We've moved!
We are growing and have moved to a .com neighborhood. All the old stuff is already there, and some new stuff.
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Be sure to visit often, and share your adventures as well.
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Happy Trails Riding Adventures
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Roxie is a Rock Star
Wanted to share Marie's adventures yesterday, and show off Roxie whom I've never officially met but love her anyway. Hopefully, Marie will comment with some more details when she has time.
Thank you for sharing Marie.
--
Well, my check list paid off...we were right on time and as far as I heard nothing was forgotten...not bad for 4 trailers, 13 horses and riders (8 of which were young riders...7-11 y.o). We were blessed to only have sprinkles but it was WARM & MUGGY...hence scenting wasn't very good. Hounds only got on 1 short run in 2 hour outing. Heat and threatening storms took us in.
Foxie Roxie was a true hunter. She wanted to go but willing to wait :-).
Saturday, August 27, 2011
08.14.11 Beat the Rain Ride
Great afternoon ride. Everett / Priley, FJ / Frisco, Debra / Clem, Jay / PB, me / TLH. After church and lunch, we met, saddled up, and rode out with a questionable forecast before us. Although the sky was bright, FJ had stared into the sun and proclaimed rain, but he didn't give us a timeline for the rain. After some debate, we went for it.
The ride was nice and relaxed, not too hot at all. By the time we were nearing home, the clouds were threatening us severely. After untacking and just as I started to brush TLH, the rain began to pepper and could be heard fast approaching through the trees. FJ took TLH out from under my brushstroke and quickly ushered her into the field. Of course he was already done with Frisco. They always rush just to make me look slow. Then the rain came, heavy and loud. We pulled out and headed home. We got a good rain that we needed and the best part is that we got our ride in BEFORE the rain.
A few more shots from the day to see, click here.
The ride was nice and relaxed, not too hot at all. By the time we were nearing home, the clouds were threatening us severely. After untacking and just as I started to brush TLH, the rain began to pepper and could be heard fast approaching through the trees. FJ took TLH out from under my brushstroke and quickly ushered her into the field. Of course he was already done with Frisco. They always rush just to make me look slow. Then the rain came, heavy and loud. We pulled out and headed home. We got a good rain that we needed and the best part is that we got our ride in BEFORE the rain.
A few more shots from the day to see, click here.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Gus Will Be Traded
I have suggested sending Gus to a professional for one month. She is such a smart girl and I believe that a month would be plenty of time for her to learn some ground manners and a basic work ethic. Hopefully she would also begin to realize that squashing fences is not a good thing. After that, I think she would be very reasonable to work with and would progress really fast. She has a sweet and mostly cooperative disposition. She has simply been trained for too long to evade whatever she doesn't want to do.
He does not want to invest more $ in her for training, so she will be traded at the first opportunity.
Thus ends the saga of Gussie, the Big Horse Who Could Have.
He does not want to invest more $ in her for training, so she will be traded at the first opportunity.
Thus ends the saga of Gussie, the Big Horse Who Could Have.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Floppy Helmet Ride 07.10.11
Nice warm July day for a trail ride. Fortunately not AS hot as I feared, very thankful for that. Our merry band of misfits today: Debra with Queen Clem, Farmer John and Pretty Boy,
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Gus Drops Out (or Jumps Out) of School
This afternoon I showed up for some work with Gussie. Gussie even showed up today. She was a complete no-show yesterday. It was not her idea, but she was present. Her attitude was very different, immediately, today. She was not happy to be confined in the round pen. We started easy with some simple trips around
Monday, July 4, 2011
Gus Goes to School
Gus was introduced to the round pen this evening. Actually, I guess she was introduced to it a couple of weeks ago when it appeared in her pasture. Until this evening, it was just another pile of stuff in her way. She handled it a little better than I had anticipated. She gave about three serious considerations to going over,
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Vermont uses draft horse to lay cable for Internet access
HARDWICK, Vt |
(Reuters) - In Vermont's remote Northeast Kingdom an aging Belgian draft horse named Fred is part of a team racing to bring broadband Internet access to all corners of the state by 2013.
Monday, June 20, 2011
06.18.11 Soggy Boot Ride
Banjo, aka Skinny, was the jewel of the ride for sure. It was iffy at the outset and Walker had already
Thursday, June 16, 2011
06.14.11 Skinny Chestney Ride
Rush home after work for change of clothes, eat a bite of salad, then off to ride for a bit.
We're enjoying wonderful weather at present. It is beautifully warm, not hot, and so light and breezy. The humidity is low and it is so comfortable. I actually took a long sleeve shirt just in case. Was on the verge of donning it by the time we got done.
