Canter Collection!

Today Sandra worked quietly with Farah, collection at the trot is now Very nice!  Farah gives with her head at the first request.  Moving up & into the canter this week was much less eventful that last weeks big buck!  This time it was smooth & looked more effortless too. 

Getting the toes knocked back off the hind feet helped.  Now I'm working to keep weight on Farah.  She's fit & Dean loves the way she looks, but Sandra wants more weight!  :-)  I know that she will show much better for the upcoming rescheduled inspection in a couple months - if I can get some weight on top of those muscles.  A certain gold mare has her stall about "bedded" in the nice, expensive Timothy from Dayville - so on top of the rice bran, we're going to add alfalfa pellets & see if I can keep her weight up with the miles we're doing.

Was hopeful of getting in an afternoon ride after we were at Ensbrook, but it was raining harder than before by the time we were done :-(

More Exploring~

Pushing further north~

So much for the weatherman!  No rain yesterday - just broken sunshine & very warm afternoon temps!  I had a bunch of stuff to get done, errands to run, but by mid-afternoon there were still hours of daylight left, so I saddled Farah & we took off to see how much futher we could go on our newly rediscovered trails west of the power lines.

Heading west

It's three-miles up to the power lines, then we crossed over & found a easier way through the woods to get down the big downhill, rather than sliding on the loose rock.  The only gnarly place is what I'm now referring to as the slide!

The "Slide"

Lots of roots sticking out up top, then a collected slide into the mud hole, then a sharp up - to the old trail.  Loose rein, we did Great, until Farah had to rush the last little jump - she was chastised & knew she'd goofed :-)

A high open area almost at our farthest point north.

Every chance, I turned north & we made it quite a ways before coming up on two houses that blocked that particular trail.  It made a gradual turn to the west, so I stayed on it.  We came upon a very large water puddle with tire tracks going in.  I wasn't too concerned as Farah stepped in, until I looked ahead & realized that the water was very murky!  With her next step, Farah went from knee deep, to chest deep as she dropped into what was a very deep hole!  She didn't panic, just stepped up & out like a champ!

Well deserved break~!

Reward?  Oh yes!  Fresh grass!  Nothing better!  We tried another trail that had been bulldozed in, it was taking us the right direction home, but it dead-ended in brush & the tractor had given up & turned back.  We back-tracked & headed out the way we'd come in.  The day had turned dark, the wind picked up & we made it home with a round-trip time of 2-1/2 hours for the 11 miles. 

The Difference in a Day~

Cool, Cloudy view~

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the weather can change.  Having missed out on a second in a row sunshine day to ride, I really wanted to ride today.  Linda had the time to go out & I can never turn down an opportunity to ride with her - we are of one mind when it comes to getting out on the trail.

Our loop today - up in the far right, the northern most end of the Centennial Trail

The time change always throws me off for a week or two.  I was enjoying the early morning sunshine that now is delayed for another hour.  Of course I love moving into the longer days - so my complaint is half-hearted.  It was hard to get around an hour early & head out on a gloomy Sunday.  I knew that we'd have fun catching up & getting out anyway.  It never did rain on us, but when the wind came up it sure felt cold.

We took it easy, mostly walking - Farah was happy to see Count again - he had "mixed" emotions I think - as with the gold girl it's one of those on again/off again relationships :-)  He only got her excited once - when he picked up the pace & she actually thought he might challenge her for the lead.  Otherwise she was on a loose rein & never broke a sweat.  With the weatherman forecasting days of rain, have doubts about getting in many rides this coming week, but very happy to have ridden our first 30-mile week since last fall!

American Beauty Day~

Bryant - 10-mi. loop

The day started out with temps at 30, frost on the ground - but sunshine pouring over the Cascades!  I was up early & to the trailer parking early too.  Lots of trailers pulling in & lots of people taking advantage of a perfect day to ride!

Farah watching the "neighbors" & enjoying the sun

Joyce had offered to re-show me the ten-mile training loop that we used to do.  What fun to ride with her again!  Jesse has a great trot, so the two horses worked well together.  Farah was very full of herself, so we trotted where we could & walked through the numerous muddy areas.

This photo showing the beauty of the day!

The ride was over was quicker than I would have liked!  I thought about going out again, as Joyce had to head to work - but knew that something "wasn't right" with Farah's shoes & Art had agreed to fit us in to his now busy schedule - so we had to head home.  Good thing, as Art pulled in just a few minutes behind us!

Hind feet trimmed

The dogs took off with the "evidence" but Farah's left hind foot had again grown WAY faster than the others!  This was the leg that spent last winter covered with Dean's magic "blue cream" - healing the "scratches" for lack of another description.  When we'd re-shod back then - Art was amazed at the growth in that foot, both of us thinking that it was probably a one time thing...  But NOT!  That foot had over 3/4" of growth!  The other hind only 1/4"!  So no wonder she was forging in the heavy footing on the Centennial Trail Tue.

Farah was Not happy that her pasture time was delayed, but went soundly to sleep while Art finished her shoes :-)  On the Very First Step - the stride was HUGE - so we knew that things were back to the way she likes them!

As a post-script to our ride, on the way back while still out on the logging road, we were trotting side-by-side when I asked Farah to collect up.  At first she said;  "No, I don't think I want to."  But I did as Sandra has instructed - didn't give in & asked again.  This time her response was immediate & incredible - at least to me!  She collected, lifted her back, put her head in the perfect position & next thing I knew - we were flying!  All without breaking her beautiful collected frame.  She asked to go faster & I said "sure" & she did!  Smart this girl is!  She's not only learning - but putting what she's learned to work on the trail!

North End - Centennial Trail

Centennial Trail

We were at Sandra's this morning - feeling like progress is being made in spite of a really BIG buck that Sandra rode!  She was asking for a collected entry to canter & Farah said;  "You want me to WHAT?!"  But - after a calm down - Sandra asked again & it was really fun to witness how Farah put it together & did it!  Success!

Newly painted Barn~

After, since the day had actually warmed up nicely & I had the time, we headed up to the Nakashima trail head.  Only one car there, we crossed the paved parking & the new little bridge to access the trail.  I'd heard that the horse path to the side of the paved trail was soft & that was correct.  In places it was soft, in others we could do some trotting.  I hesitate to even mention how beautiful it was...  Quiet!  Far enough away from Hwy 9 that there was NO traffic noise at all!  How wonderful was that?

Farah checking things out~!

My goal was the Bryant Store crossing on Hwy 9.  About half way is the new bridge over the Pilchuck River.

Beautiful views of the river too~

The decking is lightweight concrete so has a hollow sound when you're crossing - No Problem after Mark's trail course!  There is also a metal transition strip at each end - Farah stepped right on it - hear the "ring" & again No problem :-)

Looking at the crossing~

We made it to the crossing in no time, just over four-miles.  Traffic was picking up - it was later in the afternoon & light rain was starting to fall, so we turned back.

Looking at the bridge as we head back north~

Farah knew we were headed back, so the pace picked up :-)  Two bicycle riders came up on us & Farah wanted to race - we picked up the gallop & the bike riders said they didn't mind the galloping mare along side them :-)

View of the Trail head from the trail~

Our return trip went quick!  The trail continues on north, unimproved - so I want to try that next to see how far it goes.  Really enjoyable, a gem for the County!