(no subject)
Wow, it seems like many of my friends had a wonderful weekend. I am no exception.
Feast your eyes on what I was looking at alllll weekend:
To see more pictures of the gorgeous scenery, my parents and our dogs, go Here. This ride was exactly what I needed. I feel like a new person. It was totally worth the pain, and I hope I can also go on the ride that is next weekend. A different park, but I'd still like to go. Forestville, where we were this past weekend, is my all-time favorite place to ride. Not to mention, the weather was PERFECT. It was ~60 and bright sunshiney both days.
The dogs were extremely well behaved. I had to let Brandie sleep with me (instead of in her kennel) because it was just too cold. They don't have plug-ins there and it would kill the battery to run the furnace, so we just bundled up for bed. Brandie and Lily both slept under the covers with me. And I had to duct-tape a bath towel to Brandie to keep her warm enough to be outside in the morning and evening. I ordered her a blanket today though, and it will be here in 2-3 days. I felt stupid when people stared at her with her ghetto blanket, but it was the best I could do.
Trouble had to stay home with JR, and Andrea didn't go... so we had the three mares there with us. Mom rode Ruby, 4 years old; Jim rode Gracie the spoiled orphan, 4 years old; I had Pearl, 5 years old. Since Pearl is generally the most unflappable of the three young'uns, I rode in the lead each time. She never spooked, not even at gunshots. She was a little afraid to walk by one really large fallen tree with spray paint, but she never jumped. Because she was such a good, calm leader she kept the other two very calm. There were several instances when Ruby was very afraid of something, but when she figured out that (whatever the thing may be) didn't kill Pearl she was willing to try. I did have to tow Ruby in to the river once. There was a HUGE step down from the bank in to the river, and I had to do some serious coaxing to get Pearl in. Gracie walked right in after Pearl and I were halfway across. Ruby wanted to follow us, but she was just too scared. I had to put my halter on her and then (holding the lead rope) start back through the river. When I got near the end of the lead rope, Pearl and I stopped and were waiting to see what Ruby was going to do. And suddenly, she just lept in the air. She landed RIGHT next to us, I mean she even hit us. But she knew that where we were standing was safe, so she was aiming to land in the same spot. It was funny and scary at the same time. My mom is an excellent rider and she did everything just right. So, we got splashed a little but that was all. I can't even express how proud I am to have the horse that leads by example and convinces the others to attempt those daunting tasks.
It was such a fulfilling and rewarding weekend. I need to go on more trail rides. Good god, I had so much fun.
Feast your eyes on what I was looking at alllll weekend:
To see more pictures of the gorgeous scenery, my parents and our dogs, go Here. This ride was exactly what I needed. I feel like a new person. It was totally worth the pain, and I hope I can also go on the ride that is next weekend. A different park, but I'd still like to go. Forestville, where we were this past weekend, is my all-time favorite place to ride. Not to mention, the weather was PERFECT. It was ~60 and bright sunshiney both days.
The dogs were extremely well behaved. I had to let Brandie sleep with me (instead of in her kennel) because it was just too cold. They don't have plug-ins there and it would kill the battery to run the furnace, so we just bundled up for bed. Brandie and Lily both slept under the covers with me. And I had to duct-tape a bath towel to Brandie to keep her warm enough to be outside in the morning and evening. I ordered her a blanket today though, and it will be here in 2-3 days. I felt stupid when people stared at her with her ghetto blanket, but it was the best I could do.
Trouble had to stay home with JR, and Andrea didn't go... so we had the three mares there with us. Mom rode Ruby, 4 years old; Jim rode Gracie the spoiled orphan, 4 years old; I had Pearl, 5 years old. Since Pearl is generally the most unflappable of the three young'uns, I rode in the lead each time. She never spooked, not even at gunshots. She was a little afraid to walk by one really large fallen tree with spray paint, but she never jumped. Because she was such a good, calm leader she kept the other two very calm. There were several instances when Ruby was very afraid of something, but when she figured out that (whatever the thing may be) didn't kill Pearl she was willing to try. I did have to tow Ruby in to the river once. There was a HUGE step down from the bank in to the river, and I had to do some serious coaxing to get Pearl in. Gracie walked right in after Pearl and I were halfway across. Ruby wanted to follow us, but she was just too scared. I had to put my halter on her and then (holding the lead rope) start back through the river. When I got near the end of the lead rope, Pearl and I stopped and were waiting to see what Ruby was going to do. And suddenly, she just lept in the air. She landed RIGHT next to us, I mean she even hit us. But she knew that where we were standing was safe, so she was aiming to land in the same spot. It was funny and scary at the same time. My mom is an excellent rider and she did everything just right. So, we got splashed a little but that was all. I can't even express how proud I am to have the horse that leads by example and convinces the others to attempt those daunting tasks.
It was such a fulfilling and rewarding weekend. I need to go on more trail rides. Good god, I had so much fun.