Morgie's Turn!

30 minutes - 1.2 miles - Morgan

 Morgan wasn't sure she wanted to go for a walk this morning, because breakfast was being served.  Once she saw me tuck cubes in my pocket she was ready to go.

The clouds were interesting and the colors were vibrant.  It was great spending time with her and watching the sun come up.  Seriously loving the fall.

Rhu, day 2

23 minutes - 1.10 miles - Rhulain

Look who met me at the gate, begging for some one on one time!  We took a stroll before she got breakfast and a massage for the effort.  I am so loving the fact the mornings are light enough for a walk and cool enough for walking/riding.
Can't wait for our fall adventures!

Breathtaking Sky and Good Music

21 minutes - 1.06 miles - Rhulain

The sky was absolutely brilliant this morning!  The top picture was taken from my front porch, and the bottom picture was a mere 8 minutes later as Rhu and I started our walk.

Rhu's beautiful neck ... I couldn't resist.

Rhu and I jogged quite a bit today, I think we were both feeling good.  However, a mere 20 minutes later we arrived back at the house.  

Great music today, Marilyn Monroe, The Platters, and Smokey Robinson.  Made for a calm, wonderful morning.

Mondays with Morgie, Again

21 minutes - 1.04 miles - Morgie

Morgie was snuggly this morning.  She "hugged" me more than once ... or maybe she was just checking my back pockets for more snacks.  Dang it. 

 

Everywhere I looked today, there were Morgie ears.  I'm not complaining, I adore Morgie ears.  She was snuggled up right next to me the whole walk.  Guess she missed our morning walks.

I missed you too Morgie.  

Morgie's Morning

26 minutes - 0.91 miles - Morgan

Morgan "helped" me fill feed buckets this morning.  She insisted she was helpful; I disagreed.  She said she was "breaking up cubes for the goat," which is actually helpful, so she might have won that discussion.

Noticed a bite mark on her back this morning.  I medicated it and put her in the large stall after our walk so no one can bug her for a few days.  That wound needs a chance to heal and she likes being in the stall because no one can shove her away from her food.

Have I mentioned that Morgie loves food?  

Could her neck stretch any further? Seriously.

 We ambled along peacefully until we heard talking behind us ... we turned to see 3 school kids walking to the bus stop. Morgie tucked her tail and picked up her pace.  I don't know why she doesn't like kids, but I don't push the issue.  We cut our walk short and headed home.

Back on track

20 minutes - 0.86 miles - Morgie

Back to our old routine ... Monday mornings with Morgie ... cheesy pictures and lots of me chatting and Morgie snacking.

Morgan carried this branch around for quite some time.  She was waiving it like a magic wand that would make more food appear.  When it failed to supply even one mouthful of extra food, she ate it.  Love her!

26 minutes - 0.87 miles - Rhulain

In true Rhulain fashion, she had to stop at the monorail and check out her profile.  She decided my hair needed work so she rearranged it and then posed again.

You're a funny girl Rhu!

I wondered if my horses missed me while we were away on vacation, so I asked Rhu.  She immediately came over for hugs and scritches.  Guess she missed me too!

Dead Things In The Desert

30 minutes - 1.03 miles - Rhulain

The morning started out normal ... Ryver helping me groom and saddle while Rhulain ate her morning snack

The ride started out normal ... a slight mist burning off as the sun started to rise

And then this happened ...

Rhu started acting oddly.  I turned her towards the same wash we were in last Thursday, but she started breathing heavily.  We started trotting to move away from whatever it was that had her so upset.  

Over the next crest we saw something in the distance.  Rhu's legs deadlocked and I took these pictures to figure out what it was.  Looked like a calf or goat carcass.  

It's not unusual to have a mountain lion, bobcat, or coyote pack in the area so we hustled out of the wash.  A jackrabbit sprung out of the brush just as we started trotting and Rhu took a huge step to the side, but then continued on in a controlled manner.

Are you two sharing?   Mmmm hmmm

Once she slowed down I asked her to stop, then swung out of the saddle and reached out to her ... she dropped her head into my torso and let me rub her ears and neck.  When her breathing returned to normal I hopped back in the saddle and we headed home. 

I appreciated her warning signs, her willingness to listen, and her accepting the offer of comfort when the danger passed.  It was a great bonding moment ... we listened and trusted each other fully.  She's Amazing.

My Food Hound

29 minutes - 1.10 miles - Morgan

 

We missed our Monday morning walk (it was a horrid 90 degrees by 7:30 am yesterday) so she and I headed out for a walk today.  She was very cuddly. Could have been the cubes in my pocket, or it could have been affection. Hard to say.

We started along the same path Rhu and I took last week, but Morgan wasn't impressed with the views (or the snacking selection).  We headed home where she promptly found the sweet feed.  That girl has an amazing sense for food.

