Hello

Well hello there! :)

I just feel like writing today, but for no particular reason.

I've been riding quite a bit this summer, and it's been so nice getting back to my trail riding roots. A part of me (a big part, I admit) does miss ring riding and the like, but for now, I'm happy with what I've got. I'm blessed to have it, too!

My mom and her horse Lady are doing so well together! Lady has turned out to be a beautiful trail horse, she is steady on her feet, honest and just a pleasure to ride! She is a real keeper, that mare.  She is a bit of a floozy, though. She and her pasture mate, Stormy have been having a sordid love affair (of the gelding/mare variety). One of them isn't fully equipped, but that doesn't stop them from...ahem...trying. Heh heh heh...tmi, you say? Sorry.

On a side note. My mom has come across a harness and cart. Kind of like this one:


It's fancy, yes it is.

Anyway. What in bejeezus is (are) she (we) going to do with a cart like that? Oh my word. Well, she's going to (with help) train herself AND her horse to drive.

I'm divided on this. On one hand, neither my mom nor I have any experience driving, let alone training a horse to drive. I don't even know how to harness a horse. The horse is NOT broke to drive. She's calm and pretty unflappable, sure, but she's still a big honkin', behooved horse.

I don't want to be fugly fodder either, I admit.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: I do think, that with an experienced trainer's help, this would be totally awesome! TERRY,  what do you think? ;) I also have visions of my distant future self showing a Morgan in Carriage classes...even though it's my mom's carriage, she'll share!

So, there's that too.

Let's see, what else?

Here's something cute!

Josie is just over 1 years old now. My future cowpoke!

...ain't she cute?

The Longest Ride

Happy day before Friday! Woot!

Two weekends ago, I, along with my mom and Gail (owner of the Missouri Fox Trotters) went on a long trail ride to Brighton (Chilson) Recreation Area I think we went a total of 9 miles (that's really long for me, anyway).


The ride to the recreation area is about 3 miles, comprised of trails, dirt roads and one small section of precarious paved roads.

The mare I have been riding, Lady Jane, is spooky. She's pretty easily contained, but she does spook quite a bit. Most of the time, she sort of missteps during a spook; and they're easily ridden. Once in a while, I can feel that she would like to bolt; again, she's been easy to stop. She's just a nervous nelly; but a good horse nonetheless. I enjoy riding her very much!

Anyway, the ride went really well, but there was one moment where my life flashed before my eyes. The section of the ride that is paved roads upsets me. In fact, in the future if we want to ride at Chilson, we've all agreed to trailer the horses there as opposed to riding them.

Here's why.

The portion of road that is paved, also has a rail road crossing. The railroad is down a slight slope; to one side of that slope is a small farm butted up the road. That farm has a very vocal Emu, and a gorgeous, gorgeous Quarter Horse mare that enjoys galloping up to the fence line to visit with the strange horses walking (or freaking in my case) past.

The other side of the road is a sharp incline up to a rusted out wiry fence, staked with metal stakes.

Like this: (but rustier)

Just before the portion of dirt road turns paved, there is a very busy camp ground. Many recreational vehicles travel to and from this camp ground, even in late September! So, there we were 3 horses and 3 riders. A galloping horse, a screeching Emu, train tracks, slippery paved roads, 1,000 gigantic monsters zoning in on us (campers and trucks from the campground), a rusted out metal fence and a horse on the verge of a panic attack (that'd be Lady Jane).

At one point  my life flashed before me. The horse was just a ball of energy. She wanted to bolt, but there were campers and trucks impatiently passing us only about 2 feet from the narrow patch of hilly grass we were on, which added to the chaos of crossing the very scary railroad tracks.  I could sense that because I was holding Lady Jane back, she was thinking about rearing which would have sent us both careening (falling) backward onto the paved road.  <---this is hard to explain, actually...ha ha ha.

I rode her through it; safely, thank goodness, but I don't think I want to venture that way any longer.

Other than that, we had a great ride! We saw quite a few other riders at the recreation area, and a most beautiful chestnut Morgan gelding (which made my day).

In other news, the Morgan Grand National Horse show is this week. You can check out classes and watch the live feed of the show here.

 Now, the fun part! Pictures!!!

Riding Them Trails

I'm still here, I'm still here!!!!!

I hope everyone had a marvelous Labor Day!

I spent my summer *horsewise* trail riding. It was like coming back to my roots as it's how I began riding. I'm loving the trails and the freedom of not worrying about collection, equitation, perfection in the gaits and whatnot, BUT I know I'd grow bored without something more. I think I will always have a desire to compete with horses on some level, however small it be.

So...there is talk of a small show next summer on the Fox Trotters. I'm also in cahoots with J about showing some Morgans, well, she's in cahoots, I'm still pretty sure I want nothing to do with showing HER horses as we all know how that generally ends (it almost put me off horse showing all together). I'd love to show MY OWN Morgan, though ;).

