First Trail Riding Lesson for the Kid

60 minutes - Kid's first trail riding lesson
25 minutes - 1.21 miles - Morgan
21 minutes - 0.11 miles - Rhulain - groundwork

The kid has his first trail riding lesson with the trainer today.  They were gone an hour, which is the longest time he's ever spent on horseback.  The trainer she said he did pretty well, but sometimes he daydreamed and forgot to watch where the horse was going. :)

While we were gone, the other side of the mare motel got graded.  Now we can begin working on the turn out and the goat pen.

 The light was fading fast, so Morgan and I only got in a short ride.  She was fine up until we headed towards the gate ... then the neighbor's dogs rushed at us in full force, yapping and running underfoot.  I hopped off and shooed all six of them away while she stood still waiting for me.  

I had a few minutes before it became too dark to see, so I grabbed Rhulain.  She was clingy and seemed really nervous in the dark. So we worked on holding still while I mounted, and then flexing her neck to both sides.  It was a good session. 

First Ever Family Ride!

17 minutes - 0.54 miles - Morgan, Rhulain, and Majesty

Bill was hard at work cleaning out his shed full of tools.  Kid was busy building ramps for his dump truck to jump over.  And I took the opportunity to saddle up three horses and invite everyone for a ride around the yard.

Bill led the way, and gave the kid instructions on how to use the reins.  Morgan was absolutely amazing and so extremely patient.  Rhulain made it clear she didn't like being in the back.

Once I moved Rhu up to the front, her head dropped low, she breathed out, and she showed the Kid how to go around bushes and zig-zag through the yard.  I was very impressed with her attitude.  

Since it was over 90 degrees, we only stayed in the saddle for about 20 minutes.  Though I noticed Bill stole Morgie and took her for a lap or two around the yard while I gave the Kid instructions on untacking.  Mmm hmm.  My horse, and I'm the only one who didn't get to ride her.

A few more of these, and we might be able to start riding off property!

Snuck in a ride before the Super Bowl

45 Minutes Total
Walking for 20 minutes - Trotting for 15 minutes - Walking for 10 minutes 
Distance: 3.21 miles

Decisions ...
I decided to change Red's nickname to Reagan.  Her registered name is Smokem Mochem, but calling her Smoke seems silly since she's a sorrel. I had tried Mochie in the past, but that didn't seem to work for either of us.  Since she's getting a new start here, she needed a new name and Reagan seems to suit her well.

Morgan laying down, Reagan watching over the herd, Wasabi snoozing, and Sundance sound asleep

Where is Majesty you might ask?  Well, he was standing by the gate waiting to go out for a ride!  Morgan hopped up as soon as she saw me grab a halter.  Such a nice mare!

Morgan was in a cuddly mood and kept scooting over to rub her head on Bill's leg.  He would absently reach down and rub her hear and she would sigh contentedly.  She was quite happy to let Majesty set the pace and follow along, but moved out very nicely when asked for a trot.  Couldn't be happier with how our progress is going!

Whenever we come in from a walk/ride, Morgan heads straight to the turn out and touches noses with Reagan. It's adorable!  Reagan gets her hooves trimmed on Saturday and then she should be able to start joining us on our daily walks.

Longest Solo Yet!

60 minutes - 62 degrees!

Solo Ride

Whispering in Morgan's ear: "Hey Morgie, today's going to be our best ride yet!

"Things will look the same at first, but then we'll push beyond our boundaries ....

we may find ourselves feeling all alone ...

and in uncharted territories ...

but together, we'll make it home safe and sound, and only a bit sweaty."

Morg and I took a path we had only done once before while following another rider.  We lost the trail twice, but only for a short while.  We found an open area that I knew was safe, so I let her speed up.  Then the saddle bag flew off.  I dismounted to grab it and turned to see her standing perfectly still just waiting for me.  

There were 11 quads in the sand dunes near our house, and one of them thought it would be amusing to chase Morg and I down the street towards our house.  Morg was uncomfortable, but she listened to cues and didn't take off in a panic.  I guided her to the open desert and we made it home safely.  She was absolutely awesome!

First Ride of the New Year

45 minutes

Rode with Bill and Majesty

* Hooves trimmed ... all 4 horses

Bill and Majesty saddled up and ready to go ... Morgan checking my pockets for treats

The boys forging new trails

Looking ahead ... 

... and looking for Bill

Morgan's "My goat senses are tingling" face

New Reins

Saturday, December 20th  60 minute ride 
Rode with Bonnie and Cutty

Hey Morgan, I got you a gift!

Did you bring me a treat?

New reins!  Aren't they wonderful?!

Pffft.

An hour later ...

You look a little tired there Morgie girl.  Maybe next time you won't make fun of me when I bring you a gift.

Seriously, the new reins are incredible!  I love, love, love them!  

Went for an hour ride with Bonnie and found a new path that Morg and I should be able to follow on our own.  We were only gone an hour, but we trotted the entire time and Morgan did very well with the pace.  She was, however, riding behind a stud and she was rather a snot about not riding up his bum.

Wasabi thinks she's awesome

Saturday, October 26th  30 minute ride 
Rode with Bill & Wasabi

Morgan: Wait ... she's going?

Me: Yep, and we're going to have fun.

Me: See? We're having fun

Wasabi: Come on you guys ... you're slow

Morgan: Pffft. I just don't want to be anywhere near you.

Morgan moved as far away from Wasabi as I would allow.

Wasabi: Look at me being well behaved!

 Wasabi: Hey, Morgie, watch me run to the gate and back!

 Wasabi: Did you see me?  Did ya?  I'm awesome.

