Solo Ride with The Biscuit

Kellie and I were going riding today but she wasn't feeling well.  I was already dressed and ready to go so off I went.  

Biscuit was laying down in the sun out by the water trough but he got up and ambled over to the corral.  I gave him and Sarge a treat and closed the gate.  I haltered him and tied him to the trailer.  I hooked up the trailer and off we went to Tyrrell Park.  I did talk to Kellie to see how she was doing - sore throat and generally feeling bad.  Dang...hate that for her.

I got to the park and unloaded Biscuit.  My customer showed up to pay me for a cake coming up and they gave Biscuit some treats which he always appreciates.  I brushed him and tacked him up.  No hoof boots as we weren't going out on Cattail Marsh.

I turned his head to the trailer and mounted up the step.  Dang it.  He moved.  I moved him to where his his head was near the wheel and moved the steps.  I mounted up with no problem.  Woot.  I walked over to the woods and couldn't get Biscuit to walk through the water.  Sigh.  I remembered I left my keys in the trailer so I went back and leaned down and took them out of the trailer door.  We went across to the road - OMG he kept stopping - had to move around to the left because of the water - he was looking for Elan...ugh.  Took forever to get around to the trail opening and we went in that way.  Trail was dry in many places and then wet in some.  We went around past the Cattail little trail and then it got pretty dang wet.  Biscuit wasn't too happy and stopped right in the middle of a puddle, well, it was like The River Runs Through It right there.  OMG it took me 18 minutes to get him to move.  Wow.  I was kicking him....popping him with the crop.  Not hard - I would never mistreat Biscuit but dang - that fellow has got a hard head and is stubborn as all get out!!!

We finally moved - turned back - I think Biscuit was sure amoebas were in the water and were going to eat his feet off.  OMG he really dislikes going through mud.  We went down the little trail and it was dry in spots and then wet.  We went out to the road and walked around to the stable.  I dismounted at 1.4 miles.

I washed off his legs and belly.  I sprayed his tail good to get the mud out of it.  I cleaned his hooves.  He was a good boy and very laid back and calm today as he generally is.

We headed back to the barn and I unloaded him at the barn and tied him up.  I unhooked the trailer and jacked it up as high as I could get it.  I rinsed out the poop and went over to hug up the Biscuit.  He is wide as he can be across the back.  I buried my face in his coat and just enjoyed being with him.  Then I  loaded Biscuit back up.  Dang...what an idiot I forgot to hook it back up.  Ok...unload the Biscuit and had to hook it back up.  Had a bit of trouble but finally got it to hook back on the hitch.  I loaded Biscuit back up.  I am sure he thought I had lost my mind with all the loading and unloading!  I took him back to his paddock and turned him out.  He dropped and rolled and shook himself off.

Muddy Biscuit

Oh yeah...I got a watch to ride with!  Purple of course!  Thanks Honey Darling Precious!

Add caption

This is where he stood for 18 minutes!

Barefoot trimming

Dang - I forgot Mike the barefoot trimmer was going to be at the barn today.  I didn't get out there til late.  I went and got Biscuit some treats and bought Brutis and Ginger those huge dog bone treats they love so much.  When I got to the barn the trimmer was there.  Dang...what a dummy!!!  I would have loved to have watched him work.

I gave Brutis and Ginger their treats - Brutis getting an extra one - he was slobbering all over the place.  Bless his heart - he is such a sweetheart.  I was telling Lorraine at the feedstore about him when she asked what dogs were out there.  I told her he was a mastiff that Lee Ann P found nearly dead by the barn.  She said she thought that someone had lost their mastiff a few months back but couldn't remember.  I told her that Lee Ann had tried to find out if he was just lost to no avail but she wouldn't give him up now!  LOL I wouldn't want to see him go - I love Brutis!!  I get my doggie fix by hugging him up!

The barefoot trimmer was kind enough to check Biscuit's hooves out for me.  He didn't want to ride in my car as he said he was dirty.  LOL I told him who cares?  I get in the RAV with horse poop on my shoes so it wasn't like it was pristine!

