Unexpected Trip to Vermont

me (Susan) holding Luna and Keri

Betsy holding Luna and her favorite mare Keri

 

 

 

me riding the wonderful Luna
 

 

 

One of my Labs came into heat on Thursday, which prompted an unexpected trip to Betsy Lirakis' Top O' The Hill Farm to introduce my Cameo to her Nic.  Well, OF COURSE we went riding while I was there!

Zoe riding Sassy

Zoe was schooling two western For Sale horses in the indoor when I arrived Saturday morning, and since I am blessed with a beautiful Bob Marshall treeless western, I offered Zoe to work them in that.  I then got to try each one.  I love trying out different horses!  Both Sassy and Finn were wonderful and were very tolerant of my sad ring-riding skills.  One thing I loved about both of them was how they stood stock still during the mount and dismount.  Amazing.  (Obviously, I need to be more consistent my Curly at home.) I had on my Converse sneakers and borrowed Zoe's helmet.  I had shortened my stirrups up a notch since my last visit to Vermont, but they were still too long what with my flat-soled sneakers, so when Betsy and I went out for a trail ride on Sunday with my flat-soled cowboy boots, I shortened them up two notches. Just right!

 

 

After the fun stint in the indoor, we headed out to visit a herd of Betsy's horses out on pasture. 

Hey, we have visitors, oh boy!

OYY Splash Dancing Freestyle, a handsome BIG 4 month old colt

OYY Foxy Lady, a pony filly almost too cute to be real

 All of the horses were glad to see us and came running right over to be scratched and petted. Heaven!  Lots of beauties, especially Rita and Arabesque.  I purposely did not take pictures of either of them.  I do not need to fan my ardor; I am perfectly happy with my Ah-D.

Betsy, Vicki and Glen observing Zoe working with Nooner

Back at Top O' The Hill, we found Vicki and Glen had arrived while we were gone.  Vicki was working her lovely buckskin pinto Curly mare Nooner. Vicki had been trying to get Nooner to cross the bridge with no success, so Zoe kindly worked with them to achieve the desired result. Vicki tried out my saddle before she and her husband Glen left with Nooner and Promise to go back home to New York.  I meet the nicest Curly people when I am at Betsy's!

Sunday morning,  Betsy and I took out the mother-daughter team Keri and Luna.  Betsy of course rode her favorite mount of all Keri, while I had Keri's daughter Luna.  What a super mare Luna is!  I would volunteer to ride her ANYTIME!  Steady, forward, responsive, comfy , the perfect size and beautiful to boot.  Who could ask for more?  She is a lesson horse and very even-tempered.  I liked her very much, and she was very good for me, so I assume she liked me right back.  Besides all the items previously listed, one of my favorite things about Luna was the consistency in her gaits.  When I said trot, she trotted until I said walk or canter. She had limitless energy like the Energizer Bunny.  I really enjoyed that about her.  What a nice mare.

We did an eight mile loop on dirt roads with a few meanderings thrown in, and one track back for my sheepskin tush cush after a long canter up a hill.  Shame on me! :)  Luna didn't give one hint that she was annoyed at having to backtrack, and she was not barn sour in the slightest bit, so that was very cool.  Luna and Keri were very well matched speed-wise as well, so Betsy and I were able to ride side by side and talk-talk-talk about the most interesting topics.  What a blast!  Have you ever heard of the theory that the Vikings built most of the stone walls in New England, not the English homesteaders??

Harold, check out this stone wall.

 

 

It is a work of art all in itself.

snooping ;)

We spied a vacated house for sale, and since I am nosey I turned Luna in to check out the grounds.  They had mown trails around the property, so of course both Keri and Luna had to poop while we were there.  Isn't that the way?

It was incredibly hot.  I was pretty tired by the time we got back, I think from the hot, humid weather more than the eight miles, because that isn't exactly long distance.  Boy, did we see some pretty country.  One of these times, Betsy would like to take me to the river which is ten miles from her place, with the idea that we will play in the river and then ride the ten miles home.

Keri will do anything for Betsy!

I'm hoping to be posting a sequel to this post in a few weeks when it is time for Cameo to come home.

 

Keepin' at It!

No pictures today because I had no helpers but I did saddle up anyway! It was borderline too hot for me (I really am a wimp with heat!) but Linus handled it well and I gave us lots of rest breaks.
We ran the barrels a few times, I love how much this has encouraged him to move off of my leg! Then I moved the barrels (from his back again! Hee hee! I love that I can do this!) and we did some weaving. We trotted circles in both directions around the barrels too. I even had the saddle on a notch tighter! Our work is paying off - wonder when MY belt will go a notch tighter! Lol
Afterwards, once he was untacked and totally free to do as he pleased, Linus walked over and rested his head on me and I spent a good few minutes just scratching his head and ears. It's so nice knowing that whatever I ask him to do - he still likes to just be in my company!
Love my big man!

