What an INCREDIBLE riding season for my little family! From chasing trains and buses all dudded out like bandits & sheriffs, to back-yard shows, and stellar trail rides... we certainly have NOT been slouching!

Photo Mantage defintely more fun than words:

Me on Max, Jasmine on Bill

Prepping Kaleb's pony for their first trail ride

A saucy little Cowpoke on a fabulous little pony

A posse of ladies getting ready to hold up some buses

Our entourage of first time trail riders

only 3 (of 6) horses and 3 (of 6) riders had ever been out before

lady posse photo op

stunning shot of Maximus, if I do say so

Scout's first halter class - a very good boy that didn't place

eek. tucking in my shirt before my WP class

lady bandita looking for her bus mark

don't we look fierce

BARN BBQ!

We had a nice turnout, though some friends were definitely missed. Managed a decent little obstacle course in our arena that I think everyone had fun playing around on. The burgers were alright, the chicken wings better and the company the best! Couldn't ask for better weather and it was an all-around really pleasant way to spend a day - lazily absorbing everything HORSE.

Now the good part:

Date Night!

Grandma came to pick up her groomed dog and left with our kid so we mounted up before the sun went down.

Slickers respectively donned to repell threatenIng rain, we hit the nearby quarry. Having trotted the mile to reach the bush trails that surround the oasis, and then canter said trails like prancing Peppi Le Pues, the boys were only too happy to scale the steep declines into the cool waters.

After some exploring of the pits and dunes, we climbed out to the most perfect stretch of dirt road on which to stretch their legs. Max suffers from "Disappearing Bum Syndrome". That's to say that once he realises he just might be left behind, it suddenly becomes a Race Of Wild Aandon to catch up, at all costs. We took this opportunity to work on Politely Cantering In Hand While Abreast. This is quite a feat with Bill The Stinker, who likes to egg his competit-er companion along. We did manage 3 trips back and forth, with improvement every time. Max never did quite develop trust with one shadowy spot along the road and insisted on throwing himself over the massive (6") hole, mid-canter, each run. Whoop!

Back into the bush trails after that, Max proving his growing bravery by leading the (cantering) charge. He did better than when he's bringing up the rear, probably due to his taskmaster not requiring a quality trot before allowing departure to catch up, again with a quality canter. The trails ejected us onto this lovely swath harrowed ever-so-kindly by a farmer around the perimeter of his gorgeous wheat field. We quickly took up a sedate trot through the soft turf, approx a mile around to the another road. It was quite a nice bubble in time, sky darkening above, but withholding it's rain for us, the soft green wheat carries sing the bottom of my right boot as I rode the track beside it, my horse jogging so beautifully that I could comfortably sit into it and absorb the motion, my hubby and his steed jogging right along with us in companionable silence.

The evening ended with the most glorious red sunset we've seen this year, and just a whisper of a tall, singing rainbow.


Today's ride was more about exercising the brain than the body. We set out on a 6 mile round trip, toward the dreaded highway. We've been working Max's confidence with traffic, and with exception to one knob who blazed us on the gravel doin 100kms (really asshole?), he's been doing very well with sharing the road with polite motorists. The road allowance that runs in front of the Penn, parallel to #7 hwy was our ultimate goal and test of mettle, at exactly the 1/2 way point of our journey. His head came up as we approached the moving cars, but came back down as he realized they weren't headed for him.

Setting foot on the grassy stretch, with cars and semis zipping to and from him ignited his light, alright. Our dressage coach would have delighted at the airs we were pulling! Beautiful, deep trot with hinds curled RIGHT under us, neck arched as tight as it could possibly be, and the best half-pass at a trot we've never before attempted! Even as I admired his development, I tried to push the right buttons to undo it, to get him to relax. It did work for about a third of a mile before he just couldn't handle it anymore. Rearing and backing down the other side of the ditch, he very clearly said 'I'm done!" Sissy that I am, I conceded and stepped down. Not that I couldn't use the walk, but I'm just not sure where his limits are... Does he know enough not to flip over onto me? Didn't want to chance it and ruin all the good we have. He did stand very politely for me to remount once we were pointed back home, and continued on like nobody's business.