We had told him about Biscuit being flat footed and tender.  He looked at them and said Biscuit's toe needs to come back about an inch or so.  I need to get the angles a little different.  I asked him to trim Biscuit 3 or 4 times while I work in between to get them right.  He told me how to angle it and I will start working on that.  I told him I was pretty cautious because I am NOT a farrier - just a barefoot wannabe.  He will know what to do and I am going to watch and learn.  He will be coming out on March 4 - it is on my calender so I don't forget.  It will be so worth the $$ to get Biscuit's feet where they are supposed to be.  Hopefully that will also get rid of the dang cracks in his hooves.  :-)

January 12th ride

I rode on Sunday the 12th with a rather large group at Tyrrell Park.  Randy, James and Jimmy Zinn rode with us along with Pam and her daughter.  We haven't rode with her in ages.  There were a total of 14 people - a few we knew - most we did not.  Everyone was well behaved and on well behaved horses which was nice.

Biscuit was pretty much a doll.  I got him saddled up and James held him while I got on.  We headed out through Cattail Marsh.  We all crossed the bridge and went across the little land bridge and rode to the left of the bog first.  Very nice ride across the back.  I rode with Jimmy for a while and he was telling me about his new truck and LOL  I told him that all sounded great but I didn't have a clue about trucks!  We discussed hoof boots and shoes.  He shoes Brat in the summer but said the boots would save him money.  I told Jimmy "who says a woman can't save you  money Jimmy?!"  LOL He said that was a first!  ahahahaha Jimmy is a hoot.  I told him he could try Biscuit's hoof boots on Brat when we got  back to the trailers.

When we got back to the road to go back to the trailers, I put Biscuit in a jog and jogged around the road.  We got almost to the stables and he jumped up and shook his head to go faster.  Oh Hell NO  BISCUIT.  He had to walk slow all the way back.  LOL  Biscuit was in trouble!

I took Biscuit's tack off and washed his legs and belly off.  He is such a good boy.  I hosed his hoof boots off and took them over to try on Brat.  They seemed to fit him well and I told Jimmy to take that pair and try them out on Brat til we go to Ebenezer.  I got to look in Jimmy's trailer - he has an 8' short wall Bison.  Sigh...so very nice!

The rest of the week I would go out to see Biscuit and take him and Sarge carrots.  I didn't get to ride this past weekend because of the bridal show.  

Ringing in the New Year

I went out to the barn just about everyday this past week giving the horses treats.  They are being such good boys.   I went out late in the afternoon on New Years Day with carrots for them.  They come right into their little corral - no treats unless they are in the corral.

Saturday Kellie and K.d. and I went for a ride.  I went out to the ranch and picked Biscuit up and got to use the back up camera.  Works like a charm.  I took Biscuit and Sarge a little bit of feed and haltered Biscuit.  I tied him to the trailer while I hooked it up and then loaded him and off we went.

He was a little bit dirty so I brushed him off and then tacked him up.  When I was through tacking him up I walked him over to the KILLER BRICK PILE and let him see it.  We mounted up - K.d. held Biscuit so I could get on.  My legs are weak and it is hard to climb up the mounting block without leaning on the saddle.  It is kinda awkward mounting up.  I so hope my legs improve this year.

We went around the park and some nice folks held the turnstile so we could get in.  We headed towards the big bridge with the horses moving like they were in a coma.  We got almost to the bridge and Biscuit kinda bobbled and felt like he spooked and he came to a dead stop.  At his feet was my little pink phone!  K.d. was kind enough to get off and get it for me.  Wow!  I stuck it in one of my water bottle holders.  We crossed the bridge and at the first right of way was a tractor.  Kellie walked Elan down that way and we all stood there for a few minutes and then continued on and went across the little land bridge.

This is the little snake just over the land bridge.  Ugh.  I thought it was just black garbage.  Ugh.

We went around the hairpin turn and Biscuit stopped and was looking - it was little hogs and they took off into the woods.  We continued on all the way down to the back.  We did very little trotting up until then.  The horses were moving slower than molasses.  We did a little more trotting though across the bayou side.  We cantered up one of the little hills and around a corner and even though I didn't see it, Elan kicked up at Aladin.  Kellie stopped him and was turning him in circles - giving him a blessing out the entire time.

We got to the little side trail and half way across it Elan kicked into a canter - Aladin followed throwing in two bucks at the same time.  Biscuit got into the fray and took two huge galloping strides as I was trying to pull him into a slower pace.  LOL  I think he though it was on like Donkey Kong!

