Rhulain Knows When I Need Her

Grabbed a cross-under, ran over to Rhulain's stall, and looked at her pleadingly.  She blew warm air in my hair and dropped her nose.  I slipped it over her ears and headed off to the turn out where I hopped on bareback. We didn't spend much time, or go very far, but it was great fun to move around together.  I love my mares ... They take good care of me when I need it most.

Rhulain vs Trash Cans

28 minutes - 1.25 miles - Rhulain

The sun was dropping fast, but I figured Rhulain and I could squeeze in a walk.  We hustled for the first half mile, then goofed off and she snacked for a bit before we started home.  The wind bothered her and she was amped, but she never crowded me so I let her be.

When we got home, I had her "help" me bring in the trash can. She hated every second. So, we went out and grabbed the second one as well. She was not entertained by my actions. Ah, well.

I put her in the turn out so she could kick up her heels and race around a bit. She did not disappoint! Always a pleasure to watch her antics 😃

Rhu time = Emotional reset

15 minutes - 0.35 miles - Rhulain

Rhu, oh Rhu, how have I missed you?
Let me count the ways!

There wasn't any daylight left, but that didn't stop me from needing Rhu time.  Spent only a few minutes doing groundwork, then saddled and played in the turn out.

Amazing.

I closed my eyes, dropped the reins, and just breathed in my Rhu.  I have missed her smell, her movement, and the connection.

Walking with Rhu

19 minutes - 1.03 miles - Rhulain

Snuck in a not-so-quick mile with Rhulain tonight. I could have made better time, but I would have had less fun. The trade off was well worth it ... She seemed to think so too!

Thankful for Daylight Savings!

14 minutes - 0.30 miles - Rhulain
11 minutes - 0.30 miles - Morgan

I spent some time doing basic groundwork and checking Rhulain's brain. She was perfect. Hopped in the saddle and rode around the turn out for the purpose of having fun. She was amazing. I felt like I could have ridden her for hours!

I switched horses and rode Morgan in the turn out. She wanted to trot the whole time, so I let her. We bumped up our speed and I found myself laughing out loud. It was glorious! We dropped off her saddle at the tack shed, then rode bareback to her stall. Love love love my horses!

Hanging with the herd

Grabbed the shedding brushes and got to work removing excess hair. Morgan needed the most work, and she napped through the process.

The kid rode his quad through the herd so I could gage their reactions. Barely an ear flicker. Good horses!

Then I spent some time just sitting with Rhulain in the shade. She nuzzled my face, blew hot air down my neck, and licked my boots. I loved every minute of it. Love my horses!

Rhulain's Cranky Face is Still Kissable

1.26 miles - 21 minutes - Rhulain

Uh oh, someone is not happy about leaving her herd. 

A month between walks is far too long.

 She started to perk up once we got on a familiar path ... The one that leads to the snacking spot.

 Ah yes, Rhulain never misses an opportunity to munch down on fresh grass shoots, dead leaves, and brush. Her motto is ... Try everything once!

 At the halfway point, we got in some good snuggle time. Lots of her snacking and me drinking in her essence. I had forgotten her smell.

She still takes my breath away. So gorgeous! She might have slowed me down on the walk today, but I needed the time with her. The occasional morning snuggles are no substitute for real horse time.

My Beloved Rhulain

.40 miles - 26 minutes - Rhulain

The moon was out in force last night ... bright enough I could sneak in a ride.  So I did.

I turned Rhulain out so she could get all her wiggles out.  She bucked, she reared, she rolled, she chased the doberman ... then she came to the gate and watched me intently.

We did ground work in the turn out, then I saddled her up and we rode in the turn out.  It was wonderful.  She was marvelous.  I have missed her SO much. 

She lined up perfectly at the gate to let me open it ... we've gone through gates before, but they were 12 foot in length, while this one is only 4 feet wide and has a bar over our head.  She waited patiently until I ducked and asked for movement before swinging her hips over and walking quietly through the gate.

After untacking her, I hopped on bareback and rode her around the yard then hopped off at her stall.  So happy.  I can't express how much I needed THIS ride with HER. 

