My Drug of Choice

I went for a trail ride today along the canal road. The snow was about 5-6" deep. I have ridden a horse in the snow before, but this was my first time riding Delight. She was pretty fresh, but once I let her out a little she settled and we had a great ride. I rode in a bareback pad and a plain grazing bit.

I had a friend along who was riding a green horse who was also pretty fresh... I won't say toooo much in case Lyn is reading this post. He did a great job, though and once he got his mare settled and we had fun plowing new trails.

Every time I ride my horse I feel like I have just taken the most wonderful drug. I come back relaxed and happy. All is right with the world.

Something a little different....

... than pictures of a red horse. even if she is the most wonderful horse in the world!

This is one of my favorite horse videos. Lorenzo the Flying Frenchman. Enjoy!

"Called "The Flying Frenchman," Lorenzo perfects his routines on the beach near his home town of Saintes Maries de la Mer in southern France. His popularity has led this equestrian prodigy to perform at many prestigious venues, including the World Jumping Championships in Calgary."



Want more??

http://www.lorenzo.fr/page2/page2.html

On the trail... well sorta

Fun

So I had a bit of fun this afternoon with my Delight. First, I brushed her down and picked out her feet. I noticed that she was getting a bit of a mohawk , so I decided to trim her bridlepath. She doesn't tolerate clippers on top of her head, so I was trimming it with scissors. My friend who was watching me said, "Why don't you just use the clippers, they are laying right there?"

"Well, she has never let me use them on her head before... " I said, as I reached for the clippers.

I reached up and I'll be darned if she didn't let me trim her bridlepath, the long hairs coming out of her ears and her whiskers! It was the first time ever! I hope she remembers the next time I need to trim her for a show! You think she will??


I couldn't find anyone to hit the trails with me so i just plunked around Lyn's place.





I was pretty proud of myself... I rode Delight all alone on the backside of Lyn's hill. We couldn't see the barn or the pastures. I guess it was only a 20 minute ride but it is the longest/farthest I have ridden her out alone. She didn't get too antsy and I stayed relaxed and we had fun!

My Delight

My sweet horse. I love her so...




I was hoping to be able to ride this weekend, but alas, this headcold kept me from it.

I did get Star into the roundpen though. She did just fine and seems to be ready for more. I want to really work on "float" with her. That is I want her to learn to keep slack in the rope when someone is handling her, and for her to anticipate the movements of her handler.

Star is growing so big. I need to get fuzzy winter pictures of her and everyone else to put up here.

That Time of Year Again.

It's that time of year again. Ugh. Rainy season in Idaho. Some people around here call it "Mud Season." Same thing. It will be muddy and miserable until the ground freezes. Then it will be tolerable until the Spring thaw when we get to do it all over again.

It is snowing in the mountains now. Here is a picture of the butte behind the pasture. I was going to crop it to look similar to the picture at the top of this blog when i noticed that my chore buddy Amelia at the bottom. Can't crop my 'lil buddy out! See her widdle ears?



Here's a link to an earlier post I wrote about Amelia:


Thought I'd share the best sound in the world. I wish someone would record one of those relaxing musical things and put the sound of horses eating on them. You know, instead of the whale sounds? I sure would buy a copy!

I'm BAaaaaaAAaK!

On the day after the kids 4h fair back in July I had to leave on an emergency trip to Ohio to care for my mom... I ended up spending the whole summer there with a few quick trips back home. I didn't have much time for blogging or for spending much time with my beloved horses. My dear husband was a real hero, taking care of the business, the kids, and all of the (other) animals on the farm.

When I was in Ohio I found my new favorite tack store. It's called the Painted Cowgirl. I was able to get a really great deal on a used trail saddle. I rode Delight in it yesterday and it fits me wonderfully and seems to fit her as well. I'll be getting an expert opinion on it before I take her out on a long ride, but for now I am in love! Here is a picture from the store (taken with my cell phone):


It is so comfortable and secure feeling! If it turns out not to fit Delight well enough, I will definitely be looking for a similar saddle to replace it! When I was a kid English was my favorite way to ride and I feel like I am being pulled back to my roots. It remains to be seen if this old lady body still has the muscle and balance to ride in an English style saddle. I sure hope so!

I really missed Delight and the other horses this summer. The first thing I did (after hugs and kisses all around for my family, of course) was to go out back and greet the horses and then bury my face in Delight's mane. I am so very blessed to have horses in my life.

Here are couple of pictures from a trail ride last summer...



I hope there is time to squeeze a few more trail rides in before bad weather sets in this Fall....