Flexibility, Thy Name is Horse owner

Hard to believe a new year has already come around again! We kept it low key around here for the holidays; when not utilizing the fair weather productively our New Year celebrations looked pretty well like this, plus or minus some critters and humans:

I made it all of 1 day into January before sidelining horse plans for a random reason. I had scheduled to haul Blaze and Sheza to the lake yesterday to be joined by N but after prepping the trailer and tack, working the filly early in the frosty morning, and pulling Blaze, I noticed a couple things on Blaze that made me cancel. At the moment it can't be called more than a raised area at his left shoulder with slight palpation sensitivity and knotted muscle in his left flank, and an otherwise bright and cheery Blaze. I'm thinking he rolled on something/got out of whack, and will call the chiro if it hasn't magically disappeared in a day or two, but it was a nice new year reminder to stay alert and flexible.

Sheza still got a good round pen workout and some hoof micro managing in and enjoyed a half hour of hand grazing around the property before I glanced askance at the height tape reading 15 hands at the wither--and yes she's butt high currently-- and returned her to Scrappy. 

maybe I'll climb that porch and move that dog

My youngster Rushcreek has been restless as ever lately and her entertainment factor, retired step-mom Desire, has been opting for more napping and less galloping lately, so a pasture switch was due. I know everyone says "she's just a baby!" about Rory being naughty, and while it's true and I do recall not being overly fond of Sheza at a similar age, Rory's particular brand of mischief runs to the goat-esque* so she's best reoccupied before she really gets a wild hair (like chewing down a shed, running through open gates for the road, or jumping the fence..). 

*annoying, destructive, dangerous, did I mention annoying

Mini emperor Napoleon was also due for a hair cut, hoof trim, and pasture swap

Ever since we moved to our property 5 years ago I've been utilizing the many cross fenced areas so that only a retiree or the mini lived with someone else and there was minimal "risk." I don't know if it's having so many horses now or enough crap happen out of my control but sometime in the last few months I've suddenly gotten over my herd paranoia. My first step was letting Sheza live with Scrappy (my baby! my endurance horse!) and I really threw in the proverbial control towel when adding Rory to the mix yesterday. My whole riding future, in one (read 3) pasture(s), able to murderate each other, intentionally or otherwise. So far it's yielded a hilarious video, a very pleased Scrappy, and probably some more wiggle room in my conditioning schedule with the fillies keeping him moving. I always keep a sharp eye on dynamics as they can change daily but so far the group of youngsters seem pretty peaceful and Scrappy seems to like having a herd again.

Something I forgot to write in here originally but think bears adding: I'm curious what Scrappy having a herd at home will do to his brain, since he's been "alone" (sharing fence line only) or with the mini at the most in the last year. I wondered if a horse who came from a herd environment originally then spent his down time "alone" and only got out in groups settings again at ride camps didn't just ask for trouble, ya know?  

Rory threw her standard hour long tantrum about the pasture switch..

..she headbutted and bodychecked Sheza trying to get her to run dramatically but if you can't tell, Sheza is currently trying on the role of Scrappy Who Stands and Watches Dubiously

"mature" horses not sure what the fuss is about ;-) 

But An Arab is an Arab! 

 Scrap leads his ladies away

 One never knows what the day, week, or month will yield, let alone 365 pages yet to be written. I aim to keep an open mind and heart and ride, ride, ride.

Whiskeytown Adventure

On Sunday Scrap and I threw down some trailer miles to join a good friend and her trail eating Morgan on some gorgeous, hilly, technical trails a few hours away. Our local trails are pretty slimy and it was great to put something serious in front of Scrappy after our feisty "LD" a few weeks back. Thanks T for the photo supplementation!

arrived, escorted in by our local buddies T & Jazz

Jazz and Scrapper doing a warm up stare down. Scrap's first time up there!

I'd ridden some of the trails on the Whiskeytown LD and 50 milers in the past but this was Scrappy's first time there and we had a grand time moving out on the good footing, busting butt up "The Terminator" as they call it, and cruising around the Whiskeytown ride camp area before taking some awesome wet and rocky trails (with a few *steeps*)back up to a nice gradual descent on "The Escalator" and a good cool out walk back to the rigs.  

