Found Joy

Me 3 and mother holding Bunny TB grade mare- who taught the whole fam to ride!

While visiting my mother yesterday, she handed me a huge folder of photos....
I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this one.It was that photo I already have of me sitting on my sister's first saddle! But this one is NOT torn away, it shows my gleeful mother holding Bunny, my sister's first horse. I LOVE this photo!!!


That mare taught so many boys and girls how to ride! 3 of us girls in the Brown family. She was a school horse at the Lake Oswego Hunt Club after we learned, till she retired in her 20's and lived to be 30.


My fondest memory of how well she taught was the time a jumping specialist came to clinic the Pony Clubbers. I was about 11 or 12. They set up 3 in a row jumps, and we jumped them firstly regular.
 I am not sure of the correct term  for the set up of jumps, but there seemed to be one bounce in between them. It really was pop-pop-pop -over them, to the end.


Then we jumped them stirrup less. THEN- we jumped them with our arms out to the side! It truly was like flying on Bunny mare...she would jump anything you set in front of her..and high too!


I found so many other great photos from the 30's and 40' and 50's 60's and 70's of my mother riding various horses and some of my mother and sister riding too. I'll save those for a later time...'Cause I really just wanted to share this gem to my heart. 


I asked mom about the bridle configuration..it seemed strange with the brown band w Western ear cut out too. She had gotten that brow band from someone that made it. A Boondoggle.


Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me!

Recalibrate the mind

Into the woods we went, the horses were calm and the breeze was flowing across our faces~

my sister's 5th ride to health on a new knee

I had to hold my mare back from "self loading herself" into the trailer, as my sister tethered her mare, Pantz, into the top stall.

Horses and humans were ready for this day-scape away time.

On the road, we timed the drive to our favorite riding spot...only 28 minutes from stables driveway, to wooded bliss! 

These trails are vast and the last 2 times I have come to ride them, NO-ONE was around, save some mountain biker dudes that were having such a great time, just like us!

The Horses heard them coming, as we were unmounted and resting in the shade.

They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard!

Little did we know, as we looked over photos we took that day sitting at dinner later,  that this above shot would CRACK US UP to tears!!!

 My sister and our mares were captivated by the mountain bikers brakes, making an unusual noise in the woods.

 I showed her the shot, she exclaimed, " They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard!" OH!!!

 It may have been the beer and wine we were having, or the hilarious memory of THIS YOU TUBE. Whatever it was...the day and the dinner time laughs, were JUST what any doctor would have ordered for the both of us, for health and happiness.

You see, my sister had txt'd me the day before; she was forlorn with some circumstances of life. She asked the question of me, " will you have some time to ride in the next 3 days?"

HA! Does a fish swim?

After my sis drove up from the coast, we went out to see Pantz  the first eve she was in town. We lunged her with the  TTouch Balance wrap and massaged her before and after with "Sore-No-More".

We also went out to my sister's NEXT boarding facility to confirm where she will be moving Pantz soon, before her current place is sold. It's a place we both have boarded before, from one of the -NICEST people on planet earth- I have ever met! This BO took my sis in years ago, when her  Private boarding facility in Newport, Oregon sold and she couldn't find a facility. She made a place at her facility for Pantz- last minute.... putting pea gravel in the paddock of an unused stall.  Since I was boarding there already, it involved me doing the stalls and my sis, when she was in town. It was work, but it was a nice place and somewhere for Pantz. So that is another breath of relief coming to us. We went and looked over what area again she'll be in and got a bale of her next hay. It is far richer than the current Grass and Timothy she normally eats, so a 20 day window of acclimation time should be good.

We surely will miss this outdoor arena with pea gravel /sand footing!

After a nice little ride in the arena with Pantz, we looked forward to the next day of trails, and the two mares seeing each other again!

We arrived to our destination and were already hungry, having gotten a later start, with no rushing, so we all had a little bite. I had made us all lunch.