We actually ate lunch at Hildebrandt Bayou.  I should have brought a spoon...gumbo out of the Thermos doesn't work very well without a spoon.  Kellie had brought banana bread for all of us.  It was very good!

We started off again.  We got up to the little land bridge and I could see a bicycle up there.  Two men were down by the culverts and popped up.  One spoke to us about the horses and he was a bit fluffy.  The other was in camo clothes and it was a little strange for 2 men on one bicycle way back there.  Gaaaa.a.a..aaa..aa.  stay out of the park strange people!

We went down the first right of way again and crossed the flooded area.  We were going to ride up to the front.  Lots of mud - had to cross some ditches - Biscuit jumped it like I knew he would.  He was a good sport about it - he is not too fond of mud but at least he wasn't spazzing out.  Way way way too muddy and nasty but we made it all the way to the front and went around the little gate and across the bridge.  We went back into the park and through the watery entrance into the woods.  We turned left.  OMG loads of mud.  After the right of ways it was drier but it is very wet/deep close up to the front of the park.  It will be June before it is dry enough to ride in there without slopping through mud.  Biscuit was a good sport about it but he was filthy.

I washed him off because he was a mess.  Cleaned his hooves and passed out treats.  He was sharing hay with Elan.  Elan gave him the ugly face and I fussed at him.  LOL  Elan is so funny.  He wasn't happy about getting fussed at but he listens.  

We had a wonderful ride for the first time of the year.  I didn't have my Garmin but I believe it was about a 8 mile ride to possibly a little more than that but we will stick to 8 miles.  It was a harder 8 miles though because of going through all of that mud.  

We had a great time - it is always so much fun to go with Kellie and K.d.  Ready to go again.  We were going to try to go Sunday but the weather was not conducive to riding.  Maybe next week.  

I did go out and give the horses treats this evening.  They are such good boys. 

Biscuit is an Angel that has a slight meltdown

I went out to the barn this morning.  I left the RAV4 and Brenderup at the front and took a little bucket of feed and the Gator down to the pasture.  It was about 8:55 and they had already had their breakfast.  I

They were out in their pasture grazing when I drove up.  I shook their feed bucket and jiggled their treat bucket.  Here they came - good as gold.  I dumped a little feed in each bucket for them once they were in the corral and shut the gate.  I haltered Biscuit with no problems.  Good Biscuit.  Whatever was his problem before is gone or seems to be.  I haven't tried to go out and halter him in the pasture but him coming in for a little treat is way easier than walking out in the dang pasture.

I  walked him up to the front and loaded him up.  We hauled out to Tyrrell and unloaded after having to reposition the trailer so the ramp was level.  I tacked Biscuit up before Kellie got there.  He had his little boots on looking so cute.

I gave him treats along with some for Elan.  I gave Kellie her Christmas presents.  She liked the silhouette portrait of a black horse and the picture frame for a pic of her horses.  I got her two Christmas ornaments but I couldn't fine the nurse one.  I think Ava put it on the tree!  I will find it when I take the tree down.  I also got her a 3 pack of Burt's Bee's lip balm with color.

I asked her to hold Biscuit because my legs were so freaking stiff.  I got mounted up and off we went to Cattail Marsh.  Some people were just arriving and held the turnstile open for us.  They were bird watchers with a huge camera.  It was beautiful weather and so nice to be out.  We got down to the bayou and went to the right just a ways - turned and went to the bridge across Willow Bayou.  We crossed and went to the right.  Going down past the bog I saw a good sized fish tail - and then other parts of a fish - the head of a gar with some nasty looking teeth.  A hawk must have snagged it out of the water and made a meal of it.  We continued down to the bayou and across the back.  We got to the little bridge and went right to the water.  Had never rode to that little point.  It is no more than 20 yards - someone had made a fire right there.

We went on down the other side of the bog and I kicked Biscuit into a canter which he didn't hold...he kept dropping it into a long trot which is too jarring at this time for me.  We tried a few times and gave up.  We got to the corner and Elan stopped to pee.  Kellie kicked him into a canter and passed me and I kicked Biscuit into a canter but he hit gallop instead.  He came up to the left flank of Elan and Elan swung to the right with his hip and then kicked/bucked up with his left leg....woo hooo....it missed my knee by about 2 feet I am glad to say.

