dam nice view

A very good ride, though some unexpected twists. When I got to the barn I didn't have a plan. It was hot, 98 or so. I was lazy. I got my saddle and stuff out, got Major from pasture, contemplated not going for a ride. But this week is busy, and this was my best opportunity.

Didn't want to ride in the hot arena, so just headed off down the trail. Thought maybe to stay in the forest where it is shady. Major was being good, so I thought maybe we'd go a bit further. I settled to heading towards Granite Bay. We went to a fabulous lookout point on the trails at Twin Rocks. These are very heavily traveled by mountain bikers, but I hadn't seen anyone. We were heading up a trail at a trot, and there was a biker coming down. I moved into the grassy side, kept moving, letting him go by. Didn't even think about it until later, when I realized I'd never been with Major and seen a bike. Guess they don't bother him! I do think it helps that I didn't care in the least. That was the only other person I saw all day. Guess it was too hot! At the top of the hill is a great view of the lake and the dam. Hadn't been on that trail in years!

Coming home up one hill Major did decide to not listen to my leg and the tree trunk was just too close. My knee will survive, but looked pretty ugly, and my new breeches will need a creative sewing job. Damn! For that we turned away from home and went down a big hill he doesn't like, sidepassing and listening the whole way...

On the way out we had a great pace, 7.5 mph, but coming home did slow a bit and do a lot of walking for the last 20 minutes, wanted to get Major cooled down. A good hosing off, good beet pulp snack and called it a night. He'll get a couple days off, and hopefully a ride on a newly revised Avery Pond trail on Friday.

trail miles

I'll be riding tonight, but a post by Karen Chaton about her horse Chief got me thinking. She wrote: "Some said that Chief was just too green but he had over 800 trail conditioning miles before going to his first endurance ride." When I worry about my goals, I'm going to remember this. Riding should be fun, and a goal can be farther away or closer, but the fun it takes to get there may be the best part. Just adding up the mileage this year, we're only at 165 miles. We have a long way to go. As Robert Frost wrote, "And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."

summer officially arrives

Last week was hot, and this week is supposed to be even hotter. Living in California, I knew it was coming, but 103 degrees still sneaks up on you. I'll be needing to get out and ride early or late...that'll be new for Major.

On Friday I took Major out with a friend. It was actually cloudy and we got a couple drops of rain. Didn't do a long ride, but he is improving with another horse. At one point however, he lost his brain a bit. The other horse had an obstacle that was causing some issues. Since Major was brave about it, we went first. But it was best for the other horse to do the horse-eating-rock-and-ditch obstacle a couple times. As the other horse turned away and went up the hill, Major thought he was being left! He pitched quite a little fit, which just made him do more work. He calmed right down, but here is a horse who is great alone, but 20 minutes with another horse on the trail and they're best friends. And at an endurance ride this would be multiplied, I know I have a lot of training to do!

This weekend a friend competed in her first endurance ride, and I met another woman who is retraining her trail horse after she took a bad fall. I love that there are so many people with so much passion, and while the end result may be different (endurance, trail, dressage, jumpers) in the end it is all the love of a horse.

why I ride

Days like this are why I ride. 80 degrees, warm breeze, Major on the trail having fun. Saddled up, headed out to the lake. The water is so high, so trails that usually are 40 feet above the water are only about 10! Kept the pace restrained going out, averaged 5.7 mph, which is pretty good on the rocky, narrow trails. I'm be afraid on wide-open trials, there'd be no stopping! We'll be working to get better brakes installed before anything like that. Major is very good about slowing on downhills and over rocks. At the staging area (4.75 mile mark) I went a bit farther just to check the trail. It was boring heading toward the dam, so headed back. I let Major trot (within safety limits) as fast as he wanted (the trail is wider, more open, mostly flat). He trotted the .71 miles back to the staging area at 13.8 mph! So that is his fast trot! I was amazed at that, but would rather keep it at a nice working trot. He is still fighting to go faster, but going home was a more sedate 7.3 mph. Total was 11 miles, I'd love to get a longer ride in, but am glad we're improving our trail behavior and time, there is time enough for other plans.

