What is lurking in the woods?

The mare and I have not been out too much in the past week... just once or twice. The last ride was to a friends arena for some reviewing and testing of the Nurtural Bitless Bridle, my friend Jules EQUINEMINE lent me to try out.

But, the time before that...I wanted to try out the New EasyWalker Shoes on the trails...slick, mucky riding as they are, with torrential rains the Pacific NW is having still! 

YUCK...so tired of cold, grey wet!

( I know...somebody call the WA-mbulence!)

We geared up in the Bitless and I finally got a girth that fit the  "Western Converters" I got for the

 "Cashel Soft Saddle"...it is nice to use on wet rides, instead of leather -though I do own a Cashel Saddle shield. 

 The Latigo always made the SoftSaddle twist( no tree) to the side I was cinching..and the mare hated that! This way, I may cinch the saddle on either side, making the girth equal lengths.

Yea...you are saying 'bout now...I could own stock in that Co! 

I just love gadgets that help make riding easier and more comfortable!

The mare was very happy and walked out to the service roads with ease still...with her new shoes. Once on a straight away, the mare was responsive to my thought for a forward trot, nicely  relaxed and low, we  trotted all the way to the first hill. I asked for a bit of lateral movements as we trotted. I am loving the fact that she is not hindered now by foot pain, should she hit a rock...it always kept her hollow instead of relaxed.

 Wanting to practice canter departs now, since the mare is alot more focused and forward .. I started thinking about it, at the walk. I  did a lateral pass to the right, and then started to think lateral to the left and "Thought CANTER"> And She offered it= as- I -was -thinking- about it!  WOW! I was thrilled, as the left lead is much harder for her normally .  She being a very sensitive sort...My sissy taught me to just think something before a formal action..and it does work ...as your body mimics your thoughts and any more action would be yelling- for this mare!

We made it to the woods and took the rear hoof boots off and ditched them in the ferns. I  Found a log to remount, (no stirrups) jumped on, and we went off...but..snorting ensued- and the mare looking around alot!

What is it, Wa mare?!! 

I tried to do my "Trail Opera" singing..but this was different.....

I noticed more markers on the trails...BLUE RIBBONS on short stakes or branches....

OH!!!!

 I finally saw what the SPOOKY culprit was!

LOOK AGAIN AT THE TOP PHOTO! See the Orange Thread???

Whoa...I am getting older, yes, and My vision is starting to go...but man, those were so hard to see! My mare obviously had walked through 1 or 2 of them before I noticed the Precursor Signs of the Blue markers! 

I laughed heartily... thinking of the PRINCESS BRIDE movie and the Fire Swamp hazards....the "POPPING NOISE" always preceded the Fire blasts!

So these stakes with Blue Ribbon  were our sign for the incredible-elastic-spider-web-like-string!

I would take my long dressage whip and fling it back to me, and then break it...but getting it OFF MY GLOVES was a trick!

Wa mare always stopped and snorted..pointing to the string with her nose!

So, it was an interesting ride to be sure...slow going, as I had to watch for the signs and clear the way of the Orange elastic strings!

The EW Shoes made the day excellent though...no slipping!

On the way home, I noticed our little backwoods country road was freshly covered with Asphalt over the pot holes!

Wa mare looking at me like.."now what?!"

I got the chance to thank the workers too...on the BEST KEPT Country road I have ever driven on!!!

They told me that I have the Secretary of transportation to thank...she lives on our little road and has built a fabulous house(I have noticed it before- more like a mansion!)

I picked a good road to board on! 

Never a pot hole goes more than a Mo!

I am now hunting a good truck down= to BUY= to be able to trailer out to ride this summer..those strings mean our forest will be closed for tree cutting soon!

Have an excellent time with your families and of course, Your horses this wkend!