go. just go.

I'm back, in body if not in spirit. If you haven't been to Glacier National Park, it must be on your bucket list. Hiked for miles, touched a glacier, saw mountain goats, big horn sheep, a distant bear and many chipmunks, and just sat and enjoyed the amazing view, peace and quiet. Hundreds of pictures can't do it justice, so I'll just give you a few. (No retouching, the colors are like this!)

Lake McDonald

On the Road to the Sun at a traffic stop, a small view...

Avalanche Lake

Oh so cute, fuzzy mountain goats

trail ride to Sperry Chalet

Lake Josephine

The trail to Grinnel Glacier

Grinnel Lake, Lake Josephine, Lake Shurburne

I hate being in pictures. But this is an awesome picture. I should BE this awesome.

Upper Grinnel Lake and the Grinnel Glacier (mostly out of picture to the left)

Entering Blackfoot Indian territory

Turning autumn

view from our hotel room at Many Glacier

Sunrise from the balcony

And if you're going to go, you've got about 15 years before the glaciers are gone. There is a very cool research project of the glaciers, repeat photos: same locations, years apart. This one is almost the same picture I took, and the others are just as fascinating. So go!

It was hard to come home from a vacation like that, but I did miss the horse and cat. My cat was well cared for and still pissed off when I got there. She followed me around incessantly when I was home, crying to never leave again. Then asked to go outside. Whatever. Major didn't care I was gone, he got good care and was spoiled (as usual). And happy I did not bring home a pet mountain goat. But he was happy to get out and go for a good ride, out in the woods, on the trails, though not quite the same...

traveling

Horse is staying home, I'm going on an adventure.

Glacier National Park, photo by National Park Service

Hopefully I won't be eaten by a grizzly, but will hike, see mountain goats and touch a glacier…

Glacier National Park, photo by National Park Service

conversation with Major: home

Ride time!
It's been a while.
I know, I'm busy at work and you were a little hurt.
My leg was broken.
No, you had a scrape and it was swollen, and I couldn't quite see if you were OK, so you got to rest. But it all looks good now.
I think it is still broken, and I should just eat grass on a walk.
You eat grass all day in your pasture.
It's not GOOD grass, it is OLD grass I have walked on.
We'll find you some good grass on the ride, how about that.
OK, you promised.

No, I'd rather not go there.
Is something out there?
No, I mean, yes. Monsters.
Um, no, I think you're being silly.
I'm not silly, you are silly who does not think there are monsters in the woods. At home there are not monsters.
We're still going to the lookout, it has been awhile.

Look, look, deer!
I see her, she is standing right there, you're fine.
Oh, I'm fine. Yeah, I knew that. I'm not afraid of deer.
I know, you're brave, let's keep going.
I think we should turn for home now, I'm traumatized.
Just pick up your feet and trot.
So much work, going away from home.

Oh, I like this sandy trail, TROT!
Seriously, the one time you need to walk, there are too many stabby branches. WHACK! Good thing I have a helmet on Major, slow down.
I don't have a helmet, maybe I need a helmet, my head is nice and pretty.
You don't need a helmet. You can duck and I'm way up here.
Fine, I will walk, but this is a fun canter hill.
Just wait, and we'll go soon.
Wheeee!
See, now we're at the top and we can rest. My shadow reminds me of Don Quixote.
What? Donkeys? Where?
No, my parents had a Don Quixote statue that was tall and skinny and looked like that, and kind-of freaked me out as a kid.
Should I freak out at the shadow-man?
No, you're fine, just stand.

You know, that is the way home.
I know.
That way.
Yes, I know.
I am looking towards home.
I know, good trail horse.
We could leave now.
We're fine. Just wait.
Now?
10 seconds later does not count as later. Just stand.
Fine. Standing. Waiting, mmm, dead grass.
You do not need to eat that.
You promised you'd get me a snack.
There isn't any good grass here, on the road home there is good stuff.
Home?
Yes, we can go now.

Oh, fun, let's go, trot trot, TROT!
Keep it reasonable dude, this is just a short easy ride, for relaxing, not working.
But we're going home now!
I know.
HOME.
Yes.
I do not think you understand.

See, yummy grass.
Not so sure.
You wanted green grass.
Maybe I don't like this.
Then let's walk on, we'll get you dinner at home.
OH, THIS grass. THIS grass is delicious. You should have said so. Let's just stay here.
We have to get home, and clean you up, and dinner is soon.
Home? No, I'm good, we can just stay here.

