Monday's meander

Ruffy peering at the water

Monday was "girls day out". Harley kept Vance company while John and I took Ruffy and Rolex for a meander down to Orris Falls. The ride was uneventful, a blessing for me these days, but the girls got "stuck" at a spot where the water was running across the trail. Ruffy could easily have jumped it, but instead, stood and snorted at the water. I think the scary snowman may have set her up for "spooky things" along the trail and she's never been a fan of getting her feet wet.

Rolex just decided to copy Ruffy and decided she didn't really want to go any further either. John dismounted, and tried to lead Ruffy across, but she was having none of it, balking with feet firmly planted on one side while John waded in the muddy water. Rather than turning it into a contest of wills, we called it a day and turned for home. Of course, this meant passing the scary snowman again. Rolex went out front, snorting, with Ruffy scooching by fast when she realized she might be left alone!

Rolex wimping out on me

You know it must be super scary for Rolex to stop and snort at things in the trail, but she was brave enough to not try racing for home!

My body seems to have healed up enough that I have no more chest pains from the fractured sternum and my carpal tunnel hand is getting stronger each day. Of course, then I went and jammed my pinky on my other hand--what luck! But I can once again lug grain bags, hay bales, and water buckets without pain!

Just when we thought we'd seen the last of the snow, we got another inch Friday night. It was enough to send people off the road, but not enough for the road crews to get out there until after 7:30. It was a slippery drive to the barn Saturday morning!

The sun is shining today--time to get going and in the saddle. We've got more snow heading our way Monday night through Tuesday. I guess winter isn't releasing her grip on us just yet.

This tree looks like it was struck by lightning, but we haven't had any--just high winds that seemed to have split it right in half!

Back in the saddle, but on a different horse

With such wonderful weather, who could resist not riding, gimpy hand or not? Actually, it's doing pretty well and the sternum appears to have healed up nicely--no more stabbing pain if I sneeze. John and I agreed that Rolex Girl might be the better choice for my first rides again. She's the most level-headed and not likely to whirl left, traumatizing my right hand unlike "he who shall not be named"!
Saturday started with mad gallops, bucks, and squeals. After being cooped up in the barn during our last storm, the gang was ready to rip and stretch those legs. Pictured below is big boss mare, Ruffy, followed by the famous gelding who wishes he was a stallion right about now. Ruffy is coming into heat and being an outrageous flirt! I wish she'd take it easy on her left knee--silly girl.

And here's the lead trouble maker, and truly the lead mare, Rolex, enjoying her freedom.

After they all galloped up and down the hill, spun and careened in circles, everyone needed a giant gulp of water and breather.

I went to get the hay delivery sled loaded up. The minute I dragged it through the gate, I was followed by Rolex and Harley. Ruffy is a little spooked by it, and Vance, he's convinced it's dangerous, despite the hay bales on board. I couldn't wait to take it to the bottom of the hill--this was my best sled ride yet, from the top of the hill, all the way to the far corner. I even had to put my feet down so I wouldn't run into the fence! Awesome ride! You can just make out my tracks across the slope.

There's still a tremendous amount of snow in the woods, except south facing slopes where the sun is doing its best to melt it away. The snowbanks make formidable obstacles for the horses to clear or bumble through to access the trails. Rolex, sure-footed gal that she is was a star. Even Harley was well behaved for John and led Rolex through the trickier spots--deep water, deep snowbanks, and past the scary snowman. Yes, someone built a snowman on the Orris Falls Tr. and once Harley and Rolex saw it, they thought for sure it was the abominable snowman, ready to eat them! John could feel Harley quivering and even Rolex was convinced they should get home--fast! John kept Harley from speeding off, thankfully, since my right hand is not at full strength and trying to stop a runaway might prove painful.  They received carrot treats for being so well behaved and for such a nice ride. Thank you Rolex Girl--you were a star!

Sweet faced Ruffy--such a lovely eye

Equine Art at the library

About 8 years ago, before I owned Harley, I switched library jobs, leaving one for another. When I was subsequently laid off, I returned to the previous library and that brief period is fondly known now as "my leave of absence" since it was only about one year. But once it was known that I was leaving, a family that had 2 children in my kindergarten-aged story time, gave me a wonderful going away present. The kids all knew how I loved horses, and that I hoped someday to have one of my own.

All three children, including the eldest who I'd never had in story time, painted pictures for me. I have two of them against the window in my office.  Now, when I sit at my desk, I can view them every day! Thanks, Brenten, Mackenzie, and Nick!

