Spring planning

Spring has come early here in the Northwest, the dark,damp pall is starting to lift.  Buffy and I have been able to get out and start our training earlier than usual...we want to be ready for more miles this year.  

The question is always, what is the goal, you cannot proceed without a goal can you?  I cannot.  So the goal for this season is multidays.  The ability to do multidays will determine the ability to do 100's in my humble and inexperienced opinion.....

In this part of the country, there really is not flat places to ride, which makes conditioning much more interesting.  Buffy has the most comfortable rocking chair canter of any horse that I have ridden. So we will be doing some of our training at the canter.  It releives some of the back discomfort that I experience while posting her trot (it is me, not her).  

Another hill that we normally fly up, our plan is to trot the ups, and walk the downs..

The Squirel Factor is High.....

We decided to take advantage of the day, cool but no precip....I did my usual routine, tack up, rump rug...and so forth....Garry decided to join us on Hawk, that was great, because both would get some time. Well I never really gave the term "Froggy" much thought, until today when Buffy crow hopped most of the way around the pasture, the two of them demonstrated the theory known as "Potentiation", which simply means that what one does, the other does as well...Hawk is a quick little devil and likes to spin.  At the end of the pasture (of course) he went into the death spin and eventually lost his rider, who hopped up and promptly said "go get that #$%^ horse!" yea so I did, and boy was he in trouble, I always say, "if they want to do something, make them do it alot"....needless to say, it was a good time had by all, especially for the neighbors who commented "Thankyou for the rodeo !" (while handing me a plate of cookies!!!).....

Goals for 2013

As we suffer the cold, Buffy and I are contemplating our goals for 2013, but that is really hard to do with so many things up in the air....I have applied to the University of Arizona doctorate of nursing practice program in Tucson Arizona...I pray constantly that I get in...but I will not find out until March...If (when) I do get in, my plan is to relocate to Tucson, it will take a while to get rid of my junk, and make plans..Meanwhile there is a ride season to plan for...We were going to go for a 100 miler this year, but with the ride season so short here, it would mean that we have to miss several of our favorite rides...another cool thing about Arizona, you can ride year around!  woo, hoo!  So I guess that we will concentrate on increasing our multiday riding...Buffy has a new little sister, she came from Texas...She is young, only three.  They have the same granddaddy....the evolution of WMA Desert Deer will be the start of a new blog...be sure to follow along! It should be a beautiful ride...

A New Project.....

I have a new project, his name is Waite Hawk...I have had him since Pink Flamingo, started riding him and just did not like him...I kept comparing him to the Buff, but then again no one can compare to the Buff..
After all, its life through chestnut ears right???? He really is a nice boy....

He certainly is bred right, all CMK... maybe he deserves another chance...Besides....
he comes when I call, and licks my face...

A season of mysteries

Our ride season was kind of strange, we had hoof trim issues, saddle fit issues...Got pulled at the last Pink Flamingo ride (sniff).  Old Selam was our saving grace, rode both days.  Due to school, I was unable to go to Moab (sniff,shiff).  A family member had surgery, so I missed Halloweenies (sniff,sniff,shiff).  But like a well respected friend once said, ride less now, ride more later.

I ended up getting a new saddle, I think Buffy likes it, I love it, very comfortable!

My Arabians are not crazy!



I have heard it said that Arabians are crazy and difficult to manage, but I suspect the people who say those things do not posess the sensitivity required to manage a horse with a heart the size of the universe!  The 4th of July weekend brought personal trials rather than celebration, but as always, magic happens!  The older mares and one gelding were in a different pen so that they could graze on the field grass, and the Arabians were in their normal corral.  At approx 2200 the fireworks went off,
it was so loud, it was like we were being bombed from all sides!  Flashes and booms almost constantly arching over our house and pasture.  After the initial shock, I stood in the middle of the driveway just marveling at the horses.  The "broke" "seasoned" saddle horses were running round and round their corral, I stood there talking to them when I noticed what Buffy and Hawk were doing.  Those two were standing there calmly WATCHING!!!! it was so amazing! these are not crazy, flighty horses!  They were observant and curious!  After a while the noise ceased, and the light show disappeared.  Then we were treated to the most beautiful moon rise....Perhaps a gift, or a sign of hope of good things to come!





Eagle Spring Fling 75-The ride

One has to question the wisdom of endurance riders, there is really nothing gained except the satisfaction of bonding with your equine partner to achieve the unthinkable.  We all have our individual reasons as to  why we do what we do. 
I ride because it makes me feel peaceful and alive.  I have a stressfull life; I am the soul source of income for my family, I am in school persuing a doctorate, and I have a job where people are so sick that if  my concentration happens to waver for a split second, my patient could die. 
When my mentor Karen suggested that I do the 75 with her and Tamara, I jumped at the chance to break through one of the barriers that existed in from of me.  I tried to go to bed early the night of the ride, but being a chronic insomniac, I just could not.  I am always organized, I had all of Buffy's boots on, I slept with my clothes on, and our food was ready to go...

It dawned a lovely morning, and promised to be hot, I was worried about this because Buffy and I are from the north and not used to the heat.  The first loop was murder, Buffy was strong and fought me the entire way.  I realize now that I need to ride alone or with someone that will let her be infront.  The subsequent 3 loops went better, although I could feel that Buffy was starting to flatten out.  Dr. Ruble assured me that I was riding her smart which made me feel better.

I cannot remember what loop this was, but as you can see we are all happy and energetic!  When we finished the third loop, I knew that Buffy was tired, so I told the vet that we were going to do alot of walking and go slow.  I let the other girls leave first, and gave Buffy a little extra time to rest and eat. 

The hills seemed so long and steep, and I am not sure that buffy appreciated my singing!

This is the color of victory, our last loop of the 75, wow really???? My horse is amazing, all heart!  She gives me courage and hope!

This was the most beautiful sight in the world, ride camp after 75 miles!  We did it, Buffy and I were sore, but earned a completion!  I am so proud of her, she carried me such a long way, with no complaints!!!!!

We passed up the opportunity to go to Karens house the next day, instead we visited with friends and I helped at the vet check.  Buffy had some visitors, and now has a fan club!

She allowed the children to pet and stroke her, and of course accepted several cookies! 

Can't wait for Camas Creek!