Seriously?
Yes Major. You can wear it.
I don't want to, I look silly.
I know, that's the best part.

housekeeping

shiny horse shames my dirty tack

I was supposed to clean all my tack and assorted accoutrements when Major was on rest for a month. That didn't happen.

So I finally took a day, and decided to give it my all. The saddle was the worst, so dusty and sad. After cleaning it looks so pretty I almost don't want to ride in it...almost! I do wish that the black leather didn't fade, but when clean it looks almost black, but soon dries again to light-black gray-brown. Damn.

Actually, the saddle bags may have been the worst. How to describe it…I can't, see the photo evidence:

pack rat in my saddle bag? Nope, just my stuff

The usual: granola bar, glow stick, string, gum, fruit snacks, chapstick, vet wrap, matches, bandana, loose almonds, mummified carrots. Yes, the foreground objects are not hairballs from the cat, but mummified carrots, months old. I am rarely disgusted, but yuck!

The rest of the tack is much easier to wash, just hose off.

lovely orange again, not dusty rust-colored

I also finally got around to washing the winter blanket last worn at the endurance ride in June. Yeah, should have gotten to that sooner! I also ordered a new rainsheet (on clearance from Smartpak, if your horse is a smaller size sometimes you can find good deals there!).

clean, won't last long

I even painted the rubber feed pan! Easier for the barn to distinguish his pan from the others.

Major Danger gets a new feed pan

I was running low on supplements, and ordered Major his California Trace (upgraded to the Plus, shipped to me and delivered the next day, awesome service), picked up bags of beet pulp and grass hay pellets, and fed him many carrots. Housecleaning accomplished! (Oh, the actual house…well, I left the Roomba running in the kitchen, does that count?)

skillman adventure

Even with access to such great trails, you can get a little bored, so I'd been wanting to trailer out somewhere. I was going to head out by myself, but friend S and horse Cisco gladly joined us, and we headed up the hill to Skillman (where the Wild West ride was held) where the weather would be cooler and we could explore the trails.

Monday was beautiful, there was almost no one in the campground, and we parked outside the gates and tacked up. I am a little familiar with the trails, having camped there two years ago and doing the endurance ride, but S hadn't explored much, since she was unfortunately pulled on the first loop of Wild West. So we headed out on the trail I knew, planning for about a 15-mile ride.

early on, didn't want to stop = blurry photo

The trails are mostly well-packed dirt, though we did manage to find a few good rocky places (and take photos mostly there, what was up with that?). Major went along nicely, though we avoided cantering, as Cisco was being a bit of a brat. Major and Cisco are both content to lead or follow, and we took the trail towards the White Cloud campground and Highway 20. The trails weaves along a dirt bank with trees very close, knee-clobbering close! (I only got a little clobbered once.)

happy exploring

actual evidence I was riding! Most pictures are just ones I take with ears

We encountered quite a few cyclists and hikers, all were very polite. A group of kids pet a patient Major, one kid saying "I like the mark on his nose. This mark, right here," pointing to Major's dot in his blaze. I remember being that kid, and I like letting kids pet the horses. We went through forest and scrub, dirt and rock, single track and road, and circled back to the trailer after 13 miles. The horses were willing to drink a bit, and Major chowed down on hay, while Cisco rested. We ate PB&J and then headed back out. Major seemed raring to go, Cisco was more subdued.

But then we found a lovely trail. And put Major in front to do his nice, quiet canter, but Cisco wanted none of that! Major thought a fire-breathing dragon was behind him, and got nervous, so we switched places. Putting Cisco in front S really let him go, and moving out he was happy to canter along. Cisco is a bit faster than Major, and Major puts his ears back in serious mode and motors along. It is so nice to find a spot for a sustained canter, and we let them continue up the road, to a clearing.

Major and I coming down the trail

S and Cisco on the trail ahead

And then headed back, though some of the home trail was really rocky. Both horses stopped to slurp out of a tiny puddle, they hadn't had enough at the lunch stop! We were almost back though,and when untacked, took them to the trough where they finally drank and drank. It took 19 miles for them to figure that out! We also sponged the horses, and Major rolled in the dirt (muddy now) and then was shivering. So S loaned me Cisco's cooler, and Major seemed fine. The water was awfully cold, and Major was not that hot. Next time I'll just wait till we get home, dirty horse or not.