Morgie Mornings

26 minutes - 1.10 miles - Morgan

Morgie snacked, I groomed.  I talked, Morgan ate.  I saddled her up, Morgan grabbed a mouthful for the road.  Just a typical Morgie-type Morning. 

We wandered a bit in the open desert before she went back to the road. She's really more comfortable on a path ... she's not the "choose your own adventure" type girl.

I chatted, Morgie snacked. Morgan worried about the neighbor's dogs, I comforted.  I opened the gate, Morgan closed it and headed towards the tack shed.

A perfectly typical morning with Morgan.  No muss, no fuss, no drama. Just a pleasant time peering through perfectly shaped ears.

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!

Sleepy Morgie

18 minutes - 0.64 miles - Morgan

Seems I woke Morgan up this morning ... she slept through grooming and saddling.  

I'm not sure she opened her eyes during the ride around the block. She continuously yawned and then would drop her head to eat.  Her sleepwalking skills should win her some type of award.

Love this mare.

Mornings with a Morgan means mornings that start with a smile

23 minutes - 0.87 miles - Morgan

Morgan leaves quite a mess while having her morning snack  

Snacks at the half way point means the ears start twirling

Heading home I finally managed to catch Morgie with her tongue partially out

*does the "I got to ride my horse" dance*

26 minutes - 1.10 miles - Morgan

I had started to give up hope that I'd be able to ride before October, but it rained for two days and this morning it was cool enough to go for a walk ... so I ran outside with halter in hand calling Morgan's name excitedly.

She was perfectly willing to go for a walk, talk, and snack ... until I mentioned riding home.  Then her head popped up and she went bug-eyed because she was out here ALL ALONE.  Silly Morgie ... I'm right here with you, always.

She was rather bouncy on the way home so we spent time in the open desert rather than on the road where she could really pick up speed.  We just re-channeled her energy and circled bushes until she settled.  

I fed her breakfast as I untacked, let her wander as I fed everyone else, and gave her praises and big hugs every time I was near her.  It was the perfect way to spend my morning.

Told Rhulain to expect some attention this evening if it stays under 90 degrees ... keeping my fingers crossed!

Human Pez Despenser

24 minutes - Morgan - 1.09 miles

Took Morgan for a walk this morning ... she kept inspecting me for snacks, so I couldn't get a decent picture.  Maybe I shouldn't take her out before she's had breakfast

Morgan started sulking when she figured out there was nothing in my pockets.  She'd sulk for a bit, then come up and check me again ... as if the snack fairies had deposited more goodies in the last 30 seconds.

Oh Morg, you make me laugh.

Last Morning Walk

32 minute walk/ride
Morgan solo
1.92 miles

With the time change, I am going to start working the girls in the evening rather than the mornings now.  So this was Morgan's last morning walk for a while

Not your most flattering pose Morgie girl

This is all you seem to be interested in doing lately. Sigh.

I'll be glad when her mind returns to normal. This breeding season stuff sucks ... she's aloof, runs off when I try to catch her, could care less when I'm around (also a by-product of having Reagan as her bestie), but she does listen (for the most part) when under saddle, even if she is high headed and snorty until we get back.

Double my pleasure

23 Minute Walk
Morgan and Reagan
1.01 miles

Clowns to the left of me ...

Jokers to the right ...

Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!

Took both mares out for a walk today ... they behaved really well! Morgan kept "checking" on Reagan, but Reagan was only interested in the snacks.  

Reagan needed a refresher on gate etiquette this morning and after 5 passes, she settled down and walked through like a lady.  

No complaints ... it was a great way to spend a chilly morning!

Extending our Route

43 Minutes Total
Walking for 31 minutes - Trotting for 10 minutes - Lope - for 2 minutes 
Distance: 2.97 miles

Had a rough start this morning ... I decided to ride rather than walk next to Morg for the first portion and her anxiety at leaving the herd was evident.  Wouldn't walk a straight line or focus for the 15 minutes.  

Once we got to the trotting portion of our ride, she settled in smoothly and we extended our route by an extra half mile.  Simply fabulous on the way home, even when I asked her to walk most of the way.  

Really enjoying our mornings together!

Snuck out for a morning ride

Sunday, August 3rd  Left at 9:30 am  Home at 9:58 pm  70°
Solo

Hey Morgan ... feel like a morning ride?

Ha ha ... I get to go for a ride and you don't!

 

Look at all that open space to explore Morgan!

Um, this looks awfully high

Get me closer Morg ... let's see what the other side looks like

Hmmm, I don't think so.

Turning around!

Water damage in the dunes

Hey, I know this path!  Just up this hill, turn right, short jog and we're home!

Absolutely right Morgan!  You pick the pace and I'll enjoy it 

What a great way to spend the morning ... thank you!

Did I hear treats?

P.S. I like the green reins Morgie. Much better than the white