Again, no one around at this fabulous place...we had it to ourselves!

 We traipsed around the trails that were new to us...most of them are!

My sissy caught us coming up the trail behind her..how nice to have some photos of the mare and me.

La de da...we stroll along the trails happily!

Lovely day in the woods with a breezy coolness to them. Revived again we all were. 

Watching the only one around disappear into the woods~

Perfectly named, "Fern Creek Trail", took us delightfully down to our road homeward

Once we made it to the top of the original hill from the parking lot, we both dismounted and walked back together with the mares.

Home again, after dropping Pantz off firstly, my mare enjoyed her Black Beauty company for a late afternoon graze. She watched as I bid her Adieu from the truck~

Happy Summertimes are finally here!!!

Breezy bliss

clear cut trail/replanted view

June's arrival has been very pleasant with a heavenly- warm- breeze flowing most days. It made the sultry and heavy air of rain on the way- on a sunshine day, easier to take. I'm not one for muggy, sticky air. Oregon does not usually have that, but sometimes it does come to us too. You just have to think... "this is cleansing somehow" as you sweat and are miserable.

The mare and me have been laying low and just taking little jaunts about the local country side, going across the street to forestry lands. I have rediscovered the immense beauty of it, that I first saw 4 years ago, when I solo trailer-ed to a managed forest gate. I took a chance by parking, and just rode what I found.

It's really beautiful!

I am amazed by stumps of the "trees of yore" along this set of trails.

5 ft across stump

 They have got to have been hundreds of years old, before they were cut. You know the ones, with foot holds for the standing planks, sawed right into the large 5-6 foot across trunks. Sad...but true. It makes me ponder what this forest would have looked like before.

The  picture does not do the massive size justice...there are many larger than this one too.

I have been seeing so many other horsemen out and about in these woods. It is a destination for many. Just yesterday, I saw  3 horse trailers and wondered how many horse riders I would come across. We seem to know that they are there , LONG before they are aware of us...maybe it's because we are solo, and are not a jabbering away! We always hear them talking in the woods.

 I made sure to yield off to the side, as we came across the first duo women riders. I "you who'd"-  as they approached, they thanked me and went on their  way.....not far behind them was another set of women riders. As they passed ,they gave pause to notice my mare and comment on how cute she was ( I agreed!) . One of them asked if I rode Dressage.  They were Western riders with rather large saddles and bits. I am sure the lack of equipment on my mare, bareback saddle and snaffle, helmet, made them ponder us. I answered, 

" yes, but I ride "Trailsage" out here, at present." They thought that funny.

 I do try to keep a dressage focus by asking my mare to do many elements of it, out on the trails.

Below is a very long, fairly straight trail, that is good for many a "Trailsage" practice; the free walk perfection, the hand gallop , lateral moves,

 and just a few days ago,we worked on flying changes.

When we reach the top of this trail, because of the sloppy nature of the wooded trails with all our rains, I must ride the road a bit. The many trails in this area are shaded and very soupy- muddy still.

With the Trailsage I have been practicing with the mare all these months(years really), I have paid special attention to her long, low frame. The mare is connected to me by holding my hands.When I ask for collection, I make sure she is not braced, but relaxed. I know I have the right frame by her snorting. She'll blow out as in acknowledgement. It's quite cute.

Her Trapezius and Rhomboid muscles are fabulous!

 My Equine body worker impressed me years ago to develop the correct muscles, you have to do the correct work. We were looking a a lovely "school master" mare at the time...and wowsa, her neck was impressive! Wa mare has those muscles, and has for some time. A nice difference from the yew neck of traveling inverted, and above the bit.

