The weather outside is lovely!

My favorite view is looking down the trail between Halawa Moon's ears. Today's temperatures were perfect for riding--not too cold, somewhere in the thirties and best of all, no wind. We have rain headed our way, so today was a must for getting out on the trails.

I spent the entire morning cleaning all the stalls, filling the water tanks, stuffing hay nets, and shoveling back some of the snow banks. I debated going home to grab some lunch, but didn't want to lose the sunniest part of the day. So I skipped lunch and rounded up Harley for a little adventure.

Which way to go is always my dilemma, so I let Harley pick. First he tried to just stand by the fence and look for his girls. Oh no, my boy--we're going solo today. So off to the right we went, headed for Orris Falls.

Harley walked right down the road with no spins or stops. Maybe he is finally used to the turkeys and I was using my seat and legs enough to urge him forward. Although riding in Carhartt overalls and insulated muck boots, I feel a bit doughboy-ish without much feel.

Three cars took up most of the parking lot at the trail head, so we had to squeak between two of them. Harley looked askance at both cars, ears swiveling, but he walked past with no hesitation. He got a big pat and "Good boy", for reaching this far without any games. We soon encountered a pair of snowshoers. Harley stopped and had a good look, but kept moving forward after they passed.  About ten minutes later, another group of snowshoers passed us and Harley walked on past them like a good boy. But he did stop when he saw a dog bounding through the snow up the trail.

We veered off onto our favorite side trail where we got in some nice trots and a little canter up the hill. Only one pair of snowshoe tracks, one set of dog, and lots of deer tracks. We didn't see anyone on this trail, a much more enjoyable experience. The quiet and solitude of the winter woods was so peaceful compared to the "super highway" of snowshoers down below. In protected pockets, the snow still remained on the trees, dumping a few times down my backside. Carhartts are not waterproof!

When the side trail reconnected with the trail to Big Bump, Harley opted to go left (more direct route home) which was fine with me. I doubted we'd see anyone out on the power line trail. Unbroken snow slowed Harley down as he waded though drifts in a couple of spots. When we came out on Thurrell Road, he stopped and stared at the girls, then power-walked home. I jumped off so he would cool off a little quicker--not that he was very hot, but he's so fuzzy, it takes a while to dry out!

I turned him out where he posed for me as King of the Hill and Wannabe Stud of the place.

 

King of the Hill

Big Boss Man--he just couldn't see Vance down below, behind the shelter!

Yesterday, while I was at work, John took Rolex out for her second driving experience. Last year, he had her pulling the hay sled while mounted on her back. But this time, he drove her from behind while Rolex pulled our friends Hank and Lili around the property and down the street. 

(Photos courtesy of Hank and Lili)

One horse open sleigh!

Off into the sunset

A frigid day on the farm!

Ruffy and Rolex

I have no idea what the temperature was this morning, but it was damn cold, especially with a wild wind howling. Snow devils swirled through the pastures, and by day's end, cornices formed on the snowbanks, and fingers of snow threaded out into the roads. But it was another fun-filled day at the barn. We turned the horses out to blow off some steam before Butch, our farrier, arrived. Harley can be a bothersome handful when he's antsy.  The girls went out first, kicking up their heels and playing tag. Then Harley joined in on the fun and the games began.

Harley, Rolex, and Ruffy

You can see why we wanted to turn them out before Saint Butch had to deal with them!

Harley having a good roll in the snow

I went down to Dunkin Donuts to grab us some hot chocolate. I knew Butch would like a hot drink--I can't imagine having to handle steel shoes and tools in this kind of weather. As it was, the tools were set next to a halogen lamp, preheating! While Ruffy got her front shoes, complete with snow-popping pads and borium, John took Harley out for a romp. But with his departure, Rolex began having a hissy fit complete with pawing, head tossing, and hay net twirling (her favorite game--I think she'd do well at tetherball). For once, Harley wasn't the misbehaving horse. Rolex wouldn't stand still while Butch tried to trim her feet. When John rode up, we swapped. He took hold of Rolex, and I went on an adventure around the property and down into the pasture. Once I turned Harley around, it was a mad dash for home. He thundered through the snow, back up to the gate, snorting, coated in white from his breastplate down. I felt like the "Marlboro (wo)man" ad.

After Butch left, we left them inside, munching on a little lunch, and went home for hot tea, dry socks, and a bite to eat. Then, back to the barn for some late afternoon riding. Well, John rode Rolex, I dug out the buried hose!

Rolex, levelheaded once out of the barn, took John out and about for a short walk. The fierce wind forced me to head back into the barn once I'd finished digging. The late sun slanted just over the trees, giving everything a golden glow. Everyone was ready to head inside for dinner. Vance and Gator waited by their gate, hoping it was hay time!

