Baby steps

Yesterday was gorgeous! For the first time since last fall, my feet were hot. I was overdressed and should have left the vest at the barn except I needed its pockets for carrots and my cell phone.  Why don't they put pockets on riding tights? It seems like such a no-brainer. And clipping my phone onto my boot top is just not an option for trail riding. I know it would get knocked off somewhere in the woods.

I surprised Harley by turning him left as we left the barn. I like to keep things mixed up for variety. John took him up by North Point earlier this week, but I haven't been up there with him since December. This meant passing the goats--Harley looks askance at these creatures. Then it was a pair of wood ducks that kept flying up out of one vernal pool to another (3 times!). Finally we left the tarmac and hit the woods. He splashed through puddles without a twitch, earning pats and "Good boy, Harley" from me. In his usual manner, he stopped a few times and made half-hearted attempts to turn around, but willingly went forward when asked. He kept a wary eye on the loader and truck parked across from North Point (he's convinced these monsters will get him), but walked on by. We had a little trot down the dirt road until he saw a car and heard people in the woods. The car wasn't there last time! And what was in the woods? We couldn't see the people, so it spooked him. Granted he didn't spin, but he tried, and then began backing up rather like a cow pony tightening the rope on a cow! I circled twice, rode him back, urged him on, but each time, he began backing up again. I should have just dismounted and led him past. but I knuckled under and just made him stand and look. Getting him to stand still when he's agitated is in itself, a step forward.

Heading for home, I rode him past the turn off, so we could watch some boys throwing a ball and bouncing it off their roof. I figured it would be a good experience. He watched while I stroked his neck, behaving well. I turned for home, then made him go back to the boys, which he did well--something he never would have done last year without all kinds of agitation. Harley is getting braver by the day. Next time, though, we are going down the road, car or not.

I went back out to the barn last night to put his blanket on. Now that the horses are turned out all night, I want to make sure he doesn't burn off the fat we finally put on him while the nights are still down in the 30's and 40's. John and walked down into the field and Harley ambled up to us, looking for treats. He's certainly used to deer by now as we counted 8 of them in the next pasture over. This must be the same herd John and Harley came across on last week's ride in the woods.

We're in for a stretch of rain, so I need to get back out there today and take some more baby steps. Maybe John and I will do our version of the ride and tie--one rides out, and one rides back.

Beware low-flying ducks!

Yesterday was a repeat of howling winds, leaves spinning like mini cyclones, and cold air blowing under Harley's tail.  I almost considered not taking any chances as he'd spooked twice just getting up to the barn. But once I started brushing him, especially his face, (hypnotizing Harley) he quieted down, hanging his head into the crook of my arm. I decided not to be a chicken and got on board.

We ambled down the Orris Falls trail, Harley looking hard at squirrels darting across his path. I could sense him tensing up at one of his "blind corners" and pushed him onward. We got to the trail junction where he once again, tried heading for home over Big Bump. Circling twice, he gave up and relented. We were just getting to the brook crossing when two ducks flew up out of the beaver pond.  He threw his head up, but surprisingly didn't spin. Through the water, through some ankle deep snow (still!), up to the downed beech tree blocking the trail, everything went just fine--my big brave boy. We turned back for home, and as we approached the brook, he suddenly spun left (as always), expecting another duck scare. Of course they were long gone, over in New Hampshire by now, but poor Harley didn't know that. We stopped, had a good gander at the pond, and quietly headed for home. We even got in a couple of quiet relaxed trots.

When I think back to where we were last summer with him, Harley has come a long way. I'm looking forward to getting out on the trails with some of the other local riders. He definitely needs more group riding experience before I'd deign to take him on an organized trail ride. It will just take time and mileage. Sometimes he amazes me, and sometimes I just have to laugh--another Thoroughbred moment.

Winter is back...

Howling winds and icy temperatures put me off, but I had to get on board Harley and ride. Experience and time in the saddle are what we both need. The windows rattled in the barn and the wind whistled around the corners. I thought it might be an interesting ride...and I'd forgotten the cell phone. But I told myself, "Go on, don't feel like you need the phone for safety. Use your head. If things get dicey, bail out."

Harley surprised me and behaved well. Oh, he had his usual semi-spooks at squirrels running through the woods and leaves blowing. But you never know what might be lurking around the corners and he's convinced the swamp demons are out to get him. We had a minor backing up, side-stepping issue. I just rode him away till he settled, then turn back and urged him forward. Assured no demons lay in wait, he splashed through the muck and snow until we hit the trial junction for Big Bump and Orris Falls. Now that he's been over Big Bump recently, he's decided that's the way to go (and it's the shortest route to home). After mucking about in the the mud and snow, circling, bashing into the woods, and much teeth grinding (Harley grinds his teeth when he's agitated), I decided to avoid working him into a dither and head back home (but not his way). He pranced and jigged a bit, then settled into a nice walk. The footing changed from ice to mud to dry duff rapidly, allowing for only short trots, but Harley kept his head, even though he really wanted to go faster. By trails end, he walked nicely on a loose rein, hopping over a downed log, and moving away at a calm trot.

