East Cathance Stream

Today Susie, Linda and I made plans to ride from my house. We had some time constraints so by staying close to home we could still get out for a nice long ride. And my trailer is in the shop for routine servicing so I could not trailer out anyway. Susie and Linda arrived at my house at 10:30 am and we were on the trail by 10:45 or so. This is the first time I've ridden the trails from my house so far this year. We took the trail that is behind my neighbor Jarod's house. The trail was still a little soft in places but nothing that was any problem. We came across a trail that was new to us but looked quiet well used. It didn't really go in the direction we were heading but curiosity got the better of us and we just had to follow it. It took us out to a house on the Lewis Hill Rd. Someone was home and we asked if they minded us riding through and they said it was no problem. We didn't want to back track the way we came so we decided to just ride down the Lewis Hill Rd to the pipeline and go back into the trails from there. We kept it at a good trot down Lewis Hill. And we were able to do some good trotting on the tote road that runs along the pipeline. We decided to take the long trail around to the stream crossing as we were making good time and it was too nice a day to cut the ride short. There is a trail off the main trail that bypasses a snowmobile bridge that is not safe for horses to cross. We love the bypass trail as it crosses the East Cathance Stream in the most pretty spot. We made the turn onto the bypass trail........and it just didn't look right. There were a lot of trees down in this area and we thought we must have just missed a turn and we circled around through the woods back to the main trail and tried again, and made the same wrong circle. Then we just kind of headed off in the direction we thought we should go thinking we would have to come across the trail. We ended up in an area with a little stream that we didn't want to cross as it was too muddy. And we are seeing stone walls that we know we've never seen before........., we do spot a trail and take that just to avoid bumbling around through the woods and end up on the first wrong trail we took. At this point, we are feeling quite foolish to be lost on local trails but decide to just go back to the main trail and keep riding down that. We didn't get too far down the main trail when we came to a big mud hole that we always have to go through (it's not a bad mud hole, just one that is long and looks far worse than it is) and realize we had taken the completely wrong trail and had not even gotten to the bypass trail yet. We were all set from there. We stopped to take some pictures at the stream crossing as it's just such a lovely spot. We moved along at trot where we could today. The trails around my house are quite rocky so that limits the speed we can ride. And the trails are still a little bit soft from frost coming out in a few spots so we had to be careful of that too. For the most part though, the trails are in very good shape now. We were appalled though to see some blackflies today! AGH! All three boys were so good today and we just had a great ride. I'm still riding Luke barefoot and I'm just amazed at how well he's going right now. He does just fine over all the rocky trails. He doesn't even try to avoid the rocks. It's been a long road getting his feet in good condition again (from chronic thrush problems) and so nice to see all the work finally paying off. I have to say yet again that Luke is just the most wonderful trail partner. 

Beaver dam along the trail. It's about twice as long as in the picture

Back to West Bowdoin

Today's weather forecast was for a nice day. A bit cool but nice overall. So, Linda and I decided to get out and take advantage of the day. We decided to go ride in West Bowdoin where I rode on Saturday. I wanted to go somewhere that the footing was good enough to move along at a good pace. It had been pretty good on Saturday and I figured would be even better today. 

Linda picked me up at about 9:45 am. I had Luke all groomed and ready to go. He wasn't too filthy today. Mostly because there was no mud in the paddocks to roll in. We made the short drive to West Bowdoin and parked on the pipeline. It didn't take long to get tacked up and soon we were headed out. We decided that between the two of us, we should be able to move the tree that was across the trail right at the start of the ride. We tied Gus and Luke up to trees and looked the situation over. The tree was broken off but still attached to the base and roots. We tried pulling it out of the way but just couldn't do it. The tree was a popple and we decided we could break the branches off and have the boys just step over it. Well, this was a pretty good idea and we commenced to snapping and breaking the branches off. I got a hold of one larger branch and gave it a good yank and it snapped off easier then I expected it to and the end of it slid up under my glasses and the branch poked right into my eye! OUCH! And I said OUCH which got Linda's attention but of course I quickly had to do the "I'm all right, no big deal" routine, trying to cover for my stupid clumsiness. All the while I'm carefully opening my eye and quite relieved that I still have sight......... And since I did have sight and there was no blood, there was no need to not ride. After all, we now had the tree cleaned up enough for the boys to step over. 

Gus inspecting the old couch

Trash on the trail. Disgusting........