At home Major tried the complimentary De-Lyte Bites that were sent to us. I have never tried any electrolytes, and Major will eat almost anything (but not peppermints!). He took the treat from me, and did the "I'm chewing something different" face. That became the "look at me, I'm cute, I'd like more please" face. He got one more, I'll save the other two for now. He definitely thought they were yummy! I forgot to take them in my saddle bag, but they seem like they'd hold up well.

hot trails, hot horse

It is hot, and we're not used to it. Major was already sweating when I got him from pasture. In the shade it was not too bad, so I thought a nice ride in the forest would be good. We were having a nice time, mostly walking, when asked for a trot he was just in a mood to pull, and pull and pull. Faster and faster, I hate that contest. I "win" but am not happy about the behavior. We'll be working on it. We worked on stopping lightly from voice and seat, on backing, on listening. Having the lesson last week reminded me of the holes in his education as well. Holes that I need advice on how to fill. I talked with the trainer, who is willing to take me on some trail rides, as it is hard to replicate the behaviors in the arena. I'm looked forward to it, better communication for all of us.

lesson

I'm proud of my horse. Last week was really busy, and didn't have much time for riding. I worked in the arena on Wednesday, cantering circles both directions! It is something I've never much worked on. He did object one time with a buck, but right back to work fixed that. On Thursday I decided to try the group lesson at the stable down the road. We rode over to the stable, where there are lots of scary thing: picnic tables, chickens, other horses, a pig. Major saw the pig, his eyes went wide and head up...but then I walked him over to it, he smelled it, nosed it, and then thought it was a toy (it was not he had to be reminded, it was Buckley the pig). Once that was over, Major was more interested in some leftover food.

Into the lesson, with six other horses! Places in the arena were a bit unsettling: a pallet next to the fence, horses eating on the other side. But once we started working and trotting he forgot most of it, and realized this was work! And in an arena! And he didn't like it! He tried to stop a couple times, to remind me that he was done, we'd practiced enough. Well, we hadn't so we rode, with everyone else, rode in pairs a couple items, cantered some, all without much fuss. The best part of the night was when the trainer (who helped me when I was buying Major) said he'd come a long way. I was a proud parent all night!

scuba horse

Sunday was hot, probably the hottest day of the year. And Major did NOT want to leave the stable, where he'd just finished breakfast. It was too early, too hot, too much work. But we took the same trail as Friday, with the intention of going to Avery Pond. Got out on the trail, he moved out just fine. We did walk a lot in the shade, neither of us motivated to keep trotting. At Rattlesnake was when I discovered my scuba horse! We waded into the water, where about 10 times he dunked his entire head, up to the browband, into the lake! He wasn't that hot, I think he was just playing! I really want to take this horse swimming, I bet he'd love it. He is also a hippo (which makes sense, hippopotamus meaning water horse!) and enjoys eating the wet weeds that are under the water. We went past this about a half mile, but my ambition for Avery Pond was flagging.

Going home we picked up the pace...but a bit too much. At one point I lost all brakes, not fun! And making me realize we need more schooling. In the arena this is not a problem, but rating is becoming a tug-of-war, not what I want. After the small battle, all was OK, and we got home in one hot piece. I was going to do some arena work,I know I need to, but the sun was blazing and Major got a good hosing off, a carrot and a roll in the dirt.

friday adventures

Not working on Friday has great advantages. This week was slightly overcast, not too hot, and I hit the trail with a friend. Took her to Rattlesnake, where she hadn't been in awhile, our horses got along nicely. Her horse Dune has a nice even trot, I put Major in behind and he learned to slow down and just deal with it. I need many more miles of that! Putting him in front and letting him trot more quickly made her horse canter, we didn't want to do that. The lake was full, buckeye trees are blooming, there is still a bit of green tot the grass, and good company: a good adventure.

back in the saddle

One week of rain, one week of being sick, I was pretty nervous about what two weeks off had done to my horse! I thought i'd just take a short ride around the forest. Tacked up as usual, headed for the arena. After about four laps, I was bored (I know, I need to work on this) and we headed for the gate. Major was a bit reluctant up the road and in the beginning of the forest, I think he though that life was just hanging out in pasture eating. At one point he was lagging and I worried he was lame/felt off/something. I turned for home...and got a ground-eating sound trot...ok, no problems but laziness!

