Fine days in May

 MAY sunshine, for my second ride, in 5 weeks!

May, has been the sweetest surprise gifts to us in the PNW.  She has looked much like the season to follow her that we  all **LOVE! People in shorts and tank tops. The "Summerlike" 80's have really perked us all up. A "Sprummer, blending of seasons, it has been!

I saw a man riding his bike -shirtless- the other day too, that made me smile , and ponder... It is still May, right?

While it is becoming a "normal cooler May" now, half way through it,  we've enjoyed the soothing, tempting days of warmth and dry.

AND~ we have started our FIRST EVER garden!  We've had Raspberries for several years now, here seen with the fruit beginnings 
Now we've added Herbs and some veggies.  I plan on planting Blueberries and try my hand at "Espalier" as well, with Apples and Pears.
And what horse lover's garden would not have plenty of "KERRITS"...you know what those are...they come with the favorite riding apparel!
 I have saved  the small packets for some time, and finally get to grow some!

While the past five weeks have been a healing time, that does not mean I have been away from the mare. We have gone on plenty of "Mare Walks"...30 miles to be exact. She has been super, usually greeting me with a nicker or whinny, when she sees me coming! One time she totally thrilled my heart by running to me from the grassy field she had to herself! 

 I am getting back to myself, whew! Each day has it's own change and lately, normalcy action...like yesterday at work; I shifted the leg bar ( puts feet up) for my client, on the shampoo bowl- myself! Yea, a small task for many, but I have not been able to do that for 5 weeks. 
 Little by little the " Zinger" I sustained (yea, it's a real sports injury term!) and the "Stinger" nerve damage in my arm, have subsided with all the therapy, ice and rest. I have been SUPER CAREFUL!

About to GET BACK ON THE HORSE..... my fist ride back to myself!

Getting back on the horse is not normally something that causes fear in me, as I have gotten back on, so many times before...this is different.  I have a healthy fear, because my body tells me to!

 I have only ridden a handful of times, cautiously ... what I have done to soothe my nerves (literally so) is take a cross with my reins, in light but constant contact, and hold onto my lead rope around the mare's neck. 

If you have ever been lunged upon your horse or any horse, it is much like that. lightly pulling yourself into the movement, keeping yourself fluid and supple. This has allowed my mare to feel the rope as a wall rein and much less movements from me with my hands. Though I have contact with her, I am using my seat/legs and  weight for aides only. It has been such a "back to basics" awesome tool!  Wa mare has been  light, responsive and I think by her high blowing snort, enjoying it all!

 My man told me recently, that I am going to be the recipient of a "RIDING VEST". YEA! I will be happy to wear that out riding.

 My dentist said, after completing the first reconstructive service for the first broken tooth, " maybe I should wear some mouth guards too"...Oh MY!

 I think adding One piece of riding armor at a time -will do!

HAPPY SPRINGTIME Ya'll!

Staring at Spring

The signs of spring are all about, and we here in the PNW have thoroughly enjoyed the light and warmth of it all!  At home, even our cats are enjoying what it brings! 

 Glory B our rescue kitty, stares at a springtime visitor.....

And he stares right back at her!

Fortunately, he stayed up there and she stayed down. It did not amount to anything but a -frozen in place- staring contest.

While the first week of springtime was quite  stormy-volatile, we made the best of it at the stable by doing extra grooming, working in hand and over poles in the arena.    After one grooming session, a stablemate noticed the cool hair formations right off the "Grooma" massage tool.  The large faced rubberized brush, doubles as a nice shedding implement!  I took a sample home and put them on a plate. 
 Here is one of the "WA"ffles Teehehe!! 

 Now the second week, was truly~ LOVELY!

The mare takes in the sights around her, as the light makes everything worth taking second glances.

We had one particular outing last week in which I wish I had a video of the event that occurred!  I am calling the mare my 
"OnTrailTB", after we finished,  a sort of race.