Vance waiting for dinner

The nearly full moon illuminated the snow-covered ground. I almost didn't need the headlights, but snow drifts filled parts of the roadway.

As I sit by the wood stove, the hot metal "ticking",  and listen to the wind still whipping around the house, I hope the ponies are snug in their beds. We gave them a warm mash of alfalfa and beet pulp with lots of hay. Still, I fret about them while John laughs at me. I know if they were in my back yard, I'd be out there now, in my jammies and boots, just checking one last time before I head to bed.

Tomorrow should be a bit milder, without the brutal winds. The rest of the week will still be  Carhartt coverall weather! Time to put another log on the fire.







Here's another attempt at a movie:

A cold day for riding, and a first (in a long time) for me!

Rough & Ready, ready to go

I looked at the thermometer this morning around 8:30 and it was up to 19, not too bad I thought. But we had a hard time getting ourselves motivated to leave the wood stove and head out to the barn. John started some chili in the slow cooker while I lounged around drinking coffee until we realized we'd be on the other side of high noon if we didn't get going!

The horse were sunning themselves down the hillside, out of the wind, munching on hay and soaking up what heat they could from sun. I almost felt guilty bringing Harley and Ruffy into the cold barn. We tacked up, and headed out towards North Point. Harley, after having a few stops at "scary things" was not setting a good example for Ruffy, as John pointedly announced.  But not much further on, Harley redeemed himself. Ruffy would not cross the stone wall, even after John dismounted and tried to lead her. So I took hold of the reins, and led her, with John urging from behind. She must have decided Harley was like a "pony" at the track, and followed willingly.

Harley looking for dinner

We ran into Rebekah out for a ride from North Point, unfortunately going the other direction, . John wanted to do the Jepson loop, but I didn't want to wade through frozen  deep water. So rather than turn back, we opted for a shorter loop which only had minor water crossings. With skim ice on on the puddles, standing water, and slow streams, I had to urge Harley forward, but he behaved smartly, assessing the footing and slowly picking his way through. Ruffy, on the other hand, was spooked by the ice, frozen frost-heaved ground, and tried bulldozing her way through it all. With Harley out front, it kept her from charging through the worst of it.

John wanted to see Ruffy under saddle, so we swapped horses so he could observe her. This is the first time I've ridden a four year old since my college days, and the first-ever directly off the track OTTB. She felt so different compared to Harley--narrower, and at that weedy, green stage where she's still not sure of all the aids, and moving over uneven terrain. But such a good girl, with such a sweet face.

Once that sun started slipping down, the temperature really began to drop. We put everyone in early with a pile of hay and alfalfa dengie for Harley and the gals. Blanketed, and snug for the night, we shut off the lights. By 5:00 p.m. with only an orange glimmer on the horizon, we headed home, anticipating a hot fire, and a warm bowl of John's chili!

A cold windy day for a ride

I whistled for Harley to come up, and of course, the whole gang came with him. Then something spooked the herd and the girls took off back down to the field. Harley stood undecided until he heard my crunch on a carrot.

When we reached the barn door, he snorted at the upended wheelbarrow I had drying in the sun. And then he would only nibble on his grain as he paced back and forth, back and forth, peering out the barn at passing traffic, noises from next door, blowing leaves...whatever. I thought, "Oh boy, this should be a good ride. But this time, last year, I probably would have chickened out and asked John to school him first.  Once I had him tacked up, I rode out back, deciding a little flat work might be good to get the vinegar out of him. He was actually, very good. Oh the trots got a little quick and he tried once to head back to the barn, but on a whole, he did very well, listening to my legs and seat.  We had some nice canters, and on the correct leads, I might add. He was such a good boy, he deserved a little walk in the woods before it got too dark!

Back at the barn, Harley finished his snack, snug in his cooler, while I got the girls' stalls ready. They will be in tonight--it's a full moon and the temperature is dropping down into the teens. Tomorrow, highs in the 30's. More fun riding!

Too cold to ride...

Cleaning the stall, it sounds like I'm tossing golf balls in the wheelbarrow--the manure is frozen solid. Makes for easy cleaning though! The buckets are full of ice, bits of grain frozen in the water like insects in amber. My toes are beginning to freeze and the water heater is steaming in the hallway, warming up some buckets. Harley is glad to be outside now, even though it's probably only around 5 above zero. He's been cooped up all day, so we'll let him have an evening romp with Echoe before dinner. He's going to be a handful the next time I swing a leg over him!
There's something really peaceful about closing up the barn for the night. The horses snort, sending puffs of vapor into the air like dragons. I can hear them contentedly munching on supper, as they snuffle through their hay. Mr. Rat is scratching in the walls, probably dining on the grain Harley strews around his stall. I have a last nose-to-nose whisper with Harley, kiss him on his velvety nostrils, and shut out the lights. The barn door creaks on it's runners; the wind whips up the hillside; goodnight guys.

