Monday, October 24, 2011

Seaside refreshing


There are  no wasted moments, for a photographer at heart.... even a jaunt into the scrubby bushes-to hide from any onlookers - to  do you know what.
I looked up and saw this pink sky view, as the horses wondered why I had suddenly gone out of sight. I love my mare...she actually kept stepping towards the woods I was in, to get a better look at where I could be.
 I'm impressed with the camera's capacity to take lovely images on my "smarty" phone..I call it that cause of the words it makes up as I try to quickly TXT someone...if you don't proof read..sometimes you say things -you don't mean to!

After a heck-of-a morning trying to be relaxed and "on vacation",  yet leave in a timely fashion for the Bay Ocean House in Tillamook, Oregon, I was confronted with this (avert your eyes if you are sensitive to eyes with massive blood showing in a burst vessel..yea, I woke up to looking  like this! I was not too concerned...I have seen them before on friends and they randomly happen. Sometimes because of lifting too much weight...I had only packed the trailer a day before for this trip and nothing out of the ordinary was carted and heaved around.



Well my husband was way more concerned than I and since I knew my sis was not in town yet from her own part of the Oregon coast, I thought okay, go see the eye Dr. I found out 2 things. It is not anything to be alarmed over and that I have 20/20 vision! WOW, thought it was worsening but..guess not! The Dr. was so funny too..he said, "I could get my husband in trouble or- I could take it easy, allowing everyone else to do work around me because I couldn't". I just said," I will do all my own work and leave for vacation, if there is nothing seriously wrong, thankyou!"
Leave we did after my sissy helped vet near 17 horses that she also helped to rescue last week. My other sister works as an animal control Deputy in Lincoln Co. Oregon. They rescued the 17 horses from a terribly rancid personality in Seal Rock that neglected them for over 2 years time by never letting 4 of them out of a stall, never cleaning the stalls and leaving blankets ON 6 horses -year round -for 2 years!!! That is not all, but that is mostly the worst. These horse are all highly bred and papered. They are on a beautiful web site called Raingate farms. The woman once was prominent in showing breeding and selling the horses...she  somehow went awry.

We got to the B.O.H. beach house after dark..and I was upset a little that the first beautiful day for riding, had passed us by. We had 2 free days and nights..one was now gone. BUT...I came around to see the worthwhile efforts of my sister volunteering for such a worthy cause

Early morning view from the kitchen window of a  horsey wind chime..and mountains behind~


Sunrises are so warm and wonderful looking~ fishermen are on there way out to the bar of the ocean, during high tide~



 Horses fed and stalls picked...all is right in the world


Time for another cup of coffee!
The day was beginning nicely and becoming brighter as the morning sun rose higher~



We sisters made another fire and contemplated the days events...A bay side ride for starters, we decided. Heading out an hour before low tide would make for the best ride..should we decide to go for the ocean shore side.

The Herons were everywhere...some 10 birds could be counted, as we drove the 3 miles to the Bay Ocean Spit parking lot.



We followed Pantz mare along the bay side road...she was really "Kickin' Walkin'" fast like!!






                  It was perfectly wonderful weather, being near 60 and no wind this day as we rode along the Bay of Tillamook. The mares were good and pretty calm this day.


We found a little sandy 200 foot beach and tried to ride on it...but it was pretty sinky- deep- sand. Made for nice photos though!


We got to the end ofg the road and my sissy acted like she did not remeber me saying I did not want to ride the beach this day with hoof boots on...fearing I'd loose them. She insisted we go forth...my mare was fit and ready for the turning homeward...pretty uppity. I knew I'd be in for a battle of wills and having my trainer sister there...I was not up for her and my mare so I simply asked her to pony me back...which, in itself is hazardous.
My mare is so competitive..to be near another horse, no matter it was Pantz, is a whole- nother- level of uppity! While taking a lesson a week back, I  learned a technique from my sis. It gets my mares attention and she can have an almost instant release from me asking for her head lowered and longer..IF she yields as I ask when she become inverted and high headed...
I choose a side, when walking with others on the side of me. I choose the opposite side. In this case, the right. For three strides, I close RT my hand/ and apply RT my calf by lowering my heal, and ask for an eyeball. I release for 3 and re ask if she has not gone longer.
 If she has lowered her head,and has become attentive to my aides- I then lower my heals/squeezing the same hand as, about every other every third stride...just to communicate-Yes- keep it there.
WOW, it was a wild ride...but since we had done this technique before..she settled into it after only a few rounds of asking.  I LOVED how she settled into my hands..and then I could let the reins out, keeping my hands closed and a contact-though longer. As we walked along, it was my leg that kept her neck long.
Smart mare, she is!
It was about 4 pm as we got back to the trailer...Pantz had the slightest amount of foam in her mouth..it made my sissy so happy...this mare NEVER relaxes enough to  have a loose jaw and foam!



