Oregon Equestrian Trails

Last Sunday I had the Pleasure of riding along with my MustRideMonday partner and a group of horse folk that make history in Oregon. They build, maintain and ride the various and wonderful bounty of trails and horse camps here in Oregon. If you have camped or ridden  on a beautifully and well maintained trail or grounds...MOST LIKELY- it is largely due O.E.T.!
I took a snap of the large binder like trail book...it is GREAT.

 Oregon Equestrian Trails.  There are many riders in the various "Chapters" around the state, and our local Chapter had planned a ride to a "new area to them"- last weekend...in fact, they goal to ride all new areas this year...OH BOY...did we join at the right time! Well, she was a member, and I am the newbie!

My Must Ride friend ( and her loving/supportive husband too)allowed me to ride Mustang Cazi . She has a QUEST- as I do- for new sights and trails. Oregon Has something for everyone in that department!

We converged upon the Historic Columbia River Scenic Hwy to a place called "Larch Mountain". Trailers were already there for the 11 am ride time...we were not late ,but I had not gotten a early start having it be the "Spring ahead" weekend....I am NOT a morning person.
 So we were feverishly brushing mud and hair off our horses...did not have time to do it beforehand...as folks got ready and saddled up, they mosied on over to introduce themselves and meet us newcomers. They all were so very nice!

I of course...took a photo documentation of the entire event for us...so exciting to ride in a large group(not on my mare!)

These two below- on HUGE-O Walking horses...stood nearby us as we finally made the last efforts to ready ourselves....we had no idea-how THEY WOULD play into the later events for us that day!

I fell in love with this Mule, I think his name was 'Flash". And the rigging..I have to have that for our terribly rugged trails for my mare~

I mounted up and waited for my Must Rider partner to bit up ...she was getting really frustrated..Simeon had decided to not accept his bit today. I dismounted and tried to help...I suggested that she only ask him to open his mouth for her fingers a few times..taking her time to make sure he knew we cared about this experience he was having and offer a treat with the open mouth offered... he allowed us to do this and finally the bit was accepted with out it having touched his teeth at all. 

I think He really was telling us a story. We just need to weave a better story of gentle respect, so he may remember a positive ending. The treat does help...he will open his mouth and receive yummies and praises . He recovered well, I think.

So having felt like we may have held up the group..NOPE...yet another trailer arrived, and it got even more relaxed...the plan was to ride together! I loved this fact that they made it so positive.

Once all were accounted for as ready....WHOOSH...we were off...down the trails and roads!

There were Walking Horses, Quarter horses,  Haflingers,  Appaloosas, Mustangs and Mules!

There was  also  different hoof disciplines; some were hoof booted, some shod and many, like ours, bare footed~

Every one allowed me to traverse the group, taking photo's...think they felt Celeb!

We rode up and up the roads and into the forests... coming to a rather large bridge... 

Cazi man was pensive and decided to follow young Simeon across

Speaking of Simeon...group riding was a bit difficult for him, as it would be for my mare, but for different reasons.

He did well with his pasture mate Cazi, preferring to ride only with him ....as when we neared the others or we separated to talk and ride with any others..it became clear..he was bound and very possessive of his Mustang friend!

We talked about this and decided to plan for some changes in the future. Some being, starting out  the ride apart, and riding that way till we decided it was time to join up again. 

It is all new for him, and his young undisciplined self -is strong at present. We also talked about how different it will be when I bring my mare and he.

We came to a nice spot and decided to rest for a time..so Of course I had to take the opportunity for a group shot...not all were interested, but most at least, looked up!

It was turning out to be an excellent spring like day! Smiles and laughter abounded~

 and some horse tongues!

I really was intrigued with the variety of riders too-helmets, bare heads, and the horses in hackimores, halters, bits of all kinds. Some English, Some Western...some endurance saddles.

Off again.......that away!

We followed this time~ 

Letting them get far out ahead~ and enjoying the vast solitude found in the deep woods.

We had so much fun ... regardless of training issues, that will present themselves always.

I shot this and did not realize till now...HAHA!! My very slim Riding partner...usually has something in her hands to chew on..caught it again, on film!

So...we ended up under some impressively large power lines and most had decided to head back..it had been a few hours time and the round trip would be close to 13 miles and 1,000 feet difference in elevation.

Then, two of the riders hung back, looking on in disbelief that our ride was over, with us two....

 After a small discussion of wanting to head down one of the myriad of inviting, grassy off roads into the forest, we did..following this well matched pair of Walking horses....they strode out so nicely..it was a thing of beauty!

Yet, all too soon, they Swiftly disappeared......with that tremendous gait of theirs

 leaving us quickly far behind...and inviting us to catch up again!...oh darn...guess we'll just have to canter down this beautiful and mossy lane, to see where they have gotten to!

We had a great time with them...and they even said, "It is so good to have met you two, you really seem to like to ride. We needed someone like you!"

Well- how cool is that! We reveled in being out and about with new friends..I got to jump a little too...I would have not guessed it..Cazi is quite the nimble jumper! 

We all saw a log across a path and someone said,-"oh look, a jump".....I was on that so fast!

 He totally was with me and popped eagerly over the log! COOL!

So we came down the mountain after a time of exploration , I could just make out the Snowy cascades behind these bare tree limbs.

What a gorgeous time..and these new friends being retired, said they would gladly meet up with us to ride new places...on our Mondays!

Okay...well, it is off to the Beach with  horse and my PBO now. See you all on the coming weekend! Happy riding times and family times to you all.....

YOU heal up Lisa girl, thinking about you..and wanting to read of similar times from you soon, with that Sweet patchy mare!