It's too darn hot

I don't feel like I'm missing out on any stupendous riding right now. The temperature keeps soaring up around 90 and the hazy skies hold little appeal. Horse flies, deer flies, and greenheads abound, buzzing in annoying circles around the horses and me. While my shoulder heals, we're all taking a break.

Snoozing Ruffy

Yesterday was "spa day" at the barn complete with baths, total grooming from nose to tail and down to their toes. They got some respite from the heat and high noon sun by spending the better part of the day in their stalls, away from the flies, with fans ruffling their manes.

Rolex getting her "treatment" after a roll in her shavings

By the time the sun was behind the trees, we put the horses back out for dinner. The barn felt warmer than outdoors, and since a breeze kicked up, it wasn't too bad. I think Harley was getting bored and needed a new place to crib. His stall guard can only take so much pressure--he's popped it out once this week!

The cribmeister killing time

It's weather like this that makes me long for September when the days are still long, but with a crisper tang in the air. And by then, my shoulder should definitely be back in shape!
Stay cool, fellow riders!

I was overdue for this...

This is not me, but it looks like the fall I took!

Yup, it's happened again--another graceless splat as I landed on the ground. Things were going along just fine until Rolex and Harley thought they were back at the track and it was a race for home!

Merciless flies hovered around the horses heads, driving them crazy, so we cut our ride short and headed for home. And eager trot, became a snorting sideways canter as Rolex passed Harley. That got his blood up. When John said, "Jump!", Harley did just that, only he went in at the log sideways, and stiff like a pogo stick. He cleared it, then realized he was heading for a sapling. Rolex, already heading into the woods (and Harley, always the follower) veered right to avoid the trees made Harley spin sideways and I must have looked just like the pictured rider--went off sideways. I tucked and rolled to get out of the way of both horses feet, but I must have landed in a way that messed up my shoulder.

Getting back on was painful. I couldn't use my right arm to pull myself up. But it was remount or walk! We made it back without too much difficulty. Harley spooked at some deer, but we got home safely. First thing I did was put an icepack from our cooler on my shoulder, leaving poor John to play groom and take care of the horses.

So it looks like I'm out of the saddle for a couple of weeks. I'm hoping it's just strained/sprained and not a bad tear in the rotator cuff. It's the same shoulder I hurt a couple of years ago in a fall. Maybe my next purchase at the tack shop will be some of that stuff you spray on your saddle to make it sticky! Better yet, just sit up, Lisa!

A ride with dogs and frogs

Harley enjoying the view

We didn't get the early start we had hoped on Sunday. But that's what happens, you sit around sipping coffee, reading a book, or other people's horse blogs. And next thing you know it's after 9 a.m. John thought about going to the tack shop first, but I said, "Let's beat the heat and get in our ride!"

Since the horses (and us) seemed low on energy, it was a good day for some trail trimming. Armed with his nippers in his scabbard, John did an awesome job cutting back many annoying limbs--you know, the ones right around eyeball level that thwack you in the face? Rolex stood remarkably well while branches rained down around her. She even decided to nibble on a few. Harley didn't seem to mind the branches either, but I think it's because he was proving to Rolex how brave he could be. Although I know otherwise! I jokingly ask John all the time, "Is it the look of eagles, or chickens?"

We rode out to Jepson Farm, an area we haven't been to in a long time. All the water from our torrential spring seems to have gone down leaving gooey black muck. Harley tried to pull his stunt at the brook crossing, wheeling around and heading for home. I needed our girl Rolex to prove to him that it wasn't a bottomless bog. The trails have some excellent footing, but Rolex had a stiff hock and we didn't want to push her. Plus it was too dang hot! The bugs were annoying and I think both horses had sweated off most of the fly dope. I need to mix up enough to put in a small container to carry with us for re-application on the trail.

Am I killing a fly, or smacking Harley? I think I was patting him.

We rode out along the quarry. Sundays are always good because there's no blasting going on. I'm not sure how Harley would react to that! When I led summer camp trips in Vermont, we had to listen for the whistle in the slate quarries we passed by. Most of them were long abandoned, filled with water which made inviting looking pools. But we'd been warned never to swim in them since that's where most of the junked equipment landed. I always think about those quarries when we ride past this one in Wells, Maine. Here, they once quarried granite, I believe. This one is now full of water--I have no idea how deep it is. The main work now is all in an adjacent quarry, fenced off and nearly out of sight except from the road.