Apologies to Nick--his black horse against the dark blue back ground didn't come out--I'll re-photograph it and update the post soon!

Hot topic, I guess!

I was taken aback by my readers' comments regarding using spurs and feel compelled to write something about spur use.  I'm not saying spurs are a cure for rider/horse issues, and should certainly not ever be misused. But to keep aids clear, they can be gentle persuaders. The standard, dull-ended style pictured below in the last post, is widely used among professionals, of which I include John who spent years on the hunter/jumper circuit.

I'd like to assure my friends and readers, that spurs are used with discretion and are not the norm for our rides. Our 3 OTTB's are all different and require different types of riding. We've never used spurs on Ruffy, for example. Harley can be willful, and ignore a rider's aids if he's being uppity, much like his half brother Declan's Moon who just participated in the 100 Day Thoroughbred Retraining Project. I'm pointing this out because Steuart Pittman is using spurs (Spursuaders, to be exact)on another, 11 yr. old, willful, OTTB.

I hope all my readers understand that Harley and the girls are never jabbed with spurs, or jammed into an overbent frame. John and I don't use draw-reins, chambons, and other paraphernalia to get a desired end result, at the expense of immense discomfort to the horse. We use crops, and occasionally spurs, if needed. We ride with light to loose contact so the horses can move forward freely, and we use bitless bridles.

Well, lunch break is over. I've said my bit and I hope I've not offended any readers as I so enjoy the contact I have with other riders via Harley's blog.

Grey skies still

Harley and Rolex tearing it up Sunday morning

The weather has continued to cast a perpetual greyness over us. This might be good in that it will keep me from overdoing things until my hand heals. But Sunday morning's fresh snowfall made the trails look so inviting. The woods looked like powdered sugar had been sprinkled overnight. The gang is always happy to romp in fresh snow. One of the great things about this winter is they can't get all muddy when they roll--just receive a nice snow bath instead!

John had a yearning to get a new halter for Ruffy, since some hooligan, aka Fuzzy B. broke her's when he had a spooky fit in the floor-less barn. I gave John a halter nameplate at Christmas, so we decided it was time to get her a replacement halter. We checked the boiling sap before we made the trip to Dover Saddlery, arriving back with the halter and other "essentials" just in time to rescue it from burning off. One and half more pints in the fridge. The trees are still giving us a nice amber run, far from the molasses colored syrup of last year.

The girls have become quite the pocket pickers. You can see in the above picture, Rolex and Ruffy sticking their noses in Johns hands, looking for carrot treats. Rattle a plastic bag, rummage in your pockets, and no doubt, you will be mobbed by horses. It can be tricky when Vance gets involved since he's the head of the herd and warns them away. If I manage to wave enough carrots in different directions, I can keep the peace. All those velvety noses nudging you, "Me next. Where's mine?"

Today John had time to get on Harley and Rolex for their first workout in weeks. He took each on a little jaunt up to Orris Falls and through an adjacent logged area. He reported back that Harley was good--they even had a nice fast canter. I held horses while he swapped tack and took Rolex out next. She wasn't so keen on crossing the brook--granted she hasn't seen it in weeks--but decided that without Brave Harley with her, she'd rather come home. So lucky John got in a double-header today, even though they were short. And the best news, he was coming back to the barn at 5 p.m. and it was still light out! Well, as light as the grey, snowy sky would allow.

Check out John's new mucky muddy riding footwear--who new Bog's had spur rests? Perfect for the upcoming mud season!

Bored, bored, bored....

Our first run of amber syrup

Well I had the carpal tunnel surgery two days ago. Things seem to be going fine, although I'm limited in many ways. Hefting buckets, hay bales, shoveling (snow and manure) are all definitely out for now. So I'm biding my time, bored by the inactivity, and looking forward to spring riding when the ice is gone, the days are long, and my fuzzy boy won't have to spend nights indoors.

So today, I'm watching the sap boil, hoping to get a second batch of maple syrup--3 oz. for John, 3 pints for me. He's not the syrup afficionado that I am--but he certainly throws his heart into it for my benefit! Since I'm relegated to the bench, I can keep an eye on the boiling sap, do laundry, and catch up on my reading--oh, and watch season 3 of Downton Abbey--any fans out there?

