bright days

The month of January has seemed unusually gloomy and gray. There is typically more sun to dry out between the rain, but this year the overcast has prevailed. The slippery mud is avoidable but not much fun (plus my football team lost in the playoffs, another depressing thought).

But there are moments of bright, and I've tried to take advantage. A quick after-work ride stolen here and there, and one longer ride from home on local trails (which was more frustrating than fun with Major being a monster beast).

fern grotto

I needed a ride with some available long trots, so to the dam site we went. The trails there are well draining gravel roads and rocky trail, with a little sand thrown in. Just the footing we needed. How I tell how much we needed this type of ride: I took almost no photos in ten miles because we were flying along having too much fun!

pay attention here, the trail is tricky

can't get though (the access road/trail is literally 100 feet on the other side of this jagged rock pile)

a nice longish gravel stretch

Plus the sun was shining, I practically had the trails to myself, and we wandered and explored with no set plan. Down down to the river, then following the river on the sand and later rock trail. We headed back up the hill and Major was on fire, so I let him canter (he later regretted his life choices when he figured out it was hard and steep, too late buddy, keep going!).

I love the weird barrel trail

and we found the lower end of the barrels too!

We cut over and headed up the old asphalt road, mostly riding on the side. There we power-trotted up while fancy bikes in low gear struggled up. Horsepower for the win!

watching construction (yeah, I know you want to go back up Major, nice ears!)

Lots of trotting and elevation make for a happier horse and human. And looking forward to more bright days ahead.

ride along

I thought I'd take you on an after-work ride, mostly in photos. My plan did not quite go according to plan (oh, drama!) but just be patient and wait till the end, it's something cool…

The sun finally decided to shine after four days of murky, cloudy and rain. That is too many days for me (yes, you all can laugh, but it's why I live in California!). I left work at 3:30pm and headed over to get my horse, planning on being on the trail by about 4:15 (it's lighter later, but not much!).

How dirty could he get overnight? His new name is PigPen, sigh…

not ashamed of being muddy and disgusting, glad he is brown!

AND the other side too, sigh…

But he got as clean as I cared to (note in all the upcoming photos I totally missed his right ear!) and we headed out down the lane at a walk.

down the lane

into the forest…

crossing the little creek

high road or low road (we stay on the low rode, don't want to slip!)

The woods are lovely, dark and deep (thanks Robert Frost for those words) and wet. I haven't retouched these pictures, and we didn't stop much (as you'll note from the blur). Major was as happy as I was to be out and we walked the muddy bits but he quickly picked up an easy trot.

moon/shark fin mossy rock

I carry a pruner, but someone has chainsawed these trees, so nice!

I love the winter trees

 The trails were a bit slippery but Major is sometimes actually sensible about that, and will slow down (though we still discuss that he does NOT get to go around the puddle in the middle of the trail, arghh). More trotting because the footing was better than I thought it would be!

speedy single-track

two roads diverged in the wood

At a fork I turned left to go on the ridge trail (I often take the trail to the right when I am hiking with Major, makes a nice three mile loop). I was on a mission to go up on the ridge trail and try to find the deer remains I'd seen in December. But it had been awhile, so I was sure the forest creatures had dragged everything off, but it's a pretty trail anyway! Major likes this trail as it is a bit more open and he can trot for longer stretches!

heading up to the ridge

pine-needle sunset

ridge trail

my not-so-secret trail…the road less traveled

I took the turn to my secret trail (totally not secret, in fact I marked it with a piece of flagging tape hoping more people would explore. I guess most people aren't so crazy adventurous around here). Major is great at scrabbling over a fallen tree and through a winter-dormant stand of poison oak (ok, so I don't always make the best choices, kind-of like my horse!), I saw it!!

Found it! 1.5 months in the forest, freshly dead to skull, amazing.

The deer skull was still there, with antlers attached! The jaws were there but scattered about with the leg bones and spine. I hopped off Major and picked up the skull, a couple vertebra were still attached, but came off pretty easily. It was mostly all clean, just a little bit rank.

