Snuck in a ride before the Super Bowl

45 Minutes Total
Walking for 20 minutes - Trotting for 15 minutes - Walking for 10 minutes 
Distance: 3.21 miles

Decisions ...
I decided to change Red's nickname to Reagan.  Her registered name is Smokem Mochem, but calling her Smoke seems silly since she's a sorrel. I had tried Mochie in the past, but that didn't seem to work for either of us.  Since she's getting a new start here, she needed a new name and Reagan seems to suit her well.

Morgan laying down, Reagan watching over the herd, Wasabi snoozing, and Sundance sound asleep

Where is Majesty you might ask?  Well, he was standing by the gate waiting to go out for a ride!  Morgan hopped up as soon as she saw me grab a halter.  Such a nice mare!

Morgan was in a cuddly mood and kept scooting over to rub her head on Bill's leg.  He would absently reach down and rub her hear and she would sigh contentedly.  She was quite happy to let Majesty set the pace and follow along, but moved out very nicely when asked for a trot.  Couldn't be happier with how our progress is going!

Whenever we come in from a walk/ride, Morgan heads straight to the turn out and touches noses with Reagan. It's adorable!  Reagan gets her hooves trimmed on Saturday and then she should be able to start joining us on our daily walks.

Surprise!

This has been a week of surprises ... first Bill brought home a 66 Mustang for me and has been working on it every chance he gets to get it up and running.  Yes, I cried when I saw it in the driveway.  It makes my heart sing!

Horrible picture, but I couldn't get her face out of mine to get a good shot

Then Bill called me last night to say a long lost friend ... Smokem Mochem, also known as Red ... was in need of a home.  She is always welcome here, so I told Bill to have her brought home.

One filthy, hungry, in need of a farrier quarter horse

Last night when I went out to feed my herd and share the good news Bill's truck came rumbling down the driveway with the horse trailer in tow.

I'd forgotten how much I missed her curly locks and sweet eyes

Out stepped my red-headed beauty.  She brought her muzzle down to my cheek and breathed in quietly, then sighed.  Yes, you're home now.

Morgan looked on, but seemed uninterested

She's in need of a few groceries, a hoof trim, and a bath, but those can be remedied in no time. She was greeted warmly by Sundance ... they have known each other for 6 years.  Morgan used to follow her everywhere, but Morgie was stand-offish last night.  This morning, she was trying to lean over the rails to touch noses, so I'm sure it will be fine.

Uninterested until you say "food"

Wasabi established her position as lead mare in the herd, and Red accepted the role.  Majesty squealed and stomped and fussed on two stalls away.  This morning brought the realization that Red is in heat, which could account for Majesty's attitude.

Red will stay stalled until we can get her back up to proper weight, but it's good to look out and see her again.  Didn't realize how much I missed her until I laid eyes on her again.  Welcome home! 

December 30, 2012 - Morgan 30 minutes

Rode Morgan around the house.  Tried to pony Smoke, but Morg was antsy and didn't want to walk so I dropped Smoke off and rode her for about 20 minutes.

December 7 - 9, 2012

Worked all weekend at a hotel.  Came home late Sunday night - no riding.

Called vet out for Smoke - abscess in front hoof.  Soak in solution for 2 weeks. No riding.

November 11, 2012 - Smokem Mochem & Majesty

Smoke got a hoof trim.

Took Mochie on the trail ride by Todd's house.  Did fairly well - little push at first, but didn't crowd the horse in front of her at all.  Kept trying to eat, so had to keep after her for the first half hour.  Then she got tired and slowed down, so I moved her to the back with Bill and Majesty.  After an hour and a half she was walking so slowly I had to ask her to trot to catch up.  Poor girl!  I bet she didn't expect to ride 2 hours that day! :)

Only problem was at the "gate" opening obstacle because the string had flags that were attached.  She tried hard though and kept walking to the rope, but when I lifted it and flags fluttered, she backed away.  Ah well.

Gina sent Bill a text later that said I should get rid of Morgan and keep Smokem.  As if. :) 

Majesty was superb, but seemed tired this trip.  He was dragging at the end and we didn't even run any portions of the trail.

Temperatures dropped quickly and we lost the sun while trailer loading.  So cold!  Glad we didn't work them up into a sweat too bad.

Jackie from my work joined us for the ride.  She borrowed Todd's horse Seven.

November 3, 2012 - 45 minutes

Morgan & Mochie
Saddled up Morgan and ponied Mochie for a walk around the "block."  Had a little trouble getting them into position to mount - an extra pair of hands would have been really helpful.  Went down the north driveway and turned west to the corner.  