Once we got onto the lake trials, he was great. He remembered our latest agreement, trot the flats and uphills, must walk the downhills and slow over rocks. At one point going up a slight hill be started cantering. I probably should have pulled him back, but he was being good (not running off) and I knew right where we were and how we'd stop at the top. It was great fun! He didn't make me nervous, maybe I have to trust him on that. Certainly need to work on our cardio, but so very few places to canter more than 100 feet. Need that trailer to find more places to explore!

Went up to the lake by Los Lagos, hadn't been there before with him. Unfortunately the trail through Los Lagos is overgrown...the owners probably like it like that, not having to share their fancy space, but it was a nice trail. Going home was pretty good, he did want to canter at two other points going home, and was being a bit of a brat, so I actually let him because the hill is really steep...gee, about half-way up he thought that cantering was too hard, but I made him continue anyway. At the top of one hill we cantered up and came upon a hobbled mule and owner relaxing! Major wasn't even spooked by their sudden appearance. The mule was beautiful, and I'd love Major learn how to hobble.

I'm proud of my horse, two weeks off and really just his usual self. Which yes, still has his issues, but most days I really can see the progress from 10 months ago when I bought him. I certainly hope the weather will start behaving like California again, all this rain every couple weeks is strange. We're not supposed to have rain May–September!

fun and fast

I hadn't planned on a fast ride, just a short one. But it ended up being a great time, fast and (mostly) behaved, making me proud of my horse! Saturday I didn't want to spend all day at the barn (well, I would have but house and home and friends are important too, balance, right?). Went out and was ready to ride at 10. Thought I'd do a short loop up the road, to Sterling then Horseshoe Bar.

At Sterling a boy scout group was working on an Eagle Scout project (installing benches, nice) so we skirted our usual trail. Heading to Horseshoe Major was good, some trot and walk, a balance for us both. We did so much trotting though (since he was behaving and rating!) that we were there really quickly! I looked at my watch...there was time, I'd go towards Rattlesnake a bit...ended up going the whole way! At one point we did a lovely fast trot (10+ mph) for close to 10 minutes. I know that isn't much for some people, but these trails are tricky, and we haven't had much time for the big extended trot. Major slowed pretty nicely over rocks, around corners, down steep hills, listening quite well, and maintained a slower trot in other sections.

We may finally have some sort of agreement on having more than one trot speed, something I'm very happy about. The most fun though was at Rattlensnake Bar. The lake is so high, I found a nice spot where the dirt road disappears into the lake, to get Major a drink. I'd dismounted and held the reins as a leadrope. He sniffed the water's edge a couple times, then dove right in! He drank with all four feet in the water, kept going deeper, put almost his whole head under a couple times, and I think he would have gone swimming if I hadn't stopped him! It didn't look safe since the water dropped off sharply, plus all my tack did not need to get wet, but someday that would be fun.

He was refreshed, we were heading home, I was expecting a fight. Other than a couple times of running off (and being circled into bushes, highly annoying) we was very good, and seemed to figure out I'd let him trot if he'd walk the downhills and slow down over the rocks and bridges. Coming home we took a new trail, when I turned him onto it he didn't even question, just kept trotting. I love how brave he is. After about a 1/2 mile he questioned where were were going, convinced it wasn't the way home. We just kept going, and when I had to dismount and walk along the road, the light bulb moment on his face "Oh. Now I know where we are!" was just too funny.

It was fast and fun, he did the whole thing barefoot no problems, the more miles the better everything is getting (feet, behavior, relationship). He got two carrots for being good and a roll in the dirt...life is good.

renegade boot testing

Friday I thought I'd do a short ride with the fitted Renegades, just to try them out. Major stood fine while i put them on, tightened them, and went into the arena. Tried them out in there for a bit, then went out on the trail. He'd been going on the side of the gravel road to avoid the big sharp rocks (it's not nice smooth rocks, but sharp shale) and he tried to stay to the side still, getting used to them maybe? Went out on the trail, into the forest. Went through the water (looked down to check the boots…still on) and short mud area (looked down to check the boots…still on). Picked up a trot, went up and down some hills (looked down to check the boots…still on)at the end cantered up a nice hill (looked down to check the boots…still on). The best part was knee-deep sucking mud (no, I didn't know it was that bad before we went in!). Boots still on!

