OMG, my friend is ALL THE WAY over there! I can't possibly deal with this! I am listening to you making me stand here, but arghhhh!'
Never mind, all is fine, let's go. What?
Day 4: Badlands and Beyond
2 days ago
Monday, February 4, 2019
monday moment: ears
OMG, my friend is ALL THE WAY over there! I can't possibly deal with this! I am listening to you making me stand here, but arghhhh!'
Never mind, all is fine, let's go. What?
Friday, February 1, 2019
calm before the storm
We're in the calm before the storm: a couple weeks of glorious warm, spring-like weather before downpours and wind hits tomorrow. The mud dried up and the trails were perfect…the horse was a challenge.
We first explored (after work, enough daylight, barely, but, yeah!) out to Avery pond. I hadn't been in awhile, and the trailside ferns were exploding green. Major took offense to the orange cone lurking behind the rock…all four times we passed it! (Yes, four times, not twice out and back. Why was that? Because we went back and worked on not being ridiculous on the twisty rock trail.)
And Major had to suffer while I let other horses leave before us (they were not with us, but suddenly it was a race) and also while I watched a river otter playing in the pond! I've never seen an otter here, and it was very cool (though I'm sure the fishermen aren't very pleased). Going home was not particularly fun, as Major was being a racehorse and I was trying to deal with it nicely. Not entirely successful, I after yet another circle I did get off to walk the road, because silly behavior and asphalt and cars to do not mix. And he was still trying to jig next to me, so back home he got cleaned up and got to stand for awhile and be patient, no fun turnout with friends right away. Life is hard for the naughty Major!
Then on to our nextchallenge ride, out with Beau. Beau is Major's neighbor at the ranch. They have a love-hate thing going on. But Beau is still learning to behave himself, especially behind other horses. So we had a great ride, with lots of hills to make the horses engage their bodies and minds! At one point Beau took off slippy/bucking/stupid, and I swear Major just watched like "Wow, I'm not that dumb any more, am I?"
It did make me see that while Major has his moments, he is inherently good. Just wanting to go fast is the problem! That was our longest ride in a long time, 14 miles with 1900 feet of elevation gain. It wasn't fast, but a good workout. Major was certainly not tired. How long and much can they keep in condition?!
This week I was able to fit in a ride after work. I was not rushing, but since Major had to contain himself on the last ride, I did think it would be nice to do a little canter/trot while the trails are dry.
That idea did not last very long. One nice canter, then a whole lot of jigging. Sigh. I just decided we would be doing no more trotting, and I would not be getting off. Major could walk us home, the key word being walk. Ever time he jigged more work had to be done: circling, backing, sidepassing, etc. If he walked nicely he got rein release and wither skritches and good boy.
We got home in the dark. But it was still a success, because it felt like towards the end he finally settled, I won't say he "got" it because this is an ongoing project. With Major it seems like hot horse + cool weather + getting fitter = can't contain the naughty. But I liked that it wasn't a fight, it was just here are the options, what are you choosing, ok, I'll deal with that. Fellow blogger roamingrider recently posted an analogy about horse and rider energy adding up to 10. I think I've usually practiced this, but I like being able to put it in words! So Major at 8 means my level is 2, and it changes throughout the ride. Love that idea!
Now the rain is coming, (which is fine, we need it and we're not in a polar vortex misery, sorry folks dealing with that!) and there are mashes to make and grass to eat and football to watch (go Rams!). When will my next ride be? I don't know. How will it be? A 10.
 |
| lurking orange cone |
We first explored (after work, enough daylight, barely, but, yeah!) out to Avery pond. I hadn't been in awhile, and the trailside ferns were exploding green. Major took offense to the orange cone lurking behind the rock…all four times we passed it! (Yes, four times, not twice out and back. Why was that? Because we went back and worked on not being ridiculous on the twisty rock trail.)
 |
| otter paying out there! |
And Major had to suffer while I let other horses leave before us (they were not with us, but suddenly it was a race) and also while I watched a river otter playing in the pond! I've never seen an otter here, and it was very cool (though I'm sure the fishermen aren't very pleased). Going home was not particularly fun, as Major was being a racehorse and I was trying to deal with it nicely. Not entirely successful, I after yet another circle I did get off to walk the road, because silly behavior and asphalt and cars to do not mix. And he was still trying to jig next to me, so back home he got cleaned up and got to stand for awhile and be patient, no fun turnout with friends right away. Life is hard for the naughty Major!
 |
| Cronan is great for winter riding |
Then on to our next
 |
| Major dealing with it |
It did make me see that while Major has his moments, he is inherently good. Just wanting to go fast is the problem! That was our longest ride in a long time, 14 miles with 1900 feet of elevation gain. It wasn't fast, but a good workout. Major was certainly not tired. How long and much can they keep in condition?!
 |
| Major's preferred view does not include Beau |
This week I was able to fit in a ride after work. I was not rushing, but since Major had to contain himself on the last ride, I did think it would be nice to do a little canter/trot while the trails are dry.
