Reflections on a Mare

GE Blazun Haatdesire, Arrived January 2011, 8 months pregnant

w/ filly Sheza Blaznhaat Xpres, born April 14, 2011

Getting back under saddle, Fall 2011

Our first 50s together, Cuyama XP March 2012

700 trail miles and 305 AERC endurance miles later. 

Today at on our home trails at Lake Oroville, what a journey we have had.

I seriously love this mare, Desire. She is impatient, suspicious, restless, uptight, forward, beautiful, intelligent, tough as nails, and an absolute dream to ride. Nobody knows what the future holds, but I do know that she is special and I am happy to appreciate her in my life each and every day. She gave me another great gift in Sheza-filly, a horse that is sure to change my life again in new and interesting ways in the future. Thanks girl, here's to more mornings and miles and Hay Mountains together.

Some shots from today's End of the Year ride at Lake Oroville:

 Arabian Mares in conference, Desire and Willow

 Yep, we're gonna get eaten. Or, maybe, be given something to eat? Hmm..

 Changing weather

 Brrr, changing for the tid-bit-nipplier!

  Happiness is Horses. Happy new Year, everyone.

Rasping in the New Year

I trimmed Desire's hooves Thursday night and after a 15 mile ride on Blaze yesterday, it was his turn for a pedicure. The sunshine is finally back and should stay for a few days yet! The horses have been in blankets for weeks now, I had to stop myself on the way out the driveway for the feed store, realizing that Blaze would cook in a fleece and sheet, with this strange thing called Sun shining down so strongly. Okay so it's about 48 degrees tops but it feels positively balmy after weeks of grey and damp.

Blaze rocking the Mudster look

 Hooray for a hoof jack!

 I so love going to the feed store. I feel like I leave it totally broke but hey, it's worth it ;-) Our feed bills just never seem to get smaller, funny how that works..4 horses later..what's that they say about potato chips?

 Hay is my obsession. I am constantly aware of how much I have, when and where I am getting more, etc. Nothing makes me happier than a full hay barn. I am taking it in the teeth a little on price to get the higher quality stuff, I just *cannot* feed my horses crap hay, especially with endurance goals.

 Blaze's heels got away from me a little as the last few months have been holidays, or I've been on the road. Will be bringing those back but his feet are looking pretty good and he's moving great.

 Hind hooves are SO EASY with a hoof jack! Ohhh my

 Goats of Leisure, enjoying sunshine

A Lake Ride! (Good Vibes Please)

I hadn't trailered out in a forever so I jumped at the opportunity to join J and Sedona at Lake Oroville for some trail time. We figured it would be sloppy in some parts but had no idea just how sloppy. Blaze and I did about 15 miles and most of those were at the walk, including 2 or 3 miles uphill on foot. More on that later...

Uhhh guys.. I hear Something!

 Seriously, I told you I heard something!!!

 My beautiful boy <3

 Taking some pics with high tech sunglasses! J and Sedona

 Fun in the tunnel

 Beautiful trails, if a bit sloppy today!

 J noticed something was off with Sedona so she started hand walking her, then noticed her cell phone was gone! The darn bag just ripped right off and silently disappeared. J had a long haul back home and was concerned about her horse, and to really cheer things up, it was starting to rain. I told her to keep walking for the trailers and Blaze and I slithered our way back down the trail in search of the little black case. We had a spanking canter along the good footing on the gravel road along the river, then spotted the case lying plain as day, asking to be retrieved. Another good canter back towards the trailers and a few more miles and we caught back up to J and Sedona.

Heading back again, love all the red berries out

 J hand walked Sedona the last 3 miles or so back to the trailers, which was of course all uphill. I hiked with her, out of solidarity, and because I could use the narrow trails to keep Blaze moving forward straight ahead as I kinda-sorta taught him to Tail. He was eyeballing me suspiciously as I lurked next to his rump and played with his tail, but he's such a good natured sort that the worst he did was circle back around me a few times when he found the space to pull it off. Incidentally, hanging out at his rear is a MUCH easier way to get a good forward walk out of him--if I lead him from in front he walks like a dying farm plug!

Anyhoo, we aren't sure what is up with Sedona, a possible shoulder/muscle pull of some sort. Send positive thoughts and prayers out for her, please!

Blazer boy wearing his girlfriend Desire's blankie