I was trying to get Biscuit more to the left and slow him down LOL we came to a stop and laughed a bit and told Elan he was a big jerk.  LOL  like he cared!  We went on to the bridge and went down the other side of Willow Bayou because it had been cut.  Such a gorgeous day to ride.  We got up to the gate and we had planned on turning around but we decided to go around the little gate.  It is extremely narrow with a steep drop off but Biscuit made it - the ground wasn't soft like the last time we rode there.  We crossed the bridge and went back into the park.  We stopped at the entrance into the woods but neither horse was interested in the going through the water so we went back to Cattail Marsh and rode down that way.  We went past the gate and looked for a place to cross in the woods.

I took Biscuit up a little rise and into the woods.  Ugh.  I could see a little gully/ditch and then his right foot sunk into a soft spot.  I started backing him up as it was too tight to turn around.  Biscuit had to go down the little rise into a ditch area that was soft.  He turned on his forequarters and crossed the little ditch.  He was a little fritzed out.  Soft smooshy places are not his idea of fun.  We went down to the area behind the canal that runs back through the golf course area looking for a place to cross.  It was very soft and Biscuit was not thinking it was a good idea.  We didn't know how soft it would be and didn't want to risk sinking the horses up to their bellies so we turned around.  Coming back up there was a trio of folks who could hold the turnstile so we kicked into a little canter and yelled for them to hold on!!  They hugged up the Biscuit - he is so funny - he loves the attention now.  They held the gate for us and we went through.

We did try to go into the trails where the new ones have been blazed but it is still freaking muddy as all get out.  We came through the park and were right at the trailers when Biscuit started shying and going sideways, backing up and snorting, turned around and was ready to bolt.  I couldn't see what he was freaking out about - nothing that wasn't there before and that he hadn't see a million times.

He whirled around again after I turned him to face what he was upset at and was a stack of bricks that was covered with a tarp.  He was all bunched up to bolt.  I turned him again and was talking to him.  I called Kellie to come hold him so I could dismount.  I didn't want to fall in case he was trying to take off while I was dismounting.  He was still snorting and blowing  -  Kellie said the whites of his eyes were showing because he was genuinely scared.  I walked him up slowly to it and rattled the tarp and got Kellie to hold his reins while I went and got some treats.  He ate some treats off of the tarp and so did Elan.  He saw that it was nothing - I had tacked him up beside this today and 2 weeks ago.  He walked by it last time we rode and this morning.  Who knows what freaks them out?

I took his tack off and hosed his legs off.  He was a bit muddy.  Kellie and I sat and drank our cokes and I ate a can of pineapples while she had her Lunchable.  When we were through we loaded up our horses and headed home.  I unloaded Biscuit and I left the Brenderup at the ranch.

Kellie took this picture of me and Biscuit and I snapped a picture of the scary stack of bricks....

Back Up Camera is installed

Barry installed my back up camera on Saturday.  He had opened the package and then wanted to kick  himself because my license tag is to the left - not centered over the ball.  He had to do some finagling - he had to go get some heavy duty velcro and he mounted it just below the door.  Woot!  I now have a back up camera.  It is going to take some getting used to.  I tried 3 times to back it up with the camera and came out on the side just a bit.

I had to go deliver my wedding cake (that pays for horses!!!) and when I got home I pulled in front of the Brenderup.  I backed it up with the camera and Barry was watching outside and I had it right over the ball.  I will hook it up tomorrow when I go out to the barn.

I am uptown now!!

Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas.  Last night I gave my granddaughters jumping/rocking horses.  OMG Ava had a fabulous time.  Devin and Lesly are now engaged so Mazlyn is officially a granddaughter!  They loved their horses and Kade loved his electronic games.

Is this not hysterical?  The sheer joy on Ava's face is priceless.  Maz was enjoying herself too.  They were laughing and going to town on their ponies.

Ava was on a 2 point stance and screaming GO GO GO!!!  I think she is going to be an endurance rider!

When I opened my presents I had a back up camera!!!  OMG I was thrilled to pieces to get this.  No more getting in and out of the car anymore - it makes my legs so weak.  Ugh.....this should at least make hooking up the trailer easier!