Boys.

The Dynamic Duo

It would seem I'm getting the hang of this new layout, after all.

First, the class I won 3rd place in, cause I'm still just so darned excited! The pics aren't good, being taken off video from too far away, but they get the atmosphere across, I think.

Waiting our turn and checking our number (101) - such childish nonsense we remember from our first endeavours!

The last second of our ride, having walked, sitting trot, posting trot - right diagonal, canter, posting trot - left diagonal, stop, and back. I turned to look at the judge before waving to my 3 year old son hollering "Way to go Mom!" before departing the arena. I was proud of our backing, even if I did have to repair our direction, he kept his head low and accepting of the request - woot!

Just showin off the gorgeous hunter braid my show buddy did for me. I think it's a good look for the Mostus.

Next, Western Pleasure. Our entry was a joke but I love the pics I was able to snag off the video, so have to share! 

I was so proud of how my boy did, even if I kept us out of placing.

He nailed every lope from walk departure and proceeded calmly around the other horses (not so in English Pleaure - lol! Those beasties amped him RIGHT up!).

And just cause he's so stunning... I just can't get over how much I ADORE this boy!

In other horsey news, I've been an arena rock-pickin fool... everywhere but at home, trail riding has consisted of everything from road riding to traversing the great wilds of Anola to puttering around in our own humble local quarry waters.

On the list for the summer, I'd like to pony Scout out for some trail exposure, we're all entering a few more local shows, I'm hoping to hog in on a ladies' overnight ride and Patrick and I are still hoping to get more than one camping trip in this year. Regardless of how the last effort pans out, we WILL be making our annual fall ride & camp out at Falcon Lake.

Hope everyone's having as much fun this summer as we are!



Lead Man

Preping for the show, with fellow supporters and handlers, Caitlin and Hailey Muir.

Will you LOOK at that handsome clipped pony?! He had his first clipping session, first trailering sesson and first show exposure all in 3 days! What a good boy!

Big wave for Dad while in the show ring.

And chillin', just doin' his cowboy thang.

I jumped up and down like a fool when we were listed (first) as First Place... until I heard all the other lead-liners 'win' first place - lmao, what a fool I am! Both Kaleb and I were disappointed that we were not asked to trot but Scout did manage to back up without being too, too ugly... we must work on that! Teenage faces will not win ribbons.

Bareback Dollar Champions

 Let's see if I can get the hang of the new blogger layout...

Some shots of the Champions...

First, pre-ride warm-up. Bill gets hot with the wait. He loves to be doing whatever it is that needs doing, but patience is NOT a virtue he possesses.

Second, a blurry video snap of them in action. That self-carriage and stunning frame is all Bill, all natural. How lucky is this man to have such a graceful horse to ride? Seriously, I can POST bareback on this horse, doing a trotting half-pass. Awesome for the self-image.

Lastly, we have the post-ride shot. Both boys quite impressed with themselves! Job well done!

Hmmm... not sure I care for this new layout at all. Sure, photos load faster, but how you see this post is nothing like it has to look in the draft. Total guess work, as far as layout goes. Yikes!

Weekend of All Weekends

Saturday morning was an early one for us. Up to feed the herd at 6 am so our three boys would be ready for their first local show EVER! Our first show also, for the three of us. Very exciting stuff!

With all our gear including my few borrowed items packed, we loaded our two larger geldings into the Sardine Can. The 2 year old little pony took his first trip off the farm since arriving ages ago in style, snuggling right into a friend's 3 + 1, beside/under one of her friendly young mares. The entire day was quite a social plunge for little Scout.

