Different Directions

 

Heading down the Secret Trail

A few brisk nights put some spring in our steps this week. Harley jogged out to the road before I even had the girth snugged up. I felt re-energized to, despite foot pain that's plagued me for months now. With the oppresive heat and humidity gone, we were ready for an adventure. An aging woman on her aging OTTB pranced down the road, headed out for a morning trail ride before the remaining summer bugs decided to test the temperature and hunt for breakfast. 

I let Harley choose the route, although I did have to give him some guidance when he tried bushwhacking into the woods, convinced he was on a trail....yes, a game trail, with no overhead clearance for riders! He felt good enough to trot up a few hills, where the footing is soft and easy on his joints. I can appreciate that, between my old knees, and my bum foot, hiking hasn't been in the cards since May. A shorter, gentler ride fit the bill.

When Harley and I headed down our first trails together, it was a toss-up whether I'd make it back without us going in different directions. I even rode with a long rope off his halter as a way to hang on, should I come off and lose the reins. Harley's incredible left-hand spin sent me into the dirt the first time I attempted to ride outside the ring--a giant spook over a little lawn mower. These days, I'm able to ride on the buckle, while shooting pictures and video. But as each week passes, I'm afraid I've missed any opportunity to do much more than gentle trail rides with Harley. I had high hopes of participating in organized trail rides, maybe a Le Trec event, or even a rinky-dink show. But time and age have changed our course. So we'll go for little lollygags with an occasional trot or canter if Harley wants to step up the pace. 

Rolex Girl is waiting in the wings; a smart, sassy Thoroughbred that is awesome on the trails. But she needs continuous work--something John and I have neglected this year. Fall is coming, and so is another week's vacation. Maybe that will be the time to throw a leg over Rolex, head for the hills,  and begin to develop a partnership with her. Who knows, as this pandemic erupts again, we may all be home-bound for the fall and winter--a perfect opportunity for us.

I've felt rudderless this spring and summer, wafting back and forth over decisions for our future. With the country holding its breath until November 3d, and the pandemic still spiking in some spots, it's been hard to make concrete decisions. So I take each week as it comes. We have our winter supply of hay, and I get a feeling of warmth, looking at the stacked bales, knowing our horses will be well-fed through the cold months ahead. I'll top off the oil tank, order wood bricks for the wood stove, and start restocking the pantry in case events take a turn for the worse. The uncertainty of what lies ahead, and which direction this country will head only compounds my apprehension. I still won't give up the dream of a small farm, near excellent trail riding, with a view of the mountains, somewhere in Vermont.

Harley stealing the carrot bag

Harley & Echoe trail mates and play mates

Mates (photos by Rebekah Savage)

The story of Halawa Moon aka Harley

Halawa Moon was foaled on March 23, 2002 on a Thoroughbred farm in Maryland, and like in a game of "telephone", his name transformed into Harlequin's Moon, and then shortened to Harley. John and I looked up his tattoo number on The Jockey Club's website to get the rest of his story.

Halawa Moon sold at the Keeneland Sales for $50,000. He was resold a couple of times as a two year old, racing at Pimlico, Aqueduct, and finally in claiming races at Suffolk Downs. This was probably where he went lame and acquired his two knobby front knees. Harley's racing days ended and he wound up at a stable in Portsmouth NH, then a stable in Epping NH, and finally to us, his "forever home".  I look at his bloodlines and say, "Wow!" He's got some famous ancestry flowing in his veins: A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Northern Dancer, Raise A Native, Bold Ruler, Buckpasser, Native Dancer, Nashua, Nijinsky II, Swaps, Round Table, & Hyperion. And those are just the names I know! Harley made some money in his time, but I wonder how his behavior was on the track. Did he load into the gates poorly, hence all his left-handed whirling? He's certainly got a competitive streak, and he likes to be out front when there's a gang of us riding together (unless it's his best buddy, Echoe). And it's probably from boredom at the track that he began his habit of cribbing.

Poor Harley...he's barn sour, afraid to leave the safety of his home and herd. But once I ride him far enough away from the barn, he's fine. Oh, he has his "Thoroughbred moments" and he half-heartedly tries to turn back sometimes, but with an insistent leg and seat, I can usually get him headed where I want without too much tooth grinding (his way of letting me know he's not happy), and sidestepping.

With the days getting shorter, I have to rush out to the barn right after work to get in a ride. I rode home the other night with only a faint glimmer on the horizon. By the time I left the barn, the full moon was shining over the fields.

