Hobby Horse Blog Hop 15 - Countdown

This week Dreaming prompts us to answer questions related to counting down.  We can answer one question or all three.  I'm going to answer question #1.

1. Tell us about something you experienced which began with a countdown.

 This is my season for trail riding.  I've been looking forward to riding the trails with Misty for many years and this year we are finally clicking.

I find myself counting down the days (or hours, as is the case today) until our next trail ride.

Yesterday we returned to the park we rode on Memorial day and explored more of the area.  We had a lovely ride.  Misty is maturing, gaining confidence, and becoming a wonderful trail horse.  I'm pleased that she is comfortable in the lead, in the middle, or bringing up the rear when we ride in a group.  However, she has a big stride and is a forward mover, so it can be a little challenging to get her to take baby steps when we are following a slower horse. 

Here are a few pictures from yesterday's ride as we followed our friends.  I notice that Misty often has her ears tuned to me when we ride.  I think we are becoming a good team.

My question for you:

Do you trail ride?  If so, what do you always carry with you on a trail ride?

Hobby Horse Blog Hop 10 - MIA

This week's blog hop instructions are to write anything we want as long as we begin with: I really hate it when..... 

I really hate it when.....I see law enforcement on the road while I'm driving.

My heart races and I become awash in guilt, even though I'm doing nothing wrong.

I went 30 years without a speeding ticket. Then in about 18 months I received three.  What the heck!? I'm not a malicious speeder; I just wasn't paying attention and wandered into some notorious speed traps.  The local sheriff and small town police know just the right spots to lay in wait to fatten their county and city coffers.  Rural, hilly roads and highways are a favorite.

So now I am super-duper careful about watching my speed.  I don't want to fudge by even 5 miles over the limit because I'm afraid of another ticket and  I hate getting into trouble.  By golly, I'm a good citizen!  I try to keep my speed right smack on the limit now.  It is annoying because I feel like I'm watching my speedometer more than I'm watching the road.  Drivers behind me get impatient, but I figure they will just have to relax and enjoy the drive, or pass me.  I am frequently passed (even on double yellow lines) and it is not unusual for someone to ride up onto my tail at night and turn their high beams on because they are mad that I am going  the speed limit.  Everyone is in such a hurry. Don't these people ever get speeding tickets?  I feel like putting a sign in my rear window that says, "Too many tickets - back off or pass me."

A couple weeks ago as I was driving home on a rural highway, after visiting Misty at her training stable, I had my cruise control set on the speed limit.  I had 5 cars stacked up on my rear bumper, annoyed that I was slowing their progress.  One of those drivers got lucky that day because of me.  We crested a rise in the road and as we all started down, (with me braking to stay at the limit...it is so irritating to have to brake all the time on these hilly roads), we passed an unmarked highway patrolman sitting on the side of the road, trolling for speeders.  I wish I could have said "See, I told ya so" to the guy riding my tail.

Yesterday I was traveling on a road with two lanes in each direction. I was in the far right lane when I noticed 3 motorcycle cops working a sting operation.  I immediately felt dread and terror...and guilt.  I glanced down at the speedometer and was relieved to see I was right on the limit, but still afraid of being pulled over because now I'm just paranoid.   Another motorist had just passed me in the left lane, oblivious of the trap, and one of the cops zipped out from the side street and pulled him over.  I smiled.  Not because the poor sucker in front of me just got nabbed.  I smiled because those 3 motorcycle cops lurking on that side street reminded me of this:

My question for you:

 

When horseback riding, what is your favorite gait?  (Do you have a need for speed?)

 

Cruise on over to the hop.
(But don't speed.)

Hobby Horse Blog Hop 8: Cheeky

 1. Describe how a horse you have known is sometimes a 'cheeky monkey'. What does he/she do that is a bit naughty?  
Misty is my cheeky monkey.  Or  lippy monkey may be more appropriate.  She has very busy lips.  They are always searching for something to play with and it is often the tail of my shirt, or the zipper pull on my jacket, or the buttons on my shirt, or the rubber strips around the outside of the horse trailer windows, or the toe of my boot when I'm in the saddle and ask her to flex her neck.  Those lips are always lookin' for mischief. 

2. What is your favorite thing about spring? (Hmmm... I'm thinking there won't be too many people who say 'shedding horses'!)

It sure isn't the snow that is falling today (or blowing horizontally as the case may be).  I find "springtime in the Rockies" to be frustrating when we get teased by a few 70F degree days, followed by a blizzard.  But I do like the moisture we receive because I like the greening of the fields in springtime.

3. What care do you provide for feet? Horse or human! Do you have a special product that you have discovered and just can't do without?