Kaleb and Scout's event was first on our roster for the day, with Patrick and Bill's being last. They all won first place! Lead line for the youngsters and Bareback Dollar Ride for the geezers.

My events were scattered through the rest of the day. Western Pleasure was a joke, as was English Pleasure but turns out that English Equitation was right up our alley! We placed 3rd in a class of about 12 or 15. I still can't believe I heard our names over the loud speakers.

More on the rest of our weekend, including pics later!

Riding In Style & Comfort!

I've finally done it. I spent this past weekend, thanks to a friend, at an amazing expo in Alberta where I saw and sat in several saddles of wonderful quality. I'm talking the kind of saddles I've only drooled over online for EVER. I've been driving everyone crazy with my 'saddle dilema' for years and finally gave myself permission to explore a purchase, now that my horse has supposedly stopped growing and changing. Well, now I'm driving everyone within hearing distance crazy with "ohmigawdiluvit". I want to bring it in the house to sit in and admire when I'm not riding in it, I'm so excited about it.

The specs on this work of art are as follows: 15.5" roughed-out barrel saddle, built on FQHB Bowden Tree (of Alberta), completely hand-made tree-to-trim. Real sheepskin underlay, soft pliable fenders, deep seat with 5" cantle. I love the oak and floral tooling, which was done by hand by an older lady of the mom & pop duo that tag-team these saddles.

Riding in it is like a breath of fresh air. My dressage beater has always been comfortable but I never realised how much I didn't relax in it. Borrowing the hubby's big roper hurt Max's shoulders and my seat but it did save my hide during a rowdy ride this spring. Now I can ride WITH the hubby in total comfort and security.

In this past week, Max and I have scaled impossibly vertical sand dunes, done some good working trot and conquered fears of vehicles and unfamiliar territory. I'm a much bolder rider in this rig and he's becoming more bold under me. The one canter we could try before the footing became too wet was brilliant! Instead of moving quick and uncertain, in two strides he slowed right down and rose up underneath me. I wonder if perhaps the dressage beater doesn't fit him as well as I originally thought!

My plan is to ride primarily in this new saddle for the month, @ 3xs a week, to really break it in and see how both he and I feel about it. Well, I already know how I feel about it (lmao!). He's already standing more still for saddling and mounting - from the ground! Something I haven't been able to do with the english outfit. I even dismounted to do some trail maintenance today and successfully did our first trail mount while he patiently stood stock-still, munching his pilfered mouth of spring grass.

This was only our second trail ride of our new schedule this month and already his difference in confidence and willingness was impressive. On Wednesday, he was quite jittery about impolite vehicles, freshly mowed bush and being in the vast sand pits. Today, it was old hat - very boring but also relaxing. Lots of blowing and sighing. I think he likes getting out of the arena. I wonder what his response to the wide-open mud roads is going to be. Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates and we're able to hit them next week!

Last mission to complete this outfit: pick the right saddle pad. I'm thinking chocolate or maroon. Would be nice to have something different than my typical black. Borrowing the hubby's in the mean time, to determine the thickness we might need. I do know it's too long for my short-backed beastie. It measures in at 31.5", whereas I need something around 26", if such a creature exists.

Does the fun never end? I'm so ecstatic to begin this riding season with honest intent and a hearty system to base it on! Nothing to hold us back.

Happy Trails

It's been 5 months since my last...

TRAIL RIDE!! To the DAY. How funny is that? As you may be able to tell from the grin on my face, I had a blast.

My riding companion, gal-pal and boarder Jasmine, on Hubby's gelding, Bill (her boy is a 2 year-old shire gelding!).

Yup, that's her. Heading out onto the trail on a semi-hot TBX in a bareback pad. She rides as nicely as she sits.

