October 2014
410 minutes = 6.75 hours with Morgan
330 minutes = 5.5 hours - Bill and Majesty
Wasabi's saddle time 2014:
Jan - Jun - 5 hrs
July - 2 hrs
Aug - 1 hr
Sept - 0 hr
Oct - 0 hr
Friday, October 31, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Odd Situation.
Tuesday, October 28th 20 minute ride
Solo
I decided to take a quick ride with the remaining 20-30 minutes of fading light. As I saddled up, I heard quads going by but I didn't pay much attention to where they were.
Morg and I dashed out the gate and headed on our "normal" route up to the sand dune within sight of our house. She seemed to want to be riding, because she took off in a trot and never slowed down ... until we went up the sand dune and cut right ... then she completely stopped.
I looked up to see three men standing around and two quads. Odd. I asked if we could pass through, because I wasn't sure what the proper etiquette was for situations such as this. I mean, what does one say? "Hello, pardon our intrusion on your ... um ... suspicious gathering"? And really, why were they hiding on the back side of a sand dune? Wives looking for you or something? One of the men said we were real quiet. What is an appropriate response? Apologize or say thank you? I merely nodded and that seemed sufficient.
I said we'd be out of their way in a moment and Morgan and I were off again clambering down the far side of the dune when she spotted another quad in our way. Hmmm. This must belong to the guy that was standing on the sand dune, but why was it parked at the bottom of the tallest sand dune. Odd and odder.
We skirted around the quad (with Ms. Morgan snorting challenges at it the whole time) and went on our way. Once we got to the salt flats, I asked Morg to head around another sand dune ... I figured she was making good time and we needed the extra mileage. Once we were on the backside of the dune, one of the quads fired up and started heading our way. I decided to cut the ride short and head home on a path parallel to the quad. Once we entered our gate, the other two quads came down the road right behind us. Great, now they know where I live. Guess Bill will have to accompany Morg and I for a while to be on the safe side.
Solo
I decided to take a quick ride with the remaining 20-30 minutes of fading light. As I saddled up, I heard quads going by but I didn't pay much attention to where they were.
Heading out for a nice quiet ride
Morg and I dashed out the gate and headed on our "normal" route up to the sand dune within sight of our house. She seemed to want to be riding, because she took off in a trot and never slowed down ... until we went up the sand dune and cut right ... then she completely stopped.
A blur of motion as Morg and I cruised down familiar pathways
I looked up to see three men standing around and two quads. Odd. I asked if we could pass through, because I wasn't sure what the proper etiquette was for situations such as this. I mean, what does one say? "Hello, pardon our intrusion on your ... um ... suspicious gathering"? And really, why were they hiding on the back side of a sand dune? Wives looking for you or something? One of the men said we were real quiet. What is an appropriate response? Apologize or say thank you? I merely nodded and that seemed sufficient.
Sometimes her trotting makes for the most interesting pictures ... love the swirling motion of this one
I said we'd be out of their way in a moment and Morgan and I were off again clambering down the far side of the dune when she spotted another quad in our way. Hmmm. This must belong to the guy that was standing on the sand dune, but why was it parked at the bottom of the tallest sand dune. Odd and odder.
The light was fading fast, so we had to hustle ... no time to wait for the camera to focus
We skirted around the quad (with Ms. Morgan snorting challenges at it the whole time) and went on our way. Once we got to the salt flats, I asked Morg to head around another sand dune ... I figured she was making good time and we needed the extra mileage. Once we were on the backside of the dune, one of the quads fired up and started heading our way. I decided to cut the ride short and head home on a path parallel to the quad. Once we entered our gate, the other two quads came down the road right behind us. Great, now they know where I live. Guess Bill will have to accompany Morg and I for a while to be on the safe side.
Safely in our front yard, we stopped by Morgan's favorite snacking area
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Goatly Madness
Came home from running errands to see this ...
Yep, that's our goat "Eclipse" hanging out on the porch
Here's her "wise and all knowing goat" face
Silly goat. I adore her antics.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Wasabi thinks she's awesome
Saturday, October 26th 30 minute ride
Rode with Bill & Wasabi
Wasabi: Hey, Morgie, watch me run to the gate and back!
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: Did you see me? Did ya? I'm awesome.
Me: Hey Wasabi? This is what awesome looks like!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Sunburns Suck, Sunsets Don't
Tuesday, October 21st 10 minute ride
Solo
Got home with about 20 minutes left before the sun slid behind the mountain. I tossed a saddle on Morgan and headed out the front gate. We did a quick two block ride at a steady trot just to stretch out her legs and spend some time together. It was nice to be with my Morgie girl today watching the sun change from pinks and reds to darkness.
One of the ladies from Sunday's ride sent me over two pictures:
Solo
Got home with about 20 minutes left before the sun slid behind the mountain. I tossed a saddle on Morgan and headed out the front gate. We did a quick two block ride at a steady trot just to stretch out her legs and spend some time together. It was nice to be with my Morgie girl today watching the sun change from pinks and reds to darkness.
One of the ladies from Sunday's ride sent me over two pictures:
Morgan getting a neck scratch and a hug. Love that mare!
Look ... a picture of all four of us!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Another Snake Tale
Driving home, I noticed something slithering on the side of the road. Bill turned on his flashlight and caught pictures of this "darling" diamondback rattlesnake.
Look at the bottom of the flashlight circle ... you'll see it's head
More centered, but fuzzy
And this is the snake deciding we weren't all that much fun to hang out with, so he slithered away
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