That idea did not last very long. One nice canter, then a whole lot of jigging. Sigh. I just decided we would be doing no more trotting, and I would not be getting off. Major could walk us home, the key word being walk. Ever time he jigged more work had to be done: circling, backing, sidepassing, etc. If he walked nicely he got rein release and wither skritches and good boy.
 |
| winter evening |
We got home in the dark. But it was still a success, because it felt like towards the end he finally settled, I won't say he "got" it because this is an ongoing project. With Major it seems like hot horse + cool weather + getting fitter = can't contain the naughty. But I liked that it wasn't a fight, it was just here are the options, what are you choosing, ok, I'll deal with that. Fellow blogger roamingrider recently posted an analogy about horse and rider energy adding up to 10. I think I've usually practiced this, but I like being able to put it in words! So Major at 8 means my level is 2, and it changes throughout the ride. Love that idea!
Now the rain is coming, (which is fine, we need it and we're not in a polar vortex misery, sorry folks dealing with that!) and there are mashes to make and grass to eat and football to watch (go Rams!). When will my next ride be? I don't know. How will it be? A 10.
 |
| moon and venus in the morning sky |
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
wrong
Major is very full of opinions. As a good trail partner, I often trust them, because dicey footing or poor choices could land us in trouble.
But our last outing he was seriously convinced I was wrong. Just wrong. We should not be going that way. Or this. We should be going HOME, which is THAT way!
That is what I get for practicing on the dam hills, nice open trails and roads…that eventually lead home. But the trails are wet, muddy and slippery. Hence why I chose the dam trails!
Heading out Major was quite exuberant. Trotting on good footing, weee! A detour to the dam site was slightly less enthusiastic, and I swear he threw up his hands when we turned around…finally!
He still protested going down the cutoff trail (he hates the rocks) but at least we were heading in the right direction. Along the river he was positively giddy, oh boy!
Then I turned up the "wrong" hill. That protest was actually a stop and spin the "right" way (most of his protesting is just slowing down and acting unconvinced of our direction). So then he had to trot up the wrong hill, oh boy!
Sadly, at the top I actually WAS wrong. A trail that used to go through does not any longer, so instead of a big loop we had to backtrack.
Which was acceptable until we passed the turnoff. The trailer is two miles away up the hill. Home is more than 10 miles away by slippery trail. It did not matter, I was wrong.
Stopping to take photos of things was very wrong (as evidenced by annoyed ears). Being pet by hikers was ok. Luckily Major's protests are minor, and involve him stopping and longingly looking back the correct-to-him direction.
Major sulked his way back up the hill. At the top he was finally happy, (oh yeah, I forgot the trailer is here!) with some snacks.
I am glad his protests are not particularly serious. He isn't very barn sour, so I don't know what his mood was that day. Sometimes we trailer to the dam and ride home, and sometimes we don't. And I do trust his instincts on so many things…and no matter what, I'm glad my horse has an opinion (even if he doesn't always get his way)!
But our last outing he was seriously convinced I was wrong. Just wrong. We should not be going that way. Or this. We should be going HOME, which is THAT way!
 |
| all the trails I was wrong about according to Major |
That is what I get for practicing on the dam hills, nice open trails and roads…that eventually lead home. But the trails are wet, muddy and slippery. Hence why I chose the dam trails!
 |
| This was OK, it is heading home! |
Heading out Major was quite exuberant. Trotting on good footing, weee! A detour to the dam site was slightly less enthusiastic, and I swear he threw up his hands when we turned around…finally!
