Worst Ride

Last week was the worst of rides I have ever had, since I have been riding the mare. We had gone out to the tree farm next to the barn and then onto the private 80 or so acres beyond this to explore again...trying to make my way to the trails at the top of the road I trailered to once before. If I may do it without trailering or touching a road with hoof...that would be great!

We went in the Soft saddel since my creeking little jump saddle wne t back to it's maker for re flocking . She loves the Cashel Soft Saddel..it is treeless and cushy. I love it too...but I am not able to get off and on like normal..unless ther is a rather large tree stump.

The mare was a bit off, for lack of a better description...very needy, constantly neighing to her herd , not being able to listen very well... and wanting to trot the whole time. She was better going away the first hour or so...we went down by the creek and crossed it and found a rather large pond. Then ventured across another creek to a rather large old barn...what a beauty it is too!

I decided to go down the way I had cleared already in case of a surprise this new way that would entail me having to dismount. The days of old, with me leaping flat footed onto any horse, are sadly OVER!

We found the way across another creek and up to a driveway and YES!!! Over to the second 20 acre or so, tree farm! We have permission from the neighbor to ride these lands and what a JACKPOT it is to have them....I am finally able to do some cross training with the mare with how nice and level and LONG the footing is and goes...I wonder how many miles are in a 40 acre tree farm? I just have to get a GPS so I may use the heart monitor, as Stacey and Klein do..as well as the mileage counter!

o we made the trek to exactly where I wanted to go...I am so thankful for these wonderful trails that Trump any I have ridden to date..NO GRAVEL ROADS!
I may go barefoot hooves with the mare and not deal with boots!


So, on the way back, the mare was just frenzied and I did not know she could prance or "Jig" but she began to..it actually was comfy> but not welcome! I tried the one rein yield with her and she just won't give to that...as the times I tried it before..she never releases and almost keeps moving, feeding into to my fears of going over.


Well, she did...she tripped over herself and her right hind end crumpled and I was thinking of getting my feet out of the stirrups and they did come out as I slid off..she caught herself finally and I was relieved, as she may have gotten me if she had come backwards and down.


She looked dejected and we just stood there figuring out what happened. We just walked on home..it was within sight. She cut her hip and leg on something as she hit the ground.so I put some "Sore No More" liniment on it for a few days and she was fine.


I will not attempt that again..though all the natural horsemanship trainers teach it..my mare is silly and I won't go down again trying it.....her "calm down" is to stop moving...even doing patterns gets her riled up if she is already headed there. I have to just stop her and ask her to put her head down an shut OFF the Adrenaline!

I have had some very nice arena rides and also other trail rides since that ICK day..don't know what it was but, next time she can't stop whinnying..I am not getting on her!

Monochrome Maniacs

Weeds Are Flowers Too, Once You get To know Them~

Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh


Please click on the title for more of Aileni's fun with MONO shots from participants around the world!

Sunday Stills Flowers & plants

Make A wish!!!
This day was so fun, working in the yard and having the camera handy for finding the odd shot, like below..an extinct "Chinese lantern". You could barely recognise it, a mere "shell" of it's former self. I laid it upon some bricks chips, to represent what color it used to be!

Of course I had to get my favorites...from my home growing up as a child..I naughtily loved to take these "Bleeding Heart" beauties apart...striping them of their pretty pink skirts! Mom was furious with me!

Thanks so much ED for this fun photography challenge! Please click the title to view more spring in flower/plant form today!

A Religion for Every day

I would be true, for there are those who

trust me;

I would be pure, for there are those

who care;

I would be strong, for there is much to

suffer;

I would be brave, for there is much to

dare.

I would be friend to all--to foe, to friend-

less;

I would be giving, and forget the gift;

I would be humble, for I know my weak-

ness;

I would look up, and laugh, and lift.

Horsey poll whadya think?

I have been allowing Washashe's mane to be growing and flowing for 11 months now...with the hopes of braiding it into a running braid for clinics and shows...well, it may be a while for those right now, though my riding mentor brought up shcooling shows today, as we did so well in our riding! There are some seasoned Dressage folk that sometimes read my place here,and I know it is out of character for a Thoroughbred's mane to be as hers is now..my sister would probably faint..but, she has not been to see us in awhile!

So..is it acceptable for me to do a running braid for shows ? Or should I buck up and do the hunter mane,and pull it next time I get her teeth done?

Yea or Nay ????? Be Honest!

Monochrome Monday

While waiting for my husbands flight to land at PDX I snuck a couple pix in..I had to sneak my way over to these really awesome Driftwood creations. I have gotten in trouble before with my camera in subways and airports...they don't want any secret documentation by people meaning to cause harm in the future. NOT I, just some pictures for todays fun.

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