Kellie, K.d. and I went riding Saturday morning. We planned on 9:00 but I realized it I didn't get there to feed Biscuit I might not catch him. I went out there about 7:45 and got his feed and went to the pasture. I didn't have any trouble catching him. I closed the little fence and put his halter on while I hooked up the trailer. I had to put the mats in place as they were hanging over the middle bar. I loaded Biscuit up and fed him and took off. We got to the park about 8:20 AM and I tacked up Biscuit. He was skittish for some reason. He was trying to get into the treat bucket and I fussed at him and lifted my left hand to brush his mane at the same time. OMG he nearly had a melt down. Poor fellow - had he had arms they would have been up around his face in a protective mode. He cringed when I put the crop into my water holder. He does that almost every time. I have never hit that horse with my crop while on the ground. I just use it to tap him while in the saddle. He didn't stop being a little antsy until we started riding.
Since he was skittish I took him over into the grass while waiting for Kellie and K.d. and I was swinging the lead rope back and forth - left to right. He was a little concerned but seemed ok with it. Then I started twirling it over HIS head just above his ears - totally unconcerned with that. I am sure he has been roped off of or at least desensitized to that. Poor fellow - he is afraid of people hurting him.
Kellie and K.d. arrived and tacked up. I mounted up - didn't need any help which is wonderful. We planned to ride to the Willow Bayou Bridge and set off around the road to Cattail Marsh. We went through the gate and down the fence line. It was hot out there - it hadn't been hot when I got to the park. We decided to go into the woods and blaze a trail to the pipeline staging area. Kellie went first and she thought she poked poor Elan in the eye. He was blinking but seemed to be ok. I got Biscuit to start going through. He didn't like the way I went and backed up due to vines all on the ground. LOL he had his butt up against a tree and his head was by a tree that he had to do some fancy moves to get turned around but we did fine. It was just a little more than 10 or 12 feet but it was dense with little trees and vines.
Biscuit grabbing a snack
Selfies
Trail Blazing
We stopped and visited and Elan was trying to get more treats. He is just a hoot. Biscuit can turn his head easily to get a treat and Aladin likes them too. Spoiling them rotten is fun for me.
We headed down the 2nd right of way and a little pig ran out in front of us. Didn't seem to phase the horses at all.
Little Flying Piggy
We rode around the back side of the trails and then started up towards the front on the Cattail side. We came to the formerly overgrown Picnic Table Trail and lo and behold - Ricky V had bulldozed it. We went down the trail and two more trails went off of it. We had thought there was a trail to the left and there was. It came out where the walking trail starts that has been so overgrown no one could get down it. We were ecstatic. Some rebar sticking out of the ground so that will either have to be removed or we will have to be extremely careful. The trail that went to the right went down a ways and stopped. Ricky said on the Face Book post he was going to make more trails. OMG we were so excited about new trails. Kellie and K.d took the horses into the center of the park to canter and Biscuit and I stayed on the trail. When they came back we went up the little side trail to the main trail and ran into the Crystal Beach people. So nice to see others enjoying the park. We rode around one more time and called it a day. We rode right at 6 miles. I didn't turn my Garmin on when we first left so I think 2 tenths of mile would cover that.
Conference of great minds
Here is a view of what we rode...check out those new trails!!!
I did put Biscuit at a very slow jog on the last part of the ride. He did a great job. When we got back I dismounted just fine. Elan, Aladin and Biscuit mobbed me like a bunch of guppies for treats.
Gobbling Guppies
We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again. My back was actually hurting when I got on Biscuit Saturday. I have drove so many miles back and forth to Houston my back was starting to hurt. I didn't think I would be able to ride but within 20 minutes or so my back quit hurting. My leg was way less numb when I got off of Biscuit. Riding really helps me with my therapy.
Last week I went to the barn with the idea that I was going to go on my first solo ride. I had hauled the trailer home last weekend. I have been leaving it right by Biscuit's pasture hoping it will STOP being an issue for him. I had washed it and hauled it home so I hauled it back and left it up at the barn. I walked down to the pasture and Biscuit thought bubble said "ok...the only time you walk down here WITHOUT the Rav is when you would take me riding." He wouldn't come close to me. I walked up and got treats. He eventually came into the enclosure and I closed it but he wouldn't let me put a halter on him. Ugh. So frustrating. I took Sarge instead up to the washrack and put Cowboy Magic in his tail where he had scrubbed mats into it. I was able to clear it with just my fingers and it was a nasty tangle. I brushed his mane and tail and did his front feet.
