Showing posts with label Mt. A.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mt. A.. Show all posts

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Best birthday ever!

Out of the woods, and back in...
 After years and years of begging my parents for a horse, I finally spent my birthday in the saddle! Harley made my day (as did John with some nifty new horse gear). We went for a little jaunt out the "lollipop trail" to Emery's Bridge Rd., past the scary gate (!!!), through the leaf-covered water (!!!),  and home, just as dusk was falling and the woods were getting scary-dark.

Last week, my brave steed went almost all the way to Mt. Agamenticus, with John and I switching off. John ended up on the mountain bike with Callie loping alongside. I couldn't believe it when Harley actually crossed a narrow wooden bridge without twitching--maybe because John and Callie were on the other side and he was headed home! If he'd been alone, I think there would have been a whole lot of backing up, sideways prancing, head tossing, and whirling.

Today, I'm off on another adventure to who knows where...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Harley Goes Bitless

John forgot I had the bridles at the house to clean them. So when he arrived at the barn yesterday and realized he was without, he decided to try out Michelle's bitless bridle on Harley. Turns out, he was a wonder with it! No, it didn't have quite the stopping power, but it was a walking workout, not a race. It also gave Harley a chance to snatch at some grass! John was pleased by Harley's performance--I think he's coveting a Dr. Cook's Beta bridle now!
Dr. Cook's bitless bridle
John and Harley ventured nearly all the way to Mt. Agamenticus. They hooked up some trails that run between Orris Falls and Mt. A., cutting off a lot of road riding. With hunting season in full swing by Saturday, we will have to ride in our blaze orange for the next month and a half. It's such a beautiful time of year, with the trees on fire, colorful mushrooms sprouting everywhere, and the ripe berries on the carrion flower and winterberry bushes. And of course, wild turkeys strutting their stuff in the oak and beech woods!
I think Harley is settling in and actually beginning to enjoy walking in the woods. Oh, he occasionally tries to give me the "let's go home" spin move, but no where near to the degree he once did. He even walked past the dreaded target deer last week! Yes, he's making great strides.