We were doing some trotting about the trails, as they had nicely dried, making secure footing, for some speed.

We  trotted down a long road away from home, then up the hill towards another  LONG stretch of grounds. Being between the rows of evergreen plantings,  it is very soft footing without rocks.  There so happens to be a nice road as well,  just to the left, on the other side of the larger row of deciduous trees.

We had already seen a couple fat bunny rabbits and the token Jack Rabbit that lives in those trees. He with his longer ears and legs, could reach nearly 3 foot tall, should he stand all the way upright!!  Appearing for a second, he  ducked into his private forest once we began up the lane trotting.
While I was asking the mare for transitions from longer to shorter...all of a sudden...a Plump grey squirrel (the size of a small dog) popped out of the trees onto the road to the left of the mare and me.  He decided to run straight up that road, paralleled to us. We soon joined him, as we continued trotting.  While I was not racing him, we did gain in trotting speed with my attention not focused entirely upon the mare.
 HAHA!! 
I was laughing out loud, as this rather large squirrel, that kept slightly ahead of us but never looked back, just ran and ran and ran! When we finally came to the end of the lane, he ducked back into the tree grove, out of sight.  We stopped and then decided which way to go from there, as my "Cardio Trainer" App on my phone, spoke up in his  British voice saying,  " 7 miles per hour". 
That was one fast squirrel, I say!
What a hoot that was, delightfully and so naturally derived from our surrounds! My kinda fun!

The week up to Easter was fantastically busy, and fun in it's own way too, in the salon. I had my "all star line up " as I call them. Faithful clients of the past 25 years, showed up for appointments made, 12 weeks ago for the Holiday.  I Love springtime hair styles!!!  I am always surprised with some of the requests, and so willing to comply for a change always. It revives my creativity, and is always a blast. 

Right before Easter Sunday, I decided to jaunt about with the mare early in the morning time. Knowing that Sunday  would be full of Church and family, and not too much time for horsin' around.
 I packed a light fare of Banana w/ Almond butter and an Espresso coffee for me. The mare was still eating her hay when I arrived, but I convinced her that it would be worth it to come away with me!

GORGEOUS! What a day!!!! 
While the mare delighted in eating the luscious greens of springtime grasses for an hour or so,  I nibbled my treats as well. These outings are fantastic times to contemplate blessings and riches of spirit. The mare seemed to do her own meditations, often she'd stop chewing to stare down the trails. She seemed very soothed....Springtime was tasting and looking fantastic!

I am proud of Wa mare for standing well when I tied her, taking a pit stop. I had not done this for awhile, going out of sight. Sometimes she acts like she may be the "ceremonial offering" to the beasts of the wild, and gets a bit frantic...this time, not one move. It was awesome to spend the early hours in nature with the mare. Calm and soothing, clearing out  some cobwebs of unrest and doubt.

Easter Tidings were abundant and full of Joy and a refreshing of spirit. Our Service at church renewed me in a different way; reminding me, " therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW."  2 Corinthians 5:17 
Letting go of the old ways of living...yea!
The transformation of the mind, depends upon what one chooses to dwell upon, and  to live for. Being not conformed by this world we live in, 'cause ya'll know what it can do to one's spirit.

PEACE...it is such a Peace allowing oneself to let go of  bad habits and mindsets that stunt. I wish to be free of those that hinder, and full of that which  seeks to serves others; their best always. Being kind and longsuffering.
 God knows, I have needed that from Him!

Peace to you!

The mare totally agrees with me too..... Being found in a peaceful way, things always go better! She has been such a love lately. Having a bright sky and a warm breeze, that will always help the mind's eye too!

Sending  Peaceful Springtime's offerings to you all; in hopes you were able to enjoy Easter, and be refreshed in the ways most beneficial to you!

Tender Loving Care

Wa mare receiving the gentle, effective therapeutic touch from one of her favorite  equine therapists, on a  recent rare sunny day.