Ginger had a little squeak toy and he was quiet alarmed by it. Hahahahah. He was literally hiding behind my shoulder. Lee Ann showed it to him and he was looking at it with the stink eye. She threw it back to Ginger and she had it squeaking to beat the band. Sarge wasn't too thrilled but he behaved himself. His coat looks wonderful. He is losing a little top line but he is still gorgeous.
I took him back to the pasture and Biscuit let me catch him and put a halter on him. Go figure. That horse is way way way too smart.
After the spider incident on a Friday, Kellie and I rode on that Sunday. I did quiet a bit of jogging and trotting which was a blast.
On another ride Biscuit wanted to join a party of people at the pavilion. He would have taken off had I not stopped him. He is such a funny little guy.
Kellie was off last Friday so we planned a ride. I hauled out to get Biscuit and loaded him up along with my tack. Got out to the park and saddled him up.
Kellie and I started off going to the left. Most of the heavy equipment had been removed - there was some left and they were removing all of the mats too. We went around to other side and I was whapping spiders out of their webs.
We got around to the side closest to the public road and I hit at one above me and OMG it was huge and fell on my right leg. I screamed like a crazy person and was flailing at it - I SQUISHED it on my leg. Kellie was clapping and laughing like she was demented. Hahahahahahahahaha I was belly laughing at myself. We turned and went the other way because we were right by the equipment. We rode back to the front, down the little trail, around the trails again, up the 2nd right of way to where the equipment is. All in all we rode a little more than 7 miles. When I went to dismount, I was able to dismount like a normal person. I swung my leg over the cantle and put my right foot on the ground. I had to use my hand to take my left foot out of the stirrup but at least I am getting better!!!
Before I left for Kentucky I went out to the barn and brought Biscuit up. I gave him a bath and used Mrs. Stewart's Bluing to whiten his mane and tail. I think I used a little bit too much and his mane and tail were aquamarine colored!!
I rode him in the arena for about 30 minutes and he was a very good boy. I haven't been able to ride much and that just bites. I did his feet and OMG his back feet were way over due.
I was up all night working on a cake and just had 3 hours sleep. I went out to see my horses because I didn't get out there yesterday. They were soaking wet with sweat - that nasty kind all over their bodies. I put their halters and and for the first time, led both of them up to the barn using the RAV4. Sarge gave Biscuit a few nasty faces - and Biscuit had a chunk of hair gone off of his right side. I fussed at Sarge to leave The Biscuit alone. Once at the wash rack I put Biscuit in the arena and tied him up. Sarge was rinsed off - he was so sweaty poor boy. I rinsed out is sheath - he had some chunks in there that I washed out. He dropped for a moment and I was able to clean him a little more but not much. I scraped him off and got out my hoof tools. His souls were just popping off with just a touch of the circle knife....his feet are terrific. He did have some thrush and a little bit at the tip of his toe. I nipped and rasped his front feet. He would pull his feet from me and he stepped on my rasp and wouldn't get off of it. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. I will get his back feet next week.
Alison wormed Biscuit while we were up there. He wasn't too happy about it but that is just too dang bad. I switched horses and rinsed Biscuit off too...sheath was rinsed out. I brushed both of the horses manes. Biscuit looked like he had a bruise on the bulb of his hoof. I will keep an eye on it. I sprayed both of them with fly spray. I visited with Lee Ann P and Alison. Lydia and Lee Ann were braiding Legato's mane in a diamond pattern. Can't wait to see the finished look!!
I took them back down to their pasture and turned them lose. I was sweaty but my back wasn't hurting.
I took my mom to the doctor on Tuesday and after that I took her out to see my horses. I set the bucket of treats down outside of the pasture and got into the gate to put the halter on Biscuit. Sarge stuck his head through the wire, dumped over the bucket and started gobbling up treats. He is so funny!!!
I went up to the barn to get fly spray. OMG those nasty little black biting flies were everywhere. I sprayed both of them really well and killed a big horse fly on Biscuit's leg. Ugh...I got blood splattered all over my hand.
I had been out to see them yesterday too and then went back Tuesday evening. Got to hug them both up!
