detour: Sierra Buttes

While I wouldn't like to repeat the tribulations with Major over the last few months, is has allowed me to have a bit more balance in my life. Instead of the summer being training for a ride, then going to a ride, recovering from a ride and repeat, I've been able to go on some pretty nice adventures.

My most recent detour took me to the Sierra Buttes. A very small mountain range tucked into the Sierra's (not sure if they are technically separate or geographically the same), it's the same elevation and similar to the Loney Meadows area, where I did some fun horse camping last year.

It is lovely, I cannot capture the scale of a mountain, with some snow still holding on, towering over a lake with sheer cliffs plummeting into the blue. Or a sweep of pine trees giving way to crumbling black rock, while the green stream meanders below and orange lilies glow in twilight. Really, I will let the photos tell the story, though they only capture a tiny portion.

verdant and rocky, juxtaposition in the Sierra Buttes

where are we going? I don't care, just go

bridge over the lovely Milton Creek

just looking up

visited by an alien life form

love this flower, soft and pretty: pussyfoot

a small sentinel stands alone, just beginning

large sentinel is done with living

hidden spots in the shade: leopard lily

sparkly morning creek

Salmon lake, with tiny islands

a trail view of Salmon lake

the trail was just a bit rocky...

a dragon trapped in a tree (see it?)

creeping phlox fades from pink to white

deer lake, a good place to rest

resting with a gorgeous view

blue butterfly gets minerals from mud

poser: orange frittillary

exploring columnar basalt

Sardine lake, a popular place

upper Sardine Lake and the Sierra Buttes, with rock stack feeling very small

wood embracing stone

another short hike on the iconic trail

Loves falls, name-sake heart-shaped rock beneath

just ducky: merganser family

on the way home, a cool respite in the Yuba River

I just swim and read, someone else (my SO) is more dedicated

A restful trip, I'd like to have more time. It was truly nice to not worry about the horse, I haven't done much camping without him in the last few years! But I miss that too. Too much fun stuff, not enough time. Just finding some balance.

reunited

found boot, minus the mud it was buried in

From deep beneath the waters, my lost boot was retrieved! Not by me, but by my awesome SO. Who not only let my horse chase him out to the lake for two miles, but packed along goggles AND a snorkel to find my boot buried in the clay mud. While I kept riding.

He's a keeper folks.

before I abandoned him and went riding, he graciously took a photo of my tripod horse

It was a weird weather day, with a tiny sprinkling of unusual rain, just enough to make drop marks in the dust. We slammed on the brakes when I saw about three feet of rattlesnake stretched across the trail, and watched it slowly disappear into the brush. And ran into an old friend on the trail too! (Literally almost ran her over, that's why we slow for blind corners!)

Major was super full of it today. And I did the best thing: let him go. I have worked and worked to get this horse to have a nice slow and/or medium trot, but that takes 20+ miles. Until then I have walk, 10+mph trot and two canter speeds: reasonable and bolty (not allowed). Today I averaged a 12mph trot (when we could trot, our trails are tough) and a nice canter for 10 miles.

No fighting me when we can do a ride like that. This seems to be a whole different style of partnership than the obedience model that was drilled into me in the past. I still question does he learn a bad habit because we're going at the speed he wants? Or do I succeed because I'm getting what I ask for? Or are we both just having fun? I think the more I ride and learn the more questions I have.

All was going great until I hit the last stretch, and literally hit it: a large branch that fell on me as I glanced off its dead branches. Thank goodness for helmets and non-spooky horses that stop from a canter. Found boots, rattlesnake tails, cool breezes, cantering along single track and a bruised shoulder. More than 50% good works for me.

reunited and it feels so good...

trivial pursuit

Sometimes the world is just too much to bear. Atrocities, conflicts, disasters I have no control over still feel overwhelming. Balancing the need to know with my need for sanity. 

This morning I had to decide. Turn off the radio. Step away from the NPR. Stop the phone updates. Go ride your horse. This isn't ostrich head in the sand ignoring, it's survival. 

He nickers when I walk up. His biggest concern? Did I bring alfalfa?

