Trail Ride in the Rockies

     Colorado. One of the most gorgeous places in the USA. You can't beat those soaring mountains and jaw-dropping cliffs. I was lucky enough to be able to visit Colorado again this summer, and like last summer I had my eye on another trail ride. We weren't out looking for a riding stable (actually we were looking for a ghost town, but that's another story), but we happened to be driving down this dirt road (yes, a dirt road) when we saw some people out riding horses. A little further on we came across the stable they were from and what do you know there was a sign out front that offered trail rides! Of course we had to stop and check it out. The people were super friendly and the horses were nice looking so we decided to sign up for a ride.

     I made a couple of new friends that day. The first was the horse I rode. He was a pretty appaloosa gelding named Cricket. We got along just fine, Cricket and I.

Monsieur Cricket

      The second was the lady that took us out to the trails. She was super nice and had actually just moved to Colorado the month before. She told me that she was an english rider who trained horses, taught lessons, and specialized in dressage. When I told her about what I did and the horses I owned she was really encouraging. I really appreciated that.

     The ride itself was absolutely gorgeous. From breathtaking views of the mountains to a forest that looked like something out of a fairytale it was amazing. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Roxy Goes to a Show

   
      My cousin Katie who lives several states away also loves horses. I really like having a cousin who loves horses like me. It great that I have someone that I can spend time just talking horses with. She rides western, and does kind of a working student thing at this barn. She trades cleaning stalls for lessons. Its really neat. This summer she got the chance to lease the horse she rides in lessons and did several shows with her. Roxy, the horse, is an appaloosa mare and I have actually ridden her before. She's a really fun horse to ride. Anyway, Katie and Roxy's biggest event of the summer was their local 4-H horse show. Where they would be staying at the fairgrounds for a week to show. Since they were going to be there all week and she didn't want to be there by herself they asked if I would drive up to keep her company. Of course I said yes. A whole week in the horse barn at a county fair? How could I refuse! So off I went on an eight hour drive. (I guess you could say I'm pretty dedicated to horses.)
     When I got there they had already moved Roxy to the fairgrounds the day before, and since they had just gotten back from the barn from taking care of her they didn't need to go back until morning. The next morning was the first day of showing. Classes started at 9 a.m. and we had a ton to do first to get ready. That meant we had to get up at 5 o'clock in the morning. Ya, it was a bit early. But hey its horses so it was worth it! When we got down to the stable the first order of the day was to feed Roxy. Then while she was eating we polished the tack. I got the job of cleaning Katie's riding boots. I must say I think I'm a pretty good tack cleaner! After that (and Roxy had finished her breakfast) was just touching up the horse. Since she had worn the pink cover thing the night before she was pretty clean.

 Basically all we had to do was paint her hooves and put her fake tail on. (Yes, she wears a fake tail. Weird, right? That's what I thought. I didn't really know that people did that in western pleasure. I guess I know now!) And saddle her up of course. Then it was a long walk over to the arena. (Why they didn't put the barn next to the arena I will never know)

 The two of them did 4 classes that day. They did amazing! They got first place in each class. The first day of showing was for first year 4-H members. So I think it means for people that hadn't shown 4-H before. Anyways, we were all pretty excited for them.

     Day 2 they didn't have any actual shows. We still spent all day at the barn since Katie had to take care of Roxy. She also practiced and rode Roxy in the arena during a practice session. (It was like lunch break so they said anyone could go and ride in the arena.) After that we didn't have anything to do for a bit until Roxy needed more water so we went and sat in the livestock show barn and watched a pig show. I had now idea there were so many different types of pigs...

     Day 3 it was back to showing. This time it was the open shows so all the kids were in them and the competition was a lot more stiff. Still Katie and Roxy did great. I was pretty excited for them. They did an amazing job! I don't exactly remember what she won, but she did place in all but one of her classes. So they did really well considering these were the people who had been doing this for many years.

There were about 19 people in this class.

     All in all it was a tiring but super fun week. I feel like I learned a ton about horse showing that I didn't know before. I hope they do it again next year!

The Prelude

     I've been a bad blogger.

     I know.

     But honestly I do have a good excuse. I've basically been out of town for the last three weeks. (except for like a day or two) Not that I haven't been having wonderful horsey styled adventures; I just haven't had my computer to write about them with! So really I do have a decently good excuse, more or less... I owe you all about four posts. Like said above I actually have done a lot of stuff with horses even though I have been out of town. 

     I reckon Mya and Lady are secretly thankful about the whole thing. They've had a lovely summer vacation out on the grass. Just basking in the sun and eating delicious green salads. I guess in the morning I'll have to break it to them that the vacation is over. They're gonna adore me for that... I love having mares. They have such personality... and sass... But hey there's pros and cons to everything right? Like it or not the girls are going to have to get back to work. We've got places to go and people to see! (if horses could read blogs, I could just see their expressions) Yes, ponies, its time to get your games faces on.