We drove home, down the hill, where it was much hotter. We turned them out in the arena, where both horses just wanted to snack on weeds. Major actually looked like he wanted to go back in his paddock, so I turned him out where he promptly rolled in the grass, trotted up to check on his hay situation (plenty of leftover breakfast) and trotted to the trough for a big drink.

shake it off, buddy!

Pretty easy to just go an hour away to escape the heat for a fun adventure. And this was the longest ride we'd done in months, Major was in great shape, bright-eyed and happy, no issues with his healed splint. It is so heart-warming to seem him happy on the trail, in his element. Mine too I guess!

moonlight

At dusk you can still see shapes and the trail glows a bit before you. We headed out, Major and I joined by Ziggy and B. Major was the leader, and headed out with no hesitation. Into the forest the huge moon hung just over the trees, and an owl swooped across the meadow.

The forest was dark, and getting darker. The moonlight doesn't penetrate the canopy, but Major didn't care. I'm sure he could see, but we were worried about hitting tree branches, as the trails aren't nicely groomed paths, but instead winding single-track. Just walking along, but the biggest, swingy walk I can ever ask of him! He was enjoying the adventure. Ziggy was a bit more nervous, and stayed close behind.

Major was a bit unnerved by a fallen tree branch, broken and glowing white in the dark. During the day he wouldn't have even noticed. But we got by with just a brief pause and serious eyeballing. Then we headed down the to lake.

On a slight downhill Ziggy was worrying about Major up ahead and wasn't paying attention, and tripped and went to his knees. More inattention and nervousness than darkness. And the worst downhill was to come. The access to the lake is rocky and full of driftwood, but I'd done it only days before and know the trail. I pointed Major where I wanted him to go, and goat-like he walked down the rocks. Ziggy followed, not so sure, but made it safely.

The beach was windy, and looked like another planet in the dark. Major actually stopped for a bite of grass, and we walked on. He hesitated a few times when he saw deer bounding away, but was steady. We came around a corner and the wind died down, the lake reflecting the moon, amazing.




Where the trail was open we tried some trotting, and Major and Ziggy were more than game to go. More game than we wanted to be in the dark! A bit of silly jigging and pulling before walking. Major would have trotted along like usual, but we held the horses back, just wanting a nice ride, with limited silliness.

Up ahead a small black thing ran along the path. Wait...black with white thing, a skunk! We kept our distance as it ran down the trail, probably thinking we were chasing it. Finally it got enough ahead I couldn't see it, maybe hiding in rocks, but we just sedately walked, not wanting to scare it!

Our shadows looked brave and beautiful, horses and riders silhouetted on rock, the wind blowing mane. It was too dark for pictures, but I have the image of that in my mind.

We finished the lake trail far too soon, and headed back. We came up the switchbacks, and let the horses trot. I just kept my head down and let Major find the trail, it was too dark for me to see anything. He powered along, no hesitation, and any thought of me guiding him stopped when he took the correct trails when I thought we should turn. My direction was a bit off, but not his! Ziggy had enough forest, so we came back through the quiet neighborhood. We had orange glow necklaces and Major had a green glowstick, but we were very dark on bay horses and dark tack. One car came by, but slowed when his headlights caught us on the side of the road. Otherwise a quiet walk back.

I could do this every night. Completely trusted my horse, and he was awesome. Already planning for next month...

one of those days

I tried to leave work on time, but my client was late to our meeting, and when she arrived had a few design changes. Because the guy who shares her office knows some design stuff. Oh boy. I didn't go into my years of professional design experience, but showed her why it worked. She left happy, I left late.

Kirk watches over me at work, making sure I follow the Prime Directive

It didn't help that I spent the early afternoon fixing someone else's problem. But I was going riding, which is good.

Halfway to the stable I realized I didn't have my riding shoes. I wore sandals to work. Wait, I think my old ariats are buried in the back. Get to the stable, check, yes!

Change my clothes. Wait, no sports bra? Ok, I'm not that endowed, but I like some compression! I'll try it with the regular tshirt bra from work.

Saddle up Major, no issues, good. Decide to try the trail to Rattlesnake Bar. Hadn't gone that way for awhile, Major was interested in heading a new direction.

We have to walk part of the road, and as usual the cars can't seem to move over. Or slow down. Nice.