After Christmas dinner I went out to the barn.  I got out of the car and the horses shot out of their shelter and ran about 20 yards away snorting and blowing!  Hahahahahaa - they finally came into the corral and enjoyed their snack of carrots.  I loved them up and then headed home.

Merry Christmas everyone.

My Brenderup is ready!!!

I stopped by Duvall's on Friday to see how the Brenderup was coming along and it was almost ready!  This was on Friday of last week.  It looked fantastic.  It did cost $1,500 which was $200 more than I had anticipated but that is how it goes.

I didn't fuss about it.  It looked wonderful.  Danny said to bring it back next week and  he would wash it for me.  I hauled it home and put it on the driveway.

Kellie and I were going to ride Sunday and I hauled out to the barn.  I loaded my tack in the trailer, got some feed and took carrots with me down to the pasture - I went on the Gator.  Biscuit and Sarge came into the corral immediately - I passed out little bits of grain and haltered The Biscuit.

We went up to the front and I loaded him up.  I heard him drop a load.  It was sprinkling on the way to the barn but when I hauled out it wasn't til I got closer to our house to pick up my jacket.  Kellie texted it was raining - long and short - we didn't go riding and I hauled Biscuit back to the barn.  I dropped him off at the pasture and went up to the front and took out the poop and then washed out my trailer.

Monday I took it back to Duvall's and Danny washed it for me!  OMG it looks freaking brand new.  I was so pleased.  He wouldn't let me pay him.  I will have it washed there every year to keep it looking better than what I can keep it.  I don't have a tall enough ladder!!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

The Ramp is Off of the Brenderup in for Repair

I stopped at Duvall's to check on the Brenderup today.  I had sent Andy's phone number to Danny and he called him.  He said he didn't really tell him how to get the ramp off but told him 2 different ways to rebuild it!!

I am going to have to get a cover for my Brenderup.  I want it to last a long time and 5 years is NOT a long time in my book.  I should have invested in a cover but Barry wasn't on board with me putting something up.  Well, I will HAVE to have something for my two trailers.  They are important to me and an investment.  I don't ever want to sell the Brenderup.  If Barry and I one day get a larger LQ I would still need a smaller trailer to haul to the vet and to the park every Sunday.  My B'up will always be needed!!!

I went out to see Biscuit and Sarge.  I got out of the car and Biscuit started coming in - Sarge a few seconds behind him.  I got in the corral area and Biscuit walked in and gobbled up treats.  He seems so very calm now - like he was before I had surgery and he started running from me.  Maybe my unsteady gait in the pasture bothered him...I am sure horses sense when things are different.  I know that he could tell when I would be thrown off balance because he would stop.  Whatever it is I am glad he is now coming to me with no problems.  I will see if I can get him to come into the corral every time instead of standing out of the fence to give him treats.  We need to bond!

Talked to Lee Ann P.  She was cleaning the clinic room.  We visited awhile and then I had to go shopping - ugh...I am not a fan of shopping.

Brenderup Goes For Repairs

The Brenderup went in for repairs today.  I washed it out Sunday after riding.  I asked Danny to do the yearly service on it while he has it.  Ugh...this is going to cost a fortune.  Between $1,000 and $1,300.  GAAAAAAA.  I paid a note on it today and now only owe a little less than $600 on it.  I have paid with interest about $15,460 for this trailer.  That doesn't include the $$ to go get it!!!  It has been a great little trailer and I am thrilled to death with it except for this dang problem.  They have to take the ramp off and replace the wood part of it on the inside.  I will go take pictures of it after while to see how it is coming along.  I gave them the number of the man in New Hampshire if they needed assistance.  

I went out to the barn to see The Biscuit.  Jamie was at the turn in with a bale of hay for the mares.  I opened the gate for him to set down a round bale.  Sarge and Biscuit came into the corral and I went in and haltered the Biscuit.  He seems really calm these days like he was before I started having all of these health issues.  No problem catching him at all!  I gook him up to the barn and was talking to The Lee Ann's.  We discussed my new little trailer and taking some trips.  Sounds like Kisatchie might be a good trip for us.  I am hoping Honey Darling Precious will let me haul with his truck without him.  One never knows!!!

