Saturday Ride on Monday - with a Sunburn

Our usual Saturday ride had to be postponed until this past Monday. (Saturday we were busy Jousting ). It worked out that we had almost the entire day-- and a good thing too, because the trail we had mapped out for ourselves and our steady mounts was going to be a LONG one !

As we saddled up it seemed like it was going to be slightly cool on the trail so we began with light sweatshirts--

Turned out, we took those off about 20 minutes into the ride and the temperatures continued to heat up through out the trip. Both Zoe and I were wearing tank tops and we both got pretty red by the end of the day. At the beginning of the trail, we found one of Denises's obstacles in the woods !

We rode up over Mount Ephraim again, past the little beaver pond.

We came down the other side of the mountain on a different trail - taking a right at the top. This route leads out onto a road called Rasmussen- where we have beautiful views.

As the trail turns into a road- there is farmland on either side and gorgeous hay fields.

Here's the farmhouse owned by some people who only visit the farm a few weeks out of the year.

Rasmussen Road continues down to Pleasant Valley Road where we cross over onto Poppe Road- another short dirt road that turns into trail at the end.

More scenic pastures and hay fields

The end of the road again and back on trail.

This trail crosses over into Chester and comes out onto Roach Road. From here, we ride the dirt roads homeward- taking a brief trot onto another little trail, cross a bridge in the woods.

Once on the road home, the horses got their second wind and had a nice refreshing gallop. It was a great ride- but as I said... our shoulders were sunburned when we reached home base.

Sunday, Zoe's children- Rena and Dominic, wanted to try the jousting since they were pretty impressed with our little show on Saturday. We dressed Keri up again and led the kids through the course.

Here's Maid Rena and Lord Dominic

I made a short video of the affair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpriKYIPXGc

Right before our Monday ride, our favorite little pony Pal delivered her curly pony colt- a darling palomino sired by OYY Finnegan. Other than the fact that he gave us all colts so far- I am pretty pleased with the results- I still need to snap a few photo's of the new fellow.

Yesterday was spent grooming and bathing various horses. We moved some horses around again, which always results in a lot of whinnying while they make new friends and look for their old ones. A few of the horses settled right in and I can tell they were wondering what took so long for us to figure out that's where they preferred to be.

The past few days have been unseasonably HOT- and it seems I may have to mow the lawn this week ! Yikes.. seems early for that.

Sunday is Zoe's first show of the season, so she is getting ready for that. This week is the close of the RAC Obstacle course mini contest.. We might get in a few more if we have time.

enjoy the day ~

Sun Power and Jousting With our Curlies

What a contrast in weather- yesterday was truly a day for developing the farmer's tan. Hot, sunny and more like August than April. I am definitely solar powered though and when the sun shines, so do I :)

This week, our young volunteer, Sara, came to help out as she was out on school vacation. In between lessons, she rode OYY Pal's Job through the obstacles. he has not been out under saddle since February- but he went very well-- what a guy ! Here's the short video from that day- very windy and rainy too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwmsj8ji7x4

Since my Number 5 son went on a school trip and returned to excitedly relate the supper at a restaurant called Medieval Times , it gave me the idea to try Jousting with Curlies. I have had my thinking cap on in order to design a course for our Curlies. We did not actually do combat but played the other games involved in jousting- the quintain, the Rings, and Pig Sticking.

We dressed our horses up - raided the kids's dress up box for something to wear ourselves. Here is Zoe , Teasel and Keri. The horses are outfitted with some 'Dollar Store' curtains.

An extra photo of Keri because I think she's so lovely :)

Here's our course- about 100 feet or so of targets.

With the Quintain, the rider uses a lance to strike a target, which simulates striking the enemy. We had a shield, a crow and a star for our targets. The target swings away when you hit it... so I had to figure that out-- The wind kept blowing the target though, so I still need to remedy that glitch.

The Rings- which the rider must capture on their lance. I only had two set up, they are about 15 feet apart. I made the rings a lot bigger than the ones they use in official tournaments. I guess as we hone our skills, they can be smaller in diameter.

A snapshot of my 'War Horse' -

Zoe had possession of the camera the entire time-- that was something new. She got a little video, although poor quality because her mighty steed was antsy to get in the games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7gyhLAXCJ0

What a lot of fun we both had ! No photo's of the Pig Sticking-- maybe later this week. Now what other horse will enjoy the Jousting Games ? We'll see this week.

In the evenings, Zoe is riding WR Winter Dancer, also called Dancer Prancer... she's having fun in the woods over around her house. She does not mind being the 'only' horse one bit.

On my side of the mountain, I am continuing to take out OYY Sweet Bee so she can be in better shape to go the miles. Last night she trotted nearly the entire way. We veered into a trail and had fun trying a few log jumps-- kind of a novelty for me because I am not a jumper. I always miss Keri when I am astride another mount, but Sweet Bee is a wonderful mare, and perhaps a good replacement for Keri someday when Keri is too old to go a long ways out.

Enjoy your day ~

School Vacation changes our routine

April rains today- with all the wind we've had in the past few weeks, it has been so dry there is a burning ban here. Although the weather will make for nasty choretime, I suppose the rain is a good thing. The peep frogs have been half-heartedly active here. The temperatures are not quite warm enough for them to be peeping full time yet. when it does finally warm up consistently, the pastures are going to truly take off.. can't wait. I have lots of new seeding and last fall spread lime on much of my pasture- can't wait to view the results and get the horses off the hay chore routine.