He still protested going down the cutoff trail (he hates the rocks) but at least we were heading in the right direction. Along the river he was positively giddy, oh boy!
 |
| icky rocks on cutoff trail |
 |
| sheds filled with rock cores from dam building |
Then I turned up the "wrong" hill. That protest was actually a stop and spin the "right" way (most of his protesting is just slowing down and acting unconvinced of our direction). So then he had to trot up the wrong hill, oh boy!
 |
| what Major thinks |
Sadly, at the top I actually WAS wrong. A trail that used to go through does not any longer, so instead of a big loop we had to backtrack.
 |
| I actually was wrong on this hill! |
 |
| coming and going |
Which was acceptable until we passed the turnoff. The trailer is two miles away up the hill. Home is more than 10 miles away by slippery trail. It did not matter, I was wrong.
 |
| skeptical of our direction along the river |
 |
| rock ponds |
 |
| my favorite photo of the day, Tiny construction cone…giant rock mountain |
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| up the road to the trailer (They didn't leave any shoulder trail which sucks) |
 |
| are you done yet? Can we leave already? |
Thursday, January 17, 2019
d.i.y.: hanging horse treats
I thought about titling this sticky horse balls, or sweet hanging balls, but the internet is a scary thing…I'm not sure I want to read those comments…(I'm sure I'll get them anyway…)
And if your horse is on some sort of gluten-free, vegan, no-sugar diet, then you should probably just skip this post. This is for the horse that enjoys the occasional disgustingly sweet treat, which will get all over his face and forelock, this is for you. If you horse is "trapped" inside from the rain, as Major thinks he is, this treat will provide hours of entertainment.
You’re still in the mood for it, here is the basic recipe. As with all my recipes literally almost everything can be substituted, I’m not always sure with what, but go ahead and try it if your horse hates “X” thing!
Major's Sweet Treat
2 cups molasses (or corn syrup)
1-1/3 cup sugar
1/2 to 1 cup corn meal (could use flour)
2 cups feed (whatever: hay pellets, sweet feed, rice bran, oatmeal)
You are essentially making an old school popcorn ball, for our horses. (Anyone remember when you'd get popcorn balls at Halloween? So tasty! So potentially filled with razorblades was the rumor! Love the 70s)
Ok, anyway: Combine the molasses and sugar until dissolved on medium-high heat, then cook until 300 degrees/hard crack stage. You can do the hard-crack water/candy test (but seriously, just get a cheap candy thermometer, I use it one-two times a year and have owned it for 20 years…).
This took about 30 minutes. Soon all the hair on your hands will have burned off, and burning pieces of sugar candy will be close to whizzing through the air. Now you can stop and mix the lava mixture into your ingredidnets. You don't have much time!
I used a bundt pan for tiny cakes that I have rarely made cakes in, perfect for this, already a hole! Grease super well, this mixture will stick to everything. I pressed it in with waxed paper, it hardens really quickly (which is why there are no pictures of this step)! You could also hand-shape the mixture into a shape with the rope already in it.
I popped them out of the pan about 20 minutes later (the cooking pan I added some boiling water to melt the rest of the sugar off). Later I tied some fancy hay strings through it.
Major was super happy with his treat. Did it make the rain more tolerable? I think so. He managed to work through to the middle in three days, when it fell off on the floor. Then he ate the rest in like 5 minutes. The other one is waiting for another rainy day.
Yes, this is how I entertain myself in the depth of dark winter. But remember: Tomorrow the daylight will be 1 minute 31 seconds longer. This is what my weather app told me. I'll be counting....
And if your horse is on some sort of gluten-free, vegan, no-sugar diet, then you should probably just skip this post. This is for the horse that enjoys the occasional disgustingly sweet treat, which will get all over his face and forelock, this is for you. If you horse is "trapped" inside from the rain, as Major thinks he is, this treat will provide hours of entertainment.
You’re still in the mood for it, here is the basic recipe. As with all my recipes literally almost everything can be substituted, I’m not always sure with what, but go ahead and try it if your horse hates “X” thing!
Major's Sweet Treat
2 cups molasses (or corn syrup)
1-1/3 cup sugar
1/2 to 1 cup corn meal (could use flour)
2 cups feed (whatever: hay pellets, sweet feed, rice bran, oatmeal)
You are essentially making an old school popcorn ball, for our horses. (Anyone remember when you'd get popcorn balls at Halloween? So tasty! So potentially filled with razorblades was the rumor! Love the 70s)
 |
| livestock molasses is very inexpensive, this was like $8 for a gallon, should last a long while! |
 |
| all the things! |
Ok, anyway: Combine the molasses and sugar until dissolved on medium-high heat, then cook until 300 degrees/hard crack stage. You can do the hard-crack water/candy test (but seriously, just get a cheap candy thermometer, I use it one-two times a year and have owned it for 20 years…).
This took about 30 minutes. Soon all the hair on your hands will have burned off, and burning pieces of sugar candy will be close to whizzing through the air. Now you can stop and mix the lava mixture into your ingredidnets. You don't have much time!
 |
| knuckles burning, cook faster! |
I used a bundt pan for tiny cakes that I have rarely made cakes in, perfect for this, already a hole! Grease super well, this mixture will stick to everything. I pressed it in with waxed paper, it hardens really quickly (which is why there are no pictures of this step)! You could also hand-shape the mixture into a shape with the rope already in it.
