The mare and me...we are going to try....

It is finally summer here-and with vengeance on us, it seems...100's are a tad too hot for doing much. I wanted to try something new with the mare on Wednesday...but getting to the barn after noon, proved to be unbearable to think of tacking up. Once in the woods it is cooler normally so, but that thought of- preparing to go there, had me in a sweat!

I must prepare for a NEW ADVENTURE the mare and I are to en devour tomorrow...

I took my mare into the vet Tuesday before work, and he did a series of tests on her and asked me questions about her recent health. It took all of 20 minutes and I saved $51 bucks by driving her there myself. YUP...catch that..I drove her there myself! 

 I am soo loving my truck and hooking up to my trailer and going whenever and where ever I wish!

And WHY- did I go to the vet and get this certificate?  You may ponder...'bout now...

I must cross state lines to go to my first ever

"TRAIL TRIAL".

I am nervous and excited all at the same time!

Today...EARLY- beating the heat, drove to the end of our road down from the barn and parked the truck...got the 2 tarps out and the rope...and walked up the Trail to place those tarps on the trails...and tie the rope to a log, so we could drag it.

The mare...she did so well!

I have never ridden over a tarp before, and on the ground, she has never allowed me to get her toes on one either...Today, she walked across both of them...after hard investigation and snorting..she willingly went right through  the middle!

And the Log dragging...it went equally as well. I had tied the rope around a tree...so I could side step on over, and grab it. She allowed me that and then I made sure she was okay with the rope all over her head,neck and romp too. I then faced the log and made the rope taunt...pulling it towards us..no prob..I then asked her to back with the log following us-no problem!

Only once..as I turned and the log came closer to her then before, did she wince and side step away making me drop the rope -on purpose- to let her have a lack of pressure from the thing. I got off and picked the rope up again..and dragged it all over before tying the rope on the tree again for some other time.

Wish me luck and say some prayers please....though I attempted to enlist some moral support personal...no one has stepped up to accompany me...wa! I go it alone and they don't have a "Schooling ride, I found out!

All for FUN, I say...We can do it!

Have a wonderful weekend in the summer time all!

R and R Trip

A Sign as we entered Bend, Oregon

Our trip to BEND was really, really nice. Though going originally for a Wedding, we got to see and stay with my riding bud James, that had moved away to Texas last year. 

He was sorely disappointed with the arrangements, once in Texas, and took the second job offer, in Bend Oregon...he moved in May this year.

 It has been a painfully long time since my husband and I did anything together...new careers, schedules and schooling...have effectively diminished our times together. And it does make me wonder...is it worth it? That is the primary question in my mind...feeling life is short and all...the quest for a career and the times gone without each other...huh. Well, looming stuff in the spirit I have. 

This sign may need one more word added....

"TRAIL CROSSING"

"IN A NEW DIRECTION?"

We started the trip behind a group of Old fashioned cars...jaunting down the road slowly.....It set the pace for the trip nicely.

I loved it, truly!

Once we got to Sisters, Oregon, we stopped for a bite of grub. 

The place we found had apparently gotten the award last year, for the best Bar-B-Q ...so we treated ourselves- to "Slick's Que Co". Oh YEA! GOOD GRUB! 

Nicely styled atmosphere too~

These Cowboy hats were adorable on the lights, as shades.

We were totally satisfied and did a walk about the town's antique stores. After a time we headed to Bend, some 15 minutes away to see James, our host. It was definitely hotter than we had been experiencing at home. The 1st day of summer had been more like spring  in our town...cool and no sun yet.This 5th day...more like summer now...and we had to travel South to get it!

These signs were everywhere...I loved it!

We got to our destination and we were handed a cool drink and an afternoon sit on the deck over looking the Descutes River ....

a gorgeous Snow capped mountain.

while being serenaded by doves!

OH! It was so lovely, having the breeze of summer cool us from the river, while we caught up on each others lives again.

My man had some work to do though....School assignments. 

