Oh the wind and rain...

The autumn rains have arrived bringing cooler temperatures at last. But I do wish it would quit! I spent a couple of quality hours with Harley in the barn yesterday, grooming, mucking, and feeding him lunch. I missed the brief respite of rain while doing chores around the house: dishes, laundry, recycling run, etc. And today, it's just more of the same--ugh!

I sneaked in a brief ride Friday night, just before it was too dark to see. Due to the lateness, I decided to ride in the "ring" (a mowed grassy area behind the barn). The session started off poorly--deer by the pond. Harley wouldn't concentrate on anything except the deer. One would not leave, but stood at the forest edge, watching us. Great, an ungulate audience! Then two more flashed their tails which spooked Harley again. It was not a great session, but by the end, he gave up trying to wheel for home and listened to my leg (somewhat). Our circles were more like squares!

Harley after his first 20 mile ride in June 2011

John entertained me this morning reading an excerpt from the AERC's
(American Endurance Ride Conference) handbook. Under the chapter regarding horse selection, specifically personality, we decided Harley must have read this part:"If the horse trots out in hand to your satisfaction, the next move is to take him for a spin,..." Yup, Harley showed us his spin moves right from the start! Drop that shoulder and whirl! We also chuckled over this:
"Some people like a relaxed, laid-back sort of fellow, while others prefer one that is more “ready.” Most endurance riders don’t consider a lazy horse much fun to ride, but on the other hand, a very tense horse that is on the borderline of being out of control, even in a nonthreatening situation, is likely to come unglued in a real race."
Poor Halawa Moon, he's out of the running as a race horse, not well-schooled over fences (yet), and doesn't seem to measure up as an endurance horse. But he's ours, I love him, for all his quirks (even those that have sent me to the hospital--see June 28th entry), and he's enjoying a happy life with the gang. Harley has only been trail riding a year and a half, and he's made a lot of progress. He may not be a candidate for the Tevis Cup, but I'm game to take him out there, even alone. And maybe next year, if John rides Nina, I'll ride him in next year's local S.M.A.R.T. ride.

Memorial Day Ride

On the Norman Mill Trail

Harley had a good workout on Memorial Day. We did the rider switcheroo again, changing riders a couple of times. The non-rider drove the "sag wagon" equipped with sponge, scraper, water (for humans and horse), carrots, and hay. We'd hoped to get an early start with the temperature predicted to hit the high eighties. But of course, we didn't get to the barn until nine or so. Just as we were about ready to depart, Michelle showed up. She grabbed Echoe, gave him a quick grooming, and jumped aboard. We were off with plans to reach Mountain Road over by Mt. Agamenticus.

Harley was happy to have Echoe out front, keeping any scary things at bay, especially those giant boulders at the top of the lollipop loop. We rode down to the turnoff on Emery's Bridge Rd. where Michelle turned back. Harley wasn't happy to lose his trail buddy and have to head out on his own. With some reluctance, he moved forward, but kept looking back towards Echoe's fading hoofbeats.

I missed one turn and wound up coming to a gated pasture. When I turned back, Harley thought, "Oh good, we're going home." He wasn't happy when I turned him in the other direction. As we emerged on Bennett Lot Rd., I could see the pickup parked at the Normal Trail pullout. John stripped off the saddle and bridle, and we gave Harley and nice wash down. After a little break, and once Harley dried off, we tacked back up, and John headed out towards Mountain Rd.  I drove around to meet him there at high noon where we would give Harley another break and wash down.

By now it was pretty hot, but Harley seemed to be doing fine. John said he'd meet me back at Bennett Lot for another break/wash. When I met him there, Harley, now happy to be heading home, didn't want to stop, so I met him back at Emery's Bridge where Harley, again got washed and this time ate some dampened hay and drank some water. Now it was my turn. I'd ride him back to the barn. He stepped right out, jogging up hills, still feeling strong. He was out for over 4 hours and did very well. John wants to take him on a S.M.A.R.T. Ride trail ride in a few weeks, so we're conditioning him to be ready for a ride 15 to 20 miles long. So far, so good! Good job, Harley

Another Sunday bike and ride

Harley tricked out for trail riding.

John and I saddled up for another Sunday bike and ride--he on the bike, me on Harley. John, armed with a saw, cleared out some winter blow downs (and made a few jumps), making the trail up to Orris Falls a bit better. I showed him the loop up into the Tatnic Woods, through the Nature Trail land, and home. A nice breeze kept the black flies to a minimum, but the ticks were voracious! I stopped and dismounted (Harley was being fidgety), waiting for John to catch up, and picked ticks off us. The nasty little varmints clung to our legs, heading for juicy territory.

Harley was having one of those, "Yikes, it's a boulder" kind of days. The irony is that the Tatnic region is full of giant granite glacial erratics. For an awesome picture of the biggest in the area, check out this link: Balancing Rock

 With John out front on the bike, we noodled down Emery's Bridge and Tufts roads to Three Maples Farm, where we have permission to cross the property and access Tatnic Woods. Harley nearly dumped me when he spooked at an old screen door against the stone wall. Close one, but I stayed on.

Once we hit pavement again, John detoured home on the road while Harley and I cut through the woods. It was worth the ride--a nice canter, some nice trots, and just as we reached home, a sharp-shinned hawk swooped near our heads as it veered back into a tree. Two days ago, I saw a red-tailed hawk, and last week, a broad-winged. I've got a new hobby--birding by horseback.