Misty's Monday Muse - A Mysterious Tale

 

Somebody has been chewing on my pretty tail.

SaraJane, do you know who might have done this to me?

Who me? 

 I have no idea who chewed your tail.

 I'm just  minding my own business and making a mess of my dinner.
Gee, why is the little sister blamed for everything? 

Hot! Hot! Hot!

We are hot and parched here, reaching record high temperatures and in drought conditions.

Despite the heat, Misty and I participated in a trail riding clinic yesterday.  We practiced some basic riding exercises in the indoor arena, like turning on the forehand and on the haunches, backing, and side passing.  Then we rode out into a cow pasture where we worked on skills such as opening a gate, riding up and down hills, backing up a hill, and trotting on natural ground. We didn't do very well at the gate. Misty was scared of it, so the clinician had me just practice walking her up to it, positioning her parallel to the gate, rest and praise her, and then I would push the gate wide open and ride her through it.  It was a start.  We did great up and down hills and trotting in the prairie grass.  

It was so hot during the clinic, that I couldn't make it back to the ranch's barn before getting too dizzy to trust myself to stay seated upright in my saddle.  I had to dismount and walk Misty back to the barn.  I tied her inside and got a cold, wet paper towel to wipe my face and neck.  That helped.  I was hit with a very bad respiratory virus 5 weeks ago and I'm still trying to shake it, while continuing to work my day job and getting out on trail rides whenever I can.   Just when I think I've turned the corner and am feeling better, I push myself a little too hard trail riding and am exhausted for days afterwards. That's why I haven't been online much lately.

While riding in the pasture at yesterday's clinic, one of the riders pointed out a big plume of billowing smoke way off in the distance.  It wasn't there at the beginning of the clinic.  A new forest fire had started in the mountains west of Colorado Springs.

KRDO TV Viewer Photos

 Click on the picture to see more photos from KRDO TV in Colorado Springs.

The fire is zero percent contained and spreading fast.  Mandatory evacuations are in effect and the fire is now threatening homes.  Penrose Equestrian Center is accepting horses evacuated from the fire area.   They are sending out a plea for donations of hay, fans, and extension cords.

The cause of this fire is unknown.  No lightning was in the area when it started.  There were upwards of 20 arson fires set in that county last week. It's too soon and too dangerous for investigators to begin their work.

 Record high temperatures are forecasted again today; humidity is low, and afternoon winds are expected to pick and gust in multiple directions.  Not good!  And to add insult to injury, there is a possibility of afternoon Thunderstorms that will produce lightning, but little, if any, precipitation.  Not good at all.

We are nowhere near the fire, but can see and smell the smoke.  I can't imagine what the firefighters are enduring, working such a dangerous and physical job in extreme summer heat.  The news reported this morning that firefighters were as close as 20 yards away from flames rising 100 feet tall.  And they haven't had much time off in the last couple of weeks as they have been battling other fires in the region.

 Is your state on fire?  Check the InciWeb site for information on fires around the country.

Hobby Horse Blog Hop 17 - Trucking

Dreaming is trucking this week, with questions pertaining to truckin' and trailerin' our horses.  Answer one question or all three.

1. What is the ideal trailer for you.

One that is paid off.

I also need a tall, roomy trailer for my big-bodied mare.  I had a few custom changes made when I ordered my 2-horse slant Titan.  It is extra tall and they moved the tack room wall forward to give Misty more room in the front stall.  I lost some tack room space, but it was more important that Misty have room to travel comfortably.

Ideally, I would have living quarters, but I've made a comfy nest in the bunk of my gooseneck trailer.  It is not insulated and can get pretty cold at night.  So this year when I took the trailer to the shop for spring maintenance I had an electrical outlet installed.  Now I can plug into an RV hookup and run  a ceramic heater and a few conveniences like a lamp, DVD player, or electronic tablet.  Just enough to take the chill out and relax watching a movie or reading an E-Book.

2. Do you use shipping boots, a padded halter, a head bumper or other protective equipment for your horse when trailering?
 
