In Mean Times

While My mare is getting her "down time" for healing herself...I too, in the Mean time, am healing myself=

 with RIDING a "second horse"

Mustang Cazi has had a nice summer of grasses and leisure mostly...but is ready to go for me anytime.
 He is so sweet and my " MUST RIDE (not only Mondays) Partner" recently told me, as I was thanking her for giving me the gift of riding, even without my own horse, " He is your second horse, I just pay all his bills". 

I have the most wonderful places on earth to ride...and the best friends to ride them with...
my heart has been overcome with joy, since I was devastated over a year ago, being dispelled from the nose in the air stable!
I have totally gained, from a despirate situation (isn't that the way it is...though...gain is found in loss.)

So, my Must ride partner brought her horses over to my place, last Saturday....

We rode around the acres and acres of Local Privately owned  "Oregon Fisherman's Club", near my new stable.

Cazi was mesmerised by the water activities to be seen~on the ponds.

The  crisp Autumn day, had us seeking out the sunshine!!!

Awe, friendly riding partners in the shadows!

 We did the 5 mile loop ride, then returned home again.

I took off my saddle and left it upon the gate, and walked Cazi back to his trailer.

Good bye Cazi man...untill MONDAY...will dream of the  new rides!

I walked back to the property borders, to get my saddle.  Jules and Maddy mare were just heading out for a solo spin .

 Decked out inVisible, Hunter Orange.

In other personal notes....

I have been really ailing with my sleep cycle, now that the diminished light has begun.

Functioning normally is difficult. It is like I'm doped. Getting only 4 hoursof sleep usually.

 I avoid much in the line of group participation...as I have a problem with my retrieval systems with speech and fluid conversations. It is rather embarrassing.

I have S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder.

 Mine is the toughest to treat, "bi-modal"..I have to get light to my eyes 4 distinct times during the day. And though I do have the light boxes through "Apollo Heath", it is tough to be stading or sitting near the boxes sometimes, to get the light therapy...at the right times!

I  have been suffering more this fall...I believe it is the hours my husband I have to keep, for his work schedule, basically, for me to see him, I must stay up till midnight.

THAT IS ALL ABOUT TO CHANGE!!!!

Monday, he and I will be getting up at O- DARK-THIRTY(6:30 am) so he may do his(NEW HOURS) 12 hour work day at the Hospital.

These new hours...will allow me to start my day off with the light, either outside in a walk...or inside with the light box and you all here, as I blog!

These NEW HOURS will also ensure he gets home by 7:45 PM...instead of midnight!!!

YYEEEEEHAA!

I can feel some normalcy coming on!

I am really really looking forward to the healthier lifestyle

So, with that good news, I will treat you to another riding discovery we made, last Monday last...

SANDY RIVER DELTA

I showed up in the sunshine to groom Mr Mustang Caziman...he was so fluffy and cute!

The two pasture partners enjoyed the short grooming session,  then we loaded up for the 33 minutes drive to the Columbia River.

Arrival to the Troutdale location, on the Columbia and Sandy rivers.

It is a HUGE dog, pedestrian and equine PARK. There is bird blinds, hundreds of trails, and acres and acres of plowed fields to ride.

 I have heard many bad things, including dog attacks on horses here...so I never have wanted to bring my mare.

 We saw many dogs this day...but owners were responsible, and had them all on leashes. This was my friends second time there...with no incident.

We set out ...looking to the trail signs...

Staying on trails, at first....

Then, coming to some open recently plowed fields...we just had to explore them!

                                                  I would have cantered...but these two were in such high spirits...I made a call to contain it...and therefore stay in the saddle, I believe now with what happened later on!
                                                       Then, as we looked to the edges of the miles and miles of fields, my partner had us go through the thicket....leading us to.......

  The Columbia Rivers edge...and a place I have only seen, from a car going along the highway, or from a viewpoint high up in the Gorge!



It was so COOL!!!

Cazi loved it too!

 We spent some time riding along the waters of this inlet of the Columbia... the horses were a bit high. So we decided to spend the some time with doing training details- for their minds to grasp.

 One horse would stand , while one did circles and serpentine around them, us asking for yielding and rhythm...we often do this at the beach in the deeper sand..that alone, helps the mind settle!

My friend went first...her mount Simeon settled and got a nicer rhythm, then she stopped on a good note.

I then trotted Cazi...around we went , and not long till -OH!!!

He totally lost his mind and reared up, unexpectedly so, ...I had to grab mane, to stay on!

 That sent tons of adrenaline through me.. and the will to make another round, without any of that nonsence!

I did make another round... then again...

he twisted in a bucking bolt, and JUST when I thought I was coming off...he'd right himself for me to stay on.

He did this quick little darting move -three times...unseating me three times!

That was enough...my legs were jello..I want to live today, and remain ON!

 My freind described events he had pulled on her simularly...in the past.

 He was almost someone elses horse, after them too... each time!

I HAVE A NEW APPRECIATION FOR HIM...UM, less trust!

Us in a moment of calm...I am choosing to relate to this outing, this way!

I'm glad I left my stirrups short (they fall longer on my mare) I think it gave me staying power this time!

 

We walked home.

This little light spot in the Photo below, is called "Crown Point"..a view point along the Historic, Columbia River Drive.

Even with the unsettleing- spent feeling -the Adreniline gave to me...I stayed on and it was a gorgeous Autumn day! We were pretty happy to be out.

Nice area to ride, close, and unending trails.

We will definatley come on back....

and I will bring my mare too!

Have a lovely weekend all...Our times of Sun..may be coming to an end here in the Pacific North West. Nice to have had this Indian Summer!