I popped them out of the pan about 20 minutes later (the cooking pan I added some boiling water to melt the rest of the sugar off). Later I tied some fancy hay strings through it.
 |
| success! |
Major was super happy with his treat. Did it make the rain more tolerable? I think so. He managed to work through to the middle in three days, when it fell off on the floor. Then he ate the rest in like 5 minutes. The other one is waiting for another rainy day.
Yes, this is how I entertain myself in the depth of dark winter. But remember: Tomorrow the daylight will be 1 minute 31 seconds longer. This is what my weather app told me. I'll be counting....
 |
| sunset over treat |
Monday, January 7, 2019
conversations with major: clean up
Um, Major, what is this mess?
What mess?
Don't be coy, see the side and wheel of the trailer!?
Tasty rice bran!
OK, I know the contents…
Then why did you ask?
Stop interrupting. Why is it all over the trailer?
Because I just ate!
Um, dude, the bowl was on the ground. Why is the mess on the trailer?
Because I have to pick my head up to chew it, the trailer is in the way.
In your paddock you don't do that with dinner!
It is different here, just wait, I'll clean up…
That is gross Major.
No, it's leftover tasty rice bran!
Thanks for trying buddy.
It's good, you should try it.
NO THANKS, you keep your messy face over there.
But will there be more tomorrow?
It is really only for when we do something, like go for a ride.
Then can we go for a ride tomorrow?
Just so you can have rice bran?
Ummm, yes?!
Maybe Major, maybe.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
happy new year!
Sometimes the holidays can leave you laying a little flat-like a unicorn in the return pile of a department store.
 |
| How sad: someone returned the unicorn |
But it’s nothing that a New Year’s Day ride can’t fix. Major had a very hard time trying to keep four on the floor, but mostly behaved himself, for an uneventful ride. Just the way the year should start.
Happy new year...again! I pretty much feel like Solstice is the beginning of the new year, but I’ll celebrate twice and welcome 2019! My family had a midnight tradition of milkshakes and hamburgers, I still do milkshakes, with mandarin juice added, so yummy! That was the extent of my wild evening.
Mandarins and Major, a good start to the year. I wish a great 2019 to everyone!
 |
| First photo of 2019! |
Friday, December 21, 2018
solstice 2018
Good morning Solstice. The shortest, darkest day leading into the light. No sunrise photo: it is dreary, gloomy and rainy and everything I hate about winter. And you can’t even see the sun! (Or the moon, a solstice full moon, how cool!)
I will welcome every second of new light in these cold, damp months. I will seriously try to not take any time for granted. Celebrate and enjoy family, friends, horses and other assorted creatures. Happy Solstice!
I will welcome every second of new light in these cold, damp months. I will seriously try to not take any time for granted. Celebrate and enjoy family, friends, horses and other assorted creatures. Happy Solstice!
Monday, December 17, 2018
d.i.y.: animal-topped treat jars
This cute idea is already all over the internet, but I wanted to try it myself! It is nice and simple, with stuff already in the garage, only a trip to the dollar store for more animals was needed!
I gathered up some random small jars, plastic animals, sandpaper. random paint and good glue (I love E-6000, but I assume superglue or similar would work). I decided to sandpaper the whole top and the animal feet, which couldn't hurt and could help. Then I just used a tiny bit of glue of each foot and let them cure for 24 hours.
Then outside to spray the lids and beasts! I used whatever spray paint I had in the garage. And it turns out that using the primer one first (with the black or gray) did make the metallic be more solid and look nicer, so I'd recommend that. Other than that it is just a light coat with dry time in between. It is tough to get underneath the stomach/between the legs, but my paint-coated fingers attest it is possible.
The gray primer was a great base (plus I had it leftover from painting a model Star Trek Enterprise)
Choosing a damp overcast day is not the best, as the paint took forever to dry and I am impatient. (I only dropped one still-wet top in the dirt, needing to be wiped off and repainted a little funky...). So the painted lids came inside a heated room (with the window open) to truly cure.
I am giving some jars to friends and some to family, some with horse treats and some with human treats! I am using the orange one (the paint didn't turn out as good, I should have used primer first) for my loose tea, and already have chosen a dinosaur on my desk for assorted paperclips, etc.