Into the forest and through the woods, like the song. Then to the drought stricken lake. Ok, some concerns just happen to be in my backyard. Damn. 

But the trail is sandy. The way is known. I spend the ride attempting to find the brake pedal on my slightly out-of-control horse. But it is a good thing. Blue skies, slight breeze, breathe deep. Simple, a world apart. 

I searched but my lost boot did not emerge from it's watery grave. The mucky depths maintained their hold. But all is not lost. A good day, a good horse, a good ride. Trivial in the world order, but for today, it works. 

swimmingly

Get up! Get up! I yelled at Major as he tried to lay down in the lake...with me still on him! He loves the water, so I decided I'd do a ride out to the lake, and try for a swim.

All we were going to do is play in the water. So we chased followed my SO out to the lake. It was only just barely 100 degrees (I used to think anything above 100 was just the same. It isn't. 100 in the shade is OK, even riding. Even 102. But much higher than that is try-to-hide-in air-conditioning time.) Once in the sand Major gets all excited and a bit prancy. We'd only gone 2.5 miles, but I untacked and stacked everything on a rock, and headed out into the water.

We both waded right in. The lake is so warm it's almost like a bathtub. The sandy bottom is mucky in places, but it was a safe muck, not the quicksand in other portions of the lake.

come snorkeling with me!

And Major splashed. And snorkeled. And I splashed him while he looked on curiously. But he didn't want to roll, or go much deeper than his knees. He wasn't hot or sweaty enough. So I hopped on bareback.

heading out into the deep

I've never been in deep water with Major before, and wasn't sure how he'd react. I had my SO keep a hold of the leadrope. Yes, this might be extra cautious, but I have two reasons for that: one friend's horse got scared, dumped her and ran out into the lake swimming for who knows where, the far side? He was finally caught, but had to be treated for pneumonia. Scary. Another acquaintance's horse decided to roll, he wasn't quite quick enough, the horse rolled, dumped him and hightailed it for home. No thank you. Extra caution for our first time.

add some pawing...

this is deep enough Major thinks...

Major was much braver when I was riding. He walked out about belly deep, and played, and thought about it, but he really didn't seem to want to go any deeper and swim. He had no friends out there, and it was a new thing. So we left it at that. I could have pushed it, but why? This was just a fun experiment.

We were all cool and refreshed. Even more so after my great SO went diving for my frickin' lost boot! Never did find it in the muck. My fault: the boots were loose after a recent trim. I didn't adjust them as tight as I could have. Damn. Maybe the lake will recede some more and an orange Renegade will emerge from the depths...and we'll go swimming to find it.

Major says time to go home, look mom, that way...(look, only one boot too!)

conversations with major: I'm back!

Here's Major! I'm back to normal!

Dude, you were never normal. But you sure seem better.

But it's fun to tell everybody "Here's Major!" I should be a star.

Stop saying that, it's creepy

No, it's fun to feel good again.

But you've never seen "The Shining" 

I've seen the sun shining. Oh, the moon too. 

No, it's a scary movie, not for horses. The bad guy says "Here's Johnny!", plus there's a big old hotel, and haunting and ghosts and snow...

You're right, I can't see that. Snow is scary! Too cold for me. 

Sigh. Let's go tack up.

OK, chubby buddy! Let's go.
I'm Major.
I know, but that girth is pretty tight after time off.
Not my fault.
I know. Let's go for an easy ride and work some off.
OK, can we go this way?
Sure.

What's that awful noise?!

Stop jumping around. 

Screaming eels!

It's not screaming eels. It's screaming babies. They must be having a party in that house over there. 

That party does not sound like fun. 

I agree Major. Let's go. 

Woods are lovely, dark and deep. No. These woods are dry, hot and full of snakes.

a bit warm for the ride

Down the trail, down the trail, we're going down the trail. Argh! Smelly thing! Dead thing! Scary, turn around!
Easy dude, just stand here. Yuck. Dead bloated deer. Poor thing must have been hit by a car. But we're going this way.
Yuck, no, have to walk right next to it!
OK, I'm not fighting this battle right now. I'll get off and walk you by.
Very suspicious, something killed it, could still be here!
No, you're fine.
OK, I'm fine now. It's back there, we're safe.
Gee, thanks.