Major is a little suspicious of the trail, but I stop and eat some blackberries. Most are done in the area, but this little patch is well watered somehow. Yum.

Try some trot. Not quite comfortable, things are bouncing uncomfortably. And my feet are too hot in my boots. Suck it up, ride.

Major is really forward and happy on this trail. We cruise along nicely. It is so rocky and hard, I don't want to push it, so we go a bit and turn for home: prancy pony. It doesn't last long, we do a few circles even on the cliff trail. I think he senses this is probably not the day to mess with me.

dry forest, all the buckeye trees shriveled

Trotting along the trail, I duck for a branch, seriously hit my head. I see stars, instant headache. And am so glad I wear a helmet!

In the home stretch, take a small part of the lake trail. Trotting along when the log monster tries to attack Major. Lose my stirrup. Then do circles around log monster and even step over him.

But then find a nice grassy spot and relax.

Thankfully the rest of the ride is uneventful. At home Major's dinner was just made for him, so he gets to eat his mash while getting a bath. He is happy.

In the end, after the ride, I am too.

And I get back in the car, to see my riding sneakers peaking out from under the seat.

moonrise on the drive home, moonlight ride this weekend!

slow feeder, round 2

My Freedom Feeder lasted about a year. In the last month I had to patch it multiple times, it was simply falling apart. I was sad that I installed it last August and it only lasted a year.

And I'm cheap. I didn't want to really buy another $50 feeder, since I know it won't last. So I figured to experiment. I looked into different netting and found good info on the Paddock Paradise site. Hockey net, who would think! Tough, strong, and other people had been successful, so I figured I was game for the experiment. (oh, bad pun, sorry!)

I ordered 4 feet of 60-inch wide hockey goal netting from Arizona Sports Equipment. They quickly shipped it out and I had it in a couple days. The price was $38 including shipping, and I can make two nets. The nets would be 2' feet by 5', which fold to make an envelope of 2' x 2.5', which holds about 3 flakes maximum. The stable still just feeds him his rations (not keeping it full like true slow-feeding does), but it has been working just fine.

old net and new net

just cuts with scissors

Easy to make. The hardest part was keeping my "helper" Major out of the way, So I stayed in his pasture and he got to play in the aisleway between paddocks.

temporary holding by hay string

fancy use of neon cord (no orange sadly) instead of hay string

feeder in place

It didn't take much time, lace top and bottom to the rails, lace the sides like an envelope. Still easy for the barn staff to fill. I think I'd like to make it even bigger next time, but I'll see how this holds up. After Major had his aisle-time revoked (antagonizing another horse) he tried it out, and it seemed acceptable (though he'd rather have a big pile to spread around a make a mess of!)

I can bite you, no, you bite me! All fun and games till someone gets annoyed.

acceptable, alfalfa would be better...

Major also got a new fly mask. I like that the mesh is more see through. I tried an Absorbine mask with similar mesh, but it was enormous on him (arab was too small, horse too big). It now lives on his big-headed neighbor Dune. This is a Cashel Quiet Ride mask, horse size. Major doesn't seem too hard on masks, so I'll see how it holds up, because the material is more delicate. He wears the mask 24-7, so I like that he can see better. Of course I'm completely anthropomorphizing about the seeing aspect, because he has never had any issues with his standard mask!

Soon fly season will be over with, just in time for blanket season to start!

better and worse

Luckily Major showed vast behavior improvement in our next ride. Went out with his good buddy Friday for an evening lake ride. A little excitement at the start when we encountered two baby bears (Oh, how cute! Wait, umm, where is the mama? Let's trot out of here!) and other than an I-want-to-be-in-front trying to buck episode, all was fine. We power-walked home on a loose rein, yeah!

"my" rock between Major's ears

Our next ride was not as good, as Major was with a new friend, Justice. Justice is a very flashy chestnut arab, who needs more time and miles. Friend B took him out for his owner, who is a little over-horsed. It was nice and chill out (Fall in the air. I know some like it, but I HATE it!) and of course windy out at the lake. We took it slow, just walking, because you can tell when the horses are in THAT mood. Major was OK, he is fine with wind, but we knew if I let him trot that Justice would just lose it and want to race!

So we waited and moved out faster back on the trail to Granite Bay. I think poor Justice didn't quite know what hit him, as he hasn't gone out much with a fast horse. Major put him to the test, though we kept it slower than our usual power trot, Justice just doesn't have the extended trot yet. He'll get there, though he is a bit spooky.