Do any prancing ponies catch your eye? Silver, black or copper? I'll draw a name from the comments on December 21 and send a treat-filled jar of their choice! It will be happy Solstice from Major!
 |
| gather all the stuff |
I gathered up some random small jars, plastic animals, sandpaper. random paint and good glue (I love E-6000, but I assume superglue or similar would work). I decided to sandpaper the whole top and the animal feet, which couldn't hurt and could help. Then I just used a tiny bit of glue of each foot and let them cure for 24 hours.
 |
| sanded and test-fit to jar lids |
 |
| a little glue on each foot |
Then outside to spray the lids and beasts! I used whatever spray paint I had in the garage. And it turns out that using the primer one first (with the black or gray) did make the metallic be more solid and look nicer, so I'd recommend that. Other than that it is just a light coat with dry time in between. It is tough to get underneath the stomach/between the legs, but my paint-coated fingers attest it is possible.
The gray primer was a great base (plus I had it leftover from painting a model Star Trek Enterprise)
 |
| first light coat |
 |
| the messy middle process |
Choosing a damp overcast day is not the best, as the paint took forever to dry and I am impatient. (I only dropped one still-wet top in the dirt, needing to be wiped off and repainted a little funky...). So the painted lids came inside a heated room (with the window open) to truly cure.
 |
| jars galore! |
I am giving some jars to friends and some to family, some with horse treats and some with human treats! I am using the orange one (the paint didn't turn out as good, I should have used primer first) for my loose tea, and already have chosen a dinosaur on my desk for assorted paperclips, etc.
 |
| who wants one? |
Do any prancing ponies catch your eye? Silver, black or copper? I'll draw a name from the comments on December 21 and send a treat-filled jar of their choice! It will be happy Solstice from Major!
Thursday, December 6, 2018
hooligan
Major Trouble should be his name. Luckily it is mostly just petty theft, but seriously, I can't turn my back for an instant!
First he learned that the horse across the way has alfalfa stored in a plastic box. And Major figured out how to open it. Crime: Breaking and entering. (Luckily it was already damaged, though I'm sure he is not helping. I offered to buy a new one for Beau's owner, but she said just wait, it's fine for now!).
Now if I leave him alone for a second…like to clean his paddock (otherwise he supervises by tipping over the muck cart) he is back into that container. The other day it only had grass hay! But it was still delicious compared to the same grass hay that was in his paddock. sigh…
And that isn't the end of his crime spree. If I am distracted for a moment he steals property from other horses (he is very sneaky) and has also become a car thief.
Let's not mention the invasion of personal space.
But I'll accept the silliness (and allow the non-damaging kind) because he's MY hooligan!
P.S. There is still time if anyone wants to do the card exchange. Sadly, very few people want to send actual cards anymore!
First he learned that the horse across the way has alfalfa stored in a plastic box. And Major figured out how to open it. Crime: Breaking and entering. (Luckily it was already damaged, though I'm sure he is not helping. I offered to buy a new one for Beau's owner, but she said just wait, it's fine for now!).
 |
| stealing while Beau looks on |
 |
| But it is tasty! Not an excuse, lock him up (in his paddock!) |
Now if I leave him alone for a second…like to clean his paddock (otherwise he supervises by tipping over the muck cart) he is back into that container. The other day it only had grass hay! But it was still delicious compared to the same grass hay that was in his paddock. sigh…
 |
| second offense |
And that isn't the end of his crime spree. If I am distracted for a moment he steals property from other horses (he is very sneaky) and has also become a car thief.
 |
| stealing Swagger's bowl while he looks on |
 |
| car thief steals same old grass ahy |
Let's not mention the invasion of personal space.
 |
| what personal space? |
But I'll accept the silliness (and allow the non-damaging kind) because he's MY hooligan!
P.S. There is still time if anyone wants to do the card exchange. Sadly, very few people want to send actual cards anymore!
Friday, November 30, 2018
blogger card exchange!
I participate in a super fun card exchange on the Chronicle of the Horse forum. I love getting cards from random horse people on the list, some with photos, or stories, some just a nice sentiment, some traditional and some not.
A card is just so much more personal than "likes" on Facebook, Any one want to trade cards? Holiday, Solstice, just because, any kind of card, letter, postcard, photos, whatever works.
If interested, comment or send me an email before December 10: adventureswithmajor (at) gmail.com.
A card is just so much more personal than "likes" on Facebook, Any one want to trade cards? Holiday, Solstice, just because, any kind of card, letter, postcard, photos, whatever works.
If interested, comment or send me an email before December 10: adventureswithmajor (at) gmail.com.
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| 2017 graphic |
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