Dorks on a walk

33 minutes - 1.57 miles

Rhu, the kid, and I took a walk today.  They were making silly faces and acting strange, so I decided to document their antics.  Dorks ... I wonder where they learned it? Ahem.

Wasn't our best time, but anytime spent together is valuable!

Crazy Busy Day

19 minutes - 1.02 miles - Morgan
20 minutes - 1.11 miles - Rhulain

Workers from the local internet provider brought this monstrosity to our home Friday evening.  They worked on the "tower" in our yard all day Saturday.  

I was already up and moving when they arrived, because it was hoof trimming morning!  He trimmed everyone but Rhu ... said she was in fine shape and he'd check her again in a few weeks.

 Morgan and I headed out for a mile ride ... she was awful.  She spun in circles because there was a man fixing his gate, then she came unglued because there were trash cans on the side of the road (no spook when we walked by them the first time, but complete melt down on the way home), and panicked breathing the whole time.  I really need to spend more time with her apparently.

I took Rhulain out ... Bill was eating tic tacs and she was intrigued.  She licked them, but dropped them on the floor.  So not impressed.

Rhulain and I went for a walk/ride and as we were coming back up the road, the workers were parking their "lift" for the night.  Since it was there, and one never knows when you'll see a machine this size again, I decided to ride Rhulain around it a few times.  The lights were still flashing, the engine was ticking, and yet I made her squeeze between it and the monorail.  She did fine ... she reached out to touch it with her nose as we went by.

Rhu Joins In

As predicted, it rained all day.  I needed to do my 2 mile walk/jog, but I didn't want to drag Rhu out in the rain so I headed off alone.  

I smiled as I followed my girl's hoof marks on the path.  After 20 minutes my knee started to ache and I was really wishing I'd brought Rhu so she could carry me home.

I got home with only 1.83 miles logged.  So, I walked over to Rhu's stall and asked her if she wanted to join me as I jogged around the yard.  She stayed right with me until I started to head for her stall ... then she began to drag her feet.  

Guess I should have taken her with me for the whole walk.

A Day of Many Faces

2.01 miles - 36 minutes - Rhulain, walk
0.24 miles - 14 minutes - Rhulain, groundwork
15 minutes each: Morgan, Sundance, Majesty, and Wasabi

 It snowed last night in the pass ... not enough to reach the valley floor, but it made for some spectacular views.  It rained yesterday and more rain is expected tomorrow ... so naturally I squeezed in some horse time between the storms.

First came Rhulain ... we did some ground work, then a good grooming and a saddle fitting (she is so patient).  Ryver was chasing a rabbit which darted under Rhu's belly.  The dobie dashed between her front legs and the hitching post in hot pursuit.  Rhu flicked an ear and yawned. Love that mare!

We did a two mile walk and soaked in the sunshine.  Sweet serenity!

Got back and put Rhu in the turn out.  Rhu dropped her muzzle in the sand and then chased me around trying to give me kisses ... she looked like a llama with a mustache. 

 I had the bitless in hand, and Sundance put her nose in it.  Well, ok.  I hopped on bareback and we did a few laps around the turn out.  She seemed to appreciate the time.  I rode Morgan bareback around the turn out as well.  The kid was riding his quad around the yard, but Morgan seemed less worried about it today.  Good job!

Since I was in the mood, I drug Majesty out of his comfy stall and made him carry me around the yard bareback too.  He walks on the buckle and it always surprises me for the first few moments.  He is such a good natured old man.

I thought about trying it with Wasabi, but she gave me such a cranky face I didn't think it would be wise.  Instead, I switched to a halter and we did a few laps around the yard with the kid racing us on his quad.  She wasn't finished yet, but it was time to feed so we called it a day.

Finally!

Finally!  Rhulain's registration arrived! Nearly two years after I purchased her, I can say Rhulain is officially mine!

Gun shots too close to the house

24 minutes - 1.51 miles

After chores were done, I decided to take Rhulain out for a walk.  She is also in heat, so her head wasn't screwed on correctly.  She pranced, kicked, reared, and trotted with her head and tail held high as we went by the neighbors or whenever she heard another horse. Sigh.