Could have done a faster ride if I didn't keep stopping to check! But I was nervous, didn't want them to rub him, didn't want to lose my investment! Heading home Major was a bit of an idiot, do we did some work near the creek (not rushing, etc). We went into the water, back out, some spinning...and then I saw the boot just sitting in the trail by the water, he'd stepped completely out of it! Gaiter hadn't held it on, so I think I can make them a bit tighter. I'd been worried about over-tightening, but I think he stepped on himself while dancing around. Of course the boot was muddy, Major's foot was muddy, but I was able to get it back on, more on principal than necessity (we were less than 10 minutes from home). Major stood while I fussed, which I was glad for.

Back home we cantered in the arena with boots, then later had to hose all the mud and sand out of the boot and velcro. It's another chore, but didn't take that long, so not really a hassle. He seemed to move nicely, I think they'll be great for some rides on super hard ground or rocks, but hopefully most of the time he won't need them as his feet get stronger and stronger.

the horrors of cows

Major got extra carrots on his birthday, even one on his beet pulp, and some nice grazing. Then I tormented him with a cow! There is a new little cow in the field next door, it was standing near the edge where we can walk. So I nonchalantly walked Major up, who was completely engrossed in trying to eat everything green in sight. Then he looked up and went into full Arab mode, snorting, tail up, prancing (he looked lovely). He was still respecting my space, so I just watched as he danced around on the end of the lead rope. Finally realizing the cow couldn't come any closer, he put his head down to suspiciously eat the weeds. If the cow moved at all his head came popping up! Now I'm contemplating evil ways to expose him even more to this horse-eating creature. Ha! Happy birthday!

happy birthday Major

Major turns 7 today. I've heard so many people think that they start getting their brains at this age, so my wish for Major is that our work together begins sinking in and we become a better team with every ride. He'll get an extra carrot today, and maybe some good grazing time. Happy birthday pony!

long, slow ride

My plans keep being revised, but I really think it is all OK, we're both learning. I want to expose Major to many types of rides, so Saturday saddled up with another boarder and went to Granite Bay. She doesn't usually go that way (doesn't like the cliffs) but was willing to come along. Major can always take the lead in a scary situation, he is brave about things like that. It is a trail I've done before, about 11 miles round trip, usually takes me about 2 hours, with a break in the middle.

We rode for 3.5 hours...mostly walk, a very little trot. It was good for Major. He (and I) were a little bored, but rides like that are good for him (and me to learn patience). He had to follow, stay back, go down hills slowly, it was all good. Both horses behaved themselves, we encountered hikers, runners and other horses, mud, rocks, tight trails and got home all in one piece, That is a successful trail ride. This week we'll be back to our regular scheduled program, but it is nice to know Major can be a slow casual trail horse if the need arises.

it started out badly

This afternoon I was really looking forward to a good fast ride. I tacked up, started heading out, and another boarder ran up, telling me our barn manager had fallen in the forest and the horse was loose! That's one of the scariest things. You have to cross a road with fast traffic to get to our barn, so a loose horse is always scary. I made sure the barn manager would be OK, and headed right out on a search mission for the horse. Major and I trotted all over, I think he knew we had a mission, the horse was expected to come home in a couple particular places, so we searched that area. Luckily, after about 1/2 an hour, I got a call that they'd found the horse and everyone was OK. I sighed with relief, and after that just rode all over the forest, lots of hills, lots of trotting. I think Major was confused as we didn't have a destination, but he was good, it ended on a positive note.

shiny orange renegades

Yesterday Major tried on his new boots. My trimmer came and did a nice trim, then helped me with the cables and straps. We'd done it once before, but had just tried them on, not fitted them. I think the orange is great, and we walked around, trotted as well, no issues. He didn't even seem to notice that he had something new on his feet (maybe because the farrier's daughter was feeding him carrots). For now, I really don't think I'll use them much, he is happy barefoot on the trails, but the trails are getting harder and drier, his pasture is beginning to be being watered, and the difference between the two might be too much. I'll definitely go on a few short rides just to see how they fit, make sure there isn't any rubbing, get everything set for the summer. I know some people look at the boots as a hassle, but I see them as just another piece of tack to learn about and use, and look forward to many miles!

these are the days...