We mounted up and off we went. Luke took the lead and the boys seemed happy to be out. They have been so good together the past 3 or 4 rides and today was no exception. They both took a good long drink at the stream crossing at the start of the trail. The old couch was still sitting in the middle of the trail. As on Saturday, Luke didn't give it so much as a glance. Gus however, was a little concerned about it. But, after giving it a sniff, he decided it was safe to pass. We did the loops off to the left of the pipeline. And then  rode up the pipeline. Some partridges flew up beside us on the pipeline. It started Gus and he jumped, Luke didn't really react. We went out through the gravel pit, out to the West Rd. by way of the Witches House. At the intersection of the Witches House trail, an ATV came up behind us. We stepped off the trail to let it pass. Both of the boys are used to ATV's so we were not worried. HA! The ATV's suspension was making some loud squeaking and it scared the poo out of Luke. He jumped out into the middle of the trail and decided he might want to get out of Dodge. The ATV stopped, since I was now on a dancing 1300 lb mule in the middle of the trail. Once the ATV stopped, Luke got his head back together. We rode back towards the ATV and got behind him and let him go. Luke was fine. Silly mule! 

Looking down the pipeline through Luke's ears

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More trash on the trail........

We rode out to and then down the West Rd. and back onto the trails by the day care home. We explored some promising looking trails that we weren't familiar with. Unfortunately, they were all dead ends. It made for some good riding though. When we were back near the trailer, we still had time left that we could ride so we explored another trail that went out into the tire dump. We were able to make a nice little loop out of this trail. The trails were in excellent condition today. I was amazed at how much they had dried up in less than two days. We were able to move along at a good trot in many places and even got in some cantering. Luke is still barefoot and he is doing great. He is showing no signs of being tender footed and make no attempts to avoid any rocks. 

When I got home and had taken care of Luke and Marie, I called Fred to see when he would be home. My eye was very, very irritated and I decided I'd better go down to the emergency room and have it looked at. He got home around 4:00 and we headed to Brunswick. On the way, I thought maybe I should see if my eye doctor could take a look at my eye and gave them a call. They said to come right in. I'm so glad I went to him instead of the emergency room. I scraped a 3x3 mm patch off my eye. And there was some debris embedded in it. Dr. Alexander cleaned it all out and then put a contact in the eye to work as a band aid to keep my eye lid from constantly rubbing over the injured area. I never would have though of using a contact for such a thing. It sure did make my eye more comfortable. He expects it to heal just fine. 

A beaver dam in the pond

Linda on Gus trying to decide which way to go

Linda on Gus riding through the gravel pit

Solo Ride in West Bowdoin

Today didn't start out very nice weather wise. It was damp and rainy this morning. The forecast was for a very nice day so I just hung out and watched a movie this morning hoping things would improve. By noon time, it was looking much better though it was very windy. I decided I'd better go ahead and get in a good ride as I have the day off work. I hadn't lined up anyone to ride with today so it would just be Luke and I today. With our first CTR coming up in just two weeks, I really needed to get in a few more good rides this week as I'll want let him rest up some the week before the CTR.

I decided to trailer over to West Bowdoin. The trails are nice there and you can really move right along. What I didn't know is if the trails would be dry yet with all the frost out. Only one way to find out. This morning when I fed, Luke was absolutely filthy! Wet and muddy. I was thinking I'd have to just hose him down today though it wasn't really as warm out as I'd like if I was going to do that. When I went out to get him, he was still absolutely filthy but he was dry. So, it just took some elbow grease and the shopvac to get him presentable. Today Luke even let me vacuum around his ears.

I loaded Luke up and we made the short drive to the West Rd. and the pipe line where we park. When Luke first got off the trailer, he looked around to see if any of his riding buddies were here but when he saw we were alone he was quiet and just munched hay while I tacked him up. Luke was still quiet when I mounted up but as soon as we hit the trail, he was eager to go. Right off we had a tree down on the trail that we couldn't go around, under or over! Darn! We had to take the steep path down into the sand pit. The footing is fine, it's just quite steep but Luke handled it easily. There was a lot of water at the first stream crossing but Luke didn't hesitate and went right in, took a nice long drink and then waded right through. Then right off we came across a smashed up old couch sitting in the middle of the trail. Now this I would have thought would have been a real mule eating monster. But, no, Luke only gave it a casual glance as he walked around it. Go figure....... We passed multiple pieces of furniture dumped along the trail much to my disgust. Luke was not concerned about any of it though he did sniff a folding chair laying in a stream.