And it didn't help that Major was being an ass to him! Laying ears back, a couple times kicking out (completely NOT acceptable, seriously reprimand ensued). Major does not like new horses, and it is just a defensive position he takes (being low-man in the herd hierarchy), but it is not OK. Hadn't had the situation for awhile, reminded me to be alert.

Gee, other than the kicking, he was much improved. But add that in and the whole grade suffers. So not really better on that ride. It seems like a 30+ mile week is what it takes for some improving behavior. Major wasn't even sweaty or tired after 10 miles, I'd like to read up on horses keeping their conditioning, because he is fit and (a bit too) fiesty. A longer ride is in our future, but I think I'll trailer somewhere fun.

And a moonlight ride along the lakeshore is set for Friday! Looking forward to that adventure!

conversations with Major: I win

Hey Major, let's go somewhere.
No, I'm good. I'll just stand here in my pasture.
No really, let's go for a ride.
Um, not today.
Yes, today.  
Fine, here I come. Oh, you have a treat! Sure, I'll go somewhere.  

I'm so bored. Bored, bored bored.
Stop eating that.  
What? OK, no tree chewing.
I'll go finish getting your tack.  
Bang, crash!
What are you doing now!?
Nothing.
Then why is my tack box overturned, the saddle rack tipped over and you're chewing on a brush?
No I'm not.
You JUST dropped it.  
Wasn't me. It was the cat.
Let's go out on the trail before you cause any more trouble.  

Shuffle, drag, shuffle, shuffle.
Just walk please. No, no eating, we haven't done anything yet. Wait one second, I need to adjust my shoe.
Grab, munch, munch.
Knock it off, you can eat later.
But now I have something, I win!
You don't win, let's go.  

panorama from upper trail, lower canal trail on the left

Ooo, I like this trail. Let's zoom along.
Safely now, lots of exposed slippery granite.  
I'm careful.
Actually, yes you are, good boy. Stop a minute, we're going to go down there.  
But we're UP here, and heading home.
No, we're going this way, down to the lake. Just walk.
I don't want to, so I'm going to TROT!
Um, I said walk please?
I'm trotting, I win!
No you don't, circle and walk.
Damn. I still won there. I'm fast.
Sigh...  

row of trees usually at the waters edge

We're going home, we're going home!
How did you decide that?
I don't know, I just THINK it!
We're not near home yet, knock off the prancing.  
We COULD be going home, maybe on this trail RIGHT HERE!
Circling back, we're not taking that trail, we're continuing.
Ha, I won, I turned! 
No, we're going the way I want.
I won for a minute.

lower trail, with hunting egret in the lake

OK, I think we should go home up this trail.
Here! Right here! Go home! Let's ZOOM!
Um, no. Nevermind, let's continue, attitude boy.
No, No, NO, we are going home that way, you said!
Fine, let's go back.
Going back, going back, I win, I'm doing my dance. Wait, we passed the trail, now we're going back the way we came. Not cool, NOT cool! Fine, I'll walk.
See, that's all you needed to do. Now we can home.
Yeah, home! I win.
We have to head home sometime, you don't win.
I win!
Sigh...

Prance, prance, jig, dance.
Knock it off.
But we're going HOME!
Yes, so behave youself.
I CAN'T! 
Yes, you can. SEE! I think you're back to your old self Major, which Im glad for, but damn, you're annoying.
Who, me? NO I'm cute. And look at my dancing. I could enter a prancing contest. I could win!

See, we're home. After all the circles, backing and turning around, we got back like I said. It just took a bit longer, because you were very difficult.
I win!
What? We did LOTS of work and you had to finally listen and behave, mostly.
I win, because we're at home now!
But we ALWAYS come home.
I still win.

But you get a bath.
But my dinner is almost ready. It is soaking there, I can see it.
Nope, I need to clean you up, and you are going to wait until I put all the tack away.
But they are going to FEED me.
Nope, we've got some time. See, now you're back in your pasture, still no food. And so shiny, you look pretty.
What? What are you doing, trying to take pictures? I need to help.

waiting for dinner

what cha doing?

Now here they come with dinner, I'll see you later.
I'm starving! Dinner! Back in my pasture! I win!
Sigh...

I think I hear the dinner truck