she blithely ignores it in favor of breakfast.

Did a little something different today ... hopped in the saddle as soon as we shut the gate.  I hopped off twice and walked beside her for a few minutes before climbing back in the saddle.  Wanted to see how she would do with mounting in the "wilds" with items found in the area ... might be a large rock, a dirt mound, or a fallen log.  She did rather well!

Having fun Rhu?         Nom, nom, nom, yes!

After drifting through the open desert, we practiced trotting/stopping in the yard.  Needs a bit of work; looks like we need a cue that works for both of us.  Then I introduced her to the feed trailer ... she loved it!

Sleepy Morgie

18 minutes - 0.64 miles - Morgan

Seems I woke Morgan up this morning ... she slept through grooming and saddling.  

I'm not sure she opened her eyes during the ride around the block. She continuously yawned and then would drop her head to eat.  Her sleepwalking skills should win her some type of award.

Love this mare.

Rhu conquers the dunes under saddle

29 minutes - 1.0 mile - Rhulain

Uh oh Rhu ... the saddle is out ... you know what that means, right?

It means we'll walk out a half mile and you get to carry me home through the deep sand cause I'm too lazy to trudge through it.

The light faded rapidly once we made it back, so we practiced climbing the "dunes" (3 to 4 foot mounds) near the front gate.  This gave her an opportunity to balance with me in the saddle as she climbed dunes and navigated the shifting footing.  No refusals ... she did great!

Quick sand dune work

17 minutes - 0.72 miles - Rhulain, Bill & Zeus

Rhu and I were waiting for Bill, so I sat on the ground and just talked to her for a bit.  I love watching her eyes while we chat ... so much expression!

Light was fading fast, so we kept a brisk pace.  Rhu heard barking and stopped to figure out where it was coming from.  Far off in the distance lookie-loo ... sound carries in the open desert.

Sometimes I am absolutely stunned by her beauty.  I drunk in her profile for a few seconds, then urged her to the top of the sand dune, turned around, and headed home.  A pleasant way to spend time before doing chores.

Mornings with a Morgan means mornings that start with a smile

23 minutes - 0.87 miles - Morgan

Morgan leaves quite a mess while having her morning snack  

Snacks at the half way point means the ears start twirling

Heading home I finally managed to catch Morgie with her tongue partially out

My Crabby Morning.

15 minutes - ground work - Rhulain

The morning started out yucky and got worse. Rhulain and Morgan were not respecting gate rules, each trying to shove each other out of the way. Rhu wouldn't drop her head or hold still for the halter. We had to have a few "discussions" before ever getting out of the turn out.

I had intended to walk Rhu halfway down the street and then ride to her normal snack area.  Grooming = fine.  Hoof pick =  not so fine.  She kept yanking her rear hooves and then tried to walk off.  Since she was a fan of moving, she got to lunge. 

More "discussion" ensued when I asked her to change directions.  She was hard eyed, but she was listening while she worked.  After about 15 minutes we got a nice calm trot in both directions and then we slowed it to a relaxed walk.

So I called for a halt.  Bit of heavy breathing going on (for both of us), but her face was so stinking adorable I melted.  Kissed her soft nose and led her over to finish picking her hooves.  

She very politely gave up her hind hooves and snuggled a little while getting her mane brushed.  

I had yelled at Ryver for chasing the goat, yelled at the chickens for being in areas they shouldn't be, yelled at Morgan for being pushy, and yelled at Rhulain for not holding still for haltering.  

My mother always said, "If it seems everyone else is the problem, chances are, the problem is you."  Dang it.  I apologized to everyone.  Everyone except the chickens. 

Shortest walk yet

12 minutes - 0.42 miles - Morgan & Rhulain

This is a shot of Rhulain's back (foreground) and Morgan's topline ... sun was setting too quickly for me to get two walks in, so decided to take both the girls and hope for the best.

 

Morgan warned Rhu to stay behind ... this was her walk time and she doesn't like sharing me. 
I swear Rhu stuck her tongue out after Morgie turned around, but I didn't catch it.  They are funny!

Excessive heat warnings all weekend and into next week.  Seriously cutting into my horse time. Again.

Hoof Trim Day

All 5 of the horses got trims this morning.  Bill was kind enough to assist the farrier while I got ready for work.

I did run out to the front porch and snapped a picture of Morgie before hopping in the shower. She looked relaxed.

Rhu seemed to be struggling and snuggled Bill for reassurance.  Bill said she had a hard time with the back hooves. Sigh. Guess we still need to work on that.

Luppy in the way back, Bosco next, Ryver in front of the barrel, Zeus and Einstein front and center

Bill let all the dogs out after the farrier left and introduced Ryver and Einstein to hoof trimmings.  Wish I was there to see the fun!

Einstein selected one larger than himself!