Here are my beautiful boys....Sarge is shining like a copper penny...his coat is velvety soft and he is the sweetest fellow. Biscuit's coat is shiny and soft but I am a sucker for a beautiful bay horse!!!
Sarge looks precious - Biscuit looks like he stayed up too late or had too much to drink!!!
I went out to the barn everyday except Friday and Saturday. Edgar is now feeding the horses and Biscuit is coming in when I go out there so no problems catching him. Today I gave them handsful of grass and hugged them up.
Kellie and I were going to ride today but it was raining this morning. I am sure the park was soaking wet. Dang...the woods are a choppy mess. Barry and I went down to the beach this afternoon and it would have been great to ride out there today. Nice cool breeze blowing and no mosquitoes. I had Barry drive down to the end of the highway when we got back on the road. I wanted to see what the washed out road looked like. We could get around the barrier easily on horses and ride that stretch. I would love to do that! I told Barry it would be a great ride to go from that section of McFaddin Beach all the way down to High Island. I think it is around 20 miles...In my dreams
The Tevis Cup was this weekend. It is the Superbowl of Endurance Riding. There were 3 riders from Texas! Wow. In my dreams I could ride in any endurance ride, much less the Tevis! Unfortunately, there was a horse that had to be put down due to a fall that injured its neck. The rider was ok but the horse had to be put down. I felt so bad for both horse and rider. The winning time was around 17 hours. Can't even imagine that!!! That is going a little less than 6 miles per hour but geez - that is pretty dang rough!! The winning horse cantered in and looked like he was ready for more. Congratulations to all the rider - to ride is to win.
Kellie and I decided to meet for a ride Saturday evening. I walked down to get Biscuit and put his halter o with no trouble. Just wish my pasture wasn't so far down the road!!! I am still wobbly and walking that far is a little hard. I get it done and will count it good for exercise but it does wear me out keeping my balance. I rinsed Biscuit off before loading him and we took off.
Kellie and I walked in the woods. Lots of spiders - lots of spider polo being played. Dang near ran face first into a few of the webs. We went down the little side trail and ran into a web with a huge spider - I said "how disgusting" and heard Kellie agree with me...but she was talking about a page of porn taped to the tree. OMG who would do such a thing? Pages were dropped down the side of the trails too. ugh. Kellie ripped down the page off of the tree. We went out of the trails and I followed the road around. We jogged a little and my balance is getting better. Still have a long way to go but improving every time that I ride!
Tuesday evening I fed the horses and checked Sarge's sheath. Twice he lifted up his right hind leg and stomped when I touched it. He wasn't trying to kick at me but it seems to be bothering him. Not really hot feeling but still puffy looking and feeling.
I went there Wednesday evening and he didn't pick up his feet but it still seems not right. It feels slightly, just SLIGHTLY warm and feels "thick". My poor baby! I am going to keep an eye on it.
Biscuit is being a sweet little fellow these days. Much more relaxed. I gave him hugs and kisses. Kellie and I are going to try to ride Friday and Saturday evenings. Looking forward to it. I just pulled cakes out of the oven - getting a jump on it!!!
Sunday evening Barry and I went to the barn to feed the horses. Sarge kept kicking up his back leg and Barry said there weren't any flies on him. I said to check his sheath. He said "I can't tell anything". Ok....I go check Sarge and his sheath looks a little funny - not normal. I reached inside and pulled out a huge chunk of junk. Sigh...Sarge is a dirty little fellow.
Monday I went down to the pasture and got Sarge. Biscuit was a little surprised but he got treats anyway. He was willing and ready to stick his head in the halter! I took Sarge up to the front and started using a low volume stream of water into his sheath to loosen more junk in his truck so to speak. The Lee Ann's were riding in the arena while I worked on Sarge. I hoses and then pulled out junk...hosed and pulled out junk. I then hosed him off to get all the sweat off of him and used the last of my Show Sheen to comb out his mane. He is such a sweet horse!
I went back Monday evening to feed both of them. His sheath still doesn't look quiet right but he doesn't seem to be in pain or discomfort. Barry refuses to do more than hose it off a little - but Sarge seems to need a little more than occasionally running a little water there!!! I will have to make a point to clean him once a week or so. I will post of picture of his junk later. Geez where does this horse get all of this nastiness?
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