Walker and Skinny did great. Think this counts as Skinny's first trail ride. He was alert to things around him, but not concerned. There were some challenges - barking dogs, romping horses - but they both handled everything very well. Skinny seemed comfortable leading or following along. Never thought twice, that I could tell, about crossing the creek. Seemed to be happy with the twisted shank grazing bit with a leather curb. I look forward to many more rides with Mr. Chestney.
I felt like a celebrity. Walker had the horses all ready to tack up when I arrived. I think I was the first one on! Trees are in full leaf now, just beautiful. Trekking down the Sherwood was splendid. It's almost a magical part of the forest and I love the smell of pines. We live in such a beautiful part of the world. I am thankful for this evening spent in it.
Tried at least 30 times to get some pics. No good. I could not take a single pic that was discernable and I knew what I was looking at! Oh well.
We're enjoying wonderful weather at present. It is beautifully warm, not hot, and so light and breezy. The humidity is low and it is so comfortable. I actually took a long sleeve shirt just in case. Was on the verge of donning it by the time we got done.
Walker and Skinny did great. Think this counts as Skinny's first trail ride. He was alert to things around him, but not concerned. There were some challenges - barking dogs, romping horses - but they both handled everything very well. Skinny seemed comfortable leading or following along. Never thought twice, that I could tell, about crossing the creek. Seemed to be happy with the twisted shank grazing bit with a leather curb. I look forward to many more rides with Mr. Chestney.
I felt like a celebrity. Walker had the horses all ready to tack up when I arrived. I think I was the first one on! Trees are in full leaf now, just beautiful. Trekking down the Sherwood was splendid. It's almost a magical part of the forest and I love the smell of pines. We live in such a beautiful part of the world. I am thankful for this evening spent in it.
Tried at least 30 times to get some pics. No good. I could not take a single pic that was discernable and I knew what I was looking at! Oh well.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
06.10.11 Pipsissewa Ride
Our God is an AWESOME God.
I don't have a lot of 19 hour days and not that I ever wondered, but now I know why. My day began with leaving my house on schedule at 600a with trailer.
I don't have a lot of 19 hour days and not that I ever wondered, but now I know why. My day began with leaving my house on schedule at 600a with trailer.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
06.05.11 Clyde Ride
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
05.22.11 Shady Ride
Great ride today, even though it was quite hot this afternoon. We chose to stay on the FS road rather than make the loop. This means we had to backtrack home, but I think it was worth it. Had we chosen a loop, any of the available loops, we would have returned up the hollow on the road and would have been in the open, in direct sunlight for some miles. Our choice kept us in the shade the whole ride.
We had occasional breezes that were so refreshing. There was a fallen tree that had not been cleared yet; fortunately it was high enough on the bank side that we could ride under. We never saw another soul the whole ride, blissful.
We had a lovely group of five, or ten if you prefer. Walker / TLH, Debra / Clem, Everett / Bell, Jay / Pretty Boy, and me / Frisco made up our troupe. It was very good to get to ride with Everett again. Was definitely impressed with Bell. This was my first ride with her. Also, was happy to have Jay back. He liked Pretty Boy, even though "he's no Cody".
Wishing them all a great time at BSF this weekend! God is good.
We had occasional breezes that were so refreshing. There was a fallen tree that had not been cleared yet; fortunately it was high enough on the bank side that we could ride under. We never saw another soul the whole ride, blissful.
We had a lovely group of five, or ten if you prefer. Walker / TLH, Debra / Clem, Everett / Bell, Jay / Pretty Boy, and me / Frisco made up our troupe. It was very good to get to ride with Everett again. Was definitely impressed with Bell. This was my first ride with her. Also, was happy to have Jay back. He liked Pretty Boy, even though "he's no Cody".
Wishing them all a great time at BSF this weekend! God is good.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
05.07.11 Derby Day Ride at Westover
Very good to have Ashley and Windstar, and Carly and Chance with us. Windstar was a little anxious at first but Ashley settled her nicely. I think the final count of riders was 22 or 23, but I'm not sure.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
04.14.11 Evening Ride
What a lovely way to spend a Thursday evening. Yes, I know it was the day before the dreaded TAX DAY, and yes I still had taxes to do, BUT
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
04.10.11 Sunday Ride
It's Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy! After church, I spent the rest of the beautiful day riding. Hot in APRIL, but beautiful anyway. Not sure how I'm going to handle July if April is hot. Note to Self: plan all July rides in shade with steady breeze, and low humidity.
Walker was aboard TLH for the day, and they formed a splendid duo. Debra and Clem were their usual charming team. I got to partner with Frisco Jones (aka Spony). Walker had the nerve to say we were short!
