Fly Mask Season is Officially Here

Bath: Majesty & Rhulain
15 minutes - 0.25 miles - Rhulain
28 minutes - 1.05 miles - Morgan

First up for a bath was Majesty.  He spent the entire grooming and bathing session with his head in the snack bucket.  Sometimes I envy Bill ... Majesty is completely unflappable and sedate.  Bill says he's too old to give a crap about anything anymore.  He did turn 33 this year.

 Next up was Rhulain.  She runs away every time the hose is turned on or moved, so I was curious how she would react.  She wasn't calm ... nostrils flaring the whole time ... but we took it slow and she held still with reassurance.

It's officially fly mask season.  Sigh.  I kissed her pretty face before it disappeared behind the mask where it will hide for the next four months.  Then I took her for a quick walk to make sure she was dry before turning her out.  

There was still some time left before I needed to start dinner, so I grabbed a ride on Morgan.  She snacked, walked, and snacked some more.  Once we turned towards home, she started to trot so I asked for more speed and she obliged.  

I groomed and put fly masks/fly spray on everyone.  Then we moved Majesty and Morgan into the mare motel.  They seemed unimpressed by the new surroundings.  Perhaps they'll appreciate it when the rain starts back up. 

Two for Tuesday

37 minutes - 1.31 miles - Morgan
24 minutes - 0.72 miles - Rhulain

Morgan and I headed out this morning with the full moon still visible.  We headed out nice and slow because my right knee is bothering me (a side effect of getting older).  It started to feel alright just as we were getting near the front gate, so I decided to drop Morgie off and grab Rhulain. 

I fed Morgan right away, so she was amenable to the switch.

Rhu and I walked around the block and she discovered the bamboo.  She was nervous as we approached because the wind was rustling the dead leaves, but once I handed her a leaf to snack on, she stuck her whole head in the bamboo to get a fresh piece.  Funny girl. We didn't walk far, but we walked in contentment, and that was enough for me!

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!

2 for 2!

26 minutes - 0.94 miles - Rhulain

Rhu got a good grooming session before we went on a walk.  She was more than happy to snack while I picked hooves, combed out her mane and tail, and gave her a thorough brushing.  The whole time on a dropped lead line ... nice!

Noticed a bit of thrush in her front right hoof, so I treated it with medication (and managed not to turn most of my hand purple, which is an accomplishment).  I'll keep it cleaned out and check it twice a day.

Once the grooming was completed, Rhulain grabbed a snack before we headed out for our walk.  I decided to head west out of the gate as we had not traveled that way yet.  The ground is much deeper sand interspersed with hard packed dirt and the properties in that direction have lots of bamboo lining their fences.

Rhu seemed very nervous about the noise of the wind rushing through the bamboo.  The cicadas started chirping and her head shot straight up. Then my phone started ringing, and without thinking I answered it.

What I should have done was turn it off and help Rhu through the scary noises.  Poor Rhu ... I left her all alone when she needed me.  I got off the phone and apologized profusely.  

She seemed to forgive me after a bit and we started to head home, stopping to snack along the way.  She picked up a tumbleweed and started shaking her head up and down with the weed dangling from her lips.  I laughed out loud.  She swung her neck and smacked me in the forehead with the tumbleweed, so maybe I hadn't been forgiven just yet.

Thanks for the reminder Rhu.  You're adorable.

Trail Riding From Morgan's Point of View

Friday, August 15th  20 minute ride  90°
Solo

Got an awesome ear rub before Amber made me leave home 

Look at this branch right here ... it's perfect

I'll just see if I can take it with me ... it's stuck

Well, I'll just take a few leaves and head home. 

Hoof Trimming Day & Bamboo Nostrils

Saturday, August 9th  30 minute ride  85°
Rode with Bill & Majesty

It always amazes me to see them balance with one leg high in the air

Had our farrier out this morning ... he showed up at 7:05 am and was finished with all five horses by 8:30 am.  Which is good because even in the shade his tools started to get hot. Yes, 8:30 in the morning and it was already 90 degrees.  There has to be some law against such horrid heat.

The clouds rolled in and the temperatures dropped later in the evening, so we dashed outside and tacked up.  Morgan was a bit of a snot while I was trying to mount, so I hopped off and had her lunge for three laps each direction.  That settled her down and she stood still when I tried again.

Rain is headed our way ... hopefully it will bring the temperature down

Took a quick 30 minute ride by Morgan's favorite bamboo snacking spot.  She reached over to grab a couple of leaves and one went up her nostril.  Her head popped up and she stared at me in wonderment for a few seconds.  I patted her neck and she tentatively reached in for another leaf.  All was well, but it did make me giggle.

Majesty had a bit of trouble with his footing ... when his toes get trimmed it takes him a day to get used to the new length.  Other than that, a nice, quiet ride with my besties.

Blazing "New" Trails

Saturday, August 2nd  Left at 6:53 pm  Home at 7:35 pm  83°
Rode with Bill & Majesty

Switching saddles ... again ... can't make up my mind about which fits best

I decided I did NOT like the sheepskin on this saddle and stuffed it in my saddle bags after 10 minutes

Decided to take a different path today.  We wandered down some our neighboring streets west of our house.  Morgan found a patch of bamboo and started munching. She reluctantly left her happy place, but took a stalk of bamboo in case she got hungry later.  Silly but adorable mare.

The view we see the most ... Majesty's calm, comforting walk

It had rained really hard Friday night and we wanted to see if we could find a puddle or two to play in, but the dunes were dry by the time we got there.  Tons of cottontail rabbits, lizards, and jack rabbits to be seen, but not even a tiny puddle.

At the cross roads ... right, left, straight?

Up ahead lay dunes that we have been playing in all year, but when you visit them from a different path, they become new again.  Decided to head off to the left and try those dunes for a bit.  Basically the same scenery (mesquite trees, bushes, sage, rocks, etc.) but the slopes and angles of the dunes were different.

Hey Majesty ... what are you doing so far behind us ... catch up lazy!

Most of the time Majesty is in the lead when we climb sand dunes, but he was in no rush today.  Morgan and I had to wait for him to catch up, which meant I had lots of pictures of Majesty in the distance.  The cool weather made our jaunt comfortable as well as fun ... wish it would be like this all year long!

Sweetest face ever .... love you Morgie!