Timberrrrrr!

Today offered another interesting day for Harley. Michelle and I headed out through the woods to meet of with 3 other riders from North Point. We decided to check out the "Nature Trail", a piece of property with a serious case of Maine Yard Disease. As you pass the house and head into the woods, there's a sign "Speed Limit 55 for horses" (don't get any ideas, Harley). Then there's the pile of old televisions with a sink, what looks like a bobhouse, but sporting signs saying, "Take Out, Luncheon". Oh, and then there's the 2 giant stereo speakers...blaring nothing to nobody. Once you get away from the junk, the trails are quite nice, and better yet, not too icy! We crossed Tatnic Rd. and went up into Tatnic Woods. The ride was going nicely, Diego settled down, Harley was happy out front, until....

We'd heard a chain saw, but as I saw a tree falling, I knew I was in for a spin! Sure enough, Harley whirled around, smack into Echoe. His poor little brain was screaming, "Let's get out of here. They'll kill us all!" Of course, his panic attack spread among the others. Two riders dismounted, Harley, Echoe, and Mack moved away at a controlled jog, although a full-out gallop would have suited them better. We jigged all the way back to North Point, along with a chorus of barking hound as Dash warded off evil wood monsters (who knows what he smelled out there).  We had one short canter with an attempted dash for home, then dismounted to walk down the road. The wind picked up whirling snow devils and leaves, spooking poor Harley. He pranced sideways, practicing dancing like Nijinksy (show his blood relation to great, great, great grandsire Nijinksy II) as we performed haute école moves back to the barn.

Yup a fun time was had by all, the riders, the horses, and even the dog!

Quiet time in the forest

Under grey skies, threatening with snow, Rebekah and I headed out for a jaunt in the woods. Our world is shrinking down as trails freeze up with slippery ice and hard-packed snow. The Orris Falls trails need a fresh blanket of snow or another thaw to soften things. The trails heading up to North Point are relatively good if we avoid the wet/frozen areas. Signs of turkey and deer abound. The oak leaves are all scruffled up where the turkeys have been scrounging for acorns. Deer trails criss-cross through the woods, sometimes following the riding trails. Thankfully, there's not been much ATV action to churn the trails up.

The woods are so quiet this time of year, just the wind whispering through the pines, the occasional chickadee or woodpecker, and wild turkeys. With the temperature hovering near the freezing mark, our toes were frosting up as flurries filtered down through the trees. Echoe broke into a little trot which prompted Harley to start up a little canter. They both felt good, but we had them under control (this time).  No surprise un-seatings today!

Oops! She's come undone...

The snow gave me a soft landing as I came unglued today. Harley is feeling good and looking for an excuse to let it rip. What started out as a nice little canter became a bit of a snorting, steamrolling, haul up the trail. I still don't know if he slipped, shied, or bucked, but I slid off, hanging onto the reins so he wouldn't bolt for home. I walked him down the trail to my favorite "mounting block tree", got back on and we jigged and half-passed the entire way out until we reached the paved road. Yup, he's feeling sassy with the weight he's put on and thinks he's back at Suffolk Downs. Today is an example of when ring riding might have been the wiser choice (if we had one). I had a feeling it wouldn't be a quiet hack when I had trouble getting him to stand still just to mount! That should have been the telling moment for me! Oh well, dust the snow off and get back on!

Christmas Ride and Boxing Day Ride

I got in my Christmas ride with Michelle and Echoe, although it was a brief stroll down the road. Some trails are beginning to ice up. Our schedules were tight, and it was cold, but we rode anyway.
Today we hooked up with 4 riders from North Point for a nice hack through the woods. Harley was remarkably good with the whole gang, even though he did almost get a kick! He's a real tailgater, but trying to slow him down only agitates him and he starts grinding his teeth. So I stuck him up in the middle, behind Diego and he did quite well. At least until Michelle and I left them at North Point and headed down the Nature Trail. He was fine until we reached the turn-around point. A little trot turned into a short sprint with a little buck thrown in for good measure. I think he really wanted to tear it up, and I wouldn't let him. He and Echoe vie for who will be out front when they can't canter along together. Of course, this brought on more teeth grinding until he settled down a bit.
I'm glad we got the ride in. The horses may be cooped up over the next 36 hours. About a half hour after we returned, the big storm blew in. We're supposed to have blizzard conditions and anywhere from 9 to 12 inches! A real doozy to whiten things up!
Thank you John for the winter boots and breeches. Without them, it would have been too cold today. !