Everything is getting so green. Guess the mountains got the Go-Green memo. The redbuds are beautiful just peeking out with their shots of color in all the green and brown backdrop. Of course the trees are not in leaf yet, but boy is the grass way green, on both sides of the fence. The heat did enrich the wonderful aromas of Spring, sweet and warm and the best smelling green there is.
The only downside was that apparently we weren't the only folks smart enough to get off the couch and outside to enjoy the day. We passed 6 or 7, maybe more, vehicles. Some of them we passed twice, so not sure how to count those:). Fortunately, they were mostly courteous and posed no issues for us. As high-strung as the horses were, we were just lucky I guess. . .
Walker was aboard TLH for the day, and they formed a splendid duo. Debra and Clem were their usual charming team. I got to partner with Frisco Jones (aka Spony). Walker had the nerve to say we were short!
Everything is getting so green. Guess the mountains got the Go-Green memo. The redbuds are beautiful just peeking out with their shots of color in all the green and brown backdrop. Of course the trees are not in leaf yet, but boy is the grass way green, on both sides of the fence. The heat did enrich the wonderful aromas of Spring, sweet and warm and the best smelling green there is.
The only downside was that apparently we weren't the only folks smart enough to get off the couch and outside to enjoy the day. We passed 6 or 7, maybe more, vehicles. Some of them we passed twice, so not sure how to count those:). Fortunately, they were mostly courteous and posed no issues for us. As high-strung as the horses were, we were just lucky I guess. . .
Thursday, April 7, 2011
04.07.11 Short Loop
Awesome evening ride. We rode the short loop. It was delightful to have Ciara and Traveller, and Emma and Pretty Boy, and Scout as well as Walker and Spony with us. We had a good group and a great ride.
Departed at 630. Returned at 815. The weather was so pleasant. All the horses were very good. Traveller is new at getting out in the world I think. He is still figuring some things out. He was cautious with the gate and with each stream we crossed, but he and Ciara worked it all out very well.
Walker had to show off with what was I think his first vault of the season. Of course I'm just jealous. Wish I could bound from a standstill up into the saddle with a soft landing, with the saddle actually on a real horse.
We saw a great many deer in the pasture on the way back. Especially amused at the TLD (The Luxury Deer) that was bringing up the rear! She was in no hurry whatsoever.
The only thing that annoyed us was the flies at the beginning, but they weren't bad at all after we got going.
Departed at 630. Returned at 815. The weather was so pleasant. All the horses were very good. Traveller is new at getting out in the world I think. He is still figuring some things out. He was cautious with the gate and with each stream we crossed, but he and Ciara worked it all out very well.
Walker had to show off with what was I think his first vault of the season. Of course I'm just jealous. Wish I could bound from a standstill up into the saddle with a soft landing, with the saddle actually on a real horse.
We saw a great many deer in the pasture on the way back. Especially amused at the TLD (The Luxury Deer) that was bringing up the rear! She was in no hurry whatsoever.
The only thing that annoyed us was the flies at the beginning, but they weren't bad at all after we got going.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday Ride 04.03.11
What a great day for a ride, and thankfully we WERE riding! Explored some forest trails with some AWESOME panoramic views out over the area. I'm pretty sure we could see all the way to North Carolina, which is not that far I know.
The horses were great, very r e l a x e d, not that that is a bad thing. No sign of any complications from the vaccinations of the day before. Clem was still furious I'm sure about being 'tricked', but she didn't show it. Also must commend them on their excellent behavior in ponying the others up to the barn for the next day's farrier visit, aka Brad. They were very patient and tolerant with the not-so-cooperative ponyees, and especially with Charcoal who is allowed to take his time.
I actually wore a single, short-sleeved shirt for the ride, so yes, it was very warm. The spring smells in the mountain were wonderful in the sunshine. I couldn't resist snapping a pic of the bamboo patch. It is so pretty, if you like bamboo, and I do, like bamboo. Yet another delightful day to be outside enjoying the Creator's blessings. Thank you Lord.
The horses were great, very r e l a x e d, not that that is a bad thing. No sign of any complications from the vaccinations of the day before. Clem was still furious I'm sure about being 'tricked', but she didn't show it. Also must commend them on their excellent behavior in ponying the others up to the barn for the next day's farrier visit, aka Brad. They were very patient and tolerant with the not-so-cooperative ponyees, and especially with Charcoal who is allowed to take his time.