I'd wanted to make this a longer ride, but with the addition of skull, that was not to be. Major didn't care at all about this long-dead thing, so I clambered back aboard, awkwardly trying to hold skull and reins. No real way to tie it on without stabbing Major! Major did take a bit of advantage when he figured out I wasn't in as much control as usual, let's just say there was much jigging involved (and the need to remind myself to train Major to neck rein, though rating him is another issue!).

Viking ride home!

As we headed home I felt like a bit of a Viking, holding this skull and trying to manage my very up horse. (And I totally pictured a great mystery detective: how did we find this rider on the side of the trail, impaled on a deer skeleton antler, and hoofprints all around?) But we got home safely, if in a bit of a blur.

my only attempt at a photo while juggling phone, horse and skull.

Back home the sun was well set and darkness was upon us, but Major had mash and hay waiting, and I had a smelly skull trophy (though it is a present for a friend). I thought it was a very successful after-work adventure…though not sure you'll want to ride-along with me in the future if I keep finding dead things…

detox

A new year, a ride with a friends, perfect start

I started off the New Year with a great ride (the part where we ended up in the middle of a resolution run was interesting though!), and a detox break from all computer/social/blog duties (well, except for football!). So I have a lot of reading to catch up on!

New Year 2020 view from No Hands bridge

But I don't feel like I missed out. I don't do much social media anyway, but it can become a time-suck of scrolling and looking at others posts. A total break while I hiked in the redwoods and read numerous books and sat by the sea was awesome and enlightening, damn, I can waste a lot of time on my phone!

I can never go wrong with waves and rocks

ocean exploring

I still like my (intermittent) blogging, so that won't change. I wish I had more interesting posts than another pretty ride, but mostly it is the ongoing training challenges with Major (damn is he great not at home or at a competition, can't I have that horse all the time?), deciding if I want to do endurance this year, hopefully more camping, and the rest we shall see.

ferns and redwoods

Happy (belated) new year 2020!

Major's resolution: eat more alfalfa

holiday return

"The sun got in my eyes" is not an excuse to run off

I'd like to return this horse today.
Umm, what is wrong with him?
He is a jerk.
That is not covered by our warranty.
OK, he seems to be defective and does not respond to commands.
Did you use the commands correctly?
Same as I always do.

"we're on the beach" is not an excuse to run off

Hmm, what else was the situation?
Well, it rained for a week and he was cooped up in his pasture.
Is his pasture small?
No, he could run around all he wants.
But he thinks he might melt, right? Some models have had that happen.
What?
Nothing, all our models are different, what model is yours?
2003 Arabian gelding.
I need more details to process your complaint.

"We're almost home" is not an excuse to run off

A nice trail ride turned into an 8 mile fight to slow down and deal, I threatened to leave him tied to someone else's trailer at the staging area!
Well, that is it then! If you'd read the fine print, Arabian plus cooped up in December can lead to random behavior.
Wow, that is specific,
It is in the fine print ma'am.
Is there a solution?
If you work through it enough without dying it ends up being fun again.
So I just have to deal with it?
Afraid so, sorry. Next customer!

good thing you're cute Major…

solstice 2019

Happy solstice to everyone! It is so hard after work, visiting Major in the darkness, so much less riding and outdoor time, and I always get discouraged. Then I remember that I always get discouraged and feel ridiculous. Then I realize that the thought is valid and feel OK. Argh, when does the sun come back again? I need some earl grey…

Tomorrow will be lighter, for everyone. As the light returns each day, celebrate in warmth and friendship.

horsey solstice ornaments for everyone! (and our robot overlords)

toys

'Tis the season for toys… and yes, this could be a post about making your own horse toy or treat, but I've already done that (make some treats or a hanging treat/toy, they'll love you!)

I was in the craft store (why does the craft store have so many toys, no idea!?) and this horse/truck/trailer toy caught my eye.

At least it isn't pink? What trailer is pulled by an open top truck/jeep? The truck looks a bit like the new Tesla.

at least she is reaching for her helmet, but that open top truck/jeep?

this is pretty cool, but damn, huge carrot!

sure, it's that easy! ha!

Luckily, in real life, not many trailers are towed like this. Did the designers even look at a real truck and trailer? Is it more fun, easier to put the dolls in, something?