I'm still learning a lot about what an actual Fox Trot is. I've some experience showing Tennessee Walking Horses, however a Fox Trot is different than a running walk, so still a learning curve. I also don't know what attire the Fox Trotter exhibitors wear. Is it western? Saddle Seat? A mish mash? I can't seem to find much information on the breed in the show ring. It seems they're a breed built for pleasure/trail; which is just fine!

I'm loving that my only practice for the possibility of a show ring is a long stretch of dirt road. Isn't that perfect? It sure beats the tiresome circles I've become so accustomed to. Riding has become fun again!!!!

Just before our trail ride yesterday afternoon. I'm not sure what this mare's registered name is, but her owner assures me her sire was notable. I can't remember his name either; I'll have to get it! She was purchased in Missouri at their national show and came with the nickname Fanny, 'tis all I know!

At any rate, she's a fun ride. Lazy lazy lazy then all of a sudden, weeee - off she goes as fast as can be. Yesterday, she reared, spun around and whipped up a very steep hill at the mere graze of my heel across her flank; she is like a Jeep! ;) ;)

Sunday Trail Rides and Sizzling Summers

Happy belated 4th of July!!!!

I had 5 days off of work last week, starting Tuesday. Well, wouldn't you know...Tuesday night we had a terrible storm and *boom* the power went out. We got our power back, conveniently, on Sunday night. Just in time to go back to work! Fortunately, Brian, Madigan the dog, baby Josie and I were able to camp out at my parent's house, where a pool kept us cool and comfortable while our house remained out of commission.

Sunday, my mom and I snuck off for a nice trail ride! My mom rode for the first time in her new to her, Tucker saddle (she loved it). I rode Lady Jane (the Fox Trotter) again. It seems she's going to be the horse I ride on a regular basis. Fine by me!!!

We ended up going on an 8 mile ride. After mile 4 or 5, I was hurting! Poor Lady Jane, she was hurtin' too, I think. Normally, Jane is incredibly up. She likes to go go go. At the end of our ride, it was all she could do to lift her head up above her withers. heh heh heh...I felt guilty, but not too guilty. She had enough energy to go after her pasture buddy Stormy after she was hosed off and put back to pasture.

I don't really have anything too exciting to post about. There is talk about hitting up some trails that require a trailer, so that should be an adventure of sorts. :)
 

Hope everyone is having a safe, sane and smiling summer!!!!!

Sunday Rides; Bringing it Back!

As I mentioned before, I've been given the glorious opportunity to ride again! The lady who owns the farm where my mom is boarding her horse, owns 2 Fox Trotters! 2! A spare horse, if you will, for me to ride when I'd like! The lady and my mom are fast becoming good friends. The lady, who I'll call Gidget (she looks like a mature Gidget), is wonderful!

I am still welcome to ride with J, however that part of my life has come to a close. I still chat with J from time to time, but I haven't been to her farm in months.

Last Sunday, I went out riding with my mom and Gidget. I rode Lady Jane again; my mom rode her horse Lady and Gidget rode her good gelding, Stormy.

I have such an absolute blast cruising the trails on those fast gaited Fox Trotters! They can really boogie down, let me tell you!!!! My mom's heavier Grade/Quarter Horse does have to chug along at a pretty good rate to keep up.

Heading home from our ride, my mom and I switched horses. Having never have ridden a gaited horse before, I could tell she enjoyed it very much. We both agree, though, that we would miss are good ole' fashioned trottin' horses too much to hop on the gaited band wagon just yet. My mom proposed that I get a gaited horse so we can switch back and forth, but my heart is still set in Morgandom, so a Morgan, someday, I shall have!

Also, after riding Lady Jane (the Fox Trotter) and sitting in the TUCKER saddle she comes with, my mom has bid on this bad boy (Tucker High Plains)! It is like pure saddle heaven. If you sit in one, you'll be hard pressed to get back into a plain ole' raw hide seated western saddle for trail riding purposes! My butt has been spoiled rotton, I tell you!

Anyway, I suppose I've rattled on enough! On to the pictures :)

Getting ready, pre ride! Like my awesome velvet helmet?

These are the same trails my mom rode when she was a girl; the same trails I rode with my mom as a child...

Lady Bird and Stormy - in love.

Rest Stop!

Blasphemy! Texting in the presence of a horse...I had to tend to my husband and child for a moment!

Here I am on Lady Bird (the trottin' horse). Don't mind my awful chair seat...ugh!

Lady Jane and Stormy! Tired after their ride!

Doesn't Lady Jane look an awful lot like Gypsy the Morgan? It's almost uncanny.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!!!