More Progress!!

How nice that on a beautiful Friday afternoon, I had my husband with me and was able to have some pictures taken of us working! It's always nice to have someone around for a "leg-up" when I use the bareback pad as well. 

Kind of a funny one, I was reading an article about 2 weeks ago that a guy wrote saying he would never, ever again have a headstall with chicago screws in it. One fell out (not sure which) and was the cause of a pretty big riding accident for him. So, when cleaning mine last week, I noticed one missing on my headstall!! Thinking back to the article, I immediately sidelined it and ordered a new one!! Below is a pic of Linus sporting his new one. It matches his reins really nicely considering they came from different places!

I have for a while now wanted to try barrels with the bareback pad. I find going back to it every now and then helps me keep on top on my balance and making clear signals. I waited until I was on his back before I told my husband there was a good chance I might fall off trying this bareback! Thankfully, I didn't!

Of course Linus has to give the barrels a good sniff first!

He is really catching on to what we do at the barrels and we are starting to pick up speed!

They called from Calgary asking if we'd consider competing in the Stampede barrel racing but we were unable to make the trip......(ha ha ha yeah right!)

I tried a "lesson" I learned online where you start and finish in between two barrels. It helps to give the horse a start and stop point. Worked well! my husband was on the other side of the barrels so Linus liked to head to him for a head rubbing after we did each run!

I was pretty impressed today by his turns. 

It was nice that our best spot for barrels had dried up. Last week there was puddles here!

Hard to tell it in this picture but he is losing weight and look! He has a bit of curls showing in his tail!

And a big hug for my big red friend...

Hey look Linus I can reach to rub your neck from here! He loved that!

Ok, let's move the barrels and practice some weaving...normally I dismount to move them but I wanted to give Linus a test and see if he would let me do it from his back. It took a bit of maneuvering to get close enough to reach the opening on the barrel to grab it but he was so good about it!

Good job Linus!

The weaving went really well. 

Ah, time for a break!

The hayfields at the end of the trail that borders our farm have been cut today. So, in a few days we will have another spot back to ride in again! YAY!! Then I will really get at the separation even more. 

We're supposed to have some great weather (finally!) coming up! Hoping to be able to take full advantage!!

Have a great riding weekend!

Donna & Linus

Lunenburg, On

Sunny, in Eastern Ontario

It's been awhile since I posted but that's not because I haven't been riding my Curly!  Infact, lucky us, we ride almost everyday!!  Every second day of the week, we usually go for a couple of hours.  Each day on the weekend.. a few more hours and then almost every evening, after the children are put to bed, I have the great pleasure of hopping on my boy for an evening, bareback ride on our trails with our 5 dogs :-)) 
In the past I have been a bit nervous to ride bareback but with Sunny, he gives me SO much confidence.  He has only been trained for riding for 7 months but we go everywhere together!  We go out alone, with others or meet up with others.  This horse is such a champ.  Like most other Curly's, he is so cool and collected.  His unconfident moments are mild and short. 

We play together at home, on the ground, online and at Liberty.  Then when we ride, we are so much more connected.  He babysits my children almost as if they are his.  He's good on the road, over bridges, running water, mud and I think we actually SWAM a stride or two on one our last long trail rides.  My husband grew up with sleigh / driving horses so I was going to develop Sunny into sleigh horse this fall, since he is 'my' horse, but to my delight, when I asked my husband if he would like to help me in Sunny driving development.. he said, enthusiastically, "yes"!  So, although I'm going to continue enjoying this 'Sunny' summer... I'm also looking forward to the fall and our driving training!

Here is a cute picture of Runner wearing his new ear bonnet.  It really did help him yesterday when we got attacked by the deer flies.  We usually ride on the beach, but have been going to Brazos Bend State Park to take advantage of the shade! It was very hot, and humid, but he did very good.  We came across a pig in a cage, which obviously is very scary to the horses.  Both horses did a 180, but I was very proud because both horses came back under control very quickly.  The rest of the ride was a lot of fun, like any ride on Runner. 

4th of July & more!

 Happy Riding Everyone!

I expected to see more 4th of July parade photos from you all here in the USA. Maybe you are still making time to post them. =] I hope so! =] It was a strange year here in the U.P. of Michigan. Out of the 3 neighboring towns who had parades, Karen and I were the only ones that brought our horses. That is really unusual for this area.

I really wasn't planning to do the parade this year either, but with my friend Karen's encouragement, I decided to participate. Bear and I have been in 2 parades prior to this but it's been a while.  We had a great time! Wish we had more pics but this was all we got, sorry!

Me and Bear

Karen went as the fallen soldier. It was very touching.

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 The next day we got a visit from a friend who has a 5 year old daughter who has been dying to ride a horse. But she had just as much fun leading Bear! It was so cute.