We set the horses through all their paces, starting with some walking through sweat-inducing field sludge. Nothing to slick, but enough to work some muscles. That was followed with some sedate trotting in a cut-but-not-yet-tilled corn field, right up to the flapping flag monument and a pair of curious equine neighbors who escorted us down the length of their pasture. On we went to the bush trails that wind through a hydro right-of-way and some old bush trails. Then came the real challange for Max's brain muscles... ditch riding on a hwy! Well, not a real hwy. The speed limit is 70kms and the traffic was light at 3 pm. He did quite well, and so did I.

I'm always tensing up when I expect him to tense up. He never lets me down, either, escalating to more and more dramatics each time. Rather, when I breathe and tell him there's nothin' doin', he mellows out.

After that successful navigation... about 1/4 of a mile until our circuit took us back down a gravel road, we meandered with peaceful trotting down the side of the gravel, back to the corn field. This is the site of our only canter work. Was a good stretch and at that speed, they had to work through some soft ground. Max was full of beans during this one, not wanting to do it in the first place and then bucking like a tool when we went through a damp swell. I will tell you right here, had I not been in the Hubby's western saddle, I would have EATEN DIRT. As it was, I had to make a decision to stay on and once I did, employ leg muscles in my one retained stirrup that will remind me of our adventure for days to come, I'm sure. I growled at Max, corrected his veer to the left at my right-side-heavy seat position, and he did come back to me. Thank goodness for the medium-shank, medium-port bit and that bulky western saddle! May not have been as comfortable as my sleek dressage no-name beater, but I was saved!

We rounded up our adventure with a quad encounter, thankfully by a polite man and a good 200 feet of distance into a soupy field.

Half of Max's sweat is from his brain. He was dripping on the mile-long cool-down walk and both boys immediately took advantage of our offered sandy reward as soon as we pulled the saddles off.

On a side note, I noticed that the saddle I used did pinch his withers... 3 inch matching DRY spots, either side. I will have to pay particular attention to fit when I order my new saddle. *gasp!* It's outta the bag. I'm determined, especially after today's ride, to get one sooner rather than later. Hubby's saddle doesn't fit me one bit and clearly doesn't do my horse any favours.

Check out the Cascade Wade Model on this site: http://www.trailridingsaddles.com

Snow Days

I'm thinking the beast is already starting to show some weight changes since our regular riding schedule has begun.

Last lesson we worked on transitions - yay! - which Max had an opinion about. Once Peter saw his buck he laughed and told me I'd be okay on this horse. I had to quit giggling, myself, to properly scold him. We also touched on walking nose-out, or shoulder-thru, which he caught onto very quickly. Lastly, we introduced the idea of breaking at the poll with bit massage. Peter doesn't call it that, but influence from my Chris Irwin days shines through in this. I've been good about practicing at home, 2 or 3 times a week. Today I got to do it in daylight so I snapped a photo! He's standing on a slight hill, hence the tilt of my saddle. I just ADORE his barogue look!



We spent some family time outside, trying out my son's new saddle and teaching all three horses what riding together looks and feels like. Bill wasn't too keen on ponying, but Max acted like an old pro. Scout sure is a trick to keep bringing along. He wants to plug his nose in someone's bum and follow along, just like a good little baby. He didn't even bat an eye at the saddle going on, it being the second time ever and hardly registered Kaleb's assisted mount-up. He toddled our toddler around like a superb old show horse. I just love that little pony! It won't be long before we can all hit the trail.

I Have Homework & I'm Happy!!

Monday dawned the first day of my new lesson program with Mostus (That'd be Max With the Most-ust). My new favourite coach: 78 year-old Calvaryman horse trainer, Peter. Don't recall his last name but I ADORE the man. He did not even bother to ask what I was looking to get out of my lessons - he already knew. First step, get the beast MOVING. Without forward motion we cannot work on anything else. I should, in fact, not be the part of our duo doing all the work. Huh. Some consistent and loud cues with a crop and heck, I almost remember what it feels like to be carried by a horse! AND he's retaining his learning.