I thought, this must be a new thing. But then down the google rabbit hole I went, and found many other options.

jeep, tiny trailer, huge doll, what? Barbie couldn

't ride anyway (dumb legs!)

If I'd had this playmobile trailer with my playmobile horses when I was a kid I would have been so happy. (Who am I kidding, it is pretty cool now).

an even smaller jeep (maybe becasue they're european!)

Some toys get it right, though they don't show the getting out of your truck six times to hook up correctly, learning how to back being a hassle, loading a recalcitrant horse, cleaning out all the manure, etc. Got to make sure they still like horses, after all!

these are cool

And one final note: unicorn anything has jumped the shark.

End of toy rant…

d.i.y: holiday unicorn

you too can have a holiday unicorn!

Most of my d.i.y. posts are actually useful, so it was time for something…silly. Last summer I spent a smoky day trapped inside and played with making some unicorn horns. I never remembered to blog about it, but it was entertaining.

obviously too much time on my hands…

tree headband inspiration!

When I saw a Christmas tree headband at the craft store, inspiration struck…Major needed to be a holiday unicorn! You can theme this in any colors or patterns you like (rainbow holiday would be epic), I went with ugly holiday sweater (since I already had the materials) but you could go classy too (but this is more fun I think!)

all the stuff (and more!)

Materials list:
8.5 x 11 (or larger) green felt
8.5 x 11 scrap paper
small scrap cardboard
elastic, most any width will do, approx 24" long
random ribbon, yarn, string, pompoms, tiny ornaments, whatever you can find
standard scissors, ruler, glue (hot glue is best, white/fabric glue will work)
optional: glitter, cup of tea…

This is pretty easy, but just a few fiddly steps along the way:

template on paper

cut out onto the felt

Gather your materials and draw a template on your paper. Keep the top size about 1", as you'll need that extra to overlap later. Now cut the shape out of the felt.

glue the edge, and your fingers, to make a cone

Gluing the edge is the most fun you can have while burning yourself with a glue gun. (OK, seriously, be careful, but I took no permanent damage!) The overlap of each edge will be about 1/4 inch, no measuring needed, bring the edges together and add a bead of glue, attach, and continue the length of the cone.

basic cone/horn is complete!

cut a circle (about 3"), from the leftover felt

stuffy stuff stuff (use a pencil/skewer to get to the point)

At this point you can trim the bottom of the cone flat, and cut a circle from leftover felt which will cover the bottom a bit later. Now you can stuff the cone! I used some leftover batting, but newspaper, paper towels, cotton balls, lots of things would work. Make sure it is stuffed pretty tight (no floppy horns wanted!).

add support cardboard with holes for elastic

thread elastic through holes

now add the final fill and glue on the bottom

Now a fiddly bit: To keep the felt from tearing and support the elastic, glue support cardboard to each side on the inside of the cone. Poke holes in both sides (I used an exacto knife but a nail would be great) and thread your elastic through. You can estimate, I cut mine about 24 inches, which is extra long but worked great. Put in a little extra fluff and glue your circle to the bottom.

glued and ready for decoration

ribbon twisted around, tack at top and bottom with glue

Now the fun begins. Choose a string/ribbon/yarn and glue it into the top. Then twist the ribbon around, pulling a bit, so the felt bulges a little (just like a REAL unicorn horn!). Then glue it again to the bottom, and your basic horn is done!

all the sparkly decorations!

in process: glitter everywhere, pompom party galore!

Now glue on all the little decorations you like. I had pompoms and random silver stars, but beads, tiny ornaments, even just more pretty ribbon or rickrack would be cute. Place and glue until you get to something you like. Then add a few more, just because. Now just pick off all the little hot glue hairs that have stuck all over, I'll wait…

made a fun star because…glitter!

ugly holiday sweater unicorn horn complete!

Your horn is done! Now go try it on your horse. Major just LOVED his horn…I'm sure he is already plotting ways to get back at me. Watching him walk and trot with the horn bouncing along was the best thing I'd seen in a long time. I hope your horses become holiday unicorns too!

unicorn bowing to me (looking for treats!)

more pictures, really?! My unicorn really needs more forelock

shadow unicorn

unicorn is done posing and plotting my demise