Running!
NO, walking. Remember, taking it easy
I love this trail!
I know, either way is home.
I'm going home!
No we're not.
Turn this way.
No.
Turn this way.
No.
Fine.

Who's that? 
Looks like a mom and daughter running.
I should chase them!
That could be scary for them. Let's keep it slow.
But she is running. She is a pony!
No, but she has a beautiful pony tail. I think it is nicer than yours. Let's just pass them nicely.
The little girl just said I was sooo pretty.
Yes, you are.
I should prance along. 
No, let's just behave.
Prance.
Knock it off.

SNORT! What's that!
A man, running up the hill.
Naked Sasquatch! I know it! 
No, it's not!
Arghh, could be scary.
It's not, let's catch up.
OK. Chasing is awesome.
Catching up, not chasing.
Whatever.

Sasquatch!
No, still a half-naked runner, behind a tree, with a large dog hiding behind him.
Yeah, that's what I meant. Very suspicious.
Just move past him.
OK, let's go, what are we waiting for?
You to stop being an idiot?

Boat and umbrella in the tiny distance. Very suspicious.

What's that! 
It's so far away dude! A boat onshore with umbrellas. You've seen it before.
Suspicious.
You are ridiculous after not enough riding.

hot, dry trail

Look, geese! Must run them down!
Hold on buddy, they're in the muddy section, don't want to fall in.
Must chase geese!
Stop pulling on me. Stop it. Just stand here.
But the geese are over there. In the water.
Yes, we can wait and be careful. The mud is like quicksand.
Fine.

Now can I go in the water?
Yes, but over here is safer.
Splash!
Dude, slow down, we can't go too deep.
I'm in the water, in the water. Look, a stick. Look, grass underwater. Look, I can blow bubbles.
Dude, you're so silly.
I LOVE the water! I can put my whole head under!
Good job.
But it is more fun to blow my water snot on someone else.
I know, it is often me.
Funny.
Yeah, right.

I love the lake!

How long can we stay?

This water is awesome.
I know, but it's almost time to head home buddy.
But, I don't have play water at home.
No, but there is dinner.
Right now?
No, but pretty soon.
Then we can wait. And I can play.
You're right, we can. Take some time. Thanks for the perspective. Horse time is different.
Horse time is the best time.
Yes, it is.

viewing the shrinking lake

many years I'd be standing in deep water right here

rattlesnake point, a blind corner heading home

detour: American River

The week started out at 108 degrees. Then at least it got cooler: it was only 100 degrees when I headed to the river with C. She has lived here for years and never swam at the Confluence (where the North and Middle forks of the American River come together, we ride by this area often, but with a slightly different view). It's one of my favorite places to swim, you can pick the warmer North fork, or the colder Middle fork, find different swimming holes, then warm up in the sun with a book (and Pringles. My favorite river snack). A perfect summer afternoon.

Foresthill bridge dwarfs the canyon

The river is so very low, but we hiked up the trail, under the shadow of the towering Foresthill bridge (highest in California, fourth tallest in the country. The water would have covered the giant supports if the canyon had been filled with water for the ill-fated Auburn dam project. But I digress).

swimming hole is almost under the bridge

deeper water just off shore

The swimming hole is awesome. Deep and not even cold, clear water and only little fish in sight. (Big fish make me nervous. I know that's ridiculous, they're fish. Still I don't like them.)

and a goldfish! This cracked me up...

Some histories say that this pool used to have a lifeguard and concession too, though I don't know when. The stories of failed bridges along this river are legion, evidenced by different bridge abutments, stone walls and fallen concrete. There is history to be found if you're looking. But I was more interested in the cool water.

the sun behind the bridge made it look like some ancient monolith

Hiking back was hot and dusty, but still worth it. Anyone coming to Tevis should take a detour and enjoy the pool. I'd be glad to show the way!

taking it easy

As we all know, horses are weird. If they can be different than the norm, they will. Major has done no competitions and very little training this year. He lives in a beautiful grassy pasture 24/7, ample hay and grass, almost no grain (beet pulp as a supplement carrier). But his NQR-ness (not quite right-ness) had me perplexed.