Rolex peering up the trail to the quarry

Rolex led the way part of the time, letting Harley lollygag and not pay attention. He only noticed when she stepped out a little too far ahead and he needed to jog to catch up. But he likes it when someone else takes on the responsibility of making sure everything is safe up ahead.


When it came to wading through some scum-covered water on the flooded roadbed, Harley bravely waded on through despite the fact that he couldn't see what was under his feet. Thankfully, it's fairly rocky footing, rather than deep muck--it just looks nasty with the pollen-scummed surface. The poor,  much-maligned Harley does redeem himself at moments like these!


Cheney Woods Road has now hardened to the consistency of concrete. The summer sun has baked it dry reminding me of Vermont's hardpan dirt roads in summer. Turning for home towards North Point, we encountered a couple of loose dogs. I didn't even see them, but suddenly, Harley whirled around and headed back up the trail. I caught a glimpse of the dogs when I pulled him up. That set the pace for the rest of the ride home--he was on full alert now!

Riding along the road to North Point, I saw something green gleaming in a strange hue among the foliage along a brook. It seemed a weird shade of green--unnatural. And I soon realized why! Behold, a grinning stone frog stared back at Harley! He probably thought, "See, I'm right. Stones do come to life sometimes!"

Stone Frog

And for a closer view:

He's watching you, Harley!

Simmering summer days

The heat wave that began Wednesday sent most people scurrying to the closed confines of their air-conditioned homes. In order to avoid the worst of the heat, yet keep the horses working and fit, we rode early in the morning before the temperatures crested.

Missy Antsy Pants

For the last two days, I rose at 5:30, headed out to the barn, and was in the saddle by 7 a.m. Both Harley and I were beat after about a half hour of ring work with lots of trotting and cavaletti. This groundwork is critical, not only for Harley, but me as well. And in spite of the heat, it started my day off right. We avoided the worst heat and I saw improvements in just a couple of days. Thanks to John's help, I even made it to work on time!

Tonight, thunderstorms are rolling in, and hopefully , alleviating the heat.  The horses were already in the barn, but very sweaty. So before the storm hit, I washed them down and set up a fan on each to cool them off a bit. Rolex, always the antsy one who hates being cooped up inside, kept pawing the floor and the vibration made the fan keel over. She's not a spooky horse and just looked at it, then went back to pacing and pawing. I'm sure once I left, shut her gate, and shut off the lights, she would settle down.
 Ruffy, happy to have a fresh water and a lot of hay, settled right in to eating. And ditto for Harley.  I'm hoping the storm will pass through tonight and clear by tomorrow so Harley and I can continue our ring work. Then we'll treat ourselves to a walk in the woods, but armed with bug dope. The deer flies have arrived with the heat wave. How auspicious that the hottest day thus far was the first day of summer. It's days like this that make me long for September.

Harley after a cool bath on a hot summer night

 On the bright side, this hot weather is good for appetite reduction and weight loss! I've dropped another pound over the last few days. It's the perfect time for lots of fresh berries and watermelon. Oh, and of course, ice cream. But I'm a believer  of everything in moderation.

If the weather cooperates, I hope to go pick strawberries this weekend and make some jam! Nothing like local fresh sweet strawberries. Kind of makes those giant steroid strawberries from California taste insipid.

Sunset before the thunderstorm

Back on track

Back to work for Harley

The vet came out last Friday and gave poor Harley a shot for his hives. He's on a regimen of dosing, twice a day with "apple-flavored" dexamethasone mixed into my homemade cardamom apple butter (a great masking agent). The hives dissipated rapidly, and only small bumps on his neck remain. Without doing an expensive allergy test, I really won't know what caused it. But should they return, I may have to go that route to eliminate the problem.

As for the saddle issue--I realize my relic doesn't fit him perfectly, but I think the heat bump on his back was actually a hive reacting to the heat and pressure on the ride. Given that there was no weeping or rawness, it's healing up rapidly. So I tried using a clean pad, topped with a Cavallo wool-backed/foam combo half pad under John's Tekna saddle.