After all the previous fretting, then there are days like yesterday. It was 87 degrees when I started the ride, hottest day of the year so far. I had considered doing my usual loop, but thought i'd rather just ride in the forest, in the shade. Major was so good! On the way to the first lookout we walked, trotted, even a little canter nicely. He thought we were turning for home, and thought he could go faster, but after a reminder he settled in. I refound an old trail, it has amazing views, some fun places to canter up hills, and some major issues! Now I remember why we abandoned using this trail; it is full of ruts and overhanging trees and more leg-eating gullies. It was good to see Major work out footing issues, he did think we were going the wrong way and kept wanting to turn back. I convinced him otherwise and when we popped up on the big trail you could almost see the recognition.

Once we were on familiar trail we did have one running off issue. On what we call the "trotting trail" we were doing just that when he picked up a canter. He wouldn't slow down, I couldn't circle, we cantered for about 50 feet before I could get him to stop. We immediately went back into a slow trot where he had to listen. The rest of the trip home was uneventful. We walked on a loose rein through the meadows, quail flying up, Major snatching bites of grass, blue skies. Through the creek (he wouldn't drink) and towards home (where he drank at the guest horse trough). He was sweaty, I was tired, but I washed him off and turned him out in the arena (cleaner to roll!). He cantered off, bucking, twisty head, happy. After five tough miles he still has plenty to burn.

And the saddle seems to be fitting...strange how one day it makes him sore, and not another. we'll just use it for awhile and see.

training vs. conditioning: my take on it

Love the Boots and Saddles blog. Today she has a great discussion of training vs. conditioning. I've been thinking about this a lot as well. I read all these blogs and people are sooo far beyond me, I think it's hopeless, but remember that they were once where I am (maybe?). I think I have this discussion with Major all the time. I want him to be independent, bold, think though scenarios, take care of himself. Some time he does: he slows down through bad footing, approaches scary things to take a look before reacting, will always eat. Many times he doesn't: rushing down hills, crowding other horses, hating the water trough on trail. Sometimes it is a combination of the two: he shouldn't have gone so fast and started sliding in the rain, but he caught himself, balanced with a rider and managed to get us to level ground safely.  

I think all our rides are training rides at this point. I'd certainly like them to be conditioning rides, but he needs so much help right now to make some of the decisions (not needing to trot 12mph all the time, find some consistency). Sometimes this is not fun. I occasionally miss the rides with well-trained horses where we trotted and cantered whenever I wanted, only thinking about where we were going, when we'd be back. It is so hard to see the progress when it is right in front of you, but 6 months ago we could barely go on the trail alone, now we go 10 miles and have established a (small) partnership.

I'm trying to be consistent, but there are so many options. When he starts getting rushed, I can circle, back up, more work (like sidepassing), turn around the other direction, go home to the arena and work. But at the trot, I want him to be trotting, not those other things. So he speeds up, takes a canter step, and I pull him back to a trot: allowing him to trot since that is what I've asked for. But then when to get different speeds out of the trot? Is that the next step, or work on it now?

When does he get to make decisions, and then when is my turn? I give him his head to pick through rocks, but on the smooth ground after that he isn't allowed to canter like he wants. He can trot toward home, until we get to the upper pasture, then all walking only. I'm probably confusing my horse, but luckily, with the best of intentions and we're somehow muddling through.

may day ride

I thought yesterday was May 1, but no, I just can't read the calendar. So it wasn't a May Day ride, just a nice one. Took Major out with a new horse, good friend brought her mare, who was in heat. Major may have learned something by almost getting kicked on Friday's ride, or he knew not to mess with this pretty thing, but he stayed back and was a good boy. The wind was crazy again, and we were in the forest, with trees and bushes blowing every which way. The trail would be moderately calm, then we'd come around the corner to a blasting gale! Both horses didn't even seem to mind, but we kept it safe and stayed at a walk. The mare called a few time, I think Major was wondering what she was talking about.

My favorite is that the mare very nicely goes down hills, using herself well, nice and slow. Major was behind and had to do the same thing. I can certainly tell the difference between his usual scrabbling and me pulling on him and his nice downhill walk. Now that I know he can do it, I'll be sure to ask for that walk!