The trails were in pretty good shape. The frost is almost all out now. But, I did have to ride slower then I'd hoped to as they have been logging here recently. So, with the skidder tracks and the rain we had last night, the trails were just a little too slick for fast work though they were in good shape overall. Thankfully, not much of a mess has been made from the logging. We did all the loops off to the left side of the pipe line. I spooked once as we had a partridge fly up beside us. Luke didn't bat an eye at it but I nearly jumped out of the saddle! With each loop we completed and I turned away from the trailer, Luke never once offered any fuss and eagerly headed off in our new direction. We crossed the pipe line and rode the trails on the right side.  I went exploring down a trail I didn't know and it were here that Luke did do a full fledged 180 degree spin when he spotted a bit of metal roofing laying in the woods. He caught me off guard so we were facing the opposite direction and he had done a tiny little dance in place before I even knew what happened. But, he'd done it so smoothly that I never even wobbled in the saddle and he made no attempt to go anywhere so it was no problem. I turned him back around and he quietly continued down the trail. This trail didn't end up going anywhere so we had to turn and go back to the main trail. We looped back to the pipe line, rode down that and went right out through another gravel pit and out to the Witch's House trail. We went right here and rode out to the West Rd.

I called Fred when I got out to the West Rd. as I could easily go straight across and take the Wheeler Hill Rd. trail and ride home. And Fred could just dive me back to get my truck and trailer. Unfortunately, he was not home so we headed down the West Rd. Luke knew which direction was home and this was the only place he fussed about the direction we went. All he did was sulk and drag his feet a bit for about a 1/2 mile and then he got over it. We went back onto the trails and finished up with another nice loop getting in some good trotting back to the pipe line and rode the pipe line back to the trailer. Luke was just the best boy you could want. He's such a great trail partner. Steady, sane and willing even when out alone.

Tinkerbell's First "Trailer out" Trail Riding Adventure

It was a LOVELY day Today. Sunny, In the low 60's with a nice breeze. It is school vacation week so I called Pam last night to see if Cierra could ride with me today. Cierra is a young lady, (15 yrs.) that has previously ridden my trusty mare Marie. Cierra has her own horse, Tinkerbell, now and I was sure she would love to take her own horse trail riding.  Tinkerbell is quite young and does not have a lot of trail experience. So, today would be a good day as it would just be the two of us. And I decided to take them over to ride on the Lorax trails in Pittston. The property is privately owned so little chance of running into any problems. And as Tinkerbell is barefoot, the footing at Lorax would not be a problem.

For once, Luke was not all that dirty so I only had to do a quick grooming, load him up and I met Cierra at Upper Pond stable. After much fussing between her mom and the stable owner, we had all of Cierra's gear stashed in the trailer and Tinkerbell ready to go. I was pleased that Tinkerbell loaded onto my trailer with no problem. She only hesitated for a moment to take a look inside then hopped right on. I have a slant load, step-up. We did have a little trouble getting Tinkerbell off the trailer. She stepped out with one foot and the drop scared her and she went back in and was quite determined to stay there. We could have unloaded my tack compartment and folded that wall back and let her turn around to walk out but I figured it was better for Tinkerbell to learn to back off. It took about 10 minutes but she finally did it. Cierra did a great job of handling her. Tinkerbell was shaking all over when she finally came off and she was a little sweaty from nervousness. Poor girl, she really was scared but settled right down as soon as she was out. Tinkerbell was a bit bug eyed looking around as we saddled up but stood nicely and stood still as Cierra mounted up. And of course Luke was a good influence as he's a such a quiet boy.

Luke took the lead and Tinkerbell happily followed us down the trail. Tinkerbell was very relaxed and seemed happy to be out. I think it was a nice change for her as most of her riding has been in an arena. That's why I was worried about how she would be on trail but she took everything in stride. We walked for quite a while but as I saw that Tinkerbell stayed quiet and relaxed, we picked up the pace and did some trotting and eventually some cantering. We cantered up one hill and Cierra passed me. That is the only time Tinkerbell did anything naughty. She kicked out at Luke when she went by. But, Cierra had kept a good distance when passing so Tinkerbell missed. Tinkerbell was very good about listening to Cierra. On another stretch when we were cantering, Tinkerbell wanted to pass Luke again. Cierra was easily able to hold her back. And Tinkerbell never even hesitated about going through the water. Cierra was so proud of her horse and was grinning from ear to ear the whole ride. It was so much fun taking them on their first trail riding adventure together. And Luke seemed to sense this ride was a little different as he toned down his power walk without me even asking and was very laid back today. Good mule!

