Long rides for a long weekend

Saturday, while most people were doing their back to school shopping, or sitting at the New Hampshire tolls, trying to get to Maine for their last summer vacation, I was out in the woods aboard my Gnarley Harley. Actually, he was pretty good. Whenever he's alone, Harley is prone to more spooks, but I'm used to it now and just go with the flow, or the sideways shudder as is more often the case.

Harley watching, ears on the alert

I decided it was such a nice day, not too hot with a good breeze blowing, we should do a long loop. So we headed out to Jepson Farm and the quarry. Their are some nice places for good trots and canters, but a I have to admit, we did a lot of walking. This time of year, acorns are plopping down, and robin flocks flit through the woods. All this makes you know who a little twitchy! Loud crashing usually means deer, and loud leaf rustling could be turkeys or oversized grey squirrels--all which can be scary to the lone horse!

As we emerged from the woods, something scurried in the underbrush, possible a rabbit, and that sent him sideways. I made him walk past the derelict scary snowmobile, slowly being eaten up by wild grapes. I think he's afraid the grapes will get him too. I wanted to take a picture of the abandoned house. It reminds me of a childhood book, The Little One by Dare Wright, author of The Lonely Doll series. This book had a different doll. A turtle finds her and leads her out of an abandoned house and she goes and lives in the woods with two bears. Anyway, long story short, I always love exploring places like this, but Harley was not so keen on the idea!

Jepson Homestead

The road past the quarry can be hot and buggy on a still day, but with the nice breeze blowing, it was nearly bug free--hurrah! I expected to run into ATVs out on such a gorgeous day, but we had the entire road and trails to ourselves.

Quarry road

I wonder if Mr. Little Ears is exhausted after keeping them alert for an hour and 45 minutes? In fact, his ears are so little, his headnet flops around his ears as you can see in the picture. I was optimistic this day and rode him in the bitless bridle and didn't bring a crop (for the occasional "I'm stuck in revers" moment). All I carried was my camera, hoof pick, carrot bites, and a maple branch fly whisk. We had a couple of nice jumps, including the one were I took a tumble back in July, and headed for home and a nice bath.

Sunday, we took the girls for a long ride and left Harley with some hay and down time alone. Our destination, the Norman Mill Trail over near Agamenticus. Ruffy and Rolex are quite the pair. When one stops, so does the other. The sorority sisters agree they should stick together no matter what. So this leads to much urging and a smack to get one moving forward. It's not always an obstacle they are spooking at, just a decision to turn around and go home instead. We headed out through the Orris Falls Trail, taking turns leading, first Rolex, then Ruffy. Today was a first--no bug spray!

Ruffy taking the lead

The weather was cool and overcast with slight sprinkles. It was enough to keep most of the deer flies away, although the mosquitoes with a bit bothersome. We ambled down Emery's Bridge Rd. to the Bennett Lot cutoff. Someone had put a rail up, but we figured they could step over it, or at least hop it. No, Rolex decided to just knock it down! Given that it's probably private property, we put it back up behind us. I imagine it's intended to keep ATV riders out (and possibly clumsy equines although it's not posted). Once we reached Bennett Lot Rd. we did a loop around the Norman Mill Tr. and returned the same way. Now that we were headed home, the pace stepped up considerably!

When we reached the top of the Lollipop Loop the gals got keyed up. John thought there might be bees, I think they were just feeding off each other's high spirits and ready to go. After all, they are ex-racehorses, and they were feelin' good!

When we neared the end of the trail, we dismounted and walked them back up the road. At this point, John had fixed Ruffy's Easyboot 3 or 4 times and it was flapping again (worn velcro). The less fancy footwork, the more likely she wouldn't step on it and tear it off. Rolex has grown enough hoof that her boots don't fit right now. We'll have to see if they will after the farrier comes, or if she needs the next size up.

Tomorrow, my last day of the long weekend, is supposed to be beautiful. Another long ride, this time with my boy Harley.

A week of wonderful riding weather

This would have been the week to take some time off with absolutely perfect weather for riding or any other outdoor pursuit. Saturday I biked out to the barn to feed--a nice 16 mile ride round trip. Then I spent the afternoon putting up tomatoes and making granola. Needless to say, I didn't get in a ride too, but sometimes, just being at the barn counts as quality time with the horses.