I tacked Biscuit up and put him in the corner to mount.  Saddle slipped...wasn't tight enough.  It felt like my legs weren't working.  :-(   We rode out straight down the road to the back.  Lee Ann P said it felt like Legato wanted to bolt.  Biscuit was going along slow as can be but when we rounded the back corner he started walking a little bit faster...Lee Ann said it was Legato's attitude!  She got off of Legato for just a little while and walked her.  I think Legato thought she was on an endurance ride!  

We walked back to the barn and I dismounted and hugged up the Biscuit.  Lee Ann P wants to ride a few times a week and maybe over in the hay field.  I haven't rode in the hay field so that will be a new one for me.  We are supposed to go Wednesday around 2.  That will work for me.  Getting in a little more riding will be nice.  

Slow ride with Kellie - I made it to 200.8 Miles today

It has been a rough week.  We buried my beautiful mother Thursday.  I am heartbroken that she is gone.  I am glad she is no longer suffering but I will miss my Mom.  She was my biggest fan for my cakes and thrilled I had horses because I love them so much.  No one loves you like your mom does...this year has been rife with frustration, sadness, pain and suffering and great loss.  I am so hoping and praying 2014 will be a happy year - one of healing and joy.

Kellie and I decided to go for a ride today.  We were meeting at 11:00 AM  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to catch Biscuit so I went out around 8:15.  Jamie had already fed the horses but I took a little bucket of feed and the boys walked right into the corral and I halfed it with them.  They were more than happy to get another little meal.  I took Biscuit up to the front and put him in the arena.  I went back home and ate breakfast and left for the barn at 9:45 AM.  I got Biscuit up on the wash rack and rasped his front feet.  I didn't take them down radically but I got several "red" places on the white line.  :-(

I only had time to do the front hooves.  I cleaned the wash rack and loaded Biscuit up and hauled to Tyrrell.  Kellie was already there and I unloaded and tacked up The Biscuit.

We rode to the front of the park, across the edge of the golf course and onto the bayou side.  We rode around the golf course and up the side of the canal.  We saw a pretty little bird about the size of a chickadee that was bluish and grey.  Not sure what it was but it sure was pretty.  We rode in some areas we haven't rode before over by Cattail Marsh.  Biscuit startled HARD at a dang log.  Good thing that boy spooks in place.

We went through Cattail Marsh and down the side of the bog.  We turned at Willow Bayou and went towards the woods.  We trotted a little bit back there and went into the woods to the left.  ugh.  mud as far as we could see.  We trotted through a little bit of it because it was an easier go.  Biscuit is not a fan of mud.

He was an excellent boy today.  I hosed off his legs and stomach to get rid of the mud.  Kellie and I visited while the horses shared Biscuit's hay bag.  Elan gave him the evil eye a few times.  hahahahah I fussed at him and he laid his ears back at me.  Ooops!  He was jacked up by Cousin Denise and fussed at.  LOL he left Biscuit alone pretty much then.  The horses are so funny.

We rode 6.4 miles today under bright blue skies and 43 degrees.  It was ok in the sun shine and a little cool in the shade but it was ok.

I hauled Biscuit home and Barry was riding Sarge.  He said he could ride for 30 minutes or so but not hours like we do.  Too bad.  I hosed out my trailer and put my tack in the tack room.  I am supposed to take the Brenderup to be repaired tomorrow.


EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Beaumont, Texas

Such a sad day

My beloved Mom passed away this morning around 7:45 AM.  I will miss her so much.  Mom wasn't a horse lover but she loved the fact that I had horses that I loved so much.

She went with me to see Dashing Big Red for the first time with her cousin, Archie.  That is when I met Margaret who has become a good friend.  Mom went out in a pouring rain to go with me.  She has gone out to the barn to see my horses, listened to my tales of trail riding adventures and cheered me on when I bought my trailer.  I told her I bought this new trailer and I think she understood.  She so wanted me to have an LQ so I could go camping.

I had told her I would love to have a nice LQ and take her with me so she could enjoy the woods while I rode!  That never happened but I did take her with me on overnight trips for SW while I worked there.  I loved to drag Mom around with me.

She thought my horses were pretty but I don't think she ever actually touched one of them!  I will miss her so.  I did go out there to see them after I left my sister's house.  Just petting their faces brought me comfort.