The year I met him, I watched as he helped several horses at my stable regain health. Sometimes  he worked without being paid, coming out in between appointments to do a ck up.
He made sure the horses were calm and comfortable, while healing from their serious maladies. He is a "give, give" kinda guy. 

Washashe mare Here, the first time she met him  , I truly thought she would try and lay him low!  
As he found the area's of trauma, she made terrible faces and also began kicking the ground with her hind leg, to relieve the pain as he did the same, by massaging the blocked area. 
We knew he was a "Keeper" after that session. He also uses pure essential oils, and the horses sniff them, as needed to soothe themselves.

The weekend he came, it was so nice and bright out (CCCold in the dark arena) we chose to partake of this  therapy session  outside in it! Wa was very aware she could NOT SEE her 2 mares out back, and tried to get us to walk that direction a few times. She soon settled into his handiwork, with yawns and droopy eyes. He liked how she kept breathing through the work he was doing. Apparently, some horses hold their breath and it does block releasing.


We all got SUNSHINE THERAPY  weekend before last, here in the PNW.  Trails started to dry out and the warmness reclaimed our cold bones for movement again.

 After a good long ride atop my steed,  the warm radiant sunshine filling us up to the top with JOY, my "CARDIO TRAINER"  App  told me the mileage had reached 5 miles. 
I then hopped off to  walk a few...and a few became... all the way home with my mare, happily walking beside me!

It  certainly was a great therapeutic workout for the both of us.   AND*** I did it, I walked the entire long hill  up to the home trail!  Instead of her pulling me up, because the grounds were dry and non slick, we both happily strode the entire thing up- NO STOPPING-!  The C.T. App then told me how much reward I'd  earned. I was Alarmed with the calorie burn!  6 Avocados! Who could eat that many?

We be a tired duo, arriving home to stable.

  I got the "GROOMA" hand held rubber massage tool out for a massage. Now Wa, she doesn't like much touch but , when she has deemed it beneficial, she'll really tell you  Exactly where she needs/wants the massage, and how long!
I spray her all over with "Sore-No-More" firstly.


I had "thought" To have finished the left side of her body when suddenly, She blocked me from walking around to the right side, by turning her head that direction.   I asked her to straighten, she did. Then again, she blocked me!   I just cocked my knee forward, shifting my hip, and asked her,  with my body language,"Then WHERE?? Wa?!  

 If I could have had the video on...amazing........
She then quickly bend her neck around to the left and pointed at her shoulder, touching it repeatedly.  I was astonished and said, "Alright girl, I will attend that for you."

A nice large sip of water from her "Better Bucket" my sister gave me to use, then a day off or two was on order  now, for "Resting therapy"!

--------------------------------------------------------------
D'apple and Pantz, my sister's 2 mares,  have certainly benefited by our therapist's Robb's skilled ways also. 
Most recently D'ap has been receiving treatments from Robb.  Our barefoot specialist had said, "  D'ap really has no connection through to her hind end".  We have had many lessons with her on just picking the hind hooves up calmly. She has a terribly difficult time, often SLAMMING them to the floor...and if your foot is in the way, woe to you!

Robb has had several sessions with her. She seems to really enjoy them. The HOMEWORK has been to build her hind end muscles up and engage her in lateral work more. Our Dressage teacher "C", also wants this for D'ap.  She is not traveling under herself and is very weak. 
We knew all this, and sister has taken many a day into weeks, to focus upon hind end work in hand.

"KATE, from "A Year with Horses",  recently posted about this very work she has begun (again) with "Pie".  It is the sort of basic work that really engages the horses to use themselves correctly, bolstering balance and strength. 
 Along with the in hand work, we shall also use Cavaletti poles on the straight.

"It is natural for the horse to lower his head and neck to look at the poles this, in turn, rounds the long muscles over the back and loins and allows greater freedom for the hind legs to come under the weight of the body, while the need to lift the legs over the poles requires greater flexibility and, therefore, suspension."