The winds continue to blow today. I'm off to work this morning, but will ride tonight. Snow is in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. Yup, it's spring in Maine!

Happy Birthday, Halawa Moon!

Harley celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday by tossing John--a little birthday buck! Poor John, hobbling on a sore knee, hiked back up to the barn to find Harley standing in the paddock, reins dragging in the mud, looking innocently at him as if to say, "What? It was scary down in the woods and then suddenly you were down in the dirt below me."
John got back on and took him for a nice long ride back through the woods on the lollipop loop trail. Harley worked his kinks out and broke a little sweat, allowing John to ride him home on the buckle. Now that's more like it, my bad boy!
As I was driving to work yesterday, I'd been thinking about what was the best way to have a long lead line safely attached to me should the same thing happen (which it has) so Harley doesn't get away from me and head for home. I must have jinxed John. But it might be a good idea for me to have a backup plan for when 'ole Harley is feelin' snarley and might pull that stunt again.
When I visited Harley after work, he was coated in mud on one side. How he loves to roll after a ride. He got a good currying, hair and mud flying off. I offered him a birthday treat of maple sugar which my Maryland-bred son declined to eat. It's carrots all the way for him--none of New England's finest spring treat!

Vernal equinox ride

We had another beautiful day for a spring ride with light breezes and a warm melting sun. The trail into Orris Falls is slowly melting, except under the evergreens, where packed snow and ice remain. Harley forded the fast-flowing brook without a twitch. I think he's finally getting over his water phobia. We could hear the water roaring through the chasm at Orris Falls, as well as through the beaver dam. Harley had to look long and hard at that dam and the noise it emitted. We reached the cut through the swamp which was still iced over, and opted for the trail instead. He balked at the next water crossing--I think he was slipping down into the mud and was a little unsettled by the footing. I wanted to end on a positive note, so we sat and watched the woods and water before turning back. Once again, I turned him down the road away from home. He grudgingly accepted that the ride wasn't over yet. He headed down a dead end road (last time we were here, he took off with me) then attempted a shabby turn on the forehand before returning to home. This may be a last warm ride for a while--snow and rain forecasted for tomorrow.

The fur is flying...

The thermometer hit 60 degrees today and Harley is shedding up a storm. All the horses are losing their winter fuzz with the warm spell. The blankets came off and aired out in the sunshine, the barn doors were opened wide for the fresh breezes. Spring has sprung and we're all raring to go.

I rode for the first time without gloves or mittens since October. We splashed through mud and slushy snow, clomped over ice and made it all the way up to the trail junction between Orris Falls and Big Bump. Harley was convinced the boogie man lurked up in the woods. I suspect it may have been a deer. We turned around and headed back, prancing where footing permitted. He wasn't happy when I urged him down the road, away from home, but grudgingly headed where I pointed his noise. The trip back proved to be entertaining, one kid on a bicycle and one in a plastic wagon, you know, the Fisher Price brand that rumbles down the road. He wanted no part of it, but he needed to pass it if we wanted to get home. The people graciously stopped until we passed, walking at a brisk pace, on the verge of a trot. As usual, Harley was relieved to get home. Me, I'm always happy to make it back to the barn in one piece.

Spring Fever

We all have spring fever, including the horses, and especially, Harley. After being snowbound for so long, he's looking forward to stretching his legs and raising a ruckus. With his world shrunken down to the barn, the upper paddock, the bottom of the hill, and a little trail meandering out along the fence line, the Harley wants to let loose and have a gallop. Last night, he was kicking up his heels and chasing the others around the upper paddock. Yes, it was dinner time, but he needs someone to play tag with. The old bachelors take only so much grief before they strike out at him, is if to say, "Leave me alone. I'm too old for this!" Chey is in her own corner with her besotted boyfriend Echoe, who snaps at Harley if he even approaches his gal.
Yup, spring is finally making some headway as the snowbanks recede, the ice melts off the driveway, and the sun stays up a little longer each day. Good thing Harley has a nice long mane--I may be grabbing it for dear life pretty soon!

We're snowed in--but the skiing is great!

The gang watches John skiing

Double Trouble

True Love

New face at the barn

We have a new face at the barn--Chey, the only mare in the herd. Echoe has taken her on as his girlfriend, keeping all others at bay with pinned ears and a swinging hind end. Watch out, Harley, she's taken!

February Thaw

The winter thaw is here. With temperatures climbing up into the high 30's, Michelle and I took Echoe and Harley for a road ride. The last storm dropped another foot of snow leaving the banks higher still, and the horses hock-deep. Road riding can be dull, but Harley didn't think so--lots to look at; chickens, mailboxes sticking out of snowbanks, people shoveling off their roofs, horse and donkeys...so much to see. He behaved well, despite lost Massachusetts drivers, zooming up and down the road until I waved my hand at them to slow down! Michelle and I had a laugh at them--no wonder they couldn't find the trailhead, they were going too fast.
Ice and rain have left everything slippery, but more snow is on the way. Look out Harley, I see some skis in your future!