Sunday's ride was a short jaunt into the woods. Neither Rolex, nor Harley seemed inclined to go too far--too buggy, and too close to dinner time! But it counted as at least a little exercise. We'd spent the day doing barn chores and John got a good portion of one field mowed. Then Pete took over and got the mower stuck in some muck under the fence. Bucky the Trucky to the rescue! John pulled the mower out and proved to me that my little 4 cylinder Tacoma can do more than I give it credit for.

Gray tree frog

This little tree frog has been hanging out by the back of the barn, chirping up a storm for a couple of days. Today, I caught him snoozing in the afternoon sun. Once the sun lowered and it got cooler, he began singing with his brethren in the neighborhood. If I'd taken the photo later, his bulbous pouch would have showed up!

We took Ruffy and Harley on the Tatnic loop ride today, up through Orris Falls and down the road through Tatnic Woods. A number of dogs kept things interesting; some fenced, some not. Harley had to go out front for a ways, past a scary little camper trailer, and then a lady sitting in a lawn chair in the sun, reading. Oh, and then two little poodles tore out of the house--egads, Harley! He can be such a chicken at times, but then he can also be such a sweetie, like when I needed to get off and retrieve a lost Easyboot for Ruffy. He stood quietly for both the dismount (with me nursing my bum shoulder) and the remount (from the right side no less). He can be a good boy. But when he gets his goat up, and I'm using the bitless bridle, he can be headstrong and curmudgeonly. Such as--Ruffy turned around, so I will too!, or I need be next to Ruffy; I don't care if the moving van is taking up the entire road! Hmmm--the look of eagles or chickens? Sometimes I wonder. Friday night he was being a goof ball and spooking at who knows what in the barn. I almost chickened out on riding as he swung left and right in the cross ties. I finally tied him in his stall to tack up. But I had the gumption to get on and go, albeit a schooling session rather than a trail ride! He might have been in a dither because the newbie was turned out with him--the proverbial apple upsetting the Harley's cart.

Harley having a moment--the day of the ill-fated shoulder injury

Evening lollygag down the road

Rolex and John heading home

The deer flies were horrible, yet again, so I made it a short ride in the woods, albeit a brisk one with lots of trotting in hopes of leaving the flies in the dust. No such luck. John caught up with us riding Rolex. He wasn't planning to ride (hence the beachwear outfit), but couldn't resist an opportunity to be in the saddle, bugs or no, shoes or no. That's my guy!

Shoes, boots, or barefoot?

I've been going round and round with this--especially since I know some of my readers are barefoot, and some use boots. John has been using the Easyboot Backcountry Glove on the fillies, but the Velcro appears to have lost it's stickiness and they keep coming loose. I've looked at Renegades and prefer their style/function/fit (providing they stay on!) over others, but again, they rely on Velcro as well. Then there are the Cavallos--any users out there? Harley is not a candidate for barefoot riding--he gets too ouchy on gravel. He does best with shoes, when he's not whacking himself and over-reaching--what to do, what to do. Oh, and we ride through MUD! Serious MUD! Any comments, preferences, suggestions would be appreciated, dear readers. Thanks!

It's the end of a perfect day...

Breakfast time, ma!

We awoke to a gorgeous clear day with low humidity at last. Despite my grand plans to bike out and feed early, we still got in a full day, including a trip to the Barrington Truck Show to see my dad with his 1946 Mack LJX on display.

We got back out to the barn by 2 p.m., gathered everyone up for a little lunch, then saddled Harley and Rolex for a ride out to the quarry. I've been leery of riding on my own with my gimpy shoulder, but I feel like I'm missing out on hours of summer riding.

So, despite some possible tears in the rotator cuff--life must go on and that includes riding. Harley behaved himself, unlike the last episode in the thunderstorm, all alone, with Rolex out of sight-egad! We had some nice trots and a rather lazy canter up a hill, but with him out front, things were more manageable for my sore wing--less snorting and sideways prancing! We have not been out to the quarry in some time. The bugs were bothersome, and I'll be happy when cool weather drives them away. Every summer I say I'll get a fly whisk but I've yet to follow through and usually rely on tree branches to swat the bugs. I've determined that no fly spray is really effective in the deep woods. Beating and slapping them works best! Both horses seemed reluctant to head out and I'm not sure if it was the bugs or the new arrival at the barn. A new boarder has arrived--a Percheron/Quarter horse yearling.  Harley is curious and I think the fillies might be in love--good thing he has been gelded, even if he is in the neighboring pasture!


I'm looking forward to my September vacation with, hopefully, more long days spent in the saddle!

Dog days of summer are here

Snack time!