 Quote from ,  "LUNGING The horse and Rider" by Sheila Inderwick

Other work sissy has done with the D'ap is taking her through many obstacles. Outside there is a  huge course of bridges, poles in a pattern to back through and also, random RR ties to step through. But when weather is ick, inside there is a reinforced covered pallet, and poles to arrange.

 HAHAHA!!! Sister sent me some shots, after the first time she asked D'ap to step up on the pallet. She willingly did, and stayed...while sister took shots. Then  my sister decided to go to the tack room for something.  D'ap was still on the pallet, when she returned!!!

While Wa had some time off, I took another set of lessons with D'ap.
 We did some in hand laterals firstly, and then some pallet work with "one foot at a time". She is very good at listening and will stop movement, if you ask her too.

My Sister's tender loving care of this mare and her unique willingness to try anything we've asked of her, seem to go hand in hand. She snorts if she is pensive, and breaths deeply, blinks and chews if she accepts . It's like a game to find the way to her heart...

This mare D'ap, has given me such a loving therapy too. She is non reactive, and I can trust her.  She gives 110% and during my recent lesson, with trainer "C" , I received "New legs" and "New arms"! 
D'apple continues to train me!  

My legs came to me after trainer "C' told me to Drape my legs around the horse. My sister has told me this for ever...but, when "C" added the, "Feel the outside of your foot in the stirrup, and the little toe". CLICK***!  My legs suddenly felt as though they went around the horse and my thigh lengthened, with the calf contact suddenly becoming more apparent. 
I feel badly that something my sister has taught me for years, I learned how to apply with another trainer. BUT, "when" you get it, you get it!

 BEAMING RIDER...all smiles I was!

The arms came shortly after this moment during the lesson. My sister has gotten me to CLOSE my hands around the reins and  also, not to "Puppy Paw" my contact, by breaking over at the wrists.   Trainer "C" effectively related last LSN, for me to not "GIVE AWAY" my contact of "Being there" for the horse, as they seek the bit and contact.  I am getting that feel now. She knows I had a mindset instilled in me by a former trainer that I was hard handed. She has blown that bogus ( I now realize  maliciously spoken) theory out now!

I love trainer "C",  she makes sure you KNOW "where you are going rightly", as she begins to change the ways in you that are not beneficial to growth in your rides.
 She stopped me firstly,  to make a point. She took the reins, behind the bit, and asked me to hold her hand. I gently felt her. She then told me, "Good,  you have excellent hands that are sensitive and gentle".
She had instilled again in me the confidence.
 We then proceeded,  her asking me to breath upwards for the trot, thinking it mostly. D'apple moved upwards into the trot. HERE IT IS- Trainer "C" then said, 
" I don't see your armpit muscles engaged!"
....!!!.... what, but it worked....I tightened those unknown beauties, and my shoulders went back a notch. D'apple went down into the contact and I again, BEAMED WITH DELIGHT! 
It allowed me to "Carry my hands" easier, I found. 

I totally had to apologise to my Sissy after the lesson. Nothing "C" had asked me to do is new to my ears, sister has tried to teach me these things all along, but it came as an "AHA moment", with the addition of the new "visualizing suggestions" I think.

Love this mare, her nature is helping me learn. She and I are forgiving and understanding of each other, going very easy.  TREATS of green grassy delights came after the lesson.

Thanks to you D'apple mare, I can take all my new body parts back to Washashe! Using them in "Trailssage". 

The D'apple of my eye you are!

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 New beginnings abound, as I read around the globe. It's all good, huh!

This is one happy, drunk bee!

All-Weather riding

Trees in a silvery frost

Though Oregon's cold isn't as cold as the rest of the country's cold; in the single digits, ours was a record setting for this past January. I think we'd all just vaporize, if that single digit temperature stuff ever happened (or wish to)!