"Stop, stop...eating!!" =]

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Then Laura Kibler (RACer) came up for a ride with her amazing curly, Billy. It was a warm day but the breeze kicked up and it made the day incredible. No bugs! =] We ended with a dip in the lake.

Laura Kibler & Billy!

Rocky and Bear. Rocky is learning to love the water. =]

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This week I took our Jack Russell, Ruby on a short trip across the road to the lake. It's wonderful on these hot days to have the lake nearby to let the animals drink and cool down. Ruby recently had eye surgery so she hasn't been as active as normal. I was surprised to see her swimming next to us as we waded out in the water. It was so cute! Both dogs really trust Bear..he is such a gentle boy.

Wishing you all a great rest of the summer of riding! Get rested up for the August RAC Game!

Denise Conroy in Michigan =]

Holiday Riding in Maine

Susan and AhD

What a lovely End of Holiday ride we had last Sunday!  At the crack of dawn (literally) I loaded Ah-D and Allie into the trailer and Kate and I were off to Poland to ride on Ulla's trails.

Susan and Ah-D, Kate on Allie, Luvon on Indi, Ulla on Gabby
 

There are some unbelievable trails in Poland.  This particular one runs right along the edge of a new beaver pond.  I was on the lookout for beavers, but they were hiding.  There was evidence of them everywhere, with massive trees lying around, pointed on the ends by beaver teeth.

We went on some back roads, too.  Hardly any traffic.  Well, of course it was about 6 am Sunday morning, so DUH.  Ah-D and I must have been hanging back with Allie when I took this shot.  Poor Allie had his work cut out for him to keep up with the rest of us, but he did great.

I took this shot as we crossed a bridge.  What a view!  It was so peaceful and fresh.  We covered a lot of ground in the few hours we had before the daytime weather descended like a hot, wet blanket.  It was wonderful to be out with like-minded friends on well-behaved horses, just in the nick of time before the Deer Fly Season starts in earnest here in the Northeast.

Happy Trails, Everyone!

p.s. If you hear a rumor about my giving up my Curly for a motorcycle, don't believe it.

Ryding Bucky

After a long time not posting on the RAC I found some time....(and didn't forgot my camera ;)

My trail rides with Cinderella are going verry well.

It's holliday time for my kids so we have a lot off time to practice with Bucky, to be a good child pony.
And he is doing verry well!
He is verry sweet and never expected...he is patient!

Canada Day Pictures!

Even though we had our "big ride" the day before Canada Day, I still had to do some pictures as I have in all my previous years with Linus! He was born and bred in Canada after all!

I really wish my lens hadn't been smudged in the above picture. I think it's a great head shot of him!

"If you're going to stick things in my halter I may as well see if they're edible!"

This is my 5 year old son, Owen, riding Linus. It has been a while since Owen was on Linus and he was amazed at how much higher he was. Owen said he could see everything from up there! He's wearing a superhero cape so it's good to see Linus so clearly playing the part of loyal and trusty steed....when he wakes up!

I think he's wondering what the heck I have on my feet...who says you can't ride with Crocs on??

Handsome fella!! 

Of course we had to try Tess' patience too! She is my 9 year old greyhound mix. Most wonderful dog you could ever want to meet.

Last, but she will tell you herself that she is definitely not least, Wee-Mac Foxy! One of our Angus cows. A very spoiled one at that! She was born thinking she was a lap dog. This picture was taken when she came up for her daily "extra" ration...she leaves the herd and walks up to the barn and almost silently "mrrrrs" at us until she gets her scoop. It's a darn good thing cows can't talk! 

Getting to know Mr. Mozart, all over again.

Hi All,

I'm rather dead tired, but wanted to make an update here. I wanted to share with you all a video we made today. This is my third ride on Mr. Mozart (Clooney) after he has returned from the trainers. Mr. Mozart was originally brought under saddle about 5 years ago, by myself working with our western trainer, Walter Lukas. Due to an injury from a fall (not Mr. Mozart) I have worked now 3 years getting back into shape and riding again regularly. It was an opportune time to get Clooney working again, this time with a Classical trainer. Clooney has learned many new things, including going forward calmly but with momentum, work in the walk, trot and canter, and some shoulder-in and traverse. We will continue to maintain and improve his training over time. This was my third ride, and shows just a brief part. Later in the session I worked in the trot, on turns, etc. In this clip, we are getting to know each others signals, and working on a shoulder-in which we accomplish briefly. We did better the previous days, but then I wasn't working with a camera man asking me all sorts of questions, and didn't have two strange horses riding up in the distance to distract us. As Mr. Mozart is a stallion, I dismounted to wait for them to go by before continuing. In any case, it is a start. Enjoy!

Video: Getting to know Mr. Mozart