Me: Hey Wasabi? This is what awesome looks like!

Mountain Half-Marathon ... where Morgan tried to decapitate me ... several times

Sunday, October 19th  3.5 hour ride - 13.1 miles
Mtn. Springs Ride
Rode with Bill & Majesty, Meggan & Zanadee, Robert & Chevy, Pam & Faith, and R
And five dogs

Meggan invited us to join her and her friends for a ride in the mountains about an hour from the house.  We loaded up our horses and left the house bright and early.  I didn't think about bringing sunblock, because it's mid-October ... it should be chilly!  Needless to say, I got my first major sunburn of the year. In October.  *shakes head in disbelief*

Starting out ... our guide for the day was "R" and his sorrel horse and two golden retrievers.  I think red might be his favorite color. :)  Leaving the property, it felt like we were on top of the mountain.  We traveled down to the "road" and found ourselves on a plateau.  

Morg and I weren't used to all the trees and several times I found myself ducking.  At one point, I was digging around in the saddle bag looking for spare batteries when I looked up to find Morgan and I were basically in a tree ... we were both spitting pine needles for a few seconds before we backed out and went around it.  Lesson learned ... don't fiddle around for the first 20 minutes when you're in a new environment.

We came upon a grassy area, which kept the horses a bit busy ... inspecting the area, not tasting the local grass of course.  Majesty and Morgan had never been in grass that tickled their bellies, but after a few minutes, they walked in it without snorting. Until they discovered the muck.  Once they heard the sucking sound of their hooves freeing from the mud, they both said no thank you and tried to turn around.  It took some work, but they made it through the marshy parts and were rewarded with a snack.

This is the only picture of Morgan and I together from the ride.  Poor Morgan, she has no head.  Poor me, I have no feet.

Lots of "ups" and "downs" along the way ... some of it rocky, some of it smooth.  The horses really had to work those leg muscles.  I was thankful Morg is in shape.   

Majesty was the only gelding, the only light colored horse, and the only Arabian in the group. Way to be different Bill!  

Of course, Morgan was the only Morgan, the only one without a bit and unshod. I was nervous about her being barefoot, but she didn't have a single chip or any signs of tenderness at the end of the ride.  Way to go Morgie!  And way to be different Amber.  *grins*

Break time!  We made a few stops to let the horses catch their breath and to do tack checks.  Every time we stopped, the dogs found watering holes and jumped in to cool down. 

Majesty and Bill at the half way point.  Look at poor Majesty's neck ... coated with sweat and dirt.

One very tired Morgan ... as soon as she was untacked, she started to fall asleep.  

About a quarter mile from the house Morgan started breathing hard, so I slowed her pace and let her rest in whatever shade we could find.  While checking her hooves and legs, I noticed she had cactus spikes in her right front leg.  I pulled them out and they immediately started to bleed.  I'm sure she thought I was torturing her when I wiped her leg down with an antiseptic cloth.  I watched her carefully to see if she would need a Benadryl, but she didn't seem to have a reaction to the cacti.

A quick rinse then they loaded into the trailer and we headed home.  13 miles in 3.5 hours ... we might take up endurance riding ... with lots more practice!

Quiet One

Sunday, October 12th  60 minute ride  
Rode with Bill & Majesty

Morgan waiting patiently to be tacked up

We took a nice, leisurely ride through the flat area of the desert east of the house.  My batteries gave out after taking two pictures, so there's nothing fun to look at today (well, looking at Morgan is always fun for me).  

Quiet, calm, with just enough breeze to make the ride comfortable.  Perfect kind of ride ... just what was needed to start off the week.

Morgan with her new breast collar and cinch

and her best friend, the snack bucket 

The Other Side of the Valley

Sunday, September 28th  90 minute ride  70° 
Rode with Bill & Majesty and Meggan & Zanadee

Wait ... who's that riding with Bill?  Well, our friend, Meggan and her horse Zanadee.  Morgan's ears seem to be in most of my photos

Meggan took us through some interesting scenery.

Don't worry Maj, feel free to leave "road apples" if needed ... the "No Dumping" sign doesn't apply to you.

Hmmm, we seem to be up here all alone.  Where is everyone else?

There they are! Waaaaay down there.

Bill decided to switch places with me

Hey, which way do you want to go?

Meggan says "Follow me"

And we're off ... climbing down the dune

Bill and Majesty discovering what's around the corner

Morgan and I heading home ... can't resist those fuzzy brown ears

Blazing New Trails

Sunday, September 21st  30 minute ride  90° 
Solo

Tried to add a different dimension to our ride today.  I had bells on a leather strap so I attached it to her neck and we moved around a bit to get her used to the sound. Once she figured out that she made the noise, she seemed to have fun moving different parts of her body to the jingle. Too cute!

We headed down the trail, just jingling away

Most of our normal trails had been washed out, so we spent quite a bit of time searching for ways to get through the sand dunes.  We looked for other prints to see if the path ahead was safe, but we didn't much other than jackrabbit prints.

This used to be a sand dune we would climb down ... now it's been washed away and it drops off a mere three feet from where we stopped.

Morg and I lost the trail again, but we found some quad tracks off to the left so we decided to investigate ... 

The tracks lead us right to this drop off.  The far left "bank" is where Morgan had a hissy fit last month.  Now we can't get there because the area has been completely washed away.

Batteries gave out shortly after this, but we made it home safe.  Once we were on the property, I took off Morgan's headstall and we tried riding around with just leg aids.  It's exhilarating!  We need to work on stopping, but otherwise she did fabulous.