Rebekah on Ruffy

Harley was feeling good, having had the last 2 weeks off. John and Rebekah were working the fillies in the ring and I attempted to join them, but 'ole Snarley Harley was being naughty, so I headed out to the woods for a little trotting work where he wouldn't be distracted by his girlfriends. As he snorted and pranced, the trot quickly became a sideways canter up the hill. By now, John and Rebekah were ready to take the girls out on the trail for an easy cool-down. Not so for Harley....

Not one to be left last, he maintained his position in the field, first or second. Being in third position, or last, when there's more than two horses makes for an interesting ride. He is actually a good influence most of the time as the leader. He keeps Rolex, and especially Ruffy, from rushing up hills and charging over brooks, although Ruffy still would prefer to jump ditches rather than muddy up her feet!

As we neared the top of the steep incline on the Lollipop Loop, Rolex began favoring a hind foot. John dismounted and checked her foot and leg. Nothing was apparent, but we decided to turn back. I jumped down too, then walked a little further up where there was more room to turn around. Harley suddenly realized Ruffy was heading back down the trail, and Rolex was out of sight! Yikes, we gotta go ma!  Of course, there was no way to get back on him as he pranced sideways like it was post time,  and I struggled to stay afoot. I had neglected to put on my halter/lead combo (hence the lack of noseband in the photo) and regretted it now. After clambering back down the slope I caught up to John and Rebekah, remounted and we jogged/fast walked our way home.

Rolex appeared sound. We think she may have whacked her fetlock on something. And Harley's back appeared fine--no welts, no rubbing. That pleased me and may allow a postponement on saddle hunting if we play musical saddles on the horses.

Our fine cool weather is leaving today--sultry summer heat is upon us. Here come the deer flies,  horse flies, and thunderstorms. I'm already thinking about cool fall riding!

Back woes and ridin' Rolex

The 2 that trail ride together, feed together!

Once again, the refrain is "Poor Harley". This time it's his back, and it's my fault. I've been using my old Crosby Mark VI saddle on him since day one with a foam wither correction pad. But as his back has changed with weight gain and more muscle, and the further we ride, the more apparent it has become that this saddle just does not fit him.

After untacking from our Memorial Weekend ride, he had immediate swelling on his back. Over the next 5 days or so, it appeared to almost blister and shed the skin. I called the vet and she recommended just putting some antibiotic cream on it. It's never been weepy, just dry and scaly. The curious thing is that it only happened on one side.

So while he recuperates, and I spend time looking at saddle alternatives (yikes--scary prices!), I'll be riding Rolex. Yesterday we did some ring work with both girls and then headed out for a lovely evening trail ride. The bugs weren't too bad despite all the rain we had last week. So I'll get a chance to try improving my seat on a different mount, while also giving her some much-needed ring work to develop balance and bending--all under John's tutelage.

Any saddle recommendations from you fellow english trail riders out there would be appreciated, or if anyone can recommend a saddle fitter in the New England area.  Harley is, I suspect, a medium width, but with those prominent TB withers!

The cleanup committee has arrived!

First S.M.A.R.T. ride of the year!

Harley out marking trails last week

Today was our first S.M.A.R.T. Ride for 2012 and it was on Rolex Girl's 5th birthday! We had a rather late start, so it was a good thing we knew the terrain and it was well marked. I think we were the last people to leave, but unlike the rest of the riders, we had to hack to the beginning point. That added another 45 minutes or so. It would have been longer if I hadn't jumped off and walked Harley over the bridge at the Great Works River. Just last Monday we rode down there when we were helping mark the trails for the ride. He didn't like it then, and doesn't like it now. Since he was making a production, and we were running late, I figured it would be easier to walk him across.

We didn't see any other riders until 2 who had taken a wrong turn caught up with us. Otherwise, we rode pretty much all by ourselves, as the sweep riders--dead last!

The weather was awesome--bugs weren't too bad, the sun was shining, and a nice breeze kept us cool when we crossed fields. At the nicest spot, a lovely open field with lovely cantering footing, a photographer was stationed taking pictures of riders passing by. I'm hoping she got some good ones of Harley and Rolex, although Harley was spooking at her and going a bit sideways. Then she made whinnying noises and I think that confounded him all the more.