Tinkerbell loaded up good for the ride home. I wondered if she would fuss as she'd had a bit of a scare with unloading. When we got back to Upper Pond, Tinkerbell was again nervous about backing out but it only took a minute or so to get her to do it. She was trembling again with nervousness but was such a good girl. I can't wait to take them both on another trail riding adventure!

Phippsburg, Tricycles and Three Good Boys....

I didn't really have any particular riding plans for today. I had talked with Mindy earlier in the week and wanted to go ride with her but then Old Man Winter reared his head on Friday blessing us with a bit of snow and ice and in the end I decided I might not want to haul to Dixfield. We got mostly rain here on the coast so I decided if I was going to ride, it would be around here somewhere. When I checked my email, Susie said she and Linda were going to ride in Phippsburg and Susie was willing to trailer all 3 of us if I didn't have to work. It just so happened I had the day off today. So, I jumped on that opportunity. Susie wanted to do a faster ride with some good cantering. She really wanted to ride with a few others to work on Bayzen and his little bucking problems in a group when the pace is faster. Linda's gelding Gus and Luke are good ones to do this with as neither one feeds off the excitement and behave well when working at a faster pace.

Susie was going to pick up Linda and I would trailer to Susie's house. She was coming back and picking me up there and we'd all go down in one vehicle. When I went out to get Luke, he was beyond filthy! AGH!!!! He was covered head to toe in wet, wet mud! There was no amount of grooming and vacuuming that would clean him up. He needed to be hosed down but it was just too chilly out for that. I groomed and vacuumed as much mud off him and I could, then I did sponge his back and neck off to get the worst off and then just threw a blanket on him for the trailer ride.

We parked on the Basin Rd. at the old shooting range. I groomed Luke again but he was still a mess! I got his back clean enough so had to be happy with that. As we were tacking up, a man came by on a tricycle. I think he was out collecting bottles. Luke was tied on the road side of the trailer and kept his eye on this odd looking "creature" but didn't get boogered. We were soon mounted up and headed off. The boys were all eager and happy to be out. Luke took the lead at the start and just as we'd taken the right fork at the Hatch Rd - Basin Rd. split, I heard Bayzen and Gus making a fuss behind me. I turned to look as saw that the man on the tricycle was coming up behind us and it spooked the heck out of Bayzne and Gus. The man was good and stopped when he saw the horses spook. We rode back to let the boys take a good look at the tricycle and talked with the man for a bit. Luke didn't seem concerned but most likely because he's already seen it when it passed us by the trailer.

We did the Henry Loop first. Then went across the Dance Hall Rd trail and took a right out to Ridley's Landing Rd. and back to the end of the Basin Rd. . We got in some great long stretches of trotting and some nice long canters. Luke decided he could step it up a notch from his western pleasure lope. The nice thing is that all three of the boys can do a nice easy collected canter and they were doing this in spots side by side. It was wonderful! Bayzen threw in one bucking fit right at the start but Susie got after him and just pushed him through it and he settled down very well. In some spots we took turns leading and all the boys were good in the front and also with following when asked. We came back down the basin Rd. and took a trail across to the Blueberry Hill Rd. We had to cross on gully that really required the equines walk straight across a narrow spot so I hopped off Luke and led him over first and the others followed him right over. We then went right back down to the Basin Rd. and took the Mica Mine trail. We didn't know if we'd be able to make it through this trail as they have been logging this area. When we got to where they were logging, it looked to be quite a mess as we went though, it wasn't bad at all. It was a little tricky finding the trail but Susie and Linda did great finding the way. We came out on the road that leads to the summit of Fuller's mountain and rode to the top.

