Ride 28: Wind, Sun, New Trail

We hit the jackpot on weather today: cool, clear, brilliant sun…and  a boisterous strong wind out of the NW.   I tacked up Rags with a few changes to the gear: shortened the bridle one hole, shortened the throatlatch one hole, and added the braided rawhide roping rein to the halter.  Most of the time it Read More…

Ride 26: Schooling in the Open

I no longer have a round pen (haven’t had for years), or a fenced riding ring or arena, and these are all useful tools when working with a horse that needs basic or more training.  I do have a collection of jump blocks and PVC poles (the latter originally purchased for various drainage projects, but Read More…

77-7

If that looks a bit mysterious, it’s not.   I’m 77 today on the 7th of March.   (OK, it’s now the 8th because I forgot to post this earlier.  DUH.)   A notable birthday not because of the numbers, but because my mother died at age 77, and last year I realized I was getting twitchy about Read More…

Ride 23: After the Rain & Cold, A Good Ride

Sunday was clear and cold, but the body (mine) was not in shape to ride.  Today, Monday, was even prettier and somewhat warmer.  Rags had acquired some mud from the wet days (not wet enough to provide significant moisture but enough that a horse eager to scratch off loosening winter coat could get muddy areas.)  Read More…

Winter Again

Cold, gray, windy, with frozen precip on the way.   We’re kinda busy with keeping things that mustn’t freeze unfrozen, checking on the horses, checking on pipes, and (in my case) keeping hot food ready when we need it.  Just came in from a check in the barn, scooping horse poop, putting out another flake of Read More…