~The Comforter has come~

We had a huge heart break & loss over the Holiday and am relying upon "The Comforter"
that came at Christmas time ~to heal our broken hearts.
The song from "Jars of Clay" , "The Comforter has come," is my strength~

Our Freyda Kitty has gone~ It was so sudden, we still think she is here.

Some things I am not able to bear doing at present, sitting here at the desk- is one of them.
 Please excuse my absence, for a time, while I regain myself...one day at a time, with my B-man.

Be well freinds, I'll blog off for now- but will be posting sometimes for the mare, at her blog...she can get me to sit down and do it for her, I think.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all~

Christmas mare

Dear Secret Stable Santa~

My mare has been extra good and definatley deserves some good horse lovin' from you..not lumps of manuer or anythig of that sort.


Here are some of the ways, and not even all the ways, that she has been simply the best mare ever!!

She has met me in the middle of her turnout if not at the gate, when she hears me call to her from the stable~

She is trying new things and giving it her all~

 She has put up with my hurridly grooming and tacking up for the winter quickie rides of late, no stink eye at all!!! And she has gone riding with me at dusk time, out in the FOG, and not being able to see predators...if they were there~

She approached some killer llamas the other day...only a teenie-weenie bit of mare looking. When they came at us, though the resident mare squeeled and fought them off us, she stood her ground and trusted me~

She has NOT exploded once in arena sessions lately~

She has asked me to scritch her in places she would not allow me to touch before~

She always takes my breath away and gives me such refreshed outlooks on life~


Oh, I could go on and on- but I know you know her well, so please give her special loves while I'm away from the stable and let her know my heart is ripe and full of LOVE for  her, my mare Washashe.

Thanks Secret Stable Santa!!

The Intentional Horse

While the mare is quite dejected  looking here, for this photo op,

(she instantly puts on the bored face- anytime I grab the camera) she truly had a fabulous, longer-framed lunge session with this handy 'Polo Wrap" encouragement. It really made her think and she was relaxed and reaching down, the entire session, in focused time.I was very impressed.

My sissy sends me lots of horsey stuff to read she finds over the Internet. Lately, she discovered a very informative site called, "The Intentional Horse". I have enjoyed reading about various stable management articles, responses to them and also, testimonies.

-HERE-

 "The Intentional Horse" Adds a cool technique  called "the body wrap" to our horse loving tool bag.

 It was designed  by LINDA TELLINGTON JONES. It causes the horse to answer a question you present to it, while free lunging or traditionally  so, with Cavesson and line.  It is a Bio mechanics session that is designed to naturally, with out devices to the face(side reins),  cause the horse to use it's body more effectively for top line development and balance.

It is exactly what I am looking for to rebuild my mare again, after she hollowed for months, due to poor saddle fit.

While December has been bright..it also has been like 20 degrees and sometimes with fierce and biting winds!

This  Body Wrap method is going to come in handy for the times we don't want to go out "IN IT"!

The mare ZOOOMED around the arena before we started this WINDY day. Lots of sounds and motions about our world, that got her excited!

Just a few days ere this frigid one, we found ourselves in a gorgeous, surreal setting...one that took my breath away and the mare seemed very content to look on as well.

Frozen Ponds.

It was like Christmas lights, across the blurry waters~

I do love my phone's camera, it seems to take pretty nice shots..as long as we are still!

Hope Your season is Bright and Cheery~ Be well

December Bright

                             C C C COLDDD ~ and freezing....but nice and bright!

Christmastime Festivities are happening right and left. Day times, night times, visiting family, friends,  with extra cooking involved and of course, the "S " activity.  It is Decembers norm. 
There is also a fair amount of working going on now too, so sitting  here to read/write and visit , has been waining for me. Not to mention our computers illness towards functioning at all.
No worries mate, it's all good...just  life at December's- H.Y.P.E.R. S.P.E.E.D. -( Having You Put Extra Routines- Shopping/Parties -Eek, Eek- Daily)

I'm sure you all can relate, on some level.

I have still been able to get out and see my mare, even if for only an hours time, stealing away from my personal hyper speed- life's schedule. A view like this one from horseback, can reset ones counter to O!

Below, is a pure documentary shot of how one  fast paced day started recently. Thought I had gotten a nice white WASH CLOTH out of the vanity to wash my face with.... A nope, it was a roll of TP!! Had to take the pic of that blurry- blunder. HA!

Some days seemed to washed up, for the rains were threatening . I rode anyway... My gear protecting me from the droplets of cold- wet. My mind receiving a clearing and defogging, as we strode.