I have shipping boots and I've used them before, but I don't use them routinely. If it is really hot and I want to travel with the window screen down, I'll put a fly mask on Misty so debris and bugs won't blow into her eyes.  I don't use anything else, but I do secure her in the trailer with a Tie Safe Trailer Tie.  I keep her rope halter on, but have often wondered if a nylon or leather halter would be safer for trailer travel. What do you think?  She travels well and is calm loading and unloading, so I haven't felt the need to add much to our routine, although I've thought about putting a head bumper on her, just in case.
 

3. What item(s) do you always carry in your trailer, or recommend that other's carry?

1. Tack & Grooming Supplies
2. Saddle Bags & Rain Slicker
3. Riding Helmet & Riding Gloves
4. Whip/Carrot Stick with Flag attached (for sacking out & ground work)
5. Extra Halter & Lead Rope, Lunge Line & Lunging Whip
6. Roadside Assistance Information (I use U.S. Rider)
7. Orange Traffic/Safety Cones
8. Equine First Aid Kit (People First Aid Kit is in the truck)
9. Equine Cookies
10. Extra Hay (I use the ones with the smallest mesh holes for "in-flight" meal service)
11. Fly Mask
12. Fleece Cooler in wintertime / Waterproof, Breathable Sheet for summer camping
13. Water & Bucket
14. Manure Fork (be courteous and don't leave manure in the parking area)
15. Extra Clothing, especially sweatshirt or jacket
16. Mounting Step/Block
17. Wash Cloths, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Anti-bacterial Wipes
18. Camping Lantern, Flashlight, Extra Batteries
19. Camping Chair
20.  Portable Potty (comes in handy if you don't have living quarters)
    
    

My question for you:

What are your summer/vacation plans?  Misty and I are going to a mountain dude ranch.

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?

Misty's Monday Muse - Trail Ride

 
I took MyLady for a ride today.

We rode with my handsome gelding friends:

A Foxtrotter and Spotted Saddle Horse.

 
I walked through a forest of pine trees.
 

 

 I walked over lots of logs.

 

 

I took a big drink of water when I got home.

 

Then I enjoyed a roll in the soft dirt

while Mr. Once Upon cleaned my rolling box.
Thank you Mr. Once Upon!

  

It was a good day and

I was a very good girl.

Happy Trails,

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:

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

National Weather Service

We had our first spring thunderstorm pass over our house Tuesday evening.  The thunder boomed and lightning struck repeatedly.   I was startled by a lightning strike that hit extremely close to our house.  It sent me to the windows to look outside for damage.  The barn was ok, but I couldn't tell if  SaraJane was in the barn or out in the dry lot.  Misty is away for training and SaraJane is home alone.  I went to another window  to look for her.  There she was, standing in the rain with her head down in that typical equine-enduring-the-storm stance.   She was standing on a high spot in our dry lot between our house and our next-door neighbor's house.  The picture below is from last year, but this is the spot where she was standing and you can see how close the neighboring house is behind her.

I was worried about Miss SaraJane, standing out in this thunderstorm.  I could lure her into the barn easily with food, but I was afraid to go outside since that last strike was so close.   As I was standing at the window, watching SaraJane and fretting for her safety, I saw lightning strike behind her.  I heard a loud "POP!" and saw the flash.  It was so close that SaraJane reacted as if someone had goosed her in the fanny.    She jumped forward a few feet, trotted a few yards away and began sniffing the ground.  I wondered if she might have felt a tingle from the lightning.

That was a close call, as the lightning struck the house right behind SaraJane.

My neighbor was at her kitchen window when it hit and she saw concrete shingles fly from her roof.  It also took out their well pump, so they've been without water until a new pump is installed today.

It was crazy to actually see a lightning strike that close up.  I'm sure glad it spared SaraJane and that my neighbors are alright. 

Have you ever had a close encounter with lightning? Do you take extra precautions to protect your horses?

June 24-30, 2012 is Lightning Safety Week.  Be informed and be cautious during thunderstorms.  Visit http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/  for information.