Snow Squalls and Sunshine

Today Cierra and I had a very fun and interesting ride. We had planned on heading out around 10:00 but didn't get going until around 11:30 or so. It wasn't too cold and the sun was out so a nice day to ride. We were going to go down the trail from my house to the stream crossing and see if we could cross safely. WE headed out over the new bridge. Marie and Tink are still not convinced it's safe. Marie reluctantly crossed, Cierra led Tink across since she had to get off an tighten her girth anyway and Tink made no fuss. And our trail near the house is much improved since Cierra and Pam recently did a bit of trail clearing. I have winter shoes on Marie, Tinkerbell is barefoot. We decided she would be ok going without boots as the snow is really good right now to provide good footing. We headed out in bright sunshine. The stream crossing was fine and we did a fun canter up the big hill. And Tinkerbell, who previously has been reluctant to pass Marie when we canter, blew by Marie and I on the hill. We also did a nice little canter along the top of the ridge. From there we had to be more careful as we have not been out on this trail this winter yet and had to watch out for ice spots under the snow. Some we knew where they would be, and we found some in unexpected spots but now we know where they all are. It started to snow while we were heading out but it was still blue skies and sunshine. Very weird. We did a little lollipop loop and headed back. I was in the lead as we got to the bottom of the big hill we'd cantered up going out. I slowed Marie down, with the intention of spinning around and taking off and galloping by Cierra back up the big hill. I waited for the right moment, Cierra and Tink were near us.......and I spun Marie around with bit YEEEHAAA LETS GO MARIE!..... Marie turned ..... and just stood there....... MARIE!!!! A big boot in the side and another YEEEHAAA and she did take off up the hill as Cierra watched us in confusion. Cierra caught on fast though and were hot on our heels in just a second and once again they blew by us. We nearly locked stirrups when she passed... that could have been interesting. As we headed back down the hill, suddenly the sky turned super dark and the wind started blowing very hard. Yikes, and then the snow started and we found ourselves riding in a very fierce snow squall. Marie and Tink were not bothered by it so it was kind of neat. Other than the snow blowing very hard nearly side ways right into our faces and into the horses ears. Marie didn't care, but Tink didn't care for that. By the time we got home (and both Marie and Tink crossed the bridge with no fuss this time) the sun was back out. Both horses were a bit sweaty but not really hot so we put fleece coolers on them and turned them out and retreated into the house to warm up and have a hot chocolate with the delicious addition of white chocolate raspberry creamer. 

We decided over our hot chocolate to go out and take Fanny and Coal out for a short ride. It was colder out now and the wind had picked back up and was blowing pretty hard be the sun was out and we decided to go anyway. Fanny and Coal were good about being tacked up and they stand SOOOOO nicely at the mounting block to be mounted. (Thank you Tracy for training your horses so well) I was riding Fanny and Cierra was on Coal. Both were very excited about getting out. We have been on the a few times but only to bop around the paddock. This was our first trail ride. They pranced all the way out and all the way home. But, never did a wrong thing and we had a fun ride. Coal did get rattled for just a moment as we were going under some branches from a downed tree but after just a little dance got his head together so it was no big deal. I think they were very happy to get out and do something. They are very nice horses and I'm enjoying having them at my place. When we got back from riding the 2nd time, Cierra and I buckled down and did the barn chores and even a few projects I'd been wanting to do but needed a hand with. Then we ended the day with another round of hot chocolate. A very good day for sure! 

Building Bridges

I've been wanting to build a bridge over a muddy stream crossing near my house for ages. I had for the most part stopped using a particular little trail on my land behind my house because of it. I had planned to build the bridge last fall and just wasn't able to do it. And by December figured we would not get another chance until spring. But, as luck would have it, we had a warm up and some rain that melted off most of the snow. So, we jumped on the opportunity to get the bridge done. On Friday, Cierra and I cut the decking boards and lugged them into the woods to the stream. It was an interesting chore dragging the boards through the woods on a winding and bumpy trail but we managed it in 3 trips. Saturday morning, I went to Home Depot to get PT posts for the supports and decking screws. Pam and Cierra met me at the house and we lugged the post and tools we needed down into the woods. It took us a while to get the supports laid down fairly level. We were able to pry enough fairly large rocks out of the frozen ground with a pry bar to get the job done. I was impressed with the size of some of the rocks Cierra pulled out and moved. Once the support beam were down we laid the decking boards on and I started screwing them down. At this point, Cierra and Pam headed down the trail to do some trail clean up and brush cutting. Fred came out and helped by finishing off screwing the boards down. 

So of course Cierra and I had to hop on Marie and Tink to try out our new bridge. Silly horses were NOT impressed with our efforts at all. As much as they had hated crossing through the mud, they were trying to do that to go around the scary new bridge. It took a bit of convincing but we were finally able to get the girls to cross the bridge. 

A Good Start to the Year

I recently acquired a new goat, Thistle, and a new cat, India. And just after Christmas two horses, Fanny and Coal, came that will be staying with me for a few months. So, I have quite the barn full right now. 

Cierra and I did managed to get in a quick ride today. We didn't have a lot of time so just jumped on and took a quick bareback ride though the woods behind my house. It was fun even if it was short and a good way to start the year. 

Riding into the Sunset

Is there any better way to end the year than a wonderful ride at the beach? I can't think of any. We almost didn't go. Amy had emailed me to ask if I wanted to ride on the 31st but after listening to the weather forecast, she sent me a text saying she and Judy had decided not to ride as it was going to be too cold. I sent her a text back calling her a wimp. A short while later she sent replied that she and Judy had decided to ride after all as she could not sleep knowing I'd called her a wimp. HA! 

It was indeed going to be a cold day only in the 20's. We just hoped there would be little to no wind. We met at Popham beach around 1:00 pm. As luck would have it, there indeed was very little wind. We were all well dressed for the cold and we ended up having a wonderful ride. I'm so glad we went. It was Judy's first time riding at the beach. And it was Amy's mules first time at the beach. Mule and horses were all very good. We rode until nearly sunset. 

Warm December Ride at the Basin

I haven't had the chance to ride a lot this December. But, that normal as it's the busy time at work and I've also been very busy with horse hair jewelry orders. Cierra and I have gotten in a few quick bareback rides in the woods behind my house. Then it was icy so the footing wasn't good for riding for a week or so. But, the past few days have been warm and we had quite a bit of rain which melted all the ice and most of the snow.

Linda emailed me on Thursday or Friday to see if I could ride at the beach on Sunday. Cierra and I could both go so. Low tide was at 10:00 am. Sunday morning turned out to be rainy but was going to clear around noon time so we changed our plans and instead met in Phippsburg to ride in the Basin at 1:00 pm. 

It stayed overcast but was quite warm and we had the most wonderful ride.  It was just so good to get out and the horses seemed to be as happy as we to be out. We did quite a bit of trotting and got in a few nice long canters. We were even able to go into the pond. A real treat for a late December day! 

Bare Toes and Snowy Poses

On two occasions recently, Wanda Clowater of Clowater Art and Photography has been to my home. The first time for my friend Cierra's senior photo shoot and I was able to take the opportunity to get a few photos of me and Marie also. As always, Wanda's photos are wonderful and I just love them. And then when Wanda stopped by the other day to drop off Cierra's pictures, she took some pictures of Cierra and I riding in the snow. Again, such wonderful photos. Thank you Wanda!

Winter Fun!