Morgan made Mochie trot at a few spots, but they easily slowed to a walk when asked.  Tried to trot the last stretch home, but Mochie was too lazy.

Unhooked Mochie and took Morgan out by herself.  We wandered through the open desert and walked calmly home, even when a 4 wheeler passed us on the road.  Took a few pictures and thought again that the best view in world is between Morgan's ears :)

* took pics from saddle

October 7, 2012 - Barrel Work

* switched to Chaffhaye *

Morgan and Mochie were in the turn out.  I figured I'd squeeze in a quick ride on Morg, so I started grooming her.  Mochie kept shoving Morg away so I groomed her as well.  I saddled Morg and played in the yard, in the street, and went out the driveway, down 2 properties before turning back and walking through the desert. 

Once back at our driveway, I ran her at the barrel and turned round it, then back down the driveway.  We did this three times before she got what I was asking for.  Figured we'd better be ready for a keyhole race if we are going to compete. :)

Had a great time.  She sweated a little bit, so I know she worked!

Untacked her and tacked up Mochie.  She was eager to go around the property and was rather bold stepping down the driveways.  Every time she was asked for a trot, she gave a crowhop before complying.  Dork.  Spent about 15 minutes playing before I untacked her.

September 2, 2012

We were supposed to ride with Wade yesterday, but we never received a call.

This morning I fed everyone and went out for an hour later for a ride.  I groomed Morg, but Mochie made it clear she wanted a ride so I took her first.  Been a while since I rode her around the property, but she handled it like a champ.  She barely trotted when asked for more speed (more like a fast walk, wait, and then trot if I continued to ask), but her steering was great!

I put her away and saddled Morgan.  Had to ask her to stand twice for mounting (without stool), and she started walking off before I was in the saddle.  Once I sat she began to trot towards the dogs area before I could get my foot in the stirrup. No matter, I found the stirrup once we stopped at the kitty condo for snacks.  She was bold today so we went round the yard to the planter then to the street.  We rode around the front of the property where the "dunes" are by the neighbors.  She flat out hauled ass to the tack shed.  Hella fun!

I laughed with delight and hopped off to hug her.  Since it was 90 degrees, I called it a day.  As I was leading her back to the turnout, she stopped.  I asked her to follow me, but she planted herself.  She wasn't done :)  I asked again and she walked in to the turnout.

Later I bathed Sundance, Majesty, Traveller, and Wasabi

June 11, 2012 - Finding Contentment

For adults, hours in the saddle are stolen pleasures.

Rode Traveller in the turn out.  He wasn't happy as dinner had just been served.  Had to figure a way to climb on him bareback - decided to let him eat in his stall while I climbed up.  Rode around the turn out for a few minutes, but it was clear he didn't want to be disturbed.  I forget that sitting on him puts me five feet in the air.  Everything looks so different from that perspective ... I can't see over his head like Morg or Sabi and the ground seems so very far down.

He's bony and high-withered and it's uncomfortable to ride him bareback.  He's slimmer than Morg and not nearly as smooth, but he's oh so patient and slow. :)

Morgan was clearly upset that I rode Traveller.  She had called out to me when I approached the turn out with the bitless, and huffed when I put it on T.  I hopped on her, but she didn't want to ride in the arena and kept going to the gate.  If I had a saddle I would have opened it and gone out, but she was fired up and I didn't want to run with no saddle.

We sat at the gate and looked out at the sand dunes, and watched the sun set.  I realized how comfortable I was on her ... she's wide enough to make me feel secure but not stretched; her head is always straight up but I can see between her ears easily; she chuffs and huffs but it's not scary.  On her back I am at ease.  

With Majesty I get the feeling he'll take care of me.  On Smoke (Lil'Red) I get the feeling I'm the support base and I have to be alert at all times.  On Sabi it's a battle of wills for control.  On Sundance I am comfortable, relaxed, but I feel her limping so I worry about her too much to enjoy more than a few minutes.

With Morgan, I find peace and exhilaration, contentment and thrill.  I, too, want to ride out to the sand dunes with Morg!

April 9, 2012

Rode Sundance, Smoke & Wasabi around the turnout; bareback with bitless.

• Sundance was limping at a walk, so kept it to one lap and then to her stall.
• Smoke took a few tries to get her to hold still, but allowed me to hop on.  Rode basically to her stall.
• Wasabi wouldn't line up at stall.  Tried a few times then tied up the reins and sent her on a few laps.  Stood still.  As soon as I got on, the wind picked up, so I asked her to hold still.  Never moved!  Didn't fight me so much for her head, and walked to her stall when asked (verbal).  Stall was closed, so she tried nosing it open.  I reached forward and opened it - no spooking.  She's pushy about food.