Witchrot Road--didn't see any witches

Some of the trails crossed land belonging to an ATV /snowmobile club. They had amusing signs hanging up such as No Parking, STOP, Children Playing, etc. They also had road name signs as well, like Main Drag. But my favorite was Witchrot Rd. There is an Witchtrot Road in South Berwick, but the one in the woods was mis-spelled and much cooler! John snapped a few pictures, but neither horse was in the mood to stand still, hence the blurry photo. I think the horses already knew we had reached the halfway point and they heard horses ahead of them. Time to pick up the pace! We went to the lunch stop, but trying to eat food and hold the horses was going to be tough. We had carrots and apples in our packs and all of us munched on our fruits and vegetables. I was actually hoping they'd have water for the horses. Harley and Rolex aren't well-schooled on drinking out of streams yet. Another thing for us to work on! So we sallied forth down the trail, Harley and Roley jigging to catch up to the horses in front of them. Then we and 2 other riders missed a turn and wound up following a mucky logging path. One of Rolex's Easyboots came apart. Thankfully, one of the riders behind us saw it! The sole had detached from the hoof cover and we had no spare screws. Stupidly, I went back to see where the last trail marker was, knowing we'd missed our turn. This left poor Rolex plunging in the mud on her lonesome. I realized this and turned around to meet John coming out of the muck with poor, agitated Rolex. Once clear of the mud, he took both boots off. From this point, we could see horses crossing a field. Rolex stood with head up, doing her camel imitation, while Harley shook his head and snorted. Once the other riders were out of sight, everyone calmed down...until we reached Lovers Brook. This was a substantial water crossing with a mucky approach. Both horses balked at it, but I knew Harley would go through. I urged him past Rolex and he plunged in, glad to clamber out the other side, with Rolex right behind him.

Cooling off in Knight's Pond

We were in the home stretch now. Once we reached Knight's Pond, we took a detour down to the water, hoping they would have a drink and let them cool off a bit. Compared to Lovers Brook, this is easier. Again, Harley needed to convince Rolex and vice versa. Overcoming obstacles together makes them feel brave! John got a good picture of Harley in the pond, with a smattering of Roley Girl's ears. Little fish darted among the grass and lily pads, but I don't think either horse saw a one. They were too awed by the vast expanse of water out there, probably afraid we'd ask them to swim across!

Then it was back along the old railroad bed to the ride's beginning point. A big spread of food lay out on the picnic tables, but it was getting late and we still had another 45 ride home. So we waved at the crowd and moseyed on towards home. We took a little break at a roadside park where the horses noshed on a bit of grass and we got to stretch our legs for a bit. Once we got to the infamous bridge, Harley had no problem walking across it--it led to home! He was in power walk mode anyway. I don't think much would have stopped him at this point. We covered about 20 miles today--not bad for our guys on their first ride of the season! Happy Birthday Rolex Girl!

Ring work and a trail ride

We tested out the new ring yesterday. Harley and Rolex got a small taste of it before we headed for the woods. He who shall not be named, once again gave me a hard time about circling to the right at the far end--Noooo!, Rolex is down at the other end! And I have to say, he can really be pig-headed with the bitless bridle. It called for some rather drastic measures before I got Harley to relinquish and bend a bit to the right. Once he did that, it was off to the woods!

Tatnic Woods trail

The mosquitoes bothered us a bit if we stood still too long. I've tried using Clac-Deo a rather potent smelling bug dope, but one that doesn't use harmful chemicals. It works quite well, although it does leave a greasy residue. I guess it's time to dig out the fly mask. I'd be curious to know what other riders prefer--full face mask (which does make their faces sweaty), or just the crocheted ear bonnet with fringe.

We rode out via the power line, complete with 2 steep scrambles uphill and Big Bump (our version of the Tevis Cup Cougar Rock), then out the Lollipop Loop towards Tatnic. We crossed a lovely mowed field that a gentleman kindly lets us access, thinking we might have a nice canter or trot. Harley tried to just to go straight to the woods while Rolex cantered nicely along the edge. Once back on the trail, he encountered the dastardly wood piles which he's seen before, but always give him pause.

