Seeing Spots

60 minutes
Morgan, Bill & Majesty, Natalie and Heather
2.70 miles
* Majesty trimmed; Reagan trimmed & front shoes

Natalie came over to the house and found me pulling weeds.  She pitched in and we filled up a wheelbarrow ... the goat came over to eat out of the wheelbarrow, but refused to eat the weeds still in the ground. Persnickety goat.  I mentioned to Natalie that Bill and I were going to sneak in a ride before the sun set and she said wanted to go as well.  

A few minutes later she and her daughter arrived and the four of us headed out with no plan in mind. Those wandering trips usually are the best!  We discover new areas, get a little lost, laugh and share stories, then find our way back home.

This trip was just as pleasant as could be ... the sun was warm, but there was a steady breeze to keep us cool, there was great conversation and big smiles on everyone's face.

Morgan and I followed Natalie, so I got to see spots for most of the ride.  It always amuses me to try and count the spots.

Bill and I climbed the highest sand dune we could find just for the exercise and the view.  Natalie and Heather joined us and we wandered over and through all the dunes we came across.

We stopped to rest the horses after having them climb dunes.  We started home just as the sun was slipping behind the mountains.  It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Gelding Adventures

Sunday, August 24th  15 minute ride  88° 
Rode Traveller - 10 minutes
Rode Majesty - 5 minutes

So, I drug the old man Traveller out of the turn out because I couldn't remember riding him more than once in 2014.  He turned 31 this year and has been retired for the last 3 or 4 years, but we try to ride him once a quarter to make him feel useful.

He is a giant!  I'm used to my 14 hh Morgan, so hopping on this 16.2 hh Thoroughbred requires preparation - I have to use the treeless saddle because his back is higher than my head, I have to locate a step stool tall enough that I can clamber up into the saddle with my short legs, and have a good dose of bravery ... because sitting that high off the ground is very nerve-wracking.  He is so tall that he can stick this head into the feed trailer with the door closed and start snacking.  Yeah, that was fun.

After that adventure, I took Majesty for a quick spin because he kept trying to stick his head in the bridle when I went to grab Traveller.  Of course, once I got him tacked up, he didn't really want to go anywhere ... it was getting dark and it was definitely dinner time.

And how did Morgan feel about me riding the geldings?

She was just fine with being left in the turn out, thank you very much.

Best Ride of The Year ... So Far

Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Left at 6:50 pm  Arrived home at 8:15 pm  89° - Rained earlier in the day
Morgan - Bill & Majesty (Arabian), T & Red, J & Beauty (appy), and N & TC (OTTB)

Meeting got cancelled, so an impromptu ride was in order.  Called T and invited her along.  She said her friends would meet us in the sand dunes.  In record time, we saddled up and headed out.

T & Red showing off their new "purple" gear

 Initially Morgan took the lead, but once we were close to the dunes we were overtaken by Majesty's spirited steps.

Majesty hadn't been out in a while, and with the smell of rain still hanging in the air, he seemed much more youthful than his 26 years.   He challenged any and all dunes, no matter how steep.

We located some puddles and worked on stepping around, in, and through them for a while.  

At first, Morgan and Majesty were reluctant, but they soon understood there were no horseflesh-eating animals in the puddles. 

Red and Majesty each conquering their own puddles of doom

Here Bill and Majesty claimed to be "King of the Puddles."  

No one challenged him for the title, and since our new friends arrived, we continued on to the dunes.   

Wandering through the sand dunes.  

Morgan and I trailed behind, quite content just to be out on such a wonderful evening

Morgan and I taking a moment in the huge puddle that we found in the sand dunes.  Love my Morgie!

Everyone wanted a chance to play in the long puddle and the horses were quite willing to join in the fun

Wasn't enough just to walk in the water ... much more fun to run!  

Red came out of this puddle with mud "freckles" caked up her back legs.  Simply adorable :)

Such an eclectic party: a Quarter Horse, an Appaloosa, a Thoroughbred, and an Arabian

There was no need to prompt everyone ... they were smiling and laughing the whole ride

Red shows everyone how she really feels about Morgan photo-bombing her

We parted ways here and meandered through the open desert for a bit

Home stretch with the sun setting.  Absolutely the perfect way to end the day!