I can also waste time surfing the internet for farms I can't afford, saddles I'd love to own, and dogs needing adoption. Have any of you fellow OTTB owners followed the 100 Days Retired Racehorse Retraining Project? I picked Suave Jazz as the horse I'd most like to own. Declan's Moon, half-brother to Harley, sounded like a tough nut--must be the Malibu Moon trait!

The days are getting longer, the snows wetter, the sun stronger. Spring will be here in a couple of weeks.

Another snowy Sunday

I'm getting antsy--no riding, no skiing, only a little snowshoeing, which is so slow compared to gliding over snow on skis. But my sternum is much better and I get the right hand fixed on Thursday. The carpal tunnel has been getting progressively worse this past month making mucking a painful chore. I'll be so happy to have all my parts fit and functioning again!

Here are Harley, watching as usual, Rolex, and Ruffy enjoying some time in the snowy world outside the barn. It was an extremely wet snow, so after a few hours, they were ready to come in and have a little snack--some alfalfa dengie, and of course, carrots.

Rolex, ever the entertaining girl that she is, decided to nibble at the snow along the fence. She's got such a contented look on her face, you'd think it was sugar. Such a silly girl.

And this was our drive to the barn. By the time we headed home, there were a few more inches of snow on the road and many saplings leaning out into the roadway. Yippeee for 4WD!

A blustery day at the barn

With a sub-zero wind chill, John and I bundled up and blanketed the ponies before venturing outside. Of course, the horses couldn't wait to be turned free, spinning away with kicks, bucks, and crowhops. John rode the hay sled down the hill, much to Rolex's glee--she loves to follow it and then see what's good to eat on board. Our gamey little girl had the gang running.

Harley led the charge down the hill, but once the hay sled arrived, he let Rolex take the lead. Here he is, trying to catch up to the girls. The wind scoured a lot of the loose snow in places leaving crusty spots, so it isn't all nice fluffy powder. Vance, not sure what the fuss was, and spooked by the sled, ambled down at a walk, but then reminded everyone who's boss as he went from one hay pile to the next, chasing all of them away. Poor Harley, back to being 2nd in the pecking order!

We dispersed the hay down in the bottom corner of the field by the fence line. Here, the horses can enjoy the sun's warmth and be out of the wind. In fact, I think this is the place where they spend most of their time, judging by the scratchings in the snow. Little clumps of dried grass have been pawed free of snow and munched on. Won't they be happy in another couple of months when things really green up! But before that, we need to finish picking up the slash left by the loggers. I mad a lot of headway before the blizzard, but we need to get the tractor down down in the field to move the piles all together for a big burn. Maybe we can reseed the area torn up by the trucks and skidders too. If it's not seeded, it may not come back very well. We'll have to put the horses in the other pasture so it doesn't get churned to mud this spring. Here I am talking of spring and we haven't even finished maple syrup season yet! But the trees are tapped and we've got our first run waiting to boil.

Since John wasn't inclined to ride, and I'm giving myself a full month to recoup, we trotted off to Lowes for fencing boards and then to Tractor Supply for reduce priced busted bags of wood pellets. Our farrier suggest this--use the pellets where they pee to save on shavings. The pellets absorb much better. Harley is the guinea pig--we'll see how it works in his stall before using them in the others.

John on the tundra

Ruffy's birthday was on Sunday--she's officially six now. Our pretty girl is looking healthy and shaggy. She's grown some nice new feet since we've had her, a testament to John's feeding regimen. And Rolex no longer backs into the stall when you walk by. She was extremely head shy at first. Now she sticks her head out and snuffles your hands and pockets looking for treats. Both our girls seem very happy. Harley, well he's still a work in progress, is Mr Chickenpants. He's happy with his girls, but I think he's a horse that is easily stressed. He can be a handful, and even be pokey at times, yet I've got hopes for him. He's landed in a good spot, regardless of what we accomplish, and I think he knows it. When he's snugged up inside on a cold winter night, he'll rest his nose in the crook of my neck, tickling me with his soft breath. I wonder what's going through his mind.

The winds sounds like it may lift off the barn roof tonight. I rub behind Harley's ears and say, "It's, O.K." then give him a kiss goodnight on his velvety nose.

