It'll Get Me Through

Perfect for zooming!

Last Thursday I had one of those great rides that has stuck with me in the week since then.  I'm quite sure it'll be one of those rides that will get me through the long, cold winter, just by remembering the feel of my horse breathing and moving beneath me, the smell of his sweat in my nose, the view between his pricked ears, his energy and enthusiasm to get down the trail, and the pure concentration and attention required of me to be in the moment utterly and completely with him.  And to intensify all of the above sensations, I had Red along ponying, too - so it was doubly memorable, doubly pleasurable, doubly wonderful. 

Last Thursday I had no agenda and no time constraints.  I knew I wanted to explore what lay beyond Highway K.  And so off we went!  It was a brisk day.  The wind was bringing with it the first snow of the season (overnight a couple inches fell); both the horses and the wildlife knew, as we saw many grouse, several deer, bald eagles, squirrels, and even a fisher flashed its dark, lithe body away from us through the forest.  The horses wanted to *move* and so move we did.

We found insanely beautiful cantering (or galloping) trails.  They were the perfect packed sandy footing, with a smooth surface but enough spring to cushion our hoofbeats.  Pine trees mostly lined the two-track lanes, and kept us focused forward and on course.  I thought we'd just have a nice, comfortable long trot.  The boys had another idea entirely.  Zoom, zoom we went, zipping along at a very forward pace, the boys cantering in step with each other but not racing.  I did briefly wonder about the wisdom of flying down the trail with two horses under my (pseudo)control, as flashes of wild turkeys jumping out in front of us passed in front of my brain.  However, there was no talking the boys out of their run.  Two manes were flying, two tails were flagging in the wind we created, and we cantered a 3 mile stretch effortlessly. 

We explored an out-and-back snowmobile trail as far as we could before the bog through which we were traveling engulfed the trail ahead of us.  We startled a county guy who was out picking up trash (oops).  We trotted and cantered and walked and paused occasionally for a bite of grass.  We three existed in our own space, united, for the afternoon.  We traveled the trail together; the harmony between us was magical.This is why I ride endurance - these moments of perfect union with my horse, the shared experience and desire. To share those moments with both my horses at the same time was really amazing. We made it home before dark. 

The first opportunity to take my hands off the reins for a moment and snap a pic - 9 miles into our 14+ mile day.

Cooling out and mowing the lawn

Snack stop - the boys are mugging me for carrots

The Best Way To Go for a Beer With a Friend

Hello, November - you did arrive in style, I suppose.  All dressed up for Halloween, anyway - in fresh snow and way below average temps.  I think it was technically above freezing today, though my toes wouldn't agree. 

Not quite unbroken snow, as two someones had been walking here before us.  But truly enticing, nonetheless.

About midday, and with a glorious amount of sunshine beaming down upon us, Red and I headed off with M. and her Paint mare Twister.  This is actually Red's first ridden outing since moving here, as I have been taking both horses with Red ponying up until this point.  Before getting to the farm, I stopped at a feed store hoping to find a performance feed.  No such luck - everyone around here would be happy to order something for me, but my choices off-the-shelf are pretty slim.  At least I can readily get beet pulp!  So instead of keeping is as simple as possible for M. to feed my boys (just soaked beet pulp and a pelleted feed, in differing amounts for each of them, plus MSM supplement for Red), they're now getting beet pulp plus plain oats (what they were both eating at home, and a favorite combination of mine), and Rhio additionally gets stabilized rice bran.  So hopefully it's still not too complicated or too much mixing!  I try not to be one of *those* horse people that boards her horses and makes all sorts of demands.  This stop let me make up a tub of goodness for Rhio, so that as we rode out, he had deliciousness to occupy him.  I am not sure if I'll try leaving Red behind or not - he has a history of panicking when left "alone," and I can't guarantee that the herd would stay close enough to the fence to keep him company.  Rhio may not prefer to be left alone, but especially with food in front of him, he seems to handle it just fine. 

