Happy to Oblige

26 minutes - 1.11 miles - Rhulain

Rhu called out to me as my car pulled in the front gate.  She fixed me with an intent gaze and late me know she was ready for a walk.  So, I changed clothes and went out to oblige.  She hung her head over her rails and waited for me to affix the halter and head out for fun.

We trucked out to the sand dunes and stood for a while watching the world go by and the sun slink behind the mountains. I'm glad she asked to go out, I really enjoyed doing absolutely nothing with Rhu.

Three For Me!

40 minutes - 0.58 miles - Rhulain
16 minutes - 0.63 miles - Majesty
21 minutes - 0.28 miles - Wasabi

 We had all the brush removed and the front yard leveled.  Which means, it's a blank slate just waiting for hoof prints.  Lots of hoof prints.

 I grabbed Rhulain and took a few passes through the yard.  The wind was blowing and since there was no brush, the dirt kept blowing into our eyes.  After I was sure she was comfortable with the new area, I saddled her up and took another pass or two through the new yard.

Rhu was fine, but bored.  I handed the kid my phone and he had a great time taking pictures.  I didn't include the pictures of the horse poop.

I put Sundance and Morgan in the turn out.  Sundance started to roll, but half way through she fell asleep.  Adorable.

 Later in the afternoon, I decided I needed more horse time.  I ran outside and grabbed Majesty.  I let him choose his path and pace and once we left the front gate he ambled around the block.  He fully believes in slow and steady.  I was really glad to spend time with the old guy.  He's pretty spry for 33.

I figured I still had a half hour before I couldn't see anymore, so I grabbed Wasabi.  Gave her a quick refresher on the bitless bridle, saddled her up, and wandered around the front yard for a bit.  She definitely needs more saddle time ... she is rusty, but willing.  She got confused when I asked for turns with leg aids, she kept changing speed. I added rein aids and we were able to communicate and work through it with a little patience.  After I hopped off, she gave me a snuggle.  I like this horse, she's got spunk!

Evening Ride

27 minutes - 1.52 miles - Morgan

Bill offered to put the kid to bed if I wanted to sneak in a ride.  I was out the door like buckshot.  Once tacked up, Morgan seemed eager to go as well ... she followed me to the gate without a lead.  We selected a trail and off we went into the deepening twilight.  

Had her pick up the pace a few times because we were losing the light, but we knew the path and weren't worried about uneven footing.  Made it home filled with warmth and smiles.

So EXCITED!

19 minutes - 0.68 miles - Morgan
18 minutes - 0.72 miles - Rhulain

Morgan, the foster child, and I took a walk this evening to the end of the street.  On the way back to the house, I thought about riding Morgan for the quarter mile home.  But, I only had a halter and a lead rope, and I'd never ridden bareback off our property ... do I dare?

I did!

I clambered up a dirt embankment and lined her up.  As I started to slide across her back, the dirt caved, and I smacked my lip with my phone (I'll have a fat lip for sure).  She was an absolute dream.  She kept a beautiful, even walk.  It was so dreamy that we extended our walk beyond the gate.  Absolutely magical ... thank you Morgie!

Still glowing, I asked Rhulain if she wanted to go for a walk.  She left her food willingly and joined me for a walk, even though the sun had set and the darkness was deepening.  We crossed the street with no trepidation, faced down oncoming traffic, and sauntered home.

Even though my horses were filthy from rolling in the rain, I couldn't imagine a more perfect experience!

Mud can be fun!

57 minutes - 1.09 miles - Rhulain

We got home late, but enough time for a quick ride.  I let Morgan out of the turn out to feed herself, gave the foster child a bucket and explained the concept of playing with mud, and saddled up Rhulain.  We only rode around the yard, but we got a mile in while the foster child made mounds out of mud and set up cones for us to walk through.  He had a good time playing in mud, I got to work Rhu through some interesting footing, and Morgan got to eat in peace.  All around great evening!

It's Getting Dark Way Too Early

19 minutes - 0.63 miles - Rhulain

Rhu and I took a walk, but it was way too short in my opinion.  The sun was already slipping behind the mountains as I closed the gate behind us on our way out.  We practiced taking pictures with a flash so quick bursts of light wouldn't be unfamiliar.

We walked to the end of the street and used the circle in the sand that a local cowboy created when he was training horses.  There's a nice buildup around the edges, hard packed sand ring, and soft sand in the middle ... perfect for lunging.  Once we got three smooth walk, trot, and turns in both directions we left the circle and headed home.  

Our First Evening Excursion

29 minutes - 0.91 miles - Rhulain

It seemed light when we left ... but a scant 30 minutes makes all the difference in the desert.  The 2nd picture was taken in front of the tack shed after our walk and looks far more sinister than the 1st picture taken in the same area.

The treeless saddle made an appearance today.  I got tired of using Morgan's saddle on Rhu ... it just doesn't fit right and until I can get a replacement slide to hold my stirrup in place I'll use the treeless.

We didn't make it to our normal spot, because it was getting too dark.  I walked beside her for three quarters of the way home then hopped in the saddle.  She handled it with grace ... not hurrying, just steady and straight to the gate.  I didn't take pictures with the flash because we hadn't tried that yet. 

Caught the last bit of the sun's rays in our reflection of the monorail ... and Rhu's ear, of course.  Love Morgan ears ... they're so perfect!

In Which I Don't Ride Morgan

Thursday, July 17th  Left at 8:40 pm  Arrived at 9:00 pm (approx)  94°
Rode with Bill & Majesty, T & Morgan, Me & Sundance

T sent me a text asking if she could ride Majesty.  I asked Bill, but he said he wanted to ride as well, so I offered Morgan to T instead.  I pulled Ms. Sundance out of the stall and had some serious trouble tacking her up.  She has a pull back issue, so I can't tie her off. She held still for grooming and the saddle pad, but once she saw the saddle, she took off and headed towards the east fence line and got herself stuck between the turn out and the fence.  *sigh*  I was able to turn her around and bring her back to the saddle.  Once it was cinched up, she dropped her head and I thought everything was going to be well.

Morgan snacking under the full moon on 7/11/14

I pulled out Morgan's headstall with the bit, but Sundance threw her head straight up. T came over and tried to help by sticking her fingers in Sundance's mouth, but no luck. Bill came over and all three of us tried, but after 10 minutes we had to admit it probably wasn't going to work.  Bill reminded me that she had come from a dude string for vacationers and probably had very negative experiences with people pulling on her mouth.I switched over to the bitless bridle and she dropped her head right in and opened her mouth just as polite as could be.

Same picture without the flash ... love how the moon looks like it's resting just above her back

All three of us rode out the North driveway and down the street before turning back towards the house.  At the intersection we turned left and went to the next intersection,  Halfway to the intersection Sundance decided she wanted to be in front.  Ok.  We turned back and let them trot a bit before making them walk down the driveway to the tack shed.  

Bill and T continued riding for a bit longer while I untangled Sundance's mane and groomed her some more.  Everyone came back and untacked.  Short ride, but it was nice to see Ms. Morgan carting someone else around in the pitch black and doing so very well.

A Year Ago, This Wouldn't Have Been Possible

Tuesday, July 15th  Left at 8:09 Arrived at  8:28 pm  90+°
Solo ride - Morgan

A year ago, I wouldn't have been able to ...

... have Morgan stand unfettered while I groomed and tacked her

 ... walk away from her unless she was tied off

... head out on a ride by ourselves

... climb this scary sand dune or take pictures while Morgan stands quietly 

... ride after the sun has set

... dismount over the horn of the saddle

What a difference a year and wet saddle blanket time makes!