Returning to the soft footing of a clear cut trail , she relaxes again. I am waiting for her replacement "RENEGADE" hoof boot for her hinds . Then we may travel the roads and rockier places of riding . For now, it's keep to the softer places so as not to bruise her. And after her latest trim and removal of bars, she is tender a bit. I am so happy Shannon  at, "It's Quarters for me", posted about that last month. I had been noticing her bars folding into her sole. When I mentioned it to my bare foot trimmers, they surprisingly thought nothing of it. I found someone to address it  recently, as her hooves are so HARD...I was unable to manage the knife to do it- without hurting myself!

Back to the soft trail...

Up we go...soft clear cut trail winds around stumps and new trees

The bit of sunny weather we had for these rides I took, made the Yellow of the Scotch Broom blaze bright.....

...and the honey bees were certainly a buzzing! Every time we would pass the bushes the mare tensed up somewhat, with the "buzzing humm" nearby.

We came to the top of this  newer clear cut trail to find...BUZZZZZING galore! 

Honey Bee hives!

I actually had to duck this day, as we traveled away from the loudly buzzing and busy hives. The bees were traveling above our road about eye level, and I could see them coming!

home stretch roads

While we are vanquished from the nicer trails below our stable, due to logging and other such...these roads are what we have, with some  wooded trails in between. Of course, unless we trailer away. But most days, we are staying close to home.

The breezes blow through our hair as we settle into a nice 5 mile loop. It takes us an hour, we are leisurely in our times, no rush! Content are we , the mare and me~

Solo Confidence

Getting out and about solo is how us two, horse and human, started to get to know each other well.

                                                      Hardy Creek -Oregon-Solo ride May 2012

When Wa mare first came to me I developed a trail code for us to travel by. I started by taking her out on foot. I would lead and she would follow, and sometimes way to closely. I pack a plastic bag now for those times when she is concerned with her rear...I put it upon my crop and hold it behind my back with her lead. Fortunately, not having to do that often, she follows me nicely most times and also leads . I taught her to step over, just one step at a time for trickier areas and for her also to step closer for me to mount from a mound of dirt, ledge or stump.
When we have far too a steep hill, my mare takes the lead as I prompt her to, me trailing by her tail behind on the ground.
I L*O*V*E this technique. It has served us well in some of the mountain goat trails we've used! Likewise, when we have a totally too steep trail to go down, I hold onto the side of the saddle, by stirrup leather or bareback pad and we go down together.
This has built our confidence up with each other. I can always count on my mare now in a pinch.

The other thing that has me trusting her more and likewise, is tying her to trees while I trail blaze. She does not care for it when I go out of visual range, but she is getting better. This tree tying sure came in handy last year, when an emergency occurred when my riding bud got thrown. I had to count on her calm steadfastness. I always ride with a rope or rope reins,  a ring on my nose band or a halter in place of nose band. I can not tell you how many times I have needed to lead or tie my mare, while out on trail adventures.

                                                         Hardy Creek-Oregon- solo ride May 2012

This past weekend I decided to trail out-solo- to one of my favorite places to ride. Hardy Creek in the Molalla River Corridor, nearby. It takes less than 30 minutes to get there so even though my mare dislikes solo trailering for long hauls, this trip is okay.
My trailering confidence was taught to me by so many people, in my brief 5 years of horse ownership. Firstly by Gemma, my freind that got me to get back to the JOY of riding horses. We rode and trailered and rode and trailered everywhere! Though  I never drove her rig then, I watched her do it with ease.
My sister also taught me so much...though I was not interested in using a manual truck, so I refused back then to try.

Then, at my second stable, there was a gal that owned Frisians. She was so good to help me learn the ropes with her Ford 150 and 2 horse trailer. Literally, she had me drive her trailer around(horseless) and back it up and go get gas, park the rig over and over- till I got it right and was confident.  I knew where the thing was on the road and how to maneuver it all, soon enough. She then set me to trailering myself solo.
Those were the days of upset stomach and lack of sleep! I was pretty nervous for the first times. But, my mare grew in confidence of me asking her to get on the trailer, as all the experiences became the same...nice slow starts, turns, stops and all the while, I would talk to her each time we stopped...she'd nicker sometimes, though nervous herself, she checked in with me too.