James had Wi-Fi there...in our totally cool honeymoon suite- downstairs from the main floor!

We soon had to ready for the wedding at the high end golf course...that is what James said it was. He said it was private, but the the economy being what it was these past years...they opened it up to the public. It certainly was spectacular..though- the sun was right in our faces and the wedding pending..I did not have the time to be creative. We arrived at seating time, and sat in an entirely bad spot for photos too!

I did get the first Kiss and the first glance at the guests; as a young and handsome married couple!

The communion table, with the Golf course background caught my eye as well.

We enjoyed the brief time there and forwent the appetizer reception..and made our exit to be with our host.

We called him and he was out of it..he has been on the go looking for a house and property since March...making trips from Texas to Bend. He had looked at 2 that day before we arrived. So, He stayed in and we went into town and found a little sidewalk restaurant to sit and eat at.

The next day we had planned on Riding!...But again, James was wiped out...and I was totally disappointed, but understanding. 

We did go visit his 2 horses though.

And the place had this huge mural..seemingly painted of his horses...in welcome!

We just Chill-laxed...back at his place again...Q, his rather large Black and Tan Hound...stole my attention !

He'd talk to his beloved owner and then go up to the yard for a roll .

And look at me, while I snapped away!

He has always been a dog that was more people like...he looks right at you..and is not the typical dog that takes offense- with you looking at him back!

James really lucked out with this place...it is a vacation rental...fully furnished..kinda cabin like and cluttery, but heck...he did not have to unpack anything! 

See you later Q hound...

The next move with James...will be the last, hopefully so.

Our drive home was delightful and we stopped at one Of Oregon's premier Ski resorts. Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood. (NextPost)

A visiting we go~

Last year, our friend James and his two horses and dog Q, moved to Texas.

It was bitter sweet all the way around.

Well, it really did NOT work out there at all for him .....soooooo-

He moved BACK TO OREGON! Yippie yeahoowee! 

Tomorrow my husband and I travel  to attend a wedding of a former young client of mine..that found true love and is living in Bend, Oregon.

Guess where James Lives...A-HUH, Bend!

I am taking  my favorite clothes...semi dressy for the wedding, lounging and riding!

HAVE A LOVELY SUMMER WEEKEND ALL!

Catch you Hopefully, when I return...this flitting here and there and sometimes off horses..is really making me tired.

SMILING ALL THE SAME!

Looking into a venture

When I found my new truck and got the loan for it,
( I almost said "her" there) I felt strangely confident. Promptly I came on home, got the the computer, and found the Secretary of States Business address and registered/ paid for- a business license for the name "Equine View Photography". 

Recently, I ordered some window decals, with the above photo on them, and a slightly different format with my "Allhorsestuff" blog spot as a way to reach me. 

The decal did not cost very much, so if I decide to change the contact info I may easily so. I just don't want weirdo's to call my cell, cause they saw me get out of my truck somewhere .

So, I am looking to create a photo journal, and or an Etsy site, or both- that may be reached from my Blog here. Just dabbling...and if you have how to's or suggestions...PLEASE....I am all interested in them~!

Back to the truck..and the way I almost called it- a 'Her". 

Do any of you name your vehicles?

A Harrowing Time

I went back to the beach last wkend with my riding buddies from a former boarding stable, T.A.T. 

 It stands for "Two's A Team". 

 The Weather was lovely again...so nice!

The horses had arrived the day before and all had been ridden on the beach- some for the first time...like Tessorro here. He is a Gorgeous 5 yr old Kiger Mustang. His momma, above, drove herself and I Friday afternoon to join the horsin' party that had gotten started the day before.

We decided to take a Sunset ride...but only on the Bay side, as Tessorro's mom needed to build connect/confidence, before she tackled the beach.

Hoof boots...uggg~

And as we set off.....into the beautiful bay view...I mentioned that a helmet had been forgotten!

You can't make someone do what you know is right...prepare for something- No One wants to think, could happen to them.

