Visiting Ponies

Oh, it was too sweet last week, when my sister came to visit.

We gave the horses time to catch up, as well, look at them!

I went over to our old barn and picked up Pantz firstly...drove her and my sissy to my new Stable - saddled up....

well.... now that we have discovered that= BOTH our saddles= have been determined to not fit...we bareback padded up!

she has a fleece one that had to suffice. She cut out a piece of Rust suede material out, to put on top for more grip and protection.

I was just itching to take her around my new pathways and roads and such.

Here, we discover yet another pond...on the 350 acres. There has to be 7 or 8..maybe more , on these privately owned "Oasis Acres"!

It was a bright and cloudy day, and supposed to rain and storm for the next 7..oou..quick, we got on and rode!

Pretty Pantz mare~ 

Yea..you are all going to get tired of this view...a fave of mine!

We just did a quick spin around the closest lands, of the privately owned property, right from the stable.

My mare's Thermography apt last Friday rendered images of -Striation of the muscles- on Wa's ham strings, from over extension in her fall ( 2 months ago) So, only walking do we get to do for like 3 more weeks.

Miriah, my Equine therapist, had  just gotten back from BEND Oregon, where

 Dr. Deb Bennett  was teaching

one of her classes on dissection of an equine.

Miriah now has "NEW" Vision on muscle attachments and much more!

That's fine with me, the walking....though before the apt, I took her out and we did do some uphill trotting...ooops.
Well, I figured, since this apt got cancelled once and then, happened this much later...everything I have done either has prolonged or helped... I rather think it may have helped me to know- DON'T BE PUSHING HER!

She has told me so much through the other  therapist's work on her, and through me- just watching her move- as I have "free lunged" her a few times only.

So, our healing continues, walking only.

BUT-I found her with mudd up to her tits the other day and asked the PBO what area has that much mudd?? She thought I was upset with mudd...no, as mudd  is such a fact of life here in Oregon.
I  just can't  have a frantically running/sliding mare at this point.

 I failed to tell her that WA needed to be contained  in her actions, since the paddock she has been turned out since we arrived, was next to the barn and she was so calm, I didn't see the need.

 The next day, a working day for me, Washashe  had been turned out in a new field, and was a bit frantic. The horse in the front field next to hers, gets to be taken in before her.
I got to see these sliding, muddy stops and galloping myself, the other day, when I went to retrieve her from that field. It is what she does when she is upset, it's normal...but right now, not good.
 We are on the same page now, Barn owner and me....communication- a wonderful invention!

I have also kept from group rides...which causes the mare to become competitive and collected sometimes- which uses exactly the muscles she needs to rest.

 I am dying to ride with my riding bud Jules...but, as she has told me several times that Maddy mare has been rearing to go and run, each time she has gone out.. I know that it may be a while longer for us to ride.

Soo....

I again, went to retrieve my sissy and her mare- just Wednesday-

LOOK AT THIS WEATHER...it stormed for 6 days, in between her visits from the coast.
THEN, this week 70 degrees and perfectly sunny!

I ordered a new Bareback riding pad.

 After much research and wanting something a bit more refined and closer to the horse. I decided on the "THIN LINE" pad.

The technology is great and if I am right on the horse what better way to distribute concussion and heat...diagonally, instead of vertically. I let my sissy try it out first this day.

I really like the anti microbial, non slip material, that is on the horse. PLUS, the girth is the same, with these perfectly placed rings for a breast collar in front, and pack for the back!

Awe, the mares, they were really kissy face~

They were pleased to be together, as we were, this fine day!

Stopped at the pond crossing for a drink~

Then, something unusual, different and new occurred...and if you can figure it out, visually so...

First one to get it right, gets the cool prize~

 a POSTER FROM JULIETTE, coming to YOU or an EQUINE NECKLACE charm of your horse from Tara at Five'oClock Somewhere

(NOTE: Previous winners may guess, but this is for others,  that have never won a contest here before)( "~' )

As we started to ride again, I noticed this...how very cool!!!



As we stood, to look closer at the Beaver's handy work towards a home....

We both heard a chirping noise, just behind us, in another body of water. We turned to look, but bubbles is all we could detect.

Onward and forward we rode, into the gorgeous sunlight and warmth

Funny how- the last pony on the trail, always keeps and ear out for anything that may come from behind!

Around and about we strode...into the light, and into the wondrous views~ of these "Oasis Acres"!

We went through many newly formed water spots on the way

I always try to head directly through the middle of any water puddles...

At first, a few years ago, I met with resistance from the mare...and the threat to jump or carry me far too closely near an edge, to avoid the wet spots. Now, she  reads my mind, through body intent, and heads for the center.



As many of you may recall this summer, while riding another's horse at the beach, I had a tumble OFF his backside...as he flung himself over a less than 2 ft wide puddle.

He misread my intensions and it ended up badly for all of us that day.

 That action from him is EXACTLY WHY I train my mare to disreguard puddles and to THINK and refer to me, over having to make her own way through a trail ride.

Follow me, I am the leader! 

We determined that Wa mare felt even better than the previous weeks ride. She appeared to be stepping up and under, and her hips moved evenly so.
I know that time and patience, every third day massages and stretches I have as homework, has done wonders...and, I am sure that the "Joint wafer treats" I started 2 weeks ago, have made this difference as well.

She has retained a nice "sole callus, for having her Easy Walker shoes on for the summer. Only was slightly ginger footed on these rocks, but not bad at all!

 This tree farm land is owned by one of my clients, I  JUST found out..and is another 350 acres- to add to the arsenal of riding options!

Homeward bound we went...back across the new stream below the stable.

Then we get ready to dismount for the last 50 yards....

....we see a brightly colored object, growing on a stump.

Oou, very cool and festively appropriate this Autumn, and month of Thanksgiving!

Bye- bye my sissy..untill you get back to Portland...I'll be riding out, by myself and strengthening the mare.

Have fun today everyone, and if you did not quite figure  out what the differance was -in the post...just wait a little while.

 I have video to post next..it should clear things up,

quite a bit!