I like to keep my horses barefoot.  I think that's one of the healthiest things for their hooves.  Myself, I hate to go barefoot.  I like to wear sandals though, and if I have the money and the time (both of which are in short supply with horses to care for),  I like going to the spa for pedicures.  

My question for you: Coke or Pepsi?   (Or neither, cuz nothin' beats a tall glass of water.)

See you at the hop:

Hobby Horse Blog Hop 6: Tricky

1. My horse does this silly thing....
   
   After Misty empties her bladder, she remains standing in her potty position, with legs splayed, for quite a long time.  She's either contemplating the meaning of life...or air drying.  I tried to get a picture the last few days, but my timing was always off.  One opportunity sent me rushing to grab my camera in the barn and my quick movement startled Misty and the poor girl took flight in mid stream.  Sorry Misty.
    
2. What trick(s) have you taught your horse, dog, cat, husband, or kids?
   
   How about a bird?  I've taught a Cockatiel and an African Grey parrot to poop on command.  I'd hold them over a paper towel and say "Go potty."  That way I could time the event and avoid unsightly surprises on my clothing and carpet.  Eventually the African Grey started giving me advance warning when she would say the magic words,  "Go potty."  I'd have a few seconds to position her over a towel before "bombs away".
    
   
3. What was the last movie you watched?
   
   Our satellite service is having a free movie channel preview.  I had Thursday afternoon off of work so I watched The Social Network.  It was alright.  The last movie I saw in a theater was War Horse.  It was excellent! 
   
   

My question for you:
Do you prefer to ride: a) English b) Western c) Bareback d) All of the above?

Meet us at the hop!

Hobby Horse Blog Hop 5: Shopping Spree

1. What are your thoughts about providing hay for your horse when you trailer him/her?
   
   I always hang a "small mesh" hay net for Misty.  The openings are very small, so she can't grab big mouthfuls of hay while in the trailer, but she can nibble.  If I'm going to have the windows open or driving at highway speed, I will put a fly mask on her to protect her eyes from debris that may blow around.
   
   Many years ago someone hauled a 2 year old filly of mine who was inexperienced and nervous about being hauled.  The hauler put alfalfa cubes in the manger of the trailer to keep her occupied.  When my filly came out of the trailer, she had foaming saliva dripping out of her mouth.  I immediately called the vet and he asked me what she had been eating in the trailer.  When I told him hay cubes, he knew right away that she had one stuck in her throat and couldn't swallow.  I could feel the hard cube stuck in there.  He instructed me to give her water through a hose in her mouth and massage her throat until the hay cube dissolved.  It worked.  This was a long time ago and I don't know if that is the recommended method today.  If this ever happens to you, call your vet. Better yet, never feed hay cubes in the trailer.  That experience made me cautious about feeding in the trailer and that's why I use a "small mesh" hay net.  Even with loose hay, I don't want Misty to gulp down big mouthfuls in the trailer.
    
2. You have just won a 2 minute shopping spree at a tack store. What store are you in and what will you grab?
   
   I really need a new saddle for Misty, but I'm kinda broke right now.  So I would go to a tack store with a very large selection of saddles, probably Brighton Saddlery, and grab as many saddles that might fit Misty.  I'd keep the one that fits and sell the rest.  If none fit, I'd sell them all and use the money to buy a custom saddle to fit my full-figured gal.
   
   
3. What plans do you have for the weekend?
   
   I'm getting up very early Saturday morning to bake blueberry breakfast bars to take to our blogger brunch. I'm looking forward to it.  I will have to do a little shopping on my way home (probably just window shopping ... did I mention I'm kinda broke right now?).  If I get home early enough Saturday afternoon, I will ride Misty.   On Sunday I will go to church.
   
   Somewhere in the weekend I will have to make room for some laundry and a little housekeeping  (Well, we'll see about that.  My intentions are always good, but the weekend has a way of slipping away before all the chores are done).

My question for you:  What is your favorite grooming tool?

Hobby Horse Blog Hop Week 4

1. Have you ever been a victim of the weather when you were riding, or participating in some other sport?
   I'm mostly a fair weather rider so my mind took another direction as I recalled getting caught out in good weather with my Thoroughbred gelding, Woodhollow (barn name: Woody) when I was in my early 20s.
   
   I usually rode in an arena and took riding lessons from a German trainer who owned the stable where Woody was boarded.   I was new to riding English and was beginning to show in English pleasure and amateur hunter classes. We didn't do any trail riding at the stable, even though we had access to miles and miles of trails near Folsom Lake in California.
     