This gal had a brand new saddle made by "Tucker Saddle Co." it was gorgeous...and sat her -so nicely balanced- in its cushy padded seat! I had saddle envy going on!

 We strode down the road...me on a borrowed horse named Diesel. He is a large Paint I have ridden, just indoors for lessons. He had an attitude this night..which surprised me some, testing me and testing me on my resolve for standing and also leading. 

I mostly remained, in the back.

It was relaxing and calm with the bay on the right...then we turned around, a short time after, and headed home... bay on the left.

This was the last shot...

before the ride went shockingly awry!

And as much as we have stewed over it now..and recounted it..it happened very fast!

We were all walking calmly and I had begun some leg yields on Diesel...to get more control of his body...he was great, as we traversed the road...back and forth with straight thrown in for good measure.

I was simply doing that then...he mistook my aim and LEAP FORWARD- over a rather large water puddle...into nothing but brush..not even a place to land! 

But, I was left behind his motion, so he landed in the scrub without me abroad.

I had been jettisoned at the onset of the big leap! I had no stirrups to help me out...was on the bareback saddle.

I laughed as he leap..almost in disbelief...and the girls looked back to see me....in mid air...he in mid air...then me crumple backwards...over my  right shoulder.

THAT IS WHEN IT WENT SOUTH...

My mount was calm for a moment..then, I may have stumbled as I got to my feet, or he saw the saddle sideways( I did try to stay on apparently..squeezing, and the saddle went my direction.) 

He lost it and bolted towards his Young, Grey pasture mate...and then the second rider was flipped off, as her Grey mount twirled around and ran away....which leads me to the third horse....Who must have thought, " OH MY..THE LIONS ARE ABOUT!",

 he leapt into the scrub brush too...but.... OH!!!

A DROP into the Bog awaited them!

 Must have been 6 feet down...as they were no longer seen by us!

I heard , "Help, Help, Help" ! We rushed, as well as we could to try and find them...and what happened next was amazing.

Tessorro the Mustang, poor baby, his head appeared- AT OUR FEET.....that is far down the drop was!

 We got out of the way as he extended his two legs onto the ground we stood upon...and hurled, pulled and contorted himself, back up to the solid ground of the road.

That accomplished...we set out down the road to find the loose horses.

My friend, had fallen on her helmet-less head and I saw blood and a cut...she was doing okay..knew her zip code and husbands name. 

For now...I jogged on ahead...and got to a turning point..and then heard...cathump,cathump, cathump....here came Diesel horse...looking scared and then relieved...he ran right to me!

The young Grey Arabian, "Chief", stood patiently by... just down the road...waiting for us to come to him.

We all convened..and walked the mile back to the trailer.

Once back to the house, and after taking account of the horses...we then set out for the hospital, after I inspected my friends head again..open wound, but clean..it was still bleeding.

3 staples is all she got off with- PRAISE GOD!

 Boy did I pray and pray, as we were going for the horses earlier.

It could have been SO much worse!!

So, the rest of the weekend consisted of sleeping and healing/resting. Families came to see the two women and encourage them.

I, of course, took more photo's having more time!

We assessed the horses again, in the morning... Tessorro had a bulge in his chest..no swelling or heat though. He also did not change his gait at all.

We  noticed Chief telling us things about his body...it bothers me here....

And here....

He had gotten the rope around his pasterns and burned some skin right off, while running.

Nothing a little 'Sore No More" did not help..in fact I used it too...on me!

The rest of the time...I just shot the horses and ate too much food.

They looked so beautiful...being of diverse coloring!

And Tessoro's ears..they were all fluffy and Carmel colored, as I looked down.

Then, he looked down on me! Made me laugh too!

Chief, the gorgeous Arabian 

And Diesel...saying, enough with the photos...feed me and get on with it!

We did get on with it by concurring....we would be a bit more prepared by doing what we could next time...

A helmet was on the short list! 

And for me...saddle with stirrups, on a borrowed horse!

