Monthly Totals

November 2015

Morgan - 144 minutes - 6.73 miles
Rhulain - 295 minutes - 7.26 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
September: 31 minutes (no saddle time)
October: 0
November: 23 minutes (no saddle time)



2015 totals
Morgan - 2460 minutes (Jan - Nov) - 76.68 miles (March - Nov)
Rhulain - 2003 minutes - 72.47 miles (May - Nov)

Mondays with Morgan Again!

15 minutes - 0.75 miles - Morgan

Bloody 21 degrees this morning.  Too cold to be out with just knit gloves.  After 10 minutes, my fingers started aching they were so cold.  So, Morgan and I cut our walk short and jogged home.

I spent most of the walk with this view ... Morgan's muzzle in my face.  She was checking me for food.  Annoying, yes, but adorable as well.

Em takes Morgan for a walk

28 minutes - 1.07 miles - Em, Rhu & Morg

Rhu: What is that?

Me: It's a girl and her name is Em.

Rhu: Will it try to touch me?

Me: No Rhu, she's busy with Morgie.

Rhu: Where did it go?

Me: Rhu, her name is Em. 

Morgan: Where is my girl?

Me: She'll be right back. I promise.

Kisses for Morgie

Morgan: Awww

Kisses for Rhu

Happy for me.

Our First Thanksgiving Without a Ride

29 minutes - 1.0 miles - Em, Zeus, Ryver, and Luppy

We were able to bring our foster daughter home on Sunday so our week has been filled with new adventures.  

I had contemplated sneaking in a ride this morning, but Em wanted to help feed the horses.  So we fed the horses and took the dogs for a walk instead.

Luppy knows the path, so she got to lead.  Em took Ryver and I got to hang out with Zeus.  Everyone did pretty well.  Em climbed sand dunes and trudged along through the sand.

When got back to the house Morgie called out for some extra attention. I taught Em how to hold out a treat for the horses and she was able to give Morgan two cubes before Wasabi realized there were snacks being given out.  Em gave Wasabi one as well.

Great morning ... lots to be thankful for.

** Never did get my horse ride in ... guess the horses are thankful for the time off!

No time for horses, barely time for me

24 minutes - 1.05 miles - Just Luppy and Me

Windy, cold, dark.  I feel the need for a walk.  

Horses are eating so ...

Luppy joined me!  Quick mile but I really, really needed it.

Haven't seen my horses since Friday.  Bill's been doing morning and evening feeds, so I haven't even caught more than a glimpse of them as I pull out of the driveway.  I walked by the turn out this morning and Morgan saw me ... she left her breakfast and her friend to come say hello.

I miss her so much!

Riding Rhu is Fabulous

30 minutes - 1.65 miles - Rhulain and Luppy

Luppy always looks so nervous around the horses.  Good trait to have!

Rhu was just standing there looking gorgeous. Love that mare!

 Wait ... a bridle?  

That can only mean one thing ... riding time!

Best view in the whole world ... right between my horse's ears. *sigh* We trotted most of the way back and I never had to lift the reins; Rhulain knew the way and carried me safely down through the dunes.

Thank you for being fabulous Rhu!

Not sure when I'll be able to ride again ... we have a meeting today to find out when our new children will arrive.  So excited to have them join us in our adventures! 

Maybe one (or both) of them will want to ride with me!

*crosses fingers*

Rhulain and Luppy's Desert Adventures

33 minutes - 1.45 miles - Rhulain and Luppy

Me: Hate to break up the breakfast club, but anyone want to walk?  Luppy: Right here, ready to go!

Me: Judging by that smile, I'd say Rhulain is ready too!

Where we're going ... and where we've been

Me: Rhu what are you looking for?     Rhu: Little dog.  

Luppy: Found you guys!

Rhu: We can go now. The dog is back.

Luppy: This is how you take a cliff!      Rhu:  Thanks, I got this.  

Yep, that's the way to start my day.

Rhulain kicks up her heels

29 minutes - 1.05 miles - Rhulain and Luppy

 Morgan smiled when she figured out she wasn't going on a walk today.  Rhulain yawned at the prospect of hanging out with me.  I explained Luppy would be coming as well so she perked up.

Caught Luppy in a not-so-graceful stride (she seems embarrassed)

 Rhulain is so gorgeous, even her shadow is stunning

 We went up dunes, down dunes, and around dunes 

Then we started heading home ... notice what's missing in the second picture?  A lead rope.  I unhooked her to see what she'd do ... she walked peacefully beside me all the way to the gate. Love you Rhu!