I actually wore a single, short-sleeved shirt for the ride, so yes, it was very warm. The spring smells in the mountain were wonderful in the sunshine. I couldn't resist snapping a pic of the bamboo patch. It is so pretty, if you like bamboo, and I do, like bamboo. Yet another delightful day to be outside enjoying the Creator's blessings. Thank you Lord.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
03.21.11 Evening Ride
Gorgeous evening ride after work. It was a hustle to get out of work, change, get my stuff, get there, get ready, WITH time still left to ride, but God is good and we had exactly the amount of time needed. Mileage for this per GPS was 6.4 miles. Departed 615; dismounted 800p with just enough light to brush off TLH and put my stuff away. The weather was perfect. Forsythia in full bloom along the way. The bamboo stand is rich green and so
03.19.11 Saturday Ride
Wonderful Ride. Delightful to have Walker / Frisco and Laura / Dixie join us. Departed 1240ish. Returned 400-430ish, not sure. Since the recent expiration of my Timex clip watch (which was at least 15 years old) I am
Sunday, March 13, 2011
03.12.11 : Bluff Hollow Short Loop
Left from the barn about 1245p on Saturday. Picked up four neighbor dogs, Pyrenees(male) gave up and returned home. Continued with 3 female neighbor dogs for an absolutely lovely ride. The day was beautiful
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Must Haves or at least Should Haves for Mt. Rogers Area Riding
Number one thing on my list is SHOES. Although there are some areas with easy footing, for the most part the footing is pretty rough and dictates shoes all the way around. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, so I'm sure there are horses that are OK without shoes. I would certainly advise shoes until you have
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Competitive Trail Riding
Two organizations I know of, I'm sure there are more:
NATRC - North American Trail Ride Conference - www.natrc5.org for Region 5.
ACTHA - American Competitive Trail Horse Association - www.actha.us
Having never participated in an ACTHA ride, I cannot say anything about them. I do hope to get to ride in the Broadview Ranch ride this year. I'm not sure how many rides they have close enough for me.
I have been fortunate enough to compete in a few NATRC rides and highly recommend these. Let me get the fine-print-disclaimer out of the way up front. They are not cheap. It will require a significant investment of
NATRC - North American Trail Ride Conference - www.natrc5.org for Region 5.
ACTHA - American Competitive Trail Horse Association - www.actha.us
Having never participated in an ACTHA ride, I cannot say anything about them. I do hope to get to ride in the Broadview Ranch ride this year. I'm not sure how many rides they have close enough for me.
I have been fortunate enough to compete in a few NATRC rides and highly recommend these. Let me get the fine-print-disclaimer out of the way up front. They are not cheap. It will require a significant investment of
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Riding and Camping Checklist
Always a work-in-progress!
Necessities:
Horse
Saddle / Girth
Pad / Blanket
Bridle
Horse
Saddle / Girth
Pad / Blanket
Bridle
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Elk Garden to Fox Creek 08.14.10 ~18 miles
Left Elk Garden parking lot on VHHT to intersection with Crest trail (99), 4.1m.
Crest trail to VH Connector Trail (100) ~2.5m --partial is VHHT, VH Connector Trail @ gate, right goes thru Park, usually lots of ponies here.
Iron Mt Ride 11.21.10 8.4 mi
Rode from Fox Creek north (Rt. 741) up to VHHT, ~less than .75 mile. Left on VHHT, crossing the road twice before turning west toward Hurricane Mt. Trail opens onto FS 828 on Flat Top Mt. Right on FS road for little over .5 mile. Left off the road, back onto trail toward Cherry Tree Shelter, about .3 miles to Shelter. Southeast on Iron Mt Trail from the Shelter back down the mountain, paralleling the FS road most of the way. Once at the bottom, the trail parallels Rt. 603 back to Fox Creek.
View from Cherry Tree Shelter, looking down Iron Mt. trail toward Fox Creek Camp.
Map of the ride. Red and Blue are two different GPS files to make up the complete loop. Experimenting with devices.
Participants:
Kim, Kim, Deb, Deb, Walker; Gus, Nic, Clem, TLH, Frisco.
Participants:
Kim, Kim, Deb, Deb, Walker; Gus, Nic, Clem, TLH, Frisco.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Pond Mountain Ride 05.01.10
Riding on Pond Mt. Start at Gentry Creek. Can loop down ATV road onto Hawkins Rd, ride pavement on Hawkins, Sugar Creek, Gentry Creek back to trailer. 05.01.10 did loop, not going ALL way up, 8.4 miles, max altitude 4500'. Everett, Debra, Jay, me. Suspect "top" field at 36.5, -81.7.
Google Map of the Pond Mt ride.
Google Map of the Pond Mt ride.
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