I have had some surprises too,  getting back at DARK...it really comes fast these days.  The last time I allowed it to overtake us, by miscalculating just when it got dark while riding ..(and the mare HATES that!) I was greeted upon return by a gal  at the stable. Surprised to see me walk in at dark , She said..."OH!!...you look cute, let me take a photo of your mare and you! "

She was watching me fail at attempts to capture a good self photo-

  I added festive lights ...'tis the season to be jolly....

 These days of Holiday preparations ...Recalibration, from the H.Y.P.E.R. S.P.E.E.D. human,  to a slower-paced-human - occurs  for me, as I ride my mare and breathe deeply in, the countryside with views.

WHAT A GIFT!!

Mind adjustment   does starts to take me (us) over...we  are whole by the time we return again.

Christmastimes are planned and busy for all. I bid you joy and friendship now, should you not see me around these bloggin parts for a spell, I'll return shortly.
 I leave you with some visuals of  a favorite 7 mi Loop ride.   It is the one we take most often when we have no goals- but -to see what we may see, stretch  our legs  and commune with God in nature.
ENJOY...and make sure you also....find your sweet spot for recalibration- in  these H.Y.P.E.R.  S.P.E.E.D. days!!!

                     Our friendly Shadow Rider leads the way down the lane, outside our stable~~

We look on areas that have been changed...and remember them for the times we had in the shade of "Big Fir Lane"~

We continue up the road around some young Christmas trees, and head towards a farm that has many animal friends to visit~ These furry friends used to scare my mare and she would NEVER ask to go up the road where they lived. This day she asked, I obliged~

These 2 Alpacas are the only ones interested in us...the older ones seem bothered by the horse presence, and pin their ears and look foreboding. The young ones come running and bucking to the fence line!

It is always very amusing to me and seems to be interesting too, for the mare!

Cute little, fluffy thing! This one actually wants to sniff noses with my mare, but we decide to just look on~

Ooou...the older of the two is turning into a ear pinning, and rather  moody sort,  like the others.

He  stood there, all shaggy haired, and glared~

We finally head to the other side of the acrerage, riding the service road around the tree farm lands. The crisp, clear sky this day allowed us to see just the tip-top of Mount Hood, as we turned Eastward.

Onward to another friend en route, of the equine ilk~ a little Arabian mare. She hears us from a far with my "bear bell" , that now doubles as a festive "Jingle bell". It alerts the mare of  our arrival near her field. She shares this field with large llamas, parting them as she runs to us normally. This has made an impression on my mare...that they aren't as tough as they make themselves look, standing 6 feet tall. This little 14 hand looking mare, is their boss!

There she is, way at the top of the field.

She comes trotting, nickering, all chipper to see us again.  She always wants to meet my mare. But again we look on, and are friendly from a distance~

The rather unfortunate thing is -this mare has a rope halter on 24/7.

When we tarry, I am always afraid I will witness her hooking it one the metal post tops, as she puts her head over, trying to visit with us~

Having seen the little mare, and my mare having partaken of some winter grasses , we then continue on down the treed lanes~

At the end of the lane, there were some fabulous ferns, still in Autumn glory. The Summers green is gone now, and by mid winter, they will have dissapeared altogether till springtime.

They are a reminder of how things change always;  seasons, times, good times and bad...  and right then...my attitude towards anything that hindered me, just an hour prior!

Though my mind had relaxed into a peaceful calm, my mare was on high alert for the section of trail we traveled. It's a turning point for home or 2 others directions. It nears a busy road, and also enters a forested section that has always gotten her nervous.

We tarried and looked at the ferns longer. I asked her to relax herself and after she finally did, I treated her and we moved to the next part of this restorative ride~

I chose the roadway this cold, frozen day. The trail was far too shady, while the road had sunspots for us!

We neared some of the many ponds that are on the lands we ride. Serene, reflective and so quiet- it was.

On our home stretch now. It has gotten considerably colder, in the hour and a half we were out . Our friendly Shadow Rider, that lead the way to this restorative riding, and popped in to see us here and there, rejoined us for the last time~

Frosty- hard grounds in the shaded areas~

I used my mare's "Ruby slippers", as someone called them before, to protect her feet from bruising on the crunchy wniter grounds.

While pretty, it is not too friendly for anyting but cautious walking~

We now see the long-hill in the distance. It is the final trail we take upwards, towards the stable. Since the muds have come and the steeper trail is very SLICK.; my mare again has gotten nervious and sometimes misbehaves, wanting to go faster. I understand she hates the slipping.  Anything she hates, she tries to get over with- quickly.

The mud begins on the flat, we pick and choose out way through~

Ah, the hill...and this day, since the ground was mostly frozen on the hill trail, there was no slipping and the mare calmly walked it~

Hello Big boy! Theo greets us at the turnout paddock gate~ Don't worry, she'll be back out with you, in no time~

The mare hears Theo calling, as I untack~

A short roll and romp in the arena, she greets me at the gate and says...hummm....!