After encountering a camouflaged (buried slightly under freshly disturbed dirt) coyote trap right along the trail - thank goodness M. told me what it was - I'll be a little more careful in guiding my horses around anything that looks like that in the future.  (The trapper is on their land with permission, by the way. So no concern there, but it is nice to know where the traps are so I can stay away, and certainly not take Kelso out there with me.)  Red was more than happy to show Twister the way to go about the business of getting down the trail, and the inch or two of snow from Thursday night just made for a delightfully quiet, soft ride.  We got the occasional dump of snow in our laps from overhanging branches, but mostly it was really quite lovely to ride in.  I'm not sure how I feel about day two of snow this early in the season (really, it should just melt this time of year), but it was pretty. 

We did a little exploring along the way, generally covering the trails I've become familiar with in my solo outings.  After a few hours, and with swiftly approaching full-numbness in my toes, we opted for an excursion to town.   The trails connect to the town park, and just a bit down the road from there is a friendly little local bar.  This IS Wisconsin, after all!  This bar conveniently has a hitching rail, and we took ourselves inside for a beer (and, yes, to use the ladies room, and thaw out our appendages.)  The presence of horses outside the door lured about 1/3 of the bar patrons out for a look-see (and a few asked permission to go pet them, and feed them sugar lumps.) 

At the hitching rail

We hit the trail for home with just enough time to arrive before sunset.  Nothing can beat an afternoon spent astride a good mount, with the trail bending away ahead of you, and excellent companionship.  A beer along the way doesn't hurt, either. 

Rhio waits for his brother to return.

Cutie pie knows I've got his supper.

A Map in my Head

Red ponies along

Ride two on my new home trails was just as fantastic as the first.  I briefly contemplated a nap this afternoon, but the sun was shining and I just couldn't pass that up.  Fifty minutes from the time I left my house, I was in the saddle (pretty good considering it's a 27 mile trip to the farm.) 

I love that I have options about which route to take coming and going from the property - I don't like the horses to get too attached to "the way home" - I have enough trouble with overly exuberant ponies when homeward bound already!  We headed out down the driveway, which meant passing between the pasture with 5 full grown Angus steers, and the pen with the 4 Angus calves.  As far as Rhio is concerned, you can never be too careful when it comes to cows!  Red lived with cows (Angus, even) across the fence for 9 years and couldn't care less about them. 

The view

Once safely past the scary cows, we cut up one of the farm trails and paused for a view back across the pastures and toward the house.  This is such a lovely piece of property - I am truly fortunate to have access to riding here.  The trail winds generally north and east, up and down a few hills, and with broad spans of now-nude maples, big oaks with their chestnut-colored leaves still clinging, and a few bright yellow aspens  hanging on to their color. 

Farm trails

Meeting up with the trails I rode on Sunday, the horses knew exactly where they were and off we went.  At the very first intersection, though, I turned us right instead of left.  This took us directly out to a gravel/dirt road, which is a loop and doesn't go anywhere - it is merely hunter and logging access to the county land.  Red did not care for walking on the rocks, and so we fairly slowly progressed around the loop.  I was searching for a snowmobile trail that continued north, and which I've been told goes for "miles" without anything I can't cross.  I am anxious to test this theory, as sometimes a trail rider's definition of "miles" is slightly different than an endurance rider's (no offense meant).  We found the snowmobile trail, and explored up a ways, until it crossed the next county highway.  Although the path continued directly across the asphalt, and it was oh-so-tempting, I had to leave that exploration for another day (and more daylight). 

Road loop

Retracing our steps, we completed the road loop (about 2.5 miles total on the road) and headed back home along our now-familiar trails.  I have now ridden out here three times (once, the first, trail riding with M.) and have studied the basic map a bit.  All the entry points to the trails have metal map-signs with a "you are here" indicator, which is very helpful.  I also use my RunKeeper app on my phone while I ride, which not only acts as a GPS to give me time and distance, it also makes a little map for me of my route.  Now, I have a map in my head, and besides figuring out a few of the inner cut-offs within the loops, I think I have it pretty well down.  The horses certainly do!  I have always been a person that needs to look at a map of a place, and then can visualize the map in my head.  With just a little experience, now I can create routes to achieve whatever riding or conditioning goal(s) I may have for a particular day.  These trails are now familiar territory and my next explore will definitely be continuing up the snowmobile trail into new places! 