                                            After Ride Hardy Creek-  May 2012

Then, when my sissy moved her mare Pantz up to Portland area, due to her small barn closing and no where else to go to at the coast. She  brought her mare and left her rig for us to use for a year or so. 6 speed Diesel truck and a 3 horse trailer. THAT was the ultimate in testing/training me to drive a rig! I got it down and still think, that a 3 horse is easier to maneuver than a 2! Go figure!

Now, this 3rd trailer trip out this Spring was a great day....though I saw an old riding bud at McIver State Park days before, and thought to call several friends to go riding...SOLO just sounded heavenly.
Arriving at my stable, it was quiet so I allowed my mare to munch grasses for my hook up time.  I got our snacks and after ride wash gear ready..I like to give the mare a sponge "Brace" bath after a warmer, or longer days ride.

NO ONE was at the parking lot, but bicyclists! Cool...the entire trail system to ourselves! They have these great signage boards up along the trails...making sure all know the rules of the roads and trails. Everyone YIELDS to the horse.
And it has in writing and pictures- who is allowed on the trails. PEOPLE, Bicycles, Horses. NO motorized is mentioned...but it is said, " These travelers are allowed only- to keep from unwanted trail complications ". !! HA!!
Yup..motors just complicate everything!

I have read that other avid trail riders sometimes have issue with sourness, sometimes when they only ride a certain trail. I have had that where I am now, sometimes. even if I trail out to the same trail, my mare will seemingly get bored with its hills and dales.
So this day, I decided to try some of the "single track" trails that are normally closed if muddy. It definitively was NOT muddy- but perfectly wonderful footing!!! In fact, if it weren't for the first quarter mile up to the wooded trails on large base rock, the mare would have enjoyed being barefoot.

She was so happy to be somewhere else...she strutted on up the rocky hill!!

We all need a change of pace and our horses are no different...mine's attitude told me that she was enjoying the new scene!

Look at this footing!

I thought of Lytha in Germany...she's coming to the States again soon and I REALLY want her to come riding here with me. This is your OFFICIAL INVITE Lytha...Come trot the woods of Oregon with us!

This trail I used for 7 miles was the "Rim trail". The trails are well marked and maintained.

We travelled the "Rim Trail" till we got to "Bear Woods loop". We took that, then on back to one called "Rim Tie trail". I did not have the map so I was counting on what the 'Tie" sounded like..Yep, it got us back to the Rim .

 After we had some long trot sessions and some cantering on the Rim trail that was so long and straight, we settled into an on the "Wither" ride. I have no buckle with the rope reins, so I make a loop from the last 5 inches ( so I may collect them easily and quick) and set my hand on her withers. She usually snorts with delight!

We had a down time for munch, on the way back. me having a "Mojo" bar and tea. The mare having her usual favorite.

One thing I have always done here at Hardy Creek, is join the mare with the coming back- unwind walk....

What an awesome and refreshing solo ride out for spring!

I am looking forward to more of the local faire for riding this season. There is such a downturn in our fiances, not much else can be had for trips. PLUS- my poor sister HAS TO MOVE Pantz again. This is the third time in 3 years, due to the barn she is in -moving and therefor-closing! 

Man...if she had just taken our stable owners invite 2 years ago when I moved...she would have been sitting pretty content, like me! I really L*O*V*E my stable.

So wish  to us , pray for us, and hope that we may find something in less than 60 days.

We Have to!

Made in the Shade

Happy horses, Washashe and Theo in hock high grasses.

We FINALLY got some warmer temps and sunshiny days! This is our second week of 80's and while it takes some assimilating- no problem, I get into it by riding   in the shade! 

A year ago in May, I was happily arranging a Jump trail  on the lands below the stable. We had pass through access to ride them, to the next private lands over.

NOW-A year later... this is the desolation! There is Nothing left of the entire forest down below our stables. It is truly sad. The forests are completely gone. I snuck down to just look...and this is the sight.