Back out to the pasture, Theo greets my mare, his girl bud~

They head for the remains of lunch, Theo always behind~

He stops at the first pile...my mare seemed to know better, as he would move her off it for himself.

 As I watched, he moved her off the second pile too. Then, even before I had gotten into the stable, he again moved her off the first  pile of hay ...so she went back -towards the second- hay pile. Theo's mom and me had put a third pile down too, as recommended for feeding horses in pasture( always put one extra flake down-and further away)..so she went on further, to that one.   And good thing, he had moved again, 10 minutes later to the second pile. 

I have noticed her being really hungry when I get to the stable, I think it is due to him claiming BOTH PILES of hay since they are relatively close to each other...hence the need for a third pile, further away. He can't manage 3!

 My mare has to really be persistent to eat with him in the field, he is a hay hog!!!

The end of the perfectly refreshing day with my mare was topped off by a perfectly vibrant sunset!!

All is ready in my heart and mind to start afresh the next day. A little country time always does that for me..no words,  pressure or concerns.  Just beauty, fresh air, along with my with my Bay Beauty mare!!

Please be well and save some special times out-just for yourself!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Resembling your horse

Have you ever thought about the ways you and your horse may resemble each other?

Now that may be an -out of focus- concept to some, but to others, and they may not admit to this, have definitely thought, "why yes, my steed and myself- we share many (or none) similarities."

These two are such a great team at my stable. They obviously share the fair haired, physical likeness. Behind the scenes, to me, they share a deep thinking, sensitive- quick to adjust nature, after a cautious consideration period.

Of course, this is not based on any study or scientific-anything- just my perceptions as  I spend time with /around people and their horses. 



I recently watched these two, doing  ground work at a clinic at my stable. It was neat to see how watchful, alert and willing this mare was, trying very hard to understand what was being asked of her.  A trait, I've noticed,  she shares with her girl.

How many (funny, annoying, amazing or otherwise) ways do you line up or resemble  your horse??

Just one (for now)  of the ways I resemble my mare is:  the knack of putting off nature's call ...till...you finally, just have to stop and go!!!

 This has been tried and true, proven over and over again through the years I have had my mare. The most HILARIOUS TIMES that could have won us the $10,000. prize money on "America's Funniest Videos" was  in a boarding facility not long after she came to me. We'd go out riding for several hours at a time, nothing unusual there...but when we went with male riders..I did not feel comfortable answering nature's call in the woods, so I would wait till we got back to the stable. I  then would immediately go to the outhouse.

I knew I would have to do this at this barn so I taught her to stand patiently so for me by the outhouse door. She would receive treats, if she stood close. She never once pulled me from the outhouse, before it was time!! The small, tall box like container I went into became a nice break for her, as we rode the arena at that stable.

The first time we could have won the prise money was the most hilarious....

We  returned  from riding several hours, trip on down the lane between arena building and hay house to the "Outhouse"... you know the rest -except-!!! My mare went at the same time!!! Yea! I was laughing inside the outhouse, knowing what was happening! It not only occurred that once, but nearly every time I came back and did the routine from rides. Too funny! I really should have had someone try to video!

So now,  knowing she has the knack of waiting and putting off, and it can make a ride tense,  so I whistle for her to go, having taught her to do so. She normally "goes" when she sees me arrive at the stable...it's habit now. BUT-she sometimes waits for the return from a ride...like this, just the other day;

 I put her in her stall with the cooler on, to wick the moisture from her back.  Wa mare walked outside to see where her horse friends were. She then came inside for a bite of hay and outside again..... and started to come on back ....but before she stepped upon the  matted porch area, she suddenly stopped- and spread em!

  OH YEA...FORGOT, I have to STOP for a second, and do this!!

 Yesterday, thinking about this concept of resembling one's steed, I asked another riding partner if she thought there was a way she resembled her steed...she seemed taken aback by the thought. She only thought of her steed's attitude towards certain aspects of life...he gets grumpy and angry. She did not see herself like that. And that is not what I mean either...they are NOT US- and we ARE NOT THEM!

 Having been around this gal, I've noticed that she is- calm, easy going, meted and measured. To me,  her steed is JUST like that...not overtly active, not very distracted with much other than the details of direct concern (food , comfort, safety) .

And even when something comes up, he seems to decide to remain calm. He is the perfect riding horse  partner for my mare and me. If we wish to walk by him on the trail, he may not walk up and keep up ; he is not competitive,  and would rather take second spot behind. Likewise, this gal is one that likes to go with the flow and be at peace.

Though yesterday, he was able to ride next to us for short times, and  it was nice to look at her as we talked, for a change!

I really am not ANTHROPOMORPHIIZING...it's something I have noticed, I don't go looking for the similarities, they appear.

 I'm just sayin!