   One summer day, after finishing a lesson, I decided to take Woody out for a short walk on the trail to cool him off.  It was a beautiful northern California day. The trail delighted me with new sights around every turn.  I was having a lovely ride and became very intrigued about what I'd see around the next bend, or over the next hill.  I lost track of time and just kept going and going.   My short cool down walk turned into a trail ride of several hours.  I finally forced myself to turn Woody around so we could get home before the sun set.  I met my trainer on the trail.  I was gone so long that he became worried and saddled up a horse and came looking for me.  (Ya know...long before the days of cell phones when I could have called him and told him I was fine.)
   
   Woody was a special horse to me and parting with him was very hard.  I get sad thinking about it, so I don't talk about him much.  I can't find my photo album that has most of our good pictures, but here are a few photos I found loose in an old shoe box.
    
    
   
    
2.  If you could take a lesson with anyone in the world, who would that be? The very trainers and riding instructors that I'm working with now.  I'm very happy with the help I'm getting from a few local professionals that have really clicked for me and Misty.
    
3. Which season is your favorite?
   A few years ago I would have immediately answered "Fall!"  But owning horses in Colorado has changed my idea of seasons.  They come and go quickly here.  Sometimes we experience all four seasons in a single day.  It's crazy!  So now I'm inclined to say that my favorite "season" is any warm, sunny, wind-free "day" that I can be "caught out in good weather" on a beautiful trail ride.  Know what I mean?

My question for you:  Who is your favorite equine actor of television or movie fame?

Click and hop to week 4

Hobby Horse Blog Hop Week 3

Last week was very busy and I'm late to the hop again.  Work was stressful and kept me very busy (as usual).  Then I spent Friday and Saturday at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo.  Had a great time. Heard Temple Grandin speak.  Watched some good horse training demos.  Ate too much.  Bought the cutest denim jacket embellished with a little western bling.  Great weekend.  I'm tired.   But I'm hoppin' onto the hop. Click the hobby horse to view week 3 rules.

1. You are the lucky winner of the "Extreme Barn Makeover"! Lucky you! What things are top on your list to be remade, changed or upgraded? (Sorry, this makeover does not entirely replace barns and/or add indoor arenas!)
   
   I would love to add a finished, climate-controlled rider's lounge to my barn.  It would have a sink, microwave, refrigerator, television, and comfortable furniture.  I'd practically live in the barn.
    
   
2. Why do you treasure a particular piece of tack or equipment?
     

   

   Source: Amazon

   I keep a Weighmax digital postal shipping scale in my barn and use it every day to take the guesswork out of feeding time.  The weight and density of hay bales varies so much, that I cannot accurately judge the weight of a flake of hay just by holding it.  So I weigh my hay at every feeding. (Easy with just 2 horses to feed.)
   
   I put a bucket on the scale, turn the scale on to zero out the weight of the bucket, then place the flakes on the bucket.  This particular scale holds up to 150 pounds so I can weigh an entire bale if I'm curious about the weight of bales coming from a particular grower.
    
   
   
   
   
3. What is the best day of the week for you?
   
   Saturday for sure!  I love sleeping-in until 6:00am and not having to rush through morning barn chores.  Any other day that I can take as a vacation day from work to play with the horses is a good day too.  As the saying goes, "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office."  Applies to equine related recreation too.

Hobby Horse Blog Hop Week 1

Thanks, Dreaming, for starting this fun blog hop.

Hobby Horse Blog Hop Prompts - Week 1:

1. Tell us about your first horse, real or imagined.
   
   After years of begging and pleading, my father bought me a pony - a gorgeous strawberry roan Welsh pony stallion with a red mane and tail.  I wrote about him at the beginning of my blog here.
   
   
2. What lesson(s) did you learn from a horse?
   
   There are too many to list them all and I continue to learn every day, but let me share one simple, real-life lesson I learned the hard way.
   
   
   • Never sit on your horse (even a gentle, well-broke horse) with one leg draped over his withers (sort of sitting side saddle).  When I was young, I sat like that on my Thoroughbred gelding outside the arena at a hunter/jumper show.   My horse was relaxed and half asleep.  I was perched sideways with my right leg crossed over his withers, my left foot still in the left stirrup.  I was resting and very relaxed while watching the horse and rider competing in the arena on the jumping course. Suddenly, the horse in the arena knocked a fence down.  The sound of the fence crashing to the ground spooked my snoozing steed and he jumped sideways. I fell off my 17hh Thoroughbred, backwards.  I've never sat on a horse like that since, but I see young riders doing it all the time.  It's just not wise.  Be alert and always keep safety in mind.
     
     
3. What riding discipline intrigues you the most?
   
   I'm getting in touch with my inner cowgirl, so I'm working on my western riding skills and looking forward to doing lots of trail riding this summer.

Now, here's a question for you to ponder:

What is your favorite color of horse?