Full Moon and Scary Objects Discounted

50 minutes - 2.05 miles - Rhulain

The breakfast club ... Rhulain and Morgan snacking while I do chores.  No halters, no lead lines, no fuss.  Love my mares.

When Morgie heard the gate open, she came running to ask if she could come along.  I told her to go eat, I'd walk her later.  Rhu is doing her "neener neener" face because she's going for a walk.

Lots of calling out today.  Pause, look back, call out, I count to 5 out loud, then we moved forward.  I found in interesting that the moon was in everyone of Rhu's looking backwards photos.  After the first 10 minutes, she settled and we had a nice walk.  

I was playing music on my phone as we walked, and as soon as Phantom of the Opera came on, Rhu's head lowered, matched my pace (rather than sulking behind me), and she relaxed. Coincidence? Maybe she just has great taste in music.

Items that were scary on Sunday, were a total non-issue today.  That mattress? Pffft, not even worth a second look.  That ball of twine and chicken wire?  Sniff, push it around, and move on.

One relaxed Rhulain following me around the yard after she checked her reflection out in the monorail. 

Our longest walk yet.  I can't imagine a better way to watch the sun rise.

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.

Majesty and the horse flesh eating gate

28 minute ride
Morgan, Bill & Majesty
1.83 miles

Bill sent me a text saying if I hurried, there was enough light to catch a ride, but I was already on the way home!  We saddled up our besties and headed out

It's been quite some time since I've seen these two together

February 1st was our last ride with this pair ... 6 weeks seems like forever!

When we got home, Bill went to shut the gate and Majesty decided it was definitely a horse eater.  So Bill took the opportunity to teach him the gate was not a scary object.  Morgan snacked while she watched, of course.

Silly Faces and Scary Objects

Tuesday, July 29th  Left at 6:28 pm  Home at 7:21 pm  85°
Rode with Bill & Wasabi
Stayed on the road ... about 3 miles total

We borrowed Bill's new rope halter and lead rope.  When asked how she felt about the blue color, these are the faces I got:

Guessing Morgan is not a fan of the blue.  I, however, thought it was dashing. Oh well.

Weather has been unusually lovely, so we have been taking advantage of it to squeeze in as many rides as possible.  Tonight Bill decided it was Wasabi's turn for an adventure.  She hadn't been out since July 10th, but she seemed to be in the mood for a ride.

First thing to tackle, some dirt piles on the side of the road

She marched up and down the dirt piles without so much as a twitch today.  Even when the sand started shifting under her feet, she calmly strode on as if she'd been doing this forever.  Far cry from her first sand dune experience a few weeks ago.

Before the scary balloon ... the terrifying Elmo lurking in the bushes ... 

flex the neck ... and then pass by the balloon as if they didn't exist.  Success!

We stuck to the road, but still encountered some strange objects.  First there was scary balloons stuck in the bushes that moved mysteriously ... it's called a breeze Wasabi, it's not mysterious at all.  Bill took advantage of the situation to flex her neck and readjust her focus.  A mere 30 seconds after sighting the balloons, she marched by them as if she'd lived with them all her life.

We continued on the road for two "blocks" (about 1/2 a mile) before starting towards home. Morgan and I were paralleling them because she was still showing slight discomfort in the rocks. Whenever we got a bit ahead of them, Wasabi tried to retake the lead.  Bill didn't seem to think we were funny, so we settled down to a slow walk.

Mailboxes? Car? No issues ... just keep strolling on Wasabi girl

We took the main road home to see how Wasabi would react with cars going by.  She didn't even glance over at the cars coming or going.  She was doing so well we decided to pass our house and go play with the fallen tree. Unfortunately, my batteries died, so there are no pictures of the "action."  She stepped over the log the first time Bill asked with no hesitation.  The second and third times required a little more patience and cajoling, but she and Bill worked out a cue on when to pick up her front lets and all was well by the fourth and fifth attempt.  Morgan actually jumped the log after my third request to go over it.  Oh happy day!

Shooters in the Sand Dunes

Wednesday, July 16th  Left at 7:42 pm  Arrived at 8:32 pm  100°
Rode with T & Red for 20 minutes, then Solo for 30

A familiar sight ... Red's rump and Morgan's green lips

Headed out the North driveway and out into the open desert.  Realized Morgan hesitates less if we go straight rather than turn left ... interesting.  Her hooves do not seem to be bothering her much any more.  We started towards the sand dunes, but heard gun fire coming from the other side of the dunes and decided it would be better to drift east and not cross the dunes.

Wait, we're going down this road by ourselves? Um, why? 

Because Morgie, it's still light and we're not done having fun!

Circled back around to the house, but I wasn't ready to call it quits.  T & Red were headed to the neighbor's house to practice jumping, so Morg and I accompanied her to the corner.  A truck with four men passed us along the way ... the shooters from the dunes.  They waved as they drove by, at least they were polite lawbreakers.

From there Morgan and I turned west and followed the main street.  A dirt bike traveled past us which made Morgie raise her head and tense, but she kept moving forward.

What is that hideous thing?

Um, we'll just call that "nature's planter box" and move on, k?

We turned down a quad path that we had followed before since it was starting to get dark.  I missed the turn and ended up facing a fenced property.  Hmmm.  We followed the property line, went between two houses and found our main road.

Thought we were going home.  Home is not in the sand dunes.

Yes Morg, but you're so awesome I bet you could climb that in less than 10 seconds.

Instead of turning towards home, I pushed it a little longer and went up one sand dune, came down the other side, then found our favorite road home.  Had a glorious exhibition of controlled speed for a quarter mile.  Then we decided to cross the open desert where we trotted, zigged, and zagged between the bushes all the way home.  Simply delightful!

We made it home!  Kiss my kissy spot ... right here!

Two kisses (and a carrot) for putting up with me tonight