Adventures in sage

If Bridger had gone on the trail ride it would have been 'adventures in space.'  But he didn't I got to ride my friend's mostly trusty Arabian, Topper.  I rode him once about a year ago on a rather lengthy conditioning ride, this time was a laid back long walk as he is returning from an injury.

Last year, headed up a big big hill

Further up the hill

I really love trail riding (on the right horse), it brings back memories of my roots in endurance.  Its like it lines up the world and shakes your thoughts into the right places.

I couldn't believe how many ladies I knew were at the trail head headed back as we headed out, so nice to see dressage riders stretching their limits.  Off we went me, my endurance friend, sprinklerbandit, and another fellow eventer from out of town.  The four horses were going two different paces and we naturally broke into pairs with several hundred feet between.  Arabs in the back, eventing horses in the front.  I had to laugh a bit that the endurance horses were slower, granted I use the term loosely as Topper really thinks he is a dressage horse, and the other arab was only on her 3rd trail ride since starting her second career after racing (yes around a track like thoroughbreds do).

She says this is much more interesting than turning left.

Topper was a little obnoxious, but considering it was his second ride after some time off he did great.

Classic Topper attitude

He says, "Now you try to strike a pose Lindsey." 

"Oh goodness look away from the camera Lindsey, think 'blue steel' like me!"

Finally not making an awkward face!

The weather was perfect and the views absolutely glorious!  Typical of the high desert, when the sun dipped below the horizon the temps started a drastic drop making the last part of the ride just a bit chilly.

Finishing with the sun only touching the tips of the hills

Looking out across the valley, those mountains in the distance are a solid 50 miles away

Bam, inspiring vista

Riding the ridge

Today I rode Diva in the field while the boys were locked in their new pen that I built on Friday.  I fell in love with her all over again.  We just cruised around and she had a swinging walk and a relaxed demeanor.  I got Bridger out to ride, but we ended up just grooming as the rancher to the west turned out cows on a new section and they were very distracting (and I wasn't in the mood for a fat lip).

He did agree to having his picture taken:)

I know I know

Blame the lack of posts on fence building and living vicariously through sprinklerbandit's amazingly good times with the world's best and newest OTTB.  Seriously, he is amazing.

Fence building is almost done and as soon as Suzie the pony's new owner picks her up, the boys and Diva are headed out to the 100 acres of awesomeness.  Can't. Wait.

Down the road from the 'acres'

I took a lesson on Gigi at the fancy barn and it was great.  It reaffirmed that the things I work on with her are correct and gave me some new items to work on as well.  The biggest challenge on her is finding 'neutral.'  She likes to fuss and generally act like a redhead;)  When she is right she is so right though, I think the mare will have a nice future in dressage.  The most fun part of riding her is the lateral work, it is very natural for her.

Going sideways

So fancy

Thanks to the sprinklerbandit for playing photographer that day...and this day:

This guy is huge

And so is his trot

This is Winkie and I feel like a shrimp on him.  He is a lovely horse, but on the rude side so we are working on that until his regular rider heals up from a cracked pelvis.

I was trying to sell Diva to a friend of mine that is sort-of in need of a horse, and after being nothing but sound for the last year, she chose to be sore that day 0_o   Nothing too serious, but visibly lame on her front feet.  I picked them out and they were rock hard and overly dry from the 100+ degree heat we have had so I oiled them heavily for two days and then yesterday when my farrier came to do Mojito I had him look at them.  I thought the frogs needed cleaned up as they seemed a mess and he agreed.  So he cleaned them up and showed me the bruising she had underneath.  She already looks better, thank goodness for nothing more serious.  If my friend does not end up wanting her she is going on dreamhorse, I just don't have time...and some hay money would be nice.

Love this horse.

Did you check out the new header for the blog...fun!  Also, welcome new readers...so fun to get more followers!

An escape

I am house sitting for a ranch that is a ways out of town.  It is incredible.  I look forward to the week or so I get to spend out here each year.  There is a wild tranquility about the place that makes for a distinct feeling of removal from town.  It is as though a scale from the mundane hardness of society falls away with each rise and fall of the landscape on the drive out.  It is a place for dreaming, a place for exploring, a place for gentle sunrises and smiling skies.  The house is nestled into the side of massive foothill and looks out over hundreds of acres of sage and grass, the landscape is dotted with the occasional horse, cow, deer, and coyote (these are more heard than seen).  Here with the cleaner air and sweeping vistas there is room for your soul to roam and steep in the scents of fresh dirt after rain and sweet searing sage.

From last fall in the smoke from the worst fires I've seen in a long time.

Smoke does make for a nice sunrise

Can just imagine a heard of cattle and their cowboys

Love Love Love this shot, I wish it was from a real camera and not just my phone.