We took the trail off the summit that leads down to the gravel pit and eventually to the Stoneybrook Rd. We usually come up this trail as it's steep in some spot with a lot of flat exposed rock. The boys did great though and handled the descent just fine. Once in the gravel pit, following the trail was quite a challenge as it changes all the time with the pit operation always digging but Susie, being the wonderful trail guide she is, found the way through. From Stoneybrook Rd. we were debating whether to take the Fuller's Mt. Rd. and the Echo Lane cut across to Devil's highway or just ride straight down the Devil's Highway. I was for riding straight down to Devil's highway as I had just come down Fuller's Mt. Rd. a few days ago and it was SOOOO stoney from new gravel being put down. Susie wasn't convinced it was all that bad from looking at the entrance to the road. There happened to be a man right there with a dog and when he saw us stop, he thought his dog was bothering the horses. We told him we just couldn't decide which way we wanted to go. He did warn us that the road was very rocky from the new gravel AND that a group of about 20 ATVs were on the road heading out onto the trails so that convinced Susie to head straight down to Devil's Highway. We talked a while with this man. He was very, very nice and told us we were welcome to park at his place anytime if we needed to. He was enthralled with Luke and thought he was just the most handsome mule he'd ever seen. He said his family had a mule when he was young. He said it wasn't a very big mule but they used the mule to haul wood and said that mule was one tough critter.

We did a bit more trotting along Devil's Highway but there was a dirt bike and some ATVs out here keeping the boys on high alert. They were all good though so we got back to the trailer with no problems. Yet another great ride! A really good conditioning ride. Luke is such a great trail mule and seems to love being out there! A happy mule always makes for a happy rider. For the trip home, we decided to put Luke in the middle stall in the trailer and Gus last so we could drop Linda off first. We loaded the boys up, just started to pull out and suddenly there was a lot of thumping around and the trailer was rocking. We jumped out to see what was wrong. Naughty Gus had gotten his head over the divider AGAIN (he did it the other day when I hauled him) and was bugging Luke who was NOT happy about it was stomping around in protest. Gus was tied but obviously not short enough. We shortened his lead and all was well.

Oh, and today is my wonderful mare Marie's birthday! Happy Birthday Marie!

Lorax Ride and the Cattle Pound

Yet another wonderful ride on Luke mule. It was a very nice day today. Cool, but sunny.  There is a nasty storm forecasted for Friday so my friend Linda and I decided we'd better make the most of today. When I finished work this morning at Upper Pond Stable, I hurried home, fed Luke and Marie then made a quick sandwich and coffee for myself. I was picking up Linda today and as usual, Luke was completely covered in mud so I vacuumed him off quickly. The ShopVac is definitely my favorite grooming tool these days! I loaded up Luke and headed over to pick up Linda and Gus. 

Linda was ready to go when I arrived and we loaded Linda's tack and Gus into the trailer. We were just getting ready to pull out when there was some heavy thumping around in the trailer. We quickly jumped out to see what was going on. It was nothing serious. Gus and gotten his head over the divider and was bugging Luke who was stomping around in protest. So, we tied Gus and that settled that. 

We didn't know if the road into Lorax would be firm enough to drive in with the trailer so we parked on the Warren Rd. Linda tried out my treeless saddle today just for the heck of it. There was some water on the trail going into the Lorax property but it wasn't muddy and was overall quite good going. We stopped once to make a quick stirrup adjustment to my saddle for Linda and then were onto the Lorax trails. They were in excellent shape. Luke took the lead again today. We got in some nice long trotting. We rode to the bottom of our favorite hill that we like to gallop up. We turned around and faced up the hill. I took the lead, let loose on the reins, told Luke to let 'er rip......... And Luke took off at an exhilarating, adrenaline pumping ........... western pleasure lope......... Woooohoooo! I must say it wasn't the fastest trip up the hill I've made but it was fun nonetheless. 

When we got back to the trailer, we decided we had a bit more time to ride so we headed down the Warren Rd and then took a left down a camp road. It was quite a steep hill going down towards the lake. We didn't go all the way down as Linda had to be home by 3:30 pm. On the way back up the camp road, a car coming down the road stopped to admire our equines. It was an older gentleman who told us he used to own horses and missed having them. When we got back to the trailer and were untacking Luke and Gus, a woman can by with a young girl in a stroller. It trued out to be someone that Linda knew and they chatted for a while. The little girl had seen us ride by her house and had wanted to come out and see Luke and Gus. 

I got Linda back home just in time. It was, as usual, a great ride. 