A herd of four...the gang loses a friend

Harley, Vance, Ruffy, and Rolex--the new herd

Last Monday, Gator was put down. He was 32 years old and certainly lived a good long life, 14 of those years along side Pete's retired Standardbred, Vance.  Thankfully, the herd dynamics are such that Vance blended right in with our three comfortably. He is, after all, top dog and before we had the girls, was turned out with Harley. Vance was off his feed a bit for a few days, missing his buddy across the aisle, but he seems to be doing just fine. From what I heard, when Gator was buried, Harley ran down along the fence line. When the excavator came through their pasture, all the horses trotted along behind, almost like a funeral procession, with Rolex leading.

Dinner time!

More snow today, along with high winds kept us off the horses. I'd toyed with the idea of getting back in the saddle, but maybe a windy winter day would not be the best choice. The snow finally quit by mid-afternoon, but the wind only increased, rattling the barn doors and sending snow in between any available chink in the barn. With cold temperatures coming on, the horses didn't think twice about coming up the hill for dinner. Once I came through the gate, I was marauded by poking noses seeking treats in my pockets. No one was happy that I only had a camera!

Hey Ma, where are the carrots? Can we come inside now?

After the blizzard fun

Harley having some fun

With bright sun glittering on the fresh snow, we let the horses out to kick up their heels. Such exuberance and joy as they crow-hopped, bucked, reared, dashed around, and jumped the snow bank created by the tractor in their pasture. We needed to clear some snow just to unearth the buried water trough. Our farrier was scheduled to come today, so we wanted to be sure everyone burned off some steam so they wouldn't be all antsy for him.

As they circled around the top of the paddock, jumping the snowbank (self-schooling as John called it), I just kept clicking, taking shot after shot of their antics.

Even old Vance was feeling good and showing us some of his winning Standarbred trot as he went back and forth along the fence line, stretching his legs. This is what happens when you coop up ex-racehorses for a day and a half!
Let 'em go, stand back, and watch the show.

Ruffy and Rolex self-schooling over the snowbank.

Harley and Ruffy running with Vance, Gator having a roll and getting stuck

While everyone else was having a good workout, 32 year-old Gator decided to have a good roll, but got stuck. When this happens, it's all hands on deck to dig the poor fellow out. We finally got him back on his feet,  and up the hill to plowed area so he wouldn't have to wallow in such deep snow. 

Then it was time to give Harley his pre-farrier workout. He can be a real handful after being shut in so long with no exercise. So to make things easier for Butch, John gave him a real workout--4 gallops up the field through the snow! At first, he thought he'd go bareback. I questioned the sanity in that since Harley was already sidestepping and he wasn't even mounted yet. John went back for the saddle, but stuck with the halter and lead rope. Hang on, John!

First go--Halawa Moon heads for the hills, and John has no brakes!

Thundering Harley

 Meanwhile, the girls watched from above, but didn't make any moves to join in on the fun.

Whatcha doin', Harley?

Butch arrived, with half of his corgi collection. They are cute fuzzballs that stay right in the truck, even with the doors hanging open. I think they need to be lifted down with such short legs.

Everyone got a manicure and Ruffy had her front shoes re-set. She's happy to have snow-popping pads and borium! It's the equivalent of crampons for horses, I think. The other two are staying barefoot until spring.

Then John got on Ruffy and took her for a little adventure down to Orris Falls, but no water crossing! He said she gave him some nice trots and canters and behaved herself, even when she came upon snowshoers. Rolex was next in line for a workout--another jaunt down to Orris Falls and down the power line. Little Miss Steady was actually kind of slow--dawdling along, sniffing things, eating oak leaves, enjoying the scenery. She'd had her workout earlier, leaping the snowbank!

I decided to go for a tromp on the snowshoes and see what I could see--lots of great patterns in the snow drifts, animal tracks galore, and snow doughnuts rolling down the hillside.

And here's a big belly-deep snow drift along the fence line, yet the snow was scoured away right next to it--amazing wind sculptures everywhere.

And, my favorite, a giant snow doughnut, about the size of a grapefruit, that rolled down the hill towards me, getting larger with each rotation. The snow and temperature were perfect for these to form.

I missed not getting in any riding, skiing, or skijoring. But my sternum is healing. I still get sore if I do too much, but it's making progress. I've got to be good and not rush the healing process. Snowshoeing can't compare to gliding on skis, but I can't take the risk of splatting in the snow. So I'm sitting out the best snowstorm we've had in two years--damn! I just keep telling myself to be patient, spring promises great riding, AND I just received my calendar for this year's S.M.A.R.T. rides. The first one is in May--get ready, Harley!

One more picture: the  barn entrance after the tractor made a tunnel in!