Despite the iffy and unpleasant weather, we've had some great rides this year. Not much of a summer- and now, we are not having much of an autumn. It seemed as though the leaves were going to change early this year... now it seems as though they are getting blown off the trees before they have the chance to change. Lately the sky has been low and threatening... it does not look like we are going to get an Indian Summer this year.
The foliage is not nearly as beautiful as it is other years.. and you can see already the bare trees.
Zoe and I had a quick trot out with Keri and Ivan.. here's my faithful Nicodemus -- and he'll be waiting here for my return. Those labs are so loyal ! We decided to trot down to the Apple Tree trail. It has a nice brook crossing and a very steep hill.
This is not a terribly long trail - but some nice challenges to keep those horses on their toes !
We get to the brook- and for some reason today - Ivan says.. UH-Uh. Keri and I are on the other side already-- waiting... Then we get back in the brook and wait -- Come on Ivan... just take a step.
Ivan finally decides it's OK (and he has crossed here many times silly boy) and we trot up the steep hill, and home.
This trip, We decide to take Keri and Lilly ... it will be a fun outing for Lilly to go down the road and on a small trail. We don't have lots of time but enough to take a short trot. I am trying a different saddle pad. Mine is fairly well worn. I ordered a skito pad, but it has not arrived yet. This pad looks like it might be handy if I come across any treasures on the route. These ballooning pockets could easily hold a logging chain if I coil some into each side pocket...
More yellow than a few days ago - but not much bright fall color.
When Lilly was younger, she did not like bridges or narrow spots. She's over that now ! She's a fun cruising horse - very easy to ride. I know she appreciated the opportunity to get out and see the sights. She's a wonderful lesson horse and does not resent a bit her lesson schedule.. but a nice trot out is good for the circulation. The only negative thing I have to say about Lilly is.. when she and Keri are together out on the road- they are competitors and can tend to get racy... So when these two are together on a ride, there is some schooling involved.
"Reverie" came up this week for schooling. She has not been ridden since winter. She was saddle trained last fall - had a few good rides and then put on the back burner .. so much to do in the spring and then shows and such all summer. She may be our replacement for Elektra in 2010. If Zoe starts now, she will be ready for training levels at her first show. That's the tentative plan anyway !
But after about the first 4 miles.. the sun disappeared, the air chilled up again and before we knew it-- we were pelted with cold rain. We still had a few miles ahead of us - the weather report was correct. The gorgeous brief sunshine was a nice treat- but too fleeting.
It was a great ride anyway. Trot home as fast as we can with a hard rain in our face.
Our rides in the past week have been marked in degrees of transition from green to yellow to red foliage... with - as I said- a lot of leaves blowing around fretfully trying to escape the blustery winds.
Zoe and I had a quick trot out with Keri and Ivan.. here's my faithful Nicodemus -- and he'll be waiting here for my return. Those labs are so loyal ! We decided to trot down to the Apple Tree trail. It has a nice brook crossing and a very steep hill. 
This is not a terribly long trail - but some nice challenges to keep those horses on their toes !
The lawn chairs have been here for quite some time. A little secret sitting spot for someone ? we've never bumped into anyone here.
We get to the brook- and for some reason today - Ivan says.. UH-Uh. Keri and I are on the other side already-- waiting... Then we get back in the brook and wait -- Come on Ivan... just take a step.
Ivan finally decides it's OK (and he has crossed here many times silly boy) and we trot up the steep hill, and home.
You can see the woods are still pretty green.
This trip, We decide to take Keri and Lilly ... it will be a fun outing for Lilly to go down the road and on a small trail. We don't have lots of time but enough to take a short trot. I am trying a different saddle pad. Mine is fairly well worn. I ordered a skito pad, but it has not arrived yet. This pad looks like it might be handy if I come across any treasures on the route. These ballooning pockets could easily hold a logging chain if I coil some into each side pocket...
More yellow than a few days ago - but not much bright fall color.
We ducked in here for the view.. a nice vacation cabin, but the owners are hardly ever here it seems.
When Lilly was younger, she did not like bridges or narrow spots. She's over that now ! She's a fun cruising horse - very easy to ride. I know she appreciated the opportunity to get out and see the sights. She's a wonderful lesson horse and does not resent a bit her lesson schedule.. but a nice trot out is good for the circulation. The only negative thing I have to say about Lilly is.. when she and Keri are together out on the road- they are competitors and can tend to get racy... So when these two are together on a ride, there is some schooling involved.
"Reverie" came up this week for schooling. She has not been ridden since winter. She was saddle trained last fall - had a few good rides and then put on the back burner .. so much to do in the spring and then shows and such all summer. She may be our replacement for Elektra in 2010. If Zoe starts now, she will be ready for training levels at her first show. That's the tentative plan anyway !Here's Reverie and Zoe down in the big ring - they did a little work and Reverie was quickly fatigued with circles and focusing -
a nice trot out will help that, which we plan for the next day ! BUT when Wednesday arrives- it's with wet miserable cold rain. I am disappointed-- looking forward to a ride and my skito pad has arrived too.
About 10:00, the sky cleared beautifully- not a cloud- bright sun-- completely the reverse of the weather reports ! We quickly saddled up Keri and Reverie and headed out. We are surprised, but not complaining !!
You can see the change now in color.. not nearly as much green. This year, even the white pines are copiously shedding needles.
Back roads are very scenic... we even began to get hot ! strong sunshine..
But after about the first 4 miles.. the sun disappeared, the air chilled up again and before we knew it-- we were pelted with cold rain. We still had a few miles ahead of us - the weather report was correct. The gorgeous brief sunshine was a nice treat- but too fleeting.
It was a great ride anyway. Trot home as fast as we can with a hard rain in our face.
Tonight is damp, rainy and miserable again- but we have plans for a long adventure tomorrow. Fingers crossed for decent weather ! We can stuff some poncho's in those saddle pad pockets if we have to.
Enjoy ~
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