Away with the mare and friends 2nd day

Though the day, our first whole day at the beach, was somewhat windy and grey sometimes.....

we liked it all the same! 

The morning was lovely...looking over the bay through the Calla Lillis.

 Then the riders started to groom and ready the mounts, for another time on the sandy shores.

It was a unique day for all of us riding. Jules and I, being veteran beach riders...know of the difficulties and sometimes, unusual behaviors our horse partners may display.

Like Rolling...horses sometimes find the deep, soft sand overwhelmingly inviting and are overcome with the erg to go down in it = and ROLL!

For our little 5 yr old paint, Willow, she really was uppity at times, like all our horses can be when they get their adrenaline going. Her human partner decided to not fight, but to do ground work on the way to the beach. It was more effective .

Other behaviors are a strong sense of  the-will- to-not- move -when confronted with the VAST VIEW OF THE OCEAN! You come over the top of the large, hilly sand dune- that is blowing with grasses...to POP..a huge view of rolling movements and multi colors of blue white and green water stuffs...as far as the eye can see!

Big Sky here got "the stops" with the sight..so Maddy mare lead the way down the hill.

Once we hit the beach...it was nice to just chill out and stand. Jules enjoyed her mares willingness to do just that...as we trotted and cantered in circles and patterns around  and about her, for a time.

I had my mare's pissy "I'm not going to focus attitude"...so I calmly  kept at it, till I could get a round bending circle and some serpentines. I just refused to look at her. She does feel my focus and the dead body stance of a- stare- at -the-head- rider. I chose not  react.. just tons of praise with the slightest effort and forward movement and ear stance. 

More movements for misbehaving and less for a willing mare!

The worse, in my opinion, issue on the beach though...Is The horse that gets dizzy in the waves!
This is not a chosen willfulness, by the horse, just a certain problem that many do have.
Willow Here...rocked somewhat sideways, as I looked on her and her rider once...

.... I have found that heading into the oncoming waves/and likewise, as they retreat, become vertical with them, by facing the direction they travel. Remaining Perpendicular...can mean...
 "Horse and Rider down" FAST. 
I have seen it happen, a few times, without damage...but a certain loss of confidence in both horse and rider will ensue.

We headed up the beach..I found it easier to stay a way
s away from the others...it excited my mare so much that going towards the water was my training technique this time...it soothed her and trotting in the moving waters made her think and have to work it out. It felt so neat to be so buoyant as well, her lifting her legs higher.

Jules had her Video cam camera on so maybe sometime...I will get to see us in action..photo and moving pictures too!

They began to canter up the beach, so I joined them, from where I was. 

I quickly got my camera out, and got them in a row!

After spending about an hour down at the beach, then went back for our delicious brunch.

 It works out nicely to take turns at the main meals on these trips. I made dinner Saturday eve.

We gave the horses a much needed break and brunch delight after ours, as well!

My mare just loves this beach grass

We also did something I had NEVER done...we watched

"The 

  Lone

        Ranger"!!!

I found it quite hilarious for the terms and slogans they used..that were all true! Hours had passed and we werte a bit lulled and tired ..but rallied for a Sunset ride.

We  made a quick dinner and decided to have it on the beach-picnik style....

We rode out near sunset...the horses were in TOTAL and utter disbelief! It was cold and windy and we ate as fast as we could...

Jules stayed aboard Maddy mare and forwent the dinner...till later...we were all quite tired and dismounting just was not appealing to her.

 Wa mare..stood nicely near Willow, a new mare to her..too tired to fuss really.

We headed away and back towards home...it was Coooolddddd, in the partially clouded sunset.

I decided then...that was all my mare would have to do this beach trip, instead of trying to ride before we left the next day.

Maddy and Jules...riding in the sunset of the Oregon Coast

Thanks Jules, for coming along for my special treat, making it even more special! 

Nice to ride with a group of dedicated, and devoted horsewomen too!

I look forward to meeting you on the trails this summer...yea