Lorax trails as seen through Luke's ears

A beaver dam on each side of the pond

Linda on Gus coming through the water

A Dark Shine

A Dark Shine

I glanced down, for suddenly, there in my eye

I caught a dark shine and it's this I did spy

A hair from sweet Luke, in my vest, it was captured

In the space of a heartbeat, suddenly time, it was fractured

I'm transported back to morning when we two ventured out

As we trotted and cantered and climbed all about

I felt the sun and the wind and the chill of the morning

Then the warmth of the work and the sweat it was forming

The peace and the pleasure that flows from Luke mule

It's more than can be measured, he's truly a jewel

                                                    Cynthia L. Ross

Between Androscoggin Lake and Wilson Pond

Linda's horse,  Gus

My friend Linda and I decided we'd  better get in a ride today as the rest of the week was sounding unsettled for weather. I had to work at L.L. today but not at Upper Pond Stable so we could get an earlier start. Linda has to put her grandchildren on the school but at 9:00 am so she came and picked me up a little after 9:30 am. Luke was happy to see is buddy Gus and hopped right into the trailer and they went right to bugging each other. Because the woods trails around are still not good to ride on with snow still in the shady spots and the frost not yet all out of the ground, we are limited to where we can ride here still. We headed off to ride in Winthrop where there are some dirt roads. We parked on the corner of Wilson Pond Rd and Hardscrabble Rd. The forecast was for 50+ degrees but it was cool and a bit breezy but nice and sunny. So, we kept our jackets on as we headed off up Hardscrabble Rd. This road runs between Androscoggin Lake and Wilson Pond. Several miles of Hardscrabble Rd. is dirt and there are multiple camp roads off this that go down to the lake that you can make some nice loops on. We don't ride here all that often. Only a few times a year on weekdays in early spring as the camp roads are all private roads. We have seen people in the camps and so far all have been friendly and did not seem to mind us riding there. But, it will just takes one crabby camp owner to ruin our nice early spring conditioning riding spot. 

Linda on Gus

Going up a very steep hill. You can't see how steep in the picture

We both expected the usually silliness from Gus and Luke that we usually get when the two of them are together and we both took our "silly gelding persuader sticks". Much to our delight though, they were both wonderful today. Luke too the lead right off and was forward and eager to so. Luke had just a couple sticky moments in the ride at some footing he was suspicious of but that was easily handled and presented no problems. Since I don't ride here often, I was not sure of my way to make the loops on the camp roads.  Sometimes I wasn't quite where I thought I was but remembered it as we went along. Right off we tried one of the snowmobile trails but it was quickly apparent that was not a good idea with the frost still coming out. So we stayed on the main road and camp roads. We did have one short section of trail through the woods that connects two camp roads. That section of trail was open and sunny enough that the footing was ok. There was some snow still and it was a little muddy in one small spot but easily managed.

We were surprised to see there is still a lot of ice on Androscoggin Lake. And the wind coming off the lake was cold making us grateful we had not left our coats behind. The camp roads were overall pretty good. There was a little snow still on some of them that are in shady areas but nothing that was a problem to ride on. And we passed a couple spots where run off water comes over some rocks and there were beautiful frozen waterfalls. I should have taken a picture of one. We were able to make all the loops and we were very happy about that. The last loop at the end takes us up a VERY steep and long hill. Luke motored up it wonderfully. Gus wanted to stop once for a breather but we were near the top and pushed on. Both boys were puffing when we got to the top. It's awesome to see how well Luke can handle a hill like this now. When I got him nearly a year ago, he was so out of shape that even small hills got him winded. There is more to this big guy than meets the eye. He has developed more strength and stamina than I ever expected he was capable of. I think he's got the making of a great CTR mule. I'm so looking forward to our first competition the first weekend of May.

Once we made the last loop on the camp roads, we headed straight down Hardscrabble road back to Linda's trailer. Once on the gravel section, we did some nice long sections of trotting and once nice long canter. Again, the boys were just SOOOOO good today. They cantered side by side quietly and calmly, neither one trying so suck back to let the other go first. It was just so much fun! And now that we were up off the lake sure and out of the wind, it was getting very warm and we were getting too warm in our winter jackets. But, it was the end of the ride so it didn't matter. It was the kind of ride that will keep us both smiling for days.

Riding With Tracy in Phippsburg

Today my friend Tracy and I went riding in Phippsburg. Tracy has never ridden there so it would be a treat taking her there. Tracy picked me up a little after 11:00. For once, Luke was not totally covered in mud so I didn't need any extraordinary grooming efforts.