I about cried...

The entire forest is down, and we have no more access to ride the 1/2 mile road through to the wonderful Oregon Fishing Club lands- till....?

It leaves us with the nice, but very MUDDY entrance,  to trails and roads across the street. I have to hoof boot up for these, as the service roads are all graveled and my mare is a tenderfoot. 

I am so mad....I have now lost 2 boots in two days! One of them my $$$expensive Renegades! Only one Ruby slipper left!

I looked and looked for them- days in a row-and almost lost my tall boots to the SUCKING BOG of parts of the trails.

These are adventures with valuable lessons involved. Ones that require trust, patience and calm. Not for me- but for my mare!!

I am so sure that the times of trail blazing ,or boot hunting in this case, are the times Wa mare is sure I've lost my mind or have chosen to sacrifice her- to the wild things that lurk about in the forests!! I had walked further away than I realized, as I hunted for the Renegade boot. I was walking back and wondered IF- I had lost my horse too!? Nope, as I said her name rounding a corner, she belted out a hefty NICKER...SAVE ME KK GIRL! 

It was endearing, and she again was left with a memory to trust me..I always come back for her.

One neat occurrence  happened while I was out on foot looking for hoofboots...I found another trail, that maybe can be made to join up with the roads..and there Is no mud! It is pristine and shady.

So untill I find some helper(s) to clear a way to the main system over from this new trail, I took one last ride near the ponds...knowing, it will be some time till the mare and me can have them to serenely ride around. They also need a new way of getting to them.

Made in the shade are these rides, in memory...and blessed we are to have them!

Good day sunshine!

Just look at her! My sissy with an Ear to Ear, after a 5 month delay for any activity, aside from P.T. .

 Pantz was pretty happy as well, this SUNSHINE day of getting out finally-and riding! 

-

 The banner day of riding back to health...after ACL replacement surgery. My sister got the A-Okay the day before- from the Dr.- to start riding her horse again. I wasted NO-TIME upon hearing that news to say, " I'm picking you up tomorrow, and we are going riding!"

I  hooked up the trailer, only for the second time this spring. It's been nice for like a week!! A whole week of sun, and it feels sooo good! 

I went earlier in the week also, solo with the mare. She was excellent too, getting right on the trailer after 5 months of staying put. I love my mare!!!

Though hot, we had the luxury of a shady forest ride, in Milo McIver State Park.

The mare was happy and calm on our solo day at the park. The heat is a relaxing sedative for her.

The park was full earlier in the week with folks that had been itching to get out on trails that were NOT muddy. McIver's trails are wonderfully kept up by our local chapter of "Oregon Equestrian Trailriders".

BUT...that said,  the 15 or so trailers in the parking lot, seen here from us up in the woods, I saw but 2 horses from afar, on the 9 mile ride I took.

Similarly, my sister and I had the Park to ourselves practically.

We were loving the cool sunshine and the mares loved the reunion. 

We took it very easy on my sister and Pantz for this first ride back to health. We walked the 9 miles of shady bliss in the woods. I decided to use my Tristan Stuuben dressage saddle. I pounded the point of width area of flocking, to an inch of its life...adding an inch and a half of shoulder room for my mare. It worked perfectly! And my wither palate is a clean slate again...after 8 months of healing massage and "Calm Coat"oil applications. Wa's withers that had been injured by the ill fitting ANSUR KONKLUSION saddle, with massive white hairs from pressure. All better! No More White hairs!

She and I had a lovely ride saddled. I loved being able to go into "two point" and "half seat" for walking the hills.

I had packed a home made lunch for our return... the mares and my sissy waited in the shady area.

The mares too, enjoyed a bite together!

How refreshed we all were to finally be together again riding!

I have much more to share, but wanted to share ALL GOOD NEWS this time!!

HAPPY SPRING TIMES TO YOU ALL!