So he rested. And I pondered and thought and calendered when this first started and began hypothesizing. It seemed to start when he got an abscess at the end of April. He was rested, soaked, more time off. But he still wasn’t quite right after that. Researched, talked with trusted vet, determined symptoms and issues, made some decisions:

Ulcers. Probably from treating him with bute during the abscess. My overly-sensitive-to-medicine horse. Who lives the most stress-free life. Special boy!

I did not scope. It was pricy, everything I read recommended a week’s treatment with Gastrogard to see if it made any difference. Yes, I treated my horse without a specific vet treatment protocol. I know some people would never do that. But I felt comfortable with my decision to try this, did tons of research, read scientific papers, etc.

I started treatment. After three days I saw a spark back in his eye. After two weeks he sure seemed like himself. After now after three weeks treatment my jerk of a horse is back in fine form.

I did meet with my vet last week. And vet confirmed that ulcers sure worked in the situation. I also decided to be safe to run a blood test. While you can’t blood test for ulcers, I wanted to test him for any tick fevers (which can go dormant) and for any liver concerns. Blood came back 100% healthy. Vet said weight is perfect, though I need to work on keeping his toe trimmed back (ongoing issue I’d ignored while Major was lame/sick, now I have to keep addressing that). While Major could still take a turn for the worse, or something else could crop up, I feel relieved knowing that he seems to feel much better!

Vet didn’t think I had to stop riding, though Major had already had some weeks off. I don’t want to do much though, but just a small change of scenery. I think Major would go more crazy without the riding, I swear he was bored just walking up and down the road to find grassy treats. So I’ve done a casual forest bareback ride and the short lake loop. Both our minds were settled by getting out. He really wanted to play more in the lake. I’ll have to treat him to that soon (today it is going to be 110, too hot even to ride the few miles to the lake!)

We’re still taking it easy, probably for at least another month.Yes treatment is expensive, but this hobby doesn’t come cheap. A happy horse is pretty priceless. Probably no competitions this year. I would rather be on a quiet forest trail with my horse sometime in the future, or laughing while he snorkels in the lake. So I wait, a bit more hopefully, until things seem 100%. But it feels like we’re on the trail there.

Major, are you eating weed?

mmmm, this weed is great. Purely medicinal Mom...

four rides

Four rides with my heart in my throat. Was that a bad step? Will adding distance make him lame? What about speed?

So in the last two weeks we’ve completed a cautious four rides. Three shorter rides, though I did add speed to the last one. And one longer 15 mile ride. And Major seems OK.

Folsom or Belize? The white sand is amazing..and hot!

gazing off at the dam

But the time off and worrying has made me doubtful. I have no problem skipping the upcoming Wild West endurance ride, though it’s so lovely. Not enough training (having missed almost all of May), I don’t feel that my horse is perfectly 100%.

To do this this I need 100% And not just 100% on the day, but on many, many days leading up to an event. How many? I don’t know. Call it a gut feeling. I have one partner. He trusts me to do the right thing. When Major was first off (from an abscess) and I thought about missing upcoming rides, was disappointed, etc. Now I know I’d be more disappointed to not have my horse, even if it meant he was “just” a trail horse. (I know there is no “just” in trail horses, one of the hardest things around to do well). 

So we’re kicking back. It’s been 100+ degrees, and I take him out of his pasture to snack grass in the shade, swish off flies, and watch him play with the traveling panels someone leaned near my trailer (he also pulled off many of the velcro pieces, why we could never have a pen!)

pulling off velcro

let's move these panels!

I know the bug to get out and move for many, many miles will catch me sooner or later. But only if the whole team is good to go. Leave no one behind, or hurt, or unhappy. That is my goal before adventures, or miles, or completions.

why we can't have nice things