We parked at the old shooting range up past Devil's highway. After tacking up, I took a few pictures of Tracy holding both mule. Tracy was whispering sweet nothings to Luke and it was making Ellie Mae jealous. Luke seemed eager to be out today. He took the lead right from the start and stayed right out there pretty much the whole ride. None of that silliness he does when he's with Gus! We headed down the Basin Rd. and did all the loops that come back to the Harris Cemetery. We even did the Dance Hall Rd. cut across trail. The snow was all gone there and the footing was fine. We got in some nice trotting. We did have a truck pass us that drove over some downed branches as he was coming towards us. The branches made some loud snapping noises and that startled both mules. But, neither did more than a little dance in place.

When we were nearly back to the trailer, we decided it was too nice a day to end our ride yet so we decided to do the loop up over Fuller's Mt. I decided to try the rugged trail to the top. It's not such a long trail that if the footing was not good yet, we could just turn around. There was some snow in the woods but the frost seems to be out and the footing was fine. Though Ellie Mae was not sure she wanted to tramp though any snow. I had to dismount and scout ahead just once to make sure the trail was safe and to break off some branches from a tree that had fallen across the trail. And Tracy led Ellie Mae though one snowy spot. We both mounted up for the steep scramble to the top. It's a short but tough, rocky climb. The mules handled it easily. When we got to the top of the trail, I was dismayed to find they have been logging there. I could not find the trail and everything looked so different and the ground was a mess. We picked our way though in the direction I though we should go in and found a safe, though muddy route. Once on open ground, nothing looked right to me. I found a dirt road and we followed it but I was still disoriented it didn't seem right to me. We turned around and went back in the other direction looking for another dirt road and the actual summit of Fuller's Mt. We just got to a heavily logged area and we had no desire to make either mule walk though the mess. So, we turned again and went back down the dirt road we had found. In a fairly short time, we came to the dirt road I was looking for and went up to the summit of the mountain. There is a lovely view from there and we took a few pictures. We then went down the mountain by way of the dirt road, which has just been newly graveled and was VERY rocky. So, we kept it to a walk as Luke is barefoot right now. He didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by the rocks though I have to say. We came across a passel children and running and screaming and, well, just doing what children do. Luke views all this commotion with some suspicion but walked by quietly.

I had planned to take the Echo Lane/Mountain Crossing road trail to cut across to Devils Highway. But, I missed the turn and we ended up riding out to the Stoneybrook Rd. and riding down to Devil's Highway from there. This was fine, it just added a short stretch of pavement, but also gave us more dirt road.

Another great ride!!!!

Brown's Point and Big Bellied Mares

My friend Linda and I finally managed to coordinate schedules to get in a quick ride today. After work at Upper Pond Stable, I ran home, gave one very muddy mule a quick vacuum, loaded him up and headed over to pick up Linda and Gus.

When just Linda and I ride together, Gus and Luke are so funny. Neither one are spooky really, but when they are together they both get into this, "Oh, look at that scary thing". "Luke, you go first". "No way Gus, you go first." "Uh, uh, I'm not going Luke unless you go first". We rode down to Carol Lenna's then back around the big field. Then we rode down to Joanie's house to see Nancy's new horse and preggo Frannie! She is due to foal fairly soon and sure looks like it! But she looks wonderful.

We came back up Centers Point Rd and rode down to the end of Brown's point. On the dirt section of Browns Point, we came across an older man out walking. He stopped us and asked if either of us might possibly want someone to ride our horses. He said he had ridden when he was young and now that he was retired, wanted to ride again. Hummmmmmm, not!

We went back through the strawberry fields and then by way of Pork Point Rd. It was a very nice day and we had a great ride.

Playing with some jumps at Upper Pond

I took Luke over to Upper Pond Stable today. There were quite a few people around. Cierra had just finished riding, darn it! My favorite pony Letty, was being used for lesson for some kids. She's a Fell pony and just such an awesome girl. My friend Maura and her daughter Meri were also there. They were trying out a western saddle to see how it fit them and their horse. I lunged Luke just a little bit and then mounted up.
While Meri was riding, Maura set up a jump for me to play around with. Everyone wanted to see the mule jump and since Luke was formally used an eventer so I know he can jump. I just had Maura set up a small cross rail at first then a low straight bar. Luke was wonderful about it. The only time he had trouble was when he decided he had to poop just as we got to the jump. Apparently mule can not poop and jump at the same time. We plowed the jump down that time. It was funny! Luke is such a good boy.

Picture is blurry but shows his good approach

Luke doing a good jump.

Luke proving he can't poop and jump at the same time! It was too funny.