Only bad part, and it's a big one, is that Major's back was sore to touch (dipping his back) after our ride. Well, of course it's been more than a week, but I don't really care if I have to sell the saddle myself, I just want something that fits! I'll see how he is today, we'll do a quicker ride, need to get some energy out (of both of us!)

spring fever

Left work early Friday (with approval from the boss) to ride, the weather was just too perfect. It ended up being really windy, wind-tunnel type windy. People at the barn were warning about spooking and telling of scary scenarios...the ride was fine. They are much more fair-weather riders, and are great in the arena and jumping, things I'm bad at, but I want to hit the trail! Went out with a friend, rode to Rattlesnake Bar. The trail was slippery in places from the recent rain, so we kept is very slow, but that is fine with me. Major needs that kind of ride too.

On the way out Major was in front. My friend's horse was a bit jumpy, he usually is a little bit, and we like to keep his actions to a minimum. Major was bold and brave over rocks and bridges, next to cliffs, down by the water, all was good. Turned for home, both horses liked that! Put the other horse in front, Major didn't especially like that, and I spent the next 4 miles keeping him back. Obnoxious, and did manage to get too close and cause the other horse to kick. I felt terrible about that, I need to stay on top of Major, and not make other riders worry!

All in all a nice ride though. I was a bit uncomfortable in the saddle, I'm hoping because it was a longer ride in a newish saddle.

shopping...

Too many potential purchases:
Blanket. Not for everyday use, but for trips where the weather might be very different from home (the mountains or beach). Just waterproof, fill or not?

Saddle pad. I don't think i'm going to like this thinline for long-term use. If I need the front shims, maybe Woolback with inserts? I have a black Cookback that I like. Maybe I should just try it first...

Bridle. I like the Beta one I have, but with his in-between size head (not arab, not horse) I hate how the sidepieces ride up so close to his eye.

Bit. Losing the battle sometimes hasn't been fun. I know he needs more training, but maybe a little more bit will help. Kimberwick? Myler combo (both have been recommended).

Saddle Packs. I need to have some supplies and a snack with me. In the summer I don't have anything with pockets, so need to find something that works. Stowaway?

Seat cover. Not sure if I need this, or if I'll like it. But the new nice saddle being leather and me riding in bad weather and fighting scratchy branches make me think I'd like the saddle protected and even more comfy.

On the dream list: trailer and truck! Yes, it would be great fun to trailer to far-off and close destinations and experience new trails, but really, being such a worrier, I'd really like it for emergencies. Even for basic vet maintenance, that farm call is a lot of the price (about 1/2 the price of my Spring vaccinations bill). Not many trailers at my ranch, except that of the owner, and I know in a true emergency I could use it, but not having options other times is tough. Of course, this expense does just sit there a majority of the time. I can't buy the truck without help from significant other, that's a big investment for anyone.

Then there are the little things I don't need: my halter is all faded and not as pretty as it was. My brush tote doesn't match anything. I can deal with that.

I am grateful to be able to think of these things right now. But having the emergency fund for the vet is the most important, I won't be using any of that money. Most of these things are eventualities, but long long term.

i'm melting...

That is what Major was thinking yesterday! After lunch with friends I took the afternoon to get another ride in the saddle. I only have 7 days to make sure it fits us both. It had been cloudy all day, but just threatening. Of course I put on the saddle, adjust the bridle, and the rain starts coming down, pouring down! Ack, my trial saddle, nice leather, ack! We don't have a barn, but went under the cover by the hay (so Major got an early snack). It let up after a few minutes, so decided I didn't melt and hit the trail.

Major thought this was a terrible idea. He is a huge wimp when it come to rain, is the first to run for his shelter, looking at you pitifully and act miserable. I told him he was a horse and he could deal with it! We started out grudgingly up the road at a walk. The trails were super slick, so walk was all I wanted to do. Major was an anxious jerk, hating the rain, at one point going to fast, losing his footing, and slipping down a steep hill. I gave him his head to let him balance himself, and then we had a discussion that the trails were fine for walking but anything more was silly.

I did cut the ride short and only was out for 40 minutes, 2.5 miles. We got home safely and of course, the rain stopped, hints of sun came out. He was now acting like he loved me making cute faces, so he got his evening supplements early...but still got turned back into the wet pasture. Where he went and stood by the gate to his night-time paddock. Horses...

two weeks off and...

Monday I wanted to try out the new saddle, get a feel for it on hills, flats, etc. Did our usual 5-mile loop. He walks out really nicely in the saddle, freedom of movement in the shoulder? But it is so hard to judge if it is the saddle, or he just likes getting out! He did really want to go and move, a bit too much on one of the hills! We had to do some emergency braking action. I'm inserting random stops into the rides, it is nice to see how quickly he figures it out: I say whoa and we back up a few steps. Over and over...