Scrappy wore his new ported Myler Kimberwick on the ride, and a running martingale (and I wore gloves!). I had a snaffle on board in case he really objected to the Myler but happily he carried the kimberwick quietly and *quite* responsively. He was forward and excited to move out with Jazz and started to get hinky a few times but after checking himself on the curb setting he was a very polite and engaged Scrappy, and there was no need for strong contact. I know some people raise eyebrows about "bitting up" but I've now found with two completely different horses (Desire, Scrappy) that the switch from a blithely ignored snaffle to a Kimberwick oomph nearly negates the need for strong contact. It's there when I  need it, and I don't need it often. That's just my experience and what has worked so far for my horses, and of course this wasn't an amped ride start scenario so it's yet to be fully proven. I found Scrappy's competent  responsiveness reassuring though, as he's the type to let you know pretty quickly if a piece of tack will work or not.

after the first big climb, Scrappy pretending he's concerned about the edge

(he's usually hugging it with one foot almost sliding off..!)

T and Jazz leading the way! We are both..

..hand talkers! ;-) 

( and holy horse is Scrap filthy)

We did lots of water crossing, climbing, and some rock scrambling, and I'm happy to say all 4 Renegades performed flawlessly. I've had great luck with them but the combination of water/speed or water/speed/hills is a treacherous one for any boot, and I was impressed with their performance. I was too busy riding to get good photos of the wilder stuff but here's a peek at some of the wet, anyway:

after a nice winding descent, cooling out toward the trailers and Scrap is fresh

 It was a great day on the trails and really made up for the expensive clusterfuck that was our last ride of the 2014 aerc season.  Boots, saddle, back, bit all organized and I'm so looking forward to 2015 with this new fit, motivated, and under control (?!) Scrappy.

Ruminations

One of the great perks of attending religiously to this blog since 2011 is the ability to go back a day, week, or year, and get a glimpse of my perspective in that moment in time. As humans we're fabulously fluctuating beings, emotions and thoughts and desires bounding here and there like so many agile jack rabbits daily. What we thought we knew for sure one year is often met with a wry laugh and head shake at our innocent youth when revisited; after accepting that it's a fact, we must also remind ourselves not to self flagellate for not being born knowing it all. Anyway as a feisty, opinionated chestnut, I find all that particularly challenging and it seems to me that the best possible tools in this game of life and horses are the abilities to recognize an issue and then adapt, whatever form that takes. 

I began to ruminate on this because of blue skies and a sweater. My last post began by referencing the 20+ days of rain December gifted us with. Life was damp and muddy and people began to search for sunlight again. By the day after my post the sun had returned and it's been that way since, with still not a hint of rain in the 10 day forecast. There are whispers of a few years ago when it rained all December and then didn't again after January 1st-- the sky is bright, the ground is dry. Attitudes are entirely different and it's been 7 calendar days. Something worth considering, when we're in a doldrums: the changeability of life from day to day, week to week, *and* the utter responsibility for our own happiness that lies with us all.

--Oh, the sweater part of that? Just this glorious handmade creation by my mother, gifted to me at Christmas and shown below. It features galloping Scrappy and Desire's in appropriate shades and orange hearts at the cuffs, a nice shout out to my ole Orange rig.

 It's entirely gorgeous and comfortable and ironic; I've been an epic over-heater since childhood and I used to tell my mom that she was crazy for wearing the "hot scratchy" (beautiful) sweaters that she made and rocked. I'm fairly sure that at some point we even laughed over the possibility of me ever wanting a sweater because they're so warm and and and and...I love it. I totally overheated taking these photos but I love it and have really enjoyed it in the more seasonal temps the last few mornings.

Christmas treats!

The best present! truckloads of gravel and tractor time

the 3 yr old leading the grey 9 yr old...we grew us a lunker! ;-)

Oh yeah & the grey 9 yr old thinks he's a stud now & tries to herd his filly but she's too fast

The reality check of holidays and family visited and the approaching turn of the page into a new year leaves me thoughtful I suppose.  I'm often surprised and delighted by the things that I enjoy when I open my mind to the possibility or adjust my attitude, and I like who I become when I make myself vulnerable, struggle with something, and overcome, whether in horses or the bigger picture. Whatever form your happiness takes or you think it takes, pursue it. You may fulfill just exactly what you thought you would, or find a surprising new path instead. I wish you all excitement and inspiration going into in the new year, pursued with open hearts.

don't forget to love your elders! Rip gives Jay a Christmas greeting

p.s. Scrappy and I hit the trail tomorrow for the first time since GRS! Stay tuned