Hand grazing and another round of Strong Java we had upon arrival...we had ridden/ WALKED 10 MILES this day!


Sunsetting on the Tillamook bay second day on the coast with my sissy...made for more pink clouds


Night 2 of our times away..it was so cool, just us sisters...looking after the horses and me cooking for her....more to come..."~'


12 comments:

  1. Wonderful way to spend time...

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  2. Before I got to read your written text, I was so alarmed when I saw your eye picture that I called out for my husband to come and take a look (he is an optometrist/eye Dr.) He agreed with your own eye Dr that it looked like a burst vessel but was glad your husband had got you to go for a check up..better safe than sorry :)
    The pictures on this post are so wonderful and it looks like you rode in the most beautiful area.
    I was sad to read about how bad those poor horses were treated. Thank goodness your sister was able to help them.
    Thank you for your comments on my post about the saddle. We have a boy at RDA with cerebral palsy who rides on a sheepskin saddle. It makes a huge difference to both him and the pony.
    Thank you for taking me with you on your beach ride... it was fun :)

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  3. Beautiful photos! Can't wait to see/read more.

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  4. I don't know why you keep teasing me with these beautiful photos taken near the water. What a great set up for you and the horses.

    I hope the horses your sister helped will all survive. That's an amazing picture of her on Pantz.

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  5. This is a post of mixed emotions... First those poor neglected horses, my heart broke. Please give your sister a hug from me for helping to rescue them :-)
    And then the gorgeous stunning shots of your ride. Stop teasing us girl (no, don't). Had to laugh about you multi-tasking in the woods; the you-know-what and taking photos at the same time LOL

    (I've posted a video on my blog of Evie's introduction to the saddle. It's the most boring video ever. Fortunately ;-))

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  6. C~ GREAT!! can't wait to see that boring clip of your filly!

    Lori~ Yea...water is everywhere in Oregon...that's why it returns to us so frequently in rains ( my take)Yea, my siss is a pretty rider with her toally long torso and leg...Pantz mare has been willing but she is about to be retired I think, she hates the traveling and is a hard keeper.
    She really wants to adopt one of those TB's she rescued...but what a crap shoot for $ as they were so neglected.

    Amy
    Thanks girl, appreciate the visit

    Spotty's mom
    OH!thanks for having your hubby look at My eye...it is almost healed from the terrible looking RED..it has seeped and faded down now..good...I forget and talk to people and they freak out! If I remeber, I can kinda set myself to the side it is not and they never have to look at it.

    I am loving my "ENLIGHTENED EQUITATION" seat bone saver...I can see why it would be a good thing for the training of someone that needed to stay put...it is great!

    The horses will all have better lives, thanks to all the volunteers!!!

    Thanks BeBe and Judy!

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  7. So glad to hear your eye is ok! Such a precious thing-sight!

    So many big horse people with money have lost that money and the horses end up suffering. Happy to know your sissy is the one helping.

    Vacay looks incredible!!!! Look forward to part two :)

    If you get a chance-come to my blog, scroll down and read the post about "If these boots could talk-Windsor"
    You will "get it"!
    Have a blessed day, friend!
    xo, misha

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  8. Oh - I remember driving by this bay on the way into Tillamook! Love the framing of your first photo and the heron flying.

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  9. What fantastic pictures! What a great way to spend time with your sister. Sounds like you both deserved to get away and unwind. Thanks for sharing it with us :)

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  10. I have the bad habit of scrolling down to look at all the photos when I look at a new blog post, I’ve got to say I did get quite a shock, I am so very glad to hear it’s nothing to worry about. I am also very glad to hear your sister saved those poor horses. Now on to the nice subject of your ride, I love the photos there are so many great shots that I really can’t be sure of my favourite, I am looking forward to reading more of the ride.
    Regards
    Edward

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  11. Your sister will keep Pantz won't she?

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