The weather was brisk, it was windy and a storm was coming in. A few of the trails have been nicely regraded, a few new links put in, that was fun to discover and fun for Major to see (he didn't flinch except at a scary mud-hole off to the side). We scared up turkeys, deer and flocks of quail. Once I got home I unsaddled and checked the sweat patterns. It is so hard to tell! There is definitely an imprint from the thinline pad, I worry that it is too thin, i'd like to use my Coolback pad, but for this testing session i'll stick with what the saddlefitters gave me to try.

I did feel secure in the saddle, even through quick circles and jumping up hills. It puts my leg a bit more beneath me, which is nice. I think I could even drop the stirrups a hole. I'm going to give it another try today, probably not as fast, but for longer time. I'm so worried about any back soreness, there are just so many variables!

new saddle

The weather was spectacular this weekend. I didn't ride because of my ill-fitting Wintec. But yesterday afternoon the saddlefitters came, we put on my new saddle, it is so comfy! It had been a few months since I'd ridden in it, so I was a bit nervous. I'm used to nice sticky suede seat, but in the new saddle felt secure, didn't lean forward, leg wasn't swinging, all things I'd always had to work so hard on, maybe a lot of it was saddle fit and not me (well, some of it, I have plenty of issues). We worked in the arena, Major felt good, wanted to canter, and we were able to circle the arena both directions, which we had a hard time with before! I think we both felt good in the saddle.

I have a week to try it out. I'm hopefully going to get some good rides in, I really need to test it, check his back, see how we feel on the trail. I'm going out tonight, and hopefully a long ride on Friday. So far the only downside, now I have to clean a saddle and not hose it off...

blue skies finally

The last two weeks have been so frustrating. Spring usually comes and stays! Rain every few days doesn't make for good riding weather. It made the trails mucky again, my favorite trail is covered by the lake, I was in a funk. I'll ride in the rain, but then I had the added issue of Major's saddle not fitting. It had been fine, I think the increase in work has changed his back. So I'm not riding until I get my new saddle, even a short ride last weekend made him sore.

But good news, the new saddle is coming on Sunday! The great saddle fitters I used  (www.saddlesthatfit.com) have a used Arabian Saddle Company Solstice Endurance. When I rode in it a few months ago it felt secure, and was the best fit. I'll have a week to try it out (of course they're calling for more rain). Can't wait to seriously hit the trails again, I feel like i'm going through withdrawals.

Good luck this weekend to everyone at the American River Classic. That is one tough trail!

full of it

Two days of rain, wet turnout, cooped up horses. Handwalked on Monday in the rain, a little frisky, not bad. Yesterday went to get him in the pasture and he was galloping around, up and down the hill, a great extended trot up to me! I had the feeling he'd be a handful, so turned him out in the arena. Now, this horse usually just trots over and eats some grass growing through the fence. Yesterday he went cantering around, knocked over a couple jumps (not a jumping prospect!), was all about his Arab self, proud and prancing and just showing how pretty he is!

But it was work time, which wasn't a ride, but a 4-mile loop hike. I needed the hike as much as him, but it sure would have been easier to ride. We had some discussions (the entire time!) about manners, snatching grass, jumping puddles, etc. Really proved to me (though I didn't need it proven) that full-time turnout is truly best. I don't like the paddock-at-night situation, but it is currently my best option.

We'll see what today brings...

barefoot

In the last month I've ridden 55+ miles (those are just the GPS trail miles), all barefoot, over some pretty tough terrain. Major's feet are looking better and better. I know there is plenty of room for improvement, but he is sound on all the trails we've ridden on, enjoying himself and I am happy with the growth i'm seeing.

As a caveat, I will say that taking photos of your horses feet with your iPhone is not the easiest task. Some of the shots are just the best angle I had, both in the February pictures and the new April versions. I'll hopefully get better at this (and use my real camera!) It is hard to hold the clean foot, juggle the camera, hit the button...in the first set the ground was wet and he put his feet down, sorry for the mess!