It's school vacation, so Zoe and I can't ride much with the little monkeys around ! We did put them to good use though-- playing with the foals. Great exposure for the foals and what better obstacles than the energy of 2 non-stop kids ? Zoe's 2, Rena and Dominic, had fun with Ozzie, grooming, leading and hugging.

it's a great experience for Ozzie to be led away from his Mom by himself and good for his dam, OYY Niobe to stay tied and trust her humans with the little fellow.

Zoe leads Ozzie through the "tickle tubes", while Niobe watches.

Yesterday, we set more obstacles up in our 'course' of scarey stuff--- although so far none of the horses have been frightened of any of it.

Photo's of some of the booby traps so far starring OYY Salvadore on lead line.

Starting with the umbrella- this one did make Salvadore a little nervous at first. This umbrella is perfect as with a quick push with one finger, quickly shoots it open and close, with a nice swooshing sound.

Next, they head for the bridge - it's not just human monkeys that like to get in the action...

We have had the bridge for sometime now, so most all the horses are used to it. I have discovered that once they do the bridge, the teeter-totter is no challenge. The horses just think it's another bridge.

The whole time Salvadore is meeting new hurdles, Dominic thinks the umbrella is fun- and he had discovered the wonderful swooshing open and close mechanism.

Here's a new idea of mine, added this April. I call it the snake pit alley. The horses don't even look or stop to sniff first... I am going to have to add some detail to the edge-- perhaps flags and pinwheels or balloons.

Zoe stops to grab the raincoat off the post and puts it on, then takes it off. This is even more fun on horseback.

Through the tarp alley- then to the tire.

The Streamer walkthrough. I think I am going to modify the streamers- using an old shower curtain cut into strips. They will have more weight and rub on the horses more as they walk through it.

The tickle tube alley- this is a great one for getting the horses used to brush and branches on the narrow trail.

Next week, Salvadore can do the entire course under saddle.

As I have said before, obstacle month is my favorite mini-contest !

Here's a little surprise Rena left for me just outside my front door.

I love Ya-Ya written out with rocks and stones. That made my day :)

WR Winter Dancer went to stay at Zoe's house for a few weeks to get more time on the trail. The days are so full, this way, now the it stays light longer in the evening, Zoe can ride after she goes home. Dancer is also enjoying the special time all to herself.

I took a nice trot out on OYY Sweet Bee Sunday evening right around the same time Zoe was on the other side of the mountain riding Dancer. I missed being on Keri of course, but Sweet Bee is a wonderful mount and look how gorgeous she is !

We've ridden her Mom (Sudie Bee), her maternal grand-mother (Teena), her maternal grand-father, (Colonel's Pasqualie Kid), Her Dad (Chip), and her maternal great grand-mother (Little Pet- dam to Colonel's Pasqualie Kid). I think I got that right !!

Enjoy your day ~

Another Saturday Ride- the best yet !

Our Saturday was probably the most awesome we've had so far in 2009. Zoe and I were pressed for time so had a lot of miles to cover with only 2 or so hours to do it.

My delightful Keri came trotting over to be caught-- she was excited ! We saddled up and Keri plugged into her power trot- which surprised me- and she and Teasel kept it up pretty nearly the entire trek. The trail was in great shape... but since snowmobiling season is over, the gates were closed on the trail. We had to climb the stonewalls- not a problem. Keri said- Teasel, stand aside-- and let me at it.

She had that attitude for most of the ride which was fun because I love to see her having a good time.

As we got to the beginning of the Mount Ephraim trail, we veered left to trot down a lower route we rarely ride. Wide and dry enough for lots of trotting and some cantering, quite exhilarating.

We had to cross a few brooks along the way, dipping up and down through valleys and hills. Here's one brook- and we wonder-- what kind of bridge is this ?


We trot through the water- not even venturing into the safety issues of a little pallet perched on a log.

At the end- we come out into what's called 'Dutton District' after a large farm on the hill owned by the Dutton family. There we have to travel on the road to get to the backway up to the top of Mount Ephraim. We pass a payloader, idling on the side of the road while its operator is off having a neighborly chat. Does this qualify for an obstacle?

once we get on this trail, it's a steady climb to the top with lots of running water on both sides-

and in the road as well







It's the mud that the 4-wheelers love so much and this route is a haven for the ATV'ers. We met up with quite a few dirt bikers and 4-wheelers having fun. It's their traveling on the roads that create more mud.

as we near the end of this trail, we find a 'homestead' of sorts--- not my idea of luxury accommodations.

This tent was set up and being used all winter, as we passed it several times this year.

On the way home, we decide to take a left onto an alternate route- which involves brook walking -- which I love to do with my horse.

it was a great ride.

When we arrived home, I took Keri over the teeter-totter for the first time since it was still sitting in the barnyard.

Friday, Honeybee Gal- an older 14 hand curly mare from Damele and Fredell breeding, delivered a lovely palomino curly colt. Just as he was born the Great Blue heron flew up out of the pond so- hence his name.. OYY HeronBee. He's sired by OYY Finnegan (Finn's second foal)

Sunday- OYY Demeter delivered a nice curly colt with a surprise color- Not what I expected anyway.

OYY Matisse- also a "Finn" baby.

Yesterday was tee shirt weather- today chilly and blustery- we set up more obstacles in the smaller riding ring. Return and see photo's tomorrow !

Enjoy ~