Two

Well, the big move finally happened and Red and Rhio are happily living at their new boarding place in Wisconsin.  I brought them down 4 days ago, in a borrowed rig (a HUGE thank you to G. for lending me her truck and trailer for the move), and they have been settling in very nicely.  They have their own grassy paddock, and share a fenceline with the 6 resident horses, who admittedly seem much more interested in my boys than Red and Rhio are interested in the herd.  They share their paddock periodically with a few guinea hens, and elsewhere on the farm live a handful of black Angus steers and a flock of laying hens.  Wildlife neighbors include deer and wild turkeys.  The boys act like they've seen it all before - which except for the guineas, I think they have.  I've been visiting daily to feed them their beet pulp mashes (Rhio's full feed pan and Red's mere handful) while the farm owners (M. and K.) have been gone for the weekend.  This has been a perfect excuse to make the 50+ mile round trip commute, since I would have been fretting too much without laying eyes and hands on them every day during the transition.  Yep, just label me an overprotective horse mom, and you've about got it. 

Standing at the hitching rail, as viewed through the overhanging barn roof.

 Today was a day that I just couldn't pass up - sunshine, warmth, fall colors still present albeit past peak, and no agenda.  It was the perfect afternoon to ride! Being as they are still living as a pair, and not yet integrated into the herd, I knew that taking Rhio out for a ride would have left Red in a panic, probably working himself into quite a state while left behind.  Shortly after I bought him, 12 years ago next month, he slide into a fence in his panic at being left behind, and I had to suture up his fetlock.  I'd really rather not repeat that, and so my choice was to ride him and leave Rhio behind (my best guess is that he wouldn't be recklessly agitated, but I don't know for sure), or take them both.  What?! How can you ride two horses, Taryn?  Well, dear reader, I ride one and bring the other along with a halter and lead (called "ponying"). 

Both boys, both their shadows, and me, too!

Ponying can be an adventure.  It is something I have done relatively frequently with these boys, although not usually at a conditioning (i.e. fast) pace.  For whatever reason, things go much more smoothly if I ride Rhio and pony Red.  Minor chaos occurs if I ride Red and pony Rhio.  Both horses are comfortable around ropes, and don't freak out if the rope ends up somewhere unexpected (like under a tail!).  Also, they are used to traveling at speed with other horses, and don't get too excited by the pace (usually).  And, of course, they get along very well together.  However, they do both like to lead - and so although the pony-er should be the leader and the pony-ee should follow at about the shoulder, that's not exactly how it always goes with these two. 

Red's eager to go!

Decked out in blaze orange (there was a youth deer hunt on this weekend, meaning kids with guns would be in the woods - but I also timed the ride to coincide with the Packers game, which pretty much guaranteed I wouldn't see a single soul out there - and that turned out to be the case), and with gloves on to protect my hands during episodes of exuberance, should they occur, I climbed aboard and off we went. 

Headed to the neighboring property.

The boys were forward and interested in their new surroundings, and we walked along the trail between the home farm and the neighboring property (also owned by M. and K.), traversed the farmyard next door, and walked past the field of Scottish Highland cattle (with some extra alertness on Rhio's part, as the non-cattle-lover of the pair), before heading off into the woods on the farm trails.  Up a hill, down the other side, and around a bit leads us to the county land north of the farm.  This land is full of trails designated specifically as hunter/hiker walking trails and are strictly non-motorized.  The county keeps them mowed, even, and the conditions are spectacular for moving out.  The only obstacles are a few downed limbs here and there; there are absolutely no mud or wet areas, and it is clear sailing to trot and canter to your heart's content.  Wahoo!!!  I feel like I've hit the training trail jackpot! 

Snack stop (they're mobbing me for itchy head rubs!)