     Anyways, "stay tuned" for blog posts coming about what I've been doing. I've just got to sort through all those pictures I took first...

Challenge #5

So, I haven't done one of these in a ridiculously long time. Honestly I completely forgot about it. But have no fear, the 30 Thing Horse Challenge is back! Sadly, so far I've only made it to number five. Oh well, here she goes anyway.

Challenge #5

The Last Time You Rode Your Horse and What You Did.

I took Mya out for a ride last night. We decided to go on a trail ride again to relax and have a change of pace. Mostly we just rode around in this huge field and enjoyed the cooler evening weather.  Riding in the later evening during the summer is one of my favorite things. The setting sun makes everything so peaceful and beautiful. Anyways, that is what we did. Thus ends challenge five. I am going to have to remind myself to do more of these...

Hey, Hay!

     Yesterday we had an adventure getting the horses' winter hay. We've been so busy and that was really the only day we had time to go pick up some bales. Even though it was cloudy and had a possible chance of rain we decided to go for it anyway. It was a slightly nerve racking drive on the way home as we hoped it would start raining on our large stack of hay bales in the back of the truck. But thankfully we succeeded on getting all the hay bales home and stacked in the barn without anything getting wet. Now the horses can be happy knowing they have some nice grass hay to munch on this winter.

     As a bonus after our hay adventure we had time to go riding. One of my horse loving cousins, who helped me with the hay, rode Lady while I rode Mya. We decided it would be fun to get out of the round-pen and go for a trail ride. This was the first time that Lady and Mya had been on a trail ride together. The great thing about them is that they get along really well. That makes me happy; I don't know what I would have done if they didn't like each other. The ride itself went pretty well. The only eventful thing that happened was Lady spooking at a gate that was painted red. Since she'd never been on this trail before I think she did okay with it. All she did when she spooked was spin in a circle and stop, no running off. She was a good girl about it. I mean, hey, red gates can be pretty scary sometimes can't they? Other than that she did awesome and I think it was a pretty good first trail ride for her. I'm hoping to take her out again this evening once it cools off.

Lady is on the left and Mya is on the right.

Off on our adventure!

Pony Rides

What does one do when you have a skunk in your stable?

I have no idea.

I dislike like skunks. That was slightly an understatement. There is only one animal in the world that I absolutely despise, and that would be a skunk. I would much rather see a mouse or a snake. Skunks, uh no. Luckily the thing left the premises. I decided to put some moth balls in my tack room just to make sure it won't come back. I have no desire to see that guy again...

In other news Lady is becoming quite popular. This past week because it was the 4th of July I had a lot of family in town. Several of my little cousins were begging their parents to come over and see my horses. I said that would be fine and I would give them pony rides on Lady. They absolutely adored her, and Lady was such a sweetheart. She seemed to really enjoy letting them ride her. She acted happy and content. It was very cute.

A fun little fact is that when I bought my western saddle awhile back it came with a pair of kids stirrups. The kind that just fit over the saddle horn. I hadn't ever used them before, but I was able to put them to good use this time. They worked good and helped the kids to feel more secure in the saddle. A great bonus!

Window Shopping

     Window shopping on the internet for horse stuff is a fun way to waste time. I looking through all the saddle pads, bridles, etc. and imagining what that would look like on my horses. Of course sometimes I am actually somewhat realistic in my window shopping. Last night I was browsing and writing down a list of things I need/like to buy for my ponies. Particular both horses need a new saddle pad. An english one for Mya and a western one for Lady. So naturally I was searching for those.

I liked this one a lot. The way it was quilted is really nice and adds a fun touch. I also like the material its made out of. The type on the bottom is supposed to help with moisture and sweating. The saddle pad has that nice piping around the edge too.

This saddle pad is the same brand as the one above but is a different variation. The quilting is a little different and it comes in different colors. I think I like the quilting better in the other pad but I do like the bright color of this one.

I liked the vintage rose color of this pad. Its the same brand as the other two, but once again with different quilting. 

I'd like to buy a half pad to use with Mya. I hear the make the horse more comfortable.

And then I couldn't help looking at polo wraps. I want some that would match the saddle pads above.

I really liked the bright blue color of these polo wraps.

haha Okay, I know I didn't post any green saddle pads above but I just loved the look of these. Green is one of my favorite colors and I love the bright green checked pattern of these.

This was one of the western saddle pads that I liked for Lady. It looks really comfortable and well made. I liked the Navajo pattern and color of this pad.

 I liked how they incorporated blue into this saddle pad. It sets the rest of it off in a nice pattern and color.

And then the last thing I wanted to buy was these leather cleaning wipes. One is leather cleaner and the other is conditioner. These look super easy and quick to use. I've heard some great things about them from other equestrians, so I wanted to give them a try. 

     Of course I won't buy all this stuff but it is some things I had my eye on. Particularly the saddle pads. Like I said before Mya and Lady really need some new ones. Besides who doesn't like to go window shopping?