20's during the nights and 30's in the daytime,  for a few weeks. While it makes for a "cleaner winter" with mud frozen and such...it makes getting water to the horses harder, and sometimes driving out to the country, dicey!  

We people here in the PNW were in a state of shock, at least most of us. It rarely stays that cold for very long. I am less active on those colder days, only getting to the stable and work.  It sure does make for a beauty and spender in the trees and surrounding vegetation though.

The mare was happy to see me those colder days. She longingly looked out her stall towards the back of the stable. I told her we were going out there, this cold day. It would be our 3rd ride since October.

It was truly nice to get out on the open trail. The shadows of the bright white foliage and ice spots had the mare on her toes...last time we were out, it surely DID NOT look like this!!

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Coming home at sunset in the wintertime, never looked so good! The dense fog was perfectly glorious for seeing the sun rays of this frozen world.

At home in the city, we have had Hummingbirds to look after here in Oregon. One would not think this would be true, that they may migrate onto warmer climates. But that said, there 2 species that will remain in our parts for the entire winter, one of which is Anna's. With the freezing temps though...the  liquid food will not thaw, if left out  all night. That would be terrible for our little visitors breakfast! So, I bring it in every night and have a "Hummer food alarm" set on my phone, to wake me 10 minutes before sunrise. Our  current resident hummer apparently is not an early riser. I am all bundled up over my P.J.'s, waiting for her to show, and she did only once at daybreak, for 2 1/2 weeks!!

In the past they have greeted us-hovering an arm's length away, as we set the feeder up for them . This one comes soon after we set the feeder up, she is quite shy, sitting atop the branches watching warily.

The first week back to riding with my mare was pretty cool, with the grounds hard and not slick, and the lands decked out in their finest!

Washashe was doing her best to keep cool, but she was bursting with pent up energies. I knew better than to allow her to go too long in a trot and to walk up the slick hills on foot, with her.  She has no muscle for being off so long, and trotting is easier(not better than) walking up hills. And much harder!

On our third outing, it was a dappled sunshine day. We strode along blissfully , soaking up the sunshine. I was aware of the mare's muscle atrophy and soreness in some sections of our ride. I plan on walking ,walking, walking with her for many miles and hours, to build her back up.

She is with this plan whole heartedly, I can tell. She has had no turn out since October and to get out of her small environment is healthy  and welcome!

We went by the lower ponds to find them frozen somewhat. It made them look glass like, and pretty.

Another day , it was a foggy wonderland...making the roads look unending and mysterious~ the mare a little bit pensive for what lay ahead.

All in all the rehab has been good, though the hock has never returned to normal. It remains puffy, and also hard in some sections. There is no apparent heat or pain now. I try to do all that I can with massage, cold applications and micro current, stretching exercises and give her supplements that help ligaments and joints. 

Her gait has been super strong, and she does tell me though, when she has had enough of any one thing.

Local farmers field new view , recently clear cut trees just beyond

Returning home from one of the last rides we had before this February weekend, I made a definite notation between saddle riding and bareback soft saddle riding. I was worried that my mare could be feeling a difference between the harder tree'd saddle and the closed cell foam "Cashel soft saddle". Nope, this day with the new, older Stubben  saddle I bought on ebay, she acted no differently than when we rode with the "Cashel soft saddle". The saddle is so very compy for me too. I am so happy to have stirrups again!

We both heaved out a large, contented sigh, the mare and me....we made it up the long, slick hill coming home . I walk this coming and going for now, while the conditions are quite slick. The mare walks nicely, while I hold to the  stirrup leather, near the bar.

 Home again near sunset. The sun rays sliding gently down  through the trees, as they do, before hiding behind the earth altogether. This frozen earth went easy on us, for the first ride times out.

Now, as the world thaws out, and the sunlight begins to brighten the lengthening days and certainly~ spirits~ our mission is to

 BE OUT IN IT!