 When she realized silly behavior wasn't going to get her out of work, she started to get in the game.  I asked her to trot and worked on having her pull me for a while.  She did great, my knee didn't fair as well, so we settled for a fast walk.

About half a mile from the house, we heard a quad close to our location.  We never saw the quad, but shortly after hearing him cross our path we heard shots being fired.  Rhu and I hustled home and I called the police once Rhu was safe in her stall.  It's illegal to shoot that close to the houses and dangerous for Rhu and I.   Thankfully nothing bad happened, but I sure don't want it happening again.

First Ride of 2017!

48 minutes - 1.5 miles

The clouds were amazing today ... all fluffy and white!  No resolutions for me ... just a promise to Rhulain to work on softness.

 Rhulain and I heading out for our first ride of the year.  We spent time doing some ground work, lots of grooming, and snuggling.  We rode around the yard for a bit and then headed out the gate.

 I walked with her for the first half mile, then hopped on the saddle and rode home.  Only once did she start trotting without being asked, but she came down to a walk with a vocal command.  *happy sigh* 

Love, love, love my Morgans.

Missed riding with Bill.  We haven't ridden together since last year's new year's day ride.  I miss spending horse time with my spouse: our talks, our comfortable silences, and our alone time.

Petal Pattern Power!

52 minutes - 0.53 miles - Rhulain
25 minutes - 0.28 miles - Morgan

Rhulain and I did some ground work before saddling up and working in the yard.  It was a lovely way to spend an hour and I am really starting to like the petal pattern!  It's something she's really good at and helps us to settle.  I think I'll incorporate it into our sessions from now on.

Had just enough daylight left for a quick ride with Morgan.  We hung around the house checking out "scary" objects and then we worked on the petal pattern.  She was not happy about having to do circles; I can tell I've let her sit too long.  We'll have to work more than once a week to get back in the swing of things.  What's wonderful is that even on her worst day, she's still awesome and it's nothing we can't work through together.  She builds my confidence every time we're together.

Christmas morning

The view from my front porch Christmas morning ... perked ears and whinnies ... good morning my beloved horses!  They're the best present life ever gave me.

Run Free!

It was warm and I decided to let everyone out and enjoy the sunshine.  I threw open all their stalls and the mares took off in a burst of speed ... sometimes Morgan led the pack, sometimes Wasabi. By the time Majesty figured out how to get out of his stall, everyone else was settling down.  Rhulain decided to play and got everyone to run down the driveway and back (letting Majesty lead) before they started milling about looking for snacks.  

I love watching them run about, kicking up their heels, and reveling in their pure joy.

This is the Rhu I know and love!

31 minutes - 0.75 miles - Rhulain

I put a water trough in between Rhu and Wasabi ... they immediately set to playing in the water ... spitting water at each other, splashing water, stepping in it ... everything BUT drinking it.

After the chores were done, I decided to saddle up Rhulain.  We did some groundwork, some snuggling, some grooming, and some standing around flexing her neck while standing still.  She was so good, I set off to work the petal pattern again.  We did five nice patterns in both directions and then started wandering the yard.  She was so fabulous I seriously contemplated opening the gate and heading outside.  I think all this ground work and quiet time is really paying off ... a few more sessions and we'll be ready to ride off property again.

Saturdays are busy days

24 minutes - 1.08 miles - Morgan
32 minutes - 0.11 miles - Rhulain

The kid and I went for a two mile walk and hiked around the sand dunes.  I taught him how to slide down the dunes on a piece of cardboard, but the sand was too soft and he got stuck half way down.  We found a dune that had a nice drop and we tried it on our butts ... worked great!

 Morgan and I headed out for a quick mile ride after I finished the hike.  I think she was cranky it was me doing the riding rather than the kid.  Or maybe she doesn't like the Aussie saddle.  Whatever it was, she wasn't happy to go out for a ride.  She was unfocused and coiled the whole time, so we cut it short and went home.

Rhulain and I did some ground work on flexing her neck then I saddled up and practiced standing still for mounting.  Her job was to do nothing, and she did it quite well after a few attempts.  She was nervous, but she sure tried hard, and I love a girl who tries!