Rhu + Bareback + Open Desert = Bliss

53 minutes - 1.7 miles - Rhulain

 I was just going to for a walk.  Rhu was in a great mood.  I was in a great mood and I was filled with confidence from last night's ride on Morgan ... so ...

I asked Rhulain to give me a ride.  Bareback.  In a halter.  A half mile from home.

And she did.  

Twice I asked her to slow down (trotting hurt my knee too much) and she did quickly and quietly.  We approached the gate and she lined up perfectly for me to open it without dismounting.  Normally we speed up once in the gate, but she just kept moving steadily with perfect headset.

I'm not sure how I ended up with the two most perfect horses on the planet, but I did.  I love them so very much!

Morgan takes me home

39 minutes - 1.53 miles - Morgan

 It's been too long since I got snuggle time with my horses.  Both Rhu and Morgan mugged me as soon as I entered the turn out.  Both got scratches and hugs before I headed out for a walk with Morgan.

It was windy and getting dark but Morgie was completely relaxed. She showed some interest in a garbage bag that was in an odd spot, but after a quick sniff, she dismissed it.

I haven't been able to walk with them much because of the pain in my knee. After 1.25 miles, I was in too much pain to continue.  I asked Morgie if she'd carry me home and she stood stock still and carried me home quietly and safely.  

She walked up to the gate and moved sideways so I could reach the latch and open the gate.  Then she stepped inside and turned to allow me to shut the gate.  She carried me to the turn out and waited quietly for me to slide off her back and unhalter her.  I was so happy.

This mare has taken care of me for the past five years and boosted my confidence immensely.  Without her, I am positive I wouldn't be riding anymore.  So very thankful for Morg!

Luppy Smiles

36 minutes - 1.04 miles - Rhulain and Luppy

Luppy and I decided to take Rhulain for a walk.  I took the fly mask off Rhu and found she had a scrape on her forehead. She gets more scrapes and bumps than any of my other horses combined.

 Luppy had a great time.  Rhulain had snacking time.

I had a quiet jaunt.  I'm so glad we went out ... I needed their company.

Birthday Walk

21 minutes - 1.00 miles - Luppy

Luppy wanted to go for a walk this morning.  Sounded like a splendid way to start the morning so I grabbed a leash and off we went.  Saw lots of snake tracks today, even a sidewinder track.  Fortunately, none of the tracks were near the house and we didn't see any live ones. 

Moonlit Walk

46 minutes - 1.86 miles - Rhulain

Full moon on summer solstice?  Oh yeah, it's definitely time for a walk with Rhulain.  It was odd to be able to see our shadows at 9:00 pm, but I was definitely grateful for the light.

Rhu was in a great mood and had my knee felt better, I would have gone for a ride rather than a walk.  She was calm and obviously glad to be out.

  Rhu kept giving me nudges, kisses, and snuggles.  Funny girl ... I'm glad to see you too!

Morgan Wishes and Rhulain Kisses

30 minutes - 1.47 miles - Morgan

20 minutes - 0.90 miles - Rhulain

I said I wished I could have more saddle time.  Bill surprised me by taking over bath and bedtime duties, which gave me the gift of time.  I promptly ran outside and asked Morgan if she would mind taking me for a ride.  She's the only one I trusted to keep me safe in the windy twilight.  

It was glorious, simply perfect. 

I was so utterly happy that I wanted to share the joy with Rhulain.  I grabbed a halter and we went for a walk.  No agenda, no trail, no time frame or pressure.  Just a walk filled with scratches, kisses, cuddling, and relaxation.

Much needed, much appreciated, and oh so happy horse time.

Luppy to the rescue

It was dark, windy, and the horses hadn't been fed yet ... none of the horses wanted to go for a walk with me tonight.  When all else fails, call Luppy.  We walked a little over two miles at a steady 4mph, which was a result of Luppy's enthusiasm.  Felt great!

Night Moves

27 minutes - 1.06 miles - Wasabi
17 minutes - 1.07 miles - Rhulain

I put the kid to bed at 9:00 pm and then took the trash outside.  It was a lovely 85 degrees and light enough to take a walk.  I grabbed Morgan's halter and headed to the turn out, but she hid behind Sundance.   

Wasabi put her muzzle on my shoulder, so I opted to see how she would do.  Fabulously well it turns out.

The first few minutes she kept her muzzle low to the ground, but then she was walking along as if this were broad daylight and she did this all the time.  I was really proud of her effort! 

 Figuring I had a few more minutes, I switched horses and headed back out the gate with Rhulain in tow.  She drug along behind me for the first quarter mile but then picked up pace and we jogged on an off for the rest of the mile.

I asked her if we could slow down and she stuck her tongue out at me ... She stayed that way until I took a picture of her ... silly mare!

Hoof Trim & Horse Time

16 minutes - 0.5 miles - Morgan & A
25 minutes - 1.02 miles - Rhulain

While holding the lead rope waiting for hooves to be trimmed, I have the opportunity for oodles of odd pictures.  Today's random shots are proof that I have entirely too much time on my hands.

Sundance (Red Heads unite!)

Morgan (cuddly and best behaved)

Wasabi (licking the farrier's stand. sigh)

Rhulain (filthy after last night's rain)

Majesty (slept with his head on my shoulder)

After getting a trim and some breakfast, we went for a walk.  It was almost 90 degrees, so we kept it slow and short.

Morgie seemed quite puzzled by the neighbor's stallion taking an interest in her ... in fact, she seemed quite worried about his studdish antics and hid behind me on the way home. 

Dropped off Morgan and the kid and grabbed Rhulain.  We did a mile at what I thought was a mellow pace, but we actually walked at 3.0 mph pace ... which shows me our hard work has paid off.

Suckage

Routinely 100+ degrees during the day
99 degrees at 9:00 pm

At this rate, I'm not going to get to walk my horses, let alone ride, until October.  Completely sucktastic. 

Making Tracks

21 minutes - 1.10 miles - By Myself

I invited Morgan to go on a walk with me today, but she had her cranky pants on ... she's in heat.

I called out for Rhu, but she completely ignored me.

So, I went for a walk all by myself ... no kid, no dog, no horse.  I can't remember the last time I was alone.  I saw Rhulain hoof prints, my boot prints, lizard tail drag marks, rabbit tracks, and crow tracks.  I realized the crow tracks were congregated around a stuffed animal of some sort ... then I had to laugh at the thought of their surprise when all they got was stuffing for all their effort.

Anyone passing by might have thought I was nuts just standing there alone in the desert laughing.  So, I stifled the giggles and walked on grinning like a crazy person.

Pictures Say It All

26 minutes - 1.05 miles - Rhulain

The pictures pretty much sum up our walk. It was hot, she's in heat, and she'd been neglected for almost a week ... our walk sure didn't start out well.  But after a few minutes, she tuned in and then our walk began in earnest.

I de-wormed all the horses today before I went on our walk.  Best horse: Rhulain.  Worst horse: Sundance.  Took 20 minutes to get my bare finger all over her muzzle and then inserted in her mouth and another 10 minutes to the dewormer in her mouth.  

At least we accomplished the task with no pressure ... Just calm, quiet reassurance, and lots of praise.  Maybe it will make next time easier.