This is the kind of weather where it's so hard to get motivated, even to ride. Hot sultry weather seems to stuck in our neck of the woods with no relief from the rainstorms that passed through last night. Despite the icky, sticky weather, John mowed the ring area (yes, the grass was taking over) and now we'll need to disc it again before dragging it. Then he mowed around and between our garden plantings, while I weeded by hand, whew! The squash, potatoes, corn, and peppers seem to be holding their own against the wild radish invasion! I even found two zucchini in the nick of time--before they became monster squash with no use.

After the mowing was done, we decided to brave the heat and take the girls out for a little jaunt. Harley has broken out in hives again (something hatched or the no-see-ums attacked), and the fillies have minor cases, as does Vance. So, no saddle for Harley again.

We walked up the power line and down through the woods to the Orris Falls trail, all the while, swishing at the darn deer flies swarming our ponies. They were absolutely awful and the girls were most unhappy, tossing their heads, swishing their tails, even breaking into a trot to get the heck home as soon as possible! I can't say I blame them. All they really wanted was a nice cool shower and to stand in the shade with a fan blowing on them. And that's just what we did, along with giving everyone a little snack. Stamping off flies and standing in the dirt, no grazing in the buggy fields, leads towards weight drop, so the snack/indoor break gave them a nice reprieve.

Then a big storm blew in with blue-grey clouds that burst open and poured. No thunder and lightning, like they predicted, and not a lot of cooling, but the brief respite felt wonderful. I stood in the barn doorway, getting misted from the blowing rain--ahhh!

My other steed

My 2-wheeled steed, Old Blue

While my shoulder is recuperating, I've been wary of getting back on Harley and injuring it further. But as the range of motion seems to have improved, I finally got out on my other steed, my trusty old 25+ year old bicycle.  It didn't seem to bother my shoulder after 11 miles on Saturday, so John suggested we ride out to the barn on Sunday. Round trip is just over 16 miles, but it does include 2 good hill climbs--ooh, boy.

I've done many "upgrades" and changes over the years, including adding some "granny gears", but it always takes a while to get back in the saddle again. I packed a pair of breeches, on the off chance I was up for riding 'old Snarley Harley, along with the camera, phone, and carrots. With John's car out of commission, he's been packing in the miles on his bike. So now it's time for me to catch up! But of course, I didn't catch him on the hills--I just ground my way up. This told me that I need to bike to the barn, rather than drive! And given the price of gas--I'll save money and improve my cardiovascular stamina at the same time. A win-win situation.

I still can't lift the saddle onto Harley, so John gave me a hand tacking up, then we went off for a meander down the road. The deer flies annoyed Rolex and Harley, even with bug repellent. I've yet to find one that really works well. Since the woods are even worse, we kept out in the open. The horses and I will be happy to see the back end of bug season!

Pretty girl Ruffy

After our jaunt down the road, John tacked up Ruffy. She's such a doll in the cross ties, patiently standing there for grooming, tacking, shoeing, etc.  And she's a love-bug, enjoying head rubs along with carrots.

I did barn chores while John was riding. As I went out back to empty the wheelbarrow, John and Ruffy cantered up to the barn, then went down in the back pasture to try out our little log jump. Boy, can this girl jump--I think she likes it! And so does John, as he enjoyed a nice canter around the field. Unfortunately, I was holding the wheelbarrow, and not the camera, so I didn't get any good pictures of their fun.

It's too darn hot

I don't feel like I'm missing out on any stupendous riding right now. The temperature keeps soaring up around 90 and the hazy skies hold little appeal. Horse flies, deer flies, and greenheads abound, buzzing in annoying circles around the horses and me. While my shoulder heals, we're all taking a break.

Snoozing Ruffy

Yesterday was "spa day" at the barn complete with baths, total grooming from nose to tail and down to their toes. They got some respite from the heat and high noon sun by spending the better part of the day in their stalls, away from the flies, with fans ruffling their manes.

Rolex getting her "treatment" after a roll in her shavings

By the time the sun was behind the trees, we put the horses back out for dinner. The barn felt warmer than outdoors, and since a breeze kicked up, it wasn't too bad. I think Harley was getting bored and needed a new place to crib. His stall guard can only take so much pressure--he's popped it out once this week!

The cribmeister killing time

It's weather like this that makes me long for September when the days are still long, but with a crisper tang in the air. And by then, my shoulder should definitely be back in shape!
Stay cool, fellow riders!

I was overdue for this...

This is not me, but it looks like the fall I took!

Yup, it's happened again--another graceless splat as I landed on the ground. Things were going along just fine until Rolex and Harley thought they were back at the track and it was a race for home!

