spring Q

 

It's almost a perfect time to ride right now. The grass is bursting out and bright green, birds in the trees…and it is getting dusty. Seriously we've had no rain, in winter, for 40 days. After a wet December we're worrying about fire danger in February, yeah for California! 

ferns are not tasty but she had to try

As much as it is not my favorite, every time I ride Q we do a little warm-up in the arena. Most days she needs a brain-reminder that yes, work is an actual thing you have to do. Once she remembers that she actually has a job, and can listen to the not-unreasonable requests from the puny human atop her, we hit the trail. I don't have between the ears pictures because she is not exactly the type to stop and relax (we're working on it).

love this rock monolith

This little mare sure likes to go! Walking is fine but trotting is even better. She has a great, smooth trot, and just goes along like a metronome, incredible consistent. Up hills, on the flat, though we slow for most downhills. We've traveled about 15 miles a week, split between 2-3 ride, usually an easier forest walk/trot and then a faster or harder (more elevation) ride. 

posing as we hike an extra steep downhill

Last week I took her on the rock trail, which is yes, pretty much just all rocks, to see how she would do. I was only planning on doing a small portion, as it is very tough. The horse has to slow and think about their feet, as there is flat granite to cross, rock steps, rocks to clamber up, let alone all the ducking and dodging the rider must do as it is always overgrown.

tree tangle behind us, lots of trees fallen this year

Unsurprisingly, she loved the technical trail, she just seems to like to get out and see new trail. I had to work on making sure she stayed slow, because she probably would have bounded over all of it just fine at speed (but damn the rider!). Afterwards she was dripping sweat and still managed to try and spook when we got back to the staging area at the "unexpected" horse trailer she saw from 100 feet away, guess she was not THAT tired!

after workout snack

After rides I've been rewarding her with some of the tasty green grass. When she is all cleaned up after the ride she looks like she is glowing and that lasts all of about five minutes, then I put her back in paddock and she rolls.

pretty clean!

 We're enjoying our adventures, and there are fun updates ahead…