The longer we own him, the more I can see why he needs an owner with a lot of patience,  willing to work with him. He's an anxious horse when not with his herd, afraid of unusual things he's never seen, and needs his confidence boosted consistently. He can be a bit of a handful with the cool weather and a few days off, but I think, like anything good, it will just take time.

Time in the irons

Harley and I made a breakthrough on Saturday. We finally got across the brook at Orris Falls. It did require me to dismount (something of an issue as he was all in a dither), but with a lead line and carrots we finally made it across. Most of the ride was a challenge. Poor Harley was afraid something was bound to jump out of the woods at him and insisted on trying to turn back. I wouldn't say he's barn sour as much as he is scared. But with constant leg, crop, and an insistent seat, he finally moved forward. We backed up and circled around at least 6 times, and once, I nearly gave up, but we did it--a completed ride on the lollipop loop. Too bad Callie Lou couldn't come too--she'd have liked the romp the in the woods.

Sunday, I hooked up with Michelle, the other boarder, and we took to the woods heading for Wells. She has shown us some great trails up there, but it's such a tangle in my head, it will be hard to remember them all. We rode for about an hour an a half with some nice spots for trotting and cantering. I think Harley really enjoyed the latter--I could feel that Thoroughbred blood coming to life! The thrill of the race! He's also afraid of being left behind, truth be told. Harley, you big chicken! Michelle's dog Dasher came along for the ride, streaking through the woods, sniffing around stone walls, and leaping downed trees. Next time John and I head up that way, Callie Lou will have to come too! She needs some new territory to explore and maybe if she's out front, she can boost Harley's confidence!

As John said, time in the irons is what I need to get my legs back. Sure enough, I was a bit sore Saturday night Sunday's ride loosened them up a bit, but it will take a lot of hours in the saddle.

And my RE-education continues...

After so many years, I feel like a sack of potatoes on Harley. But the tightness in my legs keeps reminding me what I need to do. Harley takes it all like a trouper, but lets us know when he's had enough with a big sigh as he ambles to the middle of the ring. It was a beautiful summer night--breezy, no bugs, temperatures in the low 70's, perfect for an evening ride. John lunged him for a bit, work out the kinks and vinegar, then got up and worked him some more. By the time I rode, he had mellowed out until one of the unsuspecting killdeer jumped up and started scooting down the ringside, in front of Harley. That was enough to send him into a half-hearted spin, but I was ready this time! Jam those heels forward, Lisa! As he hopped back and forth, I got him back under control and we circled back twice--just for good measure. I've a ways to go strengthening my legs, and he has some schooling ahead of him. Under John's tutelage, I think it will all come together for both of us eventually.

Harley's education continues

Harley continues to brave the big outdoors, spooking at other horses, chipmunks, etc., but John perseveres and stays on his back. Yesterday, he got another jumping lesson as John assessed his abilities. This is the first time I've photographed high action with this little digital camera--a total failure, and may have to resort to 400 ASA film in a standard SLR. So, we'll see how talented he is and push him onward and upward.

The animals are taking over our lives!

Twice a day, we head to the barn for Harley care and, if we have enough energy, a ride. John graciously walked along side me for about 4 miles when we hacked out down the pipeline (a post-surgery no-no, but we won't tell). Harley was a little squirrelly with big puddles and tried to spin out on me a few times. But other than that, he was a doll. I wasn't sure what to expect from dirt bikes and ATV's, so John clipped him onto the lead just in case. He didn't seem to mind them too much--but the scary water....YIKES!
And now Callie Lou is clamoring for our attention too, like an older sibling that's feeling neglected. How does she demonstrate this? By coming upstairs now and sleeping on the bed. It all started the night we had a thunderstorm. I know she's afraid of the booming, but she's never climbed the stairs before. And since then, every night, the minute we head up, she's hard on our heels. The only problem? She can't get back down those steep, slippery steps. I've ordered some tread rugs for traction, and hopefully that will work. Otherwise, we are in for a workout every morning! First we have to drag her to the stairs, and then collect 4 scrambling legs, and haul her into our laps for a sit-down ride. This must be why people get toy dogs--a squirming 80+ lb. Rottweiler is not easy to manage!
But we love 'em, babies that they are!

Harley is soon to be ours!

John and I spent yesterday scouting out boarding places for Harley. I went back to one spot (holding my post-surgery sore side over bumps and potholes) which looks pretty nice. I hope they like him and us! I don't see how I will be able to bike to work though, if I have to go muck his stall every day. Ah well, that's the price you pay, I guess. We'll see how this all works it, indeed, if we can work it all out. Worse case scenario, we'd have to give him back. But what fun we could have!