Merciless flies hovered around the horses heads, driving them crazy, so we cut our ride short and headed for home. And eager trot, became a snorting sideways canter as Rolex passed Harley. That got his blood up. When John said, "Jump!", Harley did just that, only he went in at the log sideways, and stiff like a pogo stick. He cleared it, then realized he was heading for a sapling. Rolex, already heading into the woods (and Harley, always the follower) veered right to avoid the trees made Harley spin sideways and I must have looked just like the pictured rider--went off sideways. I tucked and rolled to get out of the way of both horses feet, but I must have landed in a way that messed up my shoulder.

Getting back on was painful. I couldn't use my right arm to pull myself up. But it was remount or walk! We made it back without too much difficulty. Harley spooked at some deer, but we got home safely. First thing I did was put an icepack from our cooler on my shoulder, leaving poor John to play groom and take care of the horses.

So it looks like I'm out of the saddle for a couple of weeks. I'm hoping it's just strained/sprained and not a bad tear in the rotator cuff. It's the same shoulder I hurt a couple of years ago in a fall. Maybe my next purchase at the tack shop will be some of that stuff you spray on your saddle to make it sticky! Better yet, just sit up, Lisa!

A ride with dogs and frogs

Harley enjoying the view

We didn't get the early start we had hoped on Sunday. But that's what happens, you sit around sipping coffee, reading a book, or other people's horse blogs. And next thing you know it's after 9 a.m. John thought about going to the tack shop first, but I said, "Let's beat the heat and get in our ride!"

Since the horses (and us) seemed low on energy, it was a good day for some trail trimming. Armed with his nippers in his scabbard, John did an awesome job cutting back many annoying limbs--you know, the ones right around eyeball level that thwack you in the face? Rolex stood remarkably well while branches rained down around her. She even decided to nibble on a few. Harley didn't seem to mind the branches either, but I think it's because he was proving to Rolex how brave he could be. Although I know otherwise! I jokingly ask John all the time, "Is it the look of eagles, or chickens?"

We rode out to Jepson Farm, an area we haven't been to in a long time. All the water from our torrential spring seems to have gone down leaving gooey black muck. Harley tried to pull his stunt at the brook crossing, wheeling around and heading for home. I needed our girl Rolex to prove to him that it wasn't a bottomless bog. The trails have some excellent footing, but Rolex had a stiff hock and we didn't want to push her. Plus it was too dang hot! The bugs were annoying and I think both horses had sweated off most of the fly dope. I need to mix up enough to put in a small container to carry with us for re-application on the trail.

Am I killing a fly, or smacking Harley? I think I was patting him.

We rode out along the quarry. Sundays are always good because there's no blasting going on. I'm not sure how Harley would react to that! When I led summer camp trips in Vermont, we had to listen for the whistle in the slate quarries we passed by. Most of them were long abandoned, filled with water which made inviting looking pools. But we'd been warned never to swim in them since that's where most of the junked equipment landed. I always think about those quarries when we ride past this one in Wells, Maine. Here, they once quarried granite, I believe. This one is now full of water--I have no idea how deep it is. The main work now is all in an adjacent quarry, fenced off and nearly out of sight except from the road.

Rolex peering up the trail to the quarry

Rolex led the way part of the time, letting Harley lollygag and not pay attention. He only noticed when she stepped out a little too far ahead and he needed to jog to catch up. But he likes it when someone else takes on the responsibility of making sure everything is safe up ahead.


When it came to wading through some scum-covered water on the flooded roadbed, Harley bravely waded on through despite the fact that he couldn't see what was under his feet. Thankfully, it's fairly rocky footing, rather than deep muck--it just looks nasty with the pollen-scummed surface. The poor,  much-maligned Harley does redeem himself at moments like these!


Cheney Woods Road has now hardened to the consistency of concrete. The summer sun has baked it dry reminding me of Vermont's hardpan dirt roads in summer. Turning for home towards North Point, we encountered a couple of loose dogs. I didn't even see them, but suddenly, Harley whirled around and headed back up the trail. I caught a glimpse of the dogs when I pulled him up. That set the pace for the rest of the ride home--he was on full alert now!

Riding along the road to North Point, I saw something green gleaming in a strange hue among the foliage along a brook. It seemed a weird shade of green--unnatural. And I soon realized why! Behold, a grinning stone frog stared back at Harley! He probably thought, "See, I'm right. Stones do come to life sometimes!"

Stone Frog

And for a closer view:

He's watching you, Harley!