Once she got in the gate, she called out and all the dogs came running.  She led them on a merry chase ... and then ...

she got the other horses involved.  

Can't wait to try that run under saddle!

Morgan's routine is knocked off kilter

34 minutes - 1.70 miles - Morgan and Luppy

Morgan is not happy.  Not happy at all.  

First, I decided to take Luppy on our walk with us. She snorted at Luppy.

Then we left using a different gate.

AND I had the audacity to go down a different path.

Morgan ground her teeth the entire walk.

What was that noise? Luppy.

WHAT was that noise? Luppy.

What was THAT noise? Luppy.

Yep, That's how the whole walk went.

But, how does something become a routine? Repetition.  Morgan is used to her routine, but I like this path better so we'll keep using it until it becomes the norm.  Or until Morgan grinds her teeth down to nubs.

Dune Work from Rhu's Point of View

35 minutes - 1.30 miles - Rhulain & Luppy

Rhulain: Going for a walk ... taking my human and my dog

Rhu: Climbing dunes with my dog

Rhu: Human, you ready to fix my breakfast?

Rhu: Heading home ... need some head scritches. Pretty good morning.

Luppy discovered the sand dunes

33 minutes - 1.20 miles - Rhulain and Luppy

Dawn breaking over Rhulain's mane.  *sigh*  So happy.

Look who joined us this morning for our walk ... Luppy!

Rhulain: Where's the little dog?

Me: Look down.

Rhu: Oh.  Okay, we can move on now.

Rhu: Where's the yellow dog?  She's not to the right, not down there, not to the left. Mom, you lost the dog! AGAIN!

Me: Look up ... she's just climbing sand dunes.

Rhu: Oh, ok. We can move on now.

(basically, this scenario repeated for 15 minutes then we headed home)

Rhu: Taking care of you AND your dog is exhausting.  I'm going to take a nap now.

Mondays with Morgan - Wait - Monday with a Mustang!

23 minutes - 0.95 miles - Wasabi

Look who joined me for my Monday morning walk! Wasabi!

She was excited to go, until I explained we would have to leave the feed bucket behind ... note the droopy ears and sulky look.  But, after a few minutes it was ears perked and trotting.

We climbed the highest sand dune near our house and she stopped to admire the view.  It was nice to spend the moment relaxing and taking in the vista with her this morning. 

This is about half way down the embankment.  She kept her nose in the sand on the way down.  I can't remember taking her down anything this steep before, but she did really well.

I'm not used to seeing a grey dappled back or light brown muzzle. It was a nice change of pace.  Both Morgan and Rhulain gave me crap for leaving without either one of them, but I'm pretty sure Wasabi appreciated the change of scenery.

Twice the fun!

22 minutes - 1.25 miles - Morgan

Grabbed Morgie and ran out the gate as the sun started to slide behind the mountains.  She was nervous today ... means I haven't been keeping up with our walking/riding schedule.  My fault.  

Love spending time with my bestie, Morgie!

17 minutes - 0.76 miles - Rhulain

Quickly untacked Morgan and grabbed Rhulain.  Saddled as quickly as I could and headed out to the open desert.  She wanted to trot so I let her, bringing her to a walk when I knew the ground would be uneven, then let her pick up the trot again.  She was really responsive to cues today, but jumpy.  Love spending time with my Rhu!

Wished I could have spent more time with both of them, but darkness comes all too quickly in the winter.

Altered plans aren't always a bad thing

42 minutes - 1.70 miles - Rhulain

I initially haltered Morgan, but Rhu really wanted attention so I haltered her too.  Then I grabbed both lead ropes and headed towards the gate when Morgan stopped walking.  I urged her on and four steps later she stopped again.  I cuddled her for a minute then unhooked her lead rope.  I can take a hint without taking it personal.

Rhulain and I played in sand dunes.  We jogged up every one we came across and found ourselves in some interesting places.  We found a very narrow path down a steep dune with thorny bushes lining both sides. Perfect!  Love that she's always willing to give it a try.

We jogged for a bit and then walked the last quarter mile.  Once inside the gates, I unhooked Rhu so she could wander around.  I felt a bump and turned to see this adorable face ... she wanted her snuggles ... which she got, of course.  I put her and Morgan away then headed off to work in the best mood ever!