To update on my last post. My mom ended up moving her horse, Lady to a different farm than the one mentioned before. It works out even better because the people who own that farm own two horses that aren't both used. I have been told my their gracious, gracious owners that I can ride with my mom whenever I choose....for free! That is more than I could have ever asked for.

The two horses are Missouri Fox Trotters!

Yesterday, my mom, the woman who owns the place and I went out for a glorious trail ride. We rode the trails I rode as a kiddo (but haven't been on since I was about 10). Those Fox Trotters can MOVE! It was such a blast, I can't wait to go again! Here we are!

This is me on Lady Jane

Me on(Lady Jane) and the lady who owns the horses on Stormy!

ridin' the trails

My mom on Lady Bird - I realize that her mouth is being pulled upon, she was rarin' to go go goooo!

Oh Say Can You See!

Wow! I leave for a few months and Blogger completely changes itself! How will I ever?!

I don't even know if anyone will read this, I've been very very naughty indeed.

Just busy with work and baby, is all.

Anyway, I have something horse related to post at long last.  Wahooooey!

To bring you up to speed. My mom keeps her horse at a farm just down the road from her. She is also a real estate agent. The woman who owns the farm wanted to sell it to downsize, so begrudgingly, my mom listed it and it sold almost immediately. They people who purchased it are going to use it for Organic Farming and PIGS. Oh my!

Long story short, my mom had to find a new home for her horse, Lady.

With my help, we found the perfect place! It's a farm close by with access to trails and surrounded by long dirt roads for riding. They have a horse available for me to half lease! YAY! It's not ideal as I'd much prefer my own horse, but money is tight for me, so this is better than nothing!

I have yet to meet the horse. She's a 20 year old Walking Horse of all things! I will lease her for the summer if all goes well. I'm just so excited!

The woman who owns the farm is a no nonsense, straight to the point kind of lady. She seems like her first goal is healthy happy animals; she does raise meat goats which was sad for us non-farm gals to take in as the goat kids (who will be slaughtered at some point) were too cute and lovin' life!  That said, both my mom and I do eat meat, so we can't be hypocrites here. Still, it's a tough pill to swallow. They are SO SO adorable!

Also, she sort of rubbed me the wrong way when my mom asked her if "she had a horse I could pay to use." The woman responded bruskily "This is not a riding stable!"

My mom only meant if there was a horse I could lease, she just kind of said it wrong. But still, sheesh!

Wow, this post it kind of all over the place. I do hope to be updating more and more this summer - afterall, I'll hopefully have a lot to write about! YAY!

I hope you are all doing well! I'm going to try and catch up on the blogs this week. I just need to find ya'll first - what's going on here, blogger?!

Josie says Hi!

The Story

I have nothing exciting going on in my life pertaining to horses, so here's a very embarrassing story that I'd like to share with you!

Several years ago, MGM Grand opened a casino in Detroit. Several of our friends, DH and I, made plans to go check it out.

We arrived and it was beautiful, as you can imagine. Not quite as decked out and glamorous as Las Vegas, but for Detroit, quite something. That's neither here nor there, though.

We set about getting drinks and meandering about. There was a circular bar in the center of the casino that was all mirrored up and just packed.

After about an hour of watching the game, gambling and wandering, we all regrouped and got in line at the cicular bar to get more drinks. Just the thing I needed! As I waited in line, it occured to me that we could go to the other side of the circular bar and get drinks there. I recalled that it wasn't as packed as the side we were on.

I turned to my friend K and said, "let's go on the other side of the bar. I know there won't be a long line."
K looked at me bewildered and said, "what are you talking about? This is the only side with a bar."
"No. Look, it goes on the other side." I pointed where you could clearly see the passage way the led there.
"I don't see it." K said.
"Ok. You stay here and I'll go. Tell me what you want to drink and I'll order it for you." I said, anxious to prove her wrong.

I took K's order and made my way to the other side of the circular bar. I weaved in and out through the crowds, and then stopped when a pretty looking girl almost ran smack dab into me.
"excuse me." I said.

She smiled back at me, and then we did the dance. You know? The one where you move at the same time as the other person you're trying to get past? That dance.

We danced for a good 30 seconds.

It started as a warm feeling. In less than a second, that warm feeling started speaking to me. It said, "no. Oh no. You're not really doing that."
Just as I realized what was happening, I felt a tap on my arm. One of the waitresses, clad in her skimpy casino show girl garb, was attempting to stifle her laugh as she said..."No honey. That's a mirror."
Oh yes I did. .
I turned around and there they were. 100 or so people, come to watch the show. My show. A show of horror.

My DH asked me to never, ever tell anyone about that. Here I am, telling ya'll.

In case you don't understand what happened:

I didn't recognize myself in a mirror. I spoke to myself and still didn't recognize me. Then, I proceeded to dance, and STILL

**DH= Dear Husband