I rode these trails a few weeks ago, riding K.'s horse Lucky and riding with M. and some of her friends, so I had a basic familiarity with them.  Both horses were relaxed and moving nicely at a trot, though Red is a stronger hill horse and would take the lead by a nose going up hill.  We took a break about 4 miles in, and I dismounted to get us safely around a gate and out onto a sandy road, which would loop us back to the trail.  Heading back into the woods, both boys knew they were "going home."  Ay-yi-yi!!!  Try maintaining a reasonable pace and directing two horses to make the right turns, while having only one hand per horse to do so.  Red wanted to lead, so the arm I was using to hold him got a workout trying to keep him back.  Rhio wanted to go faster, faster, faster, so the arm I was using on his reins got a workout keeping him in check.  Finally, after hitting the home trails once again, we had to just walk in the rest of the way as my arms felt like jelly and the boys showed no inclination to slow down on their own.  They are great, though, because if I ask them to walk, they do, easily and without any shenanigans.  It is just while trotting and cantering that they sometimes think they know best how fast to go.  And so, we did a little exploring, a little sweating, a little bonding, and a lot of endorphin-releasing riding for our first Wisconsin outing.  I can't wait for my next ride!!!

Back in their paddock post-ride.

Horsie Time

It doesn't get much better than this!

Wow, finally just a smudge of time to do with as I desire. It's been a whirlwind the past month moving ourselves, the dogs, and our stuff to our new home - separately and in multiple stages. The horses are the last to move, and are still in Duluth. This was my second trip back to see my patients, and the first time I've gotten to ride in over a month. Add in a gorgeous fall morning, leaves turning, bluebird sky, and peaceful woods trails to share with just my four legged companions,  and you've got a recipe for delight.

After methodically brushing every inch of his thickening coat, and every strand of his mane and tail, I was already feeling the horsie time glow (or, was that just the coating of white hairs all over me reflecting the sunlight?).  We set off on the Spirit Mountain trails, for both the first and the last time this year. The trails have been so wet when I have had time to ride, that we have done more road riding than anything this year.

The grass is still green and the hills are still steep, and we took our time going up and down, Rhio munching and me drinking in the blue sky and creamy pale orange of the newly turning maples. There is so much color this time of year - the palette of early fall is mesmerizing. With Kelso and a few songbirds for company, we made a loop around the trails and ventured back to the barn just in time to meet C for Rhio's chiropractic adjustment.

Zoomie boys

Puddle water is the tastiest, of course, and,yes, the sky really was that blue!

I had previously noticed a mildly alarming 'clunking' noise when Rhio ate; luckily, the dentist was already coming the following week.  Although I was not there for his dental work, it was reported to me that his right side jaw and neck were really tight (no surprise- his right side is always his problem side) and the dental issues he had were relatively mild.  Also, they could not elicit the 'clunking.'  Enter plan B for elucidating, or at least eliminating, the 'clunking' - chiropractic and acupuncture treatment of course!  C was able to squeeze Rhio in for an adjustment a week later when I was home, and she also found plenty of "stuff" on the right.

This is what happens when you are trying to take a pic with one hand, while holding your horse's lead rope for a chiro adjustment in the other.  Neat angle, though!

Yup, work on the right side.

Oh, yeah - that's the tight spot!

After also getting his shoes pulled and feet trimmed, I had to run off to see a paying patient.  Later, I returned and finished up Rhio's big day with an acupuncture session.  Too bad he doesn't like acupuncture!  He is one of the few horses I've worked on that truly doesn't like it.  I bribe him with food, and it generally works pretty well.  I try not to be offended at his dislike for acupuncture, even though he LOVES chiropractic adjustments and massage. I did get a chance to listen to him chew for a while, though, what with the bribing and all - and the good news is, no 'clunking'! 

Some of Rhio's needles - see the bent and twisted ones?  Sometimes that is due to muscle movement while the needles are in place, and sometimes it is due to a big energetic Qi release at the needle.

The next morning, before departing yet again, I stopped by for a quick snuggle and a few "carrot" stretches for Rhio's neck.  We practice our stretching A LOT and he totally "gets" it - after yesterday's sessions, he can reach a treat held at his hip on both sides!  I'll be gone for almost 2 weeks, so hopefully he'll keep himself moving about and his neck limber.  I cannot wait to have him nearby (the new boarding place is 27 miles away, but it's awesome) and be able to do this little routine maintenance stuff - as well as regular riding again! 

Rhio shows off how well the right side of his neck bends for his 'carrot stretches.' Treat hound!

Roads, or Trails?

It's not been the greatest summer for riding - busy and buggy beyond belief.  I've had a few memorable rides, and a lot of just good time spent with my horses and my friends.  We haven't competed in over a year, since May 2013.  But that all changes next weekend!  Rhio and I will be doing the 50 miler at Thistle Down Run in Frazee, MN and spending a weekend together that is all-girl and all-horse. I cannot wait! 