A juicy tangerine moon lit the arena for us tonight. The temps were pleasant, the tiniest breeze tickling my nose now and then. Our lesson was short. As soon as he showed consistent understanding of what I was looking for, I called it. With no sun to keep him warm during cool-down, I can't afford to sweat him up. He's an emo sweater, too... work his brain up a little much and he'll be drenched with next to no physical exertion.

Our exercises tonight consisted of brisk walking, followed by lots of transitions from stop to walk. As in, walk off NOW. No more dawdling for us. He was starting to lose his stop after a few repetitions, anticipating the departure so we went back to backing after stop, deep breath at the halt and then DEPART.

I'm really excited to show Peter our progress. If it's this good after only 30 mins of homework, giddy up! I can actually see us being a cohiesive, communicating, giving & taking riding unit! So much so, I'm considering our little bumpkin horse show this summer - eeek! I've never competed in my LIFE!! Fun fun!!

I took the boy's nap time yesterday to try out his new saddle on his young pony. Scout will be two this June. He's already been carrying around our 25-lb toddler, bareback on the lead. A wonderful friend was very generous this Christmas, gifting Kaleb with the saddle her girls first learned on.

I had little doubt this brilliant little pony would have an issue with the saddle itself. I've put some pretty outrageous things on his back with barely an ear twitch in response. The cinch I was not so sure about and I did not do it up very tight at all. I want to keep this experience a happy one. He chewed on the latigoes a tad, tasted the stirrup covers and asked me what was next. We walked around, even remembering what trotting on lead was all about. Blink. Blink.

He does not yet know how to lunge (don't much believe in it for young, developing joints), but we began that lesson with the saddle on. He was slightly confused that the whumping carrot stick suddenly meant "move" rather than "ignore". I was careful to make my lead line cue, "point" very obvious. Once he gave me a few steps moving off, I stopped and rubbed him all over. He loves that. We almost had a full circle each way when I called it quits. I love how I work in tiny spurts with this boy and he just soaks it all up, leap-frogging forward every time!

I have no concerns tossing Kaleb up on that saddle. We'll leave the bit and bridle for much later, especially in the toddler's hands, though I'm slightly eager to do some ground driving. Think I'll wait until the air warms up enough that I don't have to warm the bit myself!! Yikes.

Yes, He Really Is This Great...

Our typical pasture tom-foolery...

Back in the Saddle Again... and Out.

Nope. No falling off. Just some bareback puttering around in the yard. Ecstatic to hop on both my dunderhead and the hubby's push-button gelding. SO much easier to ride that horse!!

Maximus has been treated to two tune-up rides by the hubby. He's so fantastic about riding outside the box, challenging the psyche of the horse as well as the physical... and not necessarily because he's looking to push bottons or train. Just because he enjoys going for a RIDE. This entire effort on the cowboy's behalf was triggered by Maximost taking a friend for a couple of un-called-for rowdy rides. I'll tell you, that boy follows the hubby around like a puppy dog once the ride is over! He LOVES it just as much, the brat.

I'm ready to finally start some good riding, myself. Did quite a bit of sitting trot today without a hitch or twitch. Dismounting is still interesting... did I mention that I've since broken three toes in my left foot? Giddy up. Finally start feeling well enough to tussle with the boys a little and wind up taking out my foot.

The (tentative) plan is to ride Cadilac Bill for a few rides then get back into the groove with Max once I get my core strength back. But I just may huck that out the window and load Max on the trailer. Bill for the trail and Max for the arena. I plan to take things back a notch with Max, working on transitions up, down, up, down, up, down until we're both speaking the same language. Patrick (hubby) describes Max's efforts like driving a standard without a clutch. Very apt description. I'm also going to finally nail down neck reining. There is NO reason for us to have NOT mastered that yet.

Don't know how much riding I can fit into my current schedule, but I'm game to get as much as I can in.

Also discovered Zumba. Shake it, ladies!!!