February 1:

Comparing the two I can finally see the frog filling out, and maybe the heels decontracting a tiny bit. No deep sulcus any more (thanks to Pete Ramey's goo). I'm looking forward to more months of improvement.

April 10:

one fast ride

Saturday was...interesting. The weather that had been perfect all week turned overcast and windy. Not too windy to ride, I knew with the storm coming in this would be my last chance for a few days. Also, my main trail was being used by the American River 50 runners. Saddled up, warmed up by walking up the road, and off we went. Going out Major kept wanting to turn for home, trying to turn at every fork. At least he knows the way home! He was being spooky from the wind in the trees, i knew he was just being silly. Got out to the lake, just told him to go. We trotted everywhere we could (some places too rocky, blind corners, scary logs, hikers), he was nice and controlled, kept a good pace all the way to Beeks Bight. Once there we had some people asking questions, so we had to nicely stand while people called him "Trigger," asked if we'd escaped from Santa Anita and told stories about her sister's dressage horse...sigh, I really don't mind, but really did just want to ride!

Going home was the interesting part. I've had this discussion with him before: you can keep trotting but keep it controlled. OK, I lost that discussion. We had one section of 13 mph trot, glad he can do it but he is really not paying attention at that point. Still hate pulling on him, be he isn't unseating me, or trying to canter as often, so maybe a tiny bit of improvement? We were almost back (we'd redirected a lost runner), still getting attitude, so we trotted up a big steep hill...that helped. Got home, he's not even warm at that point, barely even broke a sweat. Need to do more aerobic activity and get a heart rate monitor.

Sunday I checked on him (in the rain) he was happy to eat his beet pulp under the shelter. But his back was sore! Damn! I think these longer rides are showing that the saddle doesn't fit that well. Today I emailed the saddle fitting folks, they have the one i'd tried out in February, so i'll be taking that on trial soon. Good and bad, that's horse life.

Hoof boots

Fun news with hoof boots! Major really hasn't need any, his feet are looking better and better, starting to grow some more heel and slowly decontract. He is a bit tender on big sharp gravel, but rocks, sand, dirt trails he's just great. I'm pleasantly surprised since his pasture is soft and irrigated, but I think all the movement with our rides is really helping.

I decided or order some boots now, trimmer didn't think his feet would change much more for awhile, recommended the Renegades for ease of use. Trimmer came on Tuesday, fitted the boots, they're fun orange and look great. Easy to use, Major didn't even care that they were on. Didn't get to try them out, need to do some fine-tuning, but am hoping to on a short ride. I really don't think i'll be using them unless we trailer somewhere or in summer when the trails get rock hard, but I know we need to ride with them, break them in, learn about any issues, etc.

I will take some feet photos as a baseline this week. It is hard when I go to the great barefoot sites and see those perfect hooves, Major is not there yet. But he is sound, they are so much better than they were, and it's a process. I have to remind myself that I try as hard as I can but my conditions aren't ideal (i'd love turnout on well-drained sand and rocks and acres of pasture to run in, i'd even love just pea gravel) but I do what I can with feed, care, riding, etc. Horse guilt, i know we all have it...

catching up

Some great spring weather, and then rain (but I was out of town), now beautiful again. Before I left town visited a fun local park. Not many trails, but very well maintained, a nice outing. Leaving the park is a great uphill gravel road, pretty long (1/2 mile). Just let Major trot up the whole thing, got the big extended trot, little attitude. Let's just say that was different than yesterday's ride.

I've ridden for 3 days straight, not too hard, but enough to make him think (I thought). Went out with a friend last night. The evening is gorgeous, put Major in behind (he can learn to deal with it) fine until trotting when he becomes an annoying giraffe. I thought it was great practice. My friends' horse got spooky at some silly things, I took over the lead. Major just wanted to go, full-tilt! Have to figure out a good way to rate him without hanging on his face. We went up big hills, tried not to jig down them, and ended up having a nice ride.

The lupine along the lake are spectacular, and indian paintbrush along the Pioneer Express Trail in full bloom. Lake is getting full, soon the lake/canal trail will be underwater for the season. This weekend an endurance run, in 2 weeks the American River Classic on that same trail. The trail between Granite Bay and Sterling Point, I sure can't imagine doing that in a ride/race. No passing, nasty rocks and dropoffs, watch for the poison oak. And ticks...had one crawling on my forehead last night, eewww!