We rode past the world's loudest lawn mower (I thought the owners must be power washing their house!) which made Harley prance sideways. and then encountered the tallest wisteria I'd ever seen. It's a lovely ornamental vine, but in this case, it's eventually going to choke the white pine it's climbing. We had to take pictures at any rate, but unfortunately, the color got washed out in the bright sunshine.

Tallest wisteria in Wells, Maine!

I left John back at the barn, brushing Ruffy , and went out to get carrots (high in electrolytes) and drinks. I was parched from the heat, as I guessed John was too, and our brave ponies deserved some carrot treats. I feel guilty if I'm empty handed at the barn! I got back just as John was tacking up Ruffy. Time for a quick lunch, and snack for Ruffy, then off to our new ring! She took a gander at all that dirt and thought she was back at the track! All the jump equipment was stacked along the edge, and that was super-scary. But she settled down as John worked her. Ruffy is still learning that things aren't so bad and that she actually can just walk over rails. She made good progress today.

John schooling Ruffy

A new ring in the making

Dad and John attaching the plow

How did I spend my spring vacation? Rock-picking, shoveling stone dust, painting, mowing the lawn, oh, and riding nearly every day!

With the beautiful weather still holding, we called my dad to come help us reconstruct the old ring. It's been years since the ring was in use, and Pete put a garden in it one year. So now it's full of uneven patches and old furrows. John wanted to start from scratch and begin anew so we'd have a flatter and larger area.

Dad arrived at 8:30 this morning. We spent the entire day plowing, discing, scraping, and rock-picking (that was my job). By 4:00 p.m., we had a relatively flat, even surface. The job required moving a fair amount of material from one end of the ring to the other in order to make for even footing. This also exposed a stretch of clay that will now need some sand mixed in to soften the footing. We gained a lot of extra square footage which will be nice. Now we need to come up with some sort of a drag in addition to fencing. For now, I'd settle for something at least at the barn end of the ring so he who shall not be named, doesn't try to beat it for home when he's left alone in the ring! He can be so bad when one horse leaves--same thing on the trail, Don't leave me behind! 

Thankfully, John has experience with rings and footing. Together with my father's tractor and Pete's big bucket loader tractor, we ended up with a pretty decent surface. Once the sun was high in the sky, we all got nicely toasted and by day's end, I didn't even have the energy to ride. All Harley got was a quick grooming in the pasture and some ticks removed. Tomorrow we'll go for a nice long ride, after we show them the ring. That should get a jump out of Harley!

Dad putting the old 1956 Ford Jubilee through its paces!

Yesterday, we took Rolex and Harley on a short trail ride on the Lollipop Loop, hoping to find the dropped crop John lost a few days ago. So much for bright red standing out! Unless a hiker found it and did what with it? Hmm...

So many spring wildflowers are blooming, I ooh and ahh  at every turn. I had to dismount and take a picture of this lovely ladyslipper that some person built a little stone wall around. I thought it was so cute--a mini woodland garden!

Pink Ladyslipper

And still more training

We spent the weekend working the horses on the flat, although I did have to give Harley (and myself) a break on Friday. After doing flat work, we escaped to the woods for a nice amble. Harley had not been up the road to North Point in a while, so the goats were a minor challenge, but he pranced by without too much fuss. His only meltdown came with 2 dogs rushing at him. Thankfully, they backed off and the owner called them back to the property.

Our Little Miss Marquetry Girl turns 5 in 2 weeks.

When we returned, I washed off Harley and readied Rolex for John to hop on before dark. He lunged her, and then put me up so he could evaluate her. She's a pistol, our Roley Girl, but smart! And she's so much narrower than Harley--a totally different feel! Her birthday is coming up soon; the day of our first S.M.A.R.T. ride, May 27th. I'm hoping all this rain will have passed by then!

Vacation starts on Wednesday, and although there's much to do around the house and garden, I'm bound to get sidetracked at the barn. John will have more time, and I know he plans on devoting hours to working the girls and rebuilding the ring. But this will make training much easier. Even the few days I spent working with Harley has made a difference. So I know this will be labor well-spent for all.

Here's a picture of the sorority sisters sharing their feed tub. It amazes John and I how they get along eating together. Rolex seems to prefer eating with other horses, and although she tries to share with Harley, he grudgingly lets her sneak in while he's having a good crib. Ruffy, on the other hand, is much more willing to share!

Evening feed time!