Ripe thimble berries - yum!

This morning we snuck in a quick ride on our own, snacking on grass (Rhio) and ripe, luscious thimble berries (me) along our route.  And I discovered something interesting - I have always thought that he is particularly pokey and unmotivated when riding away from home, alone.  And I have chalked that attitude up to the fact that he much prefers to have companions when we ride.  However, today, when given the option to turn around for home (staying on the road) or turn away from home (heading onto the trail) - he picked the trail, and positively flew down it with his mane and tail floating in the breeze. 

I have always known that Rhio gets bored.  And his current boarding situation actually gives us the fewest options for riding from home.  We use the road A LOT!  So he's bored with it and can't really be bothered to move his feet.  But give him something relatively new, and a trail, and he's bringing his "A game."  What a fun ride we had! 

Deer flies were still present in abundance in the woods, unfortunately, and my available time was short, but we had a great time on our last "tune up" ride before next Saturday.  I brought my girth and pad home to wash, and am planning time tomorrow to get ride stuff organized and ready to go.  I hope I remember what to pack (and I hope I can find it)!

42 Miles!

Wow, happy me - I rode 42 miles last week, split between my two boys.  It's been a long time since I've been able to do some serious riding, and especially riding both horses.  My riding muscles have gone a bit soft, admittedly, but it was lovely to spend so much time in the saddle.

Ride #1: Sunday, a ride-n-run on Red, with my honey, as he did his last longish run before his first 50K ultra marathon - 12 miles for the horse, 14 miles for the runner (and 3 brief but soaking rains, with just a titch of thunder and lightning)  Red was a stand-out, unflappably trotting along amidst scary random couches, bikes, traffic, and the occasional terrifying flowering purple lupine.

Crossing the river - so pretty!  A very scenic ride, just on the local roads.  We haven't caught C yet!

Can you see the orange dot?  That's C heading back our way after running to the top of the hill.  We met and resupplied his water, Red got some grass, and then we did the return journey together.

Mid-ride snack.

Our herd of three - two humans, one horse - traveled the road home at the same pace.  If you've never tried this - you should!  It's so fun! I see some ride-n-tie in our future :)

Ride #2: Tuesday, enjoying the day with Rhio, and C on Annie.  6.8 miles of scenic Skyline Parkway, complete with a road grader, dump trucks, motorcycles, and bikes.  Whee!!!

Kelso keeps up with C and Annie, while Rhio is content to poke along in the back.

This bridge was rebuilt after the floods of 2012 - it's gorgeous!  But I did appreciate the lack of traffic while it was unusable to vehicles.

Ride #3a: Wednesday morning, a bit quicker ride along the same route as yesterday, this time with C and Windsor (one of her other gray Arabs!).  We ran into a couple walking their two white German Shepherds and enjoyed the camaraderie of our shining white critters. 8 miles, with some lovely canters.

Both horse and rider enjoy the overlook.

I'm quite sure Rhio enjoys the view, too!

Ride #3b:  Wednesday evening, with D on Domingo, out back on our pirvate-access trails.  These trails are usually mowed, but with all the rain, they are too wet to mow.  So, we trot and canter though knee high to belly high grass, wildflowers, and ferns.  Quite an experience.  Red and I even jumped a small log!  6 miles

Lots of snacking ensued on this ride.  The big leaf in the foreground is from a branch I was carrying as a fly switch.  It's practically required equipment to ride in the woods in northern MN in the summer. 

Moose track!

Mane flying = fun for sure!

Ride #5: Thursday, Dago Lake, mostly delightful with C and Windsor (except for the persistent horse flies in a few sections)  Sandy footing and lovely canters, 7 miles.

Sandy footing for all!

I wonder if the multitude of tadpoles flavor the water?  If so, Rhio didn't seem to mind.

This is Dago Lake, where we can normally ride along a nice wide sandy beach.  The water level is so high, we couldn't even make it through in a spot and had to cut back to the trail. 

Happy me and happy pony!  He was raring to go this day - he likes to see new country, and was always offering his big trot or rocking horse canter (after plentiful grazing breaks, of course).