Pioneer Ridge

Saturday I met up with a few friends at Pioneer Ridge Nature Area.  We had planned this trip a few weeks ago but we weren't sure what the weather was going to do since they had predicted storms.  We decided to take our chances and I'm glad we did as it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Cat was a bit full of herself in the beginning but settled down by the end of the ride.

Me, Chase, and MIL

Water crossings

I thought Cat and Abby did very well considering their limited trail exposure in the past.

MIL and Chase

I don't know what it is but Chase has a way with Abby.  He can get her to do things most adults can't.

My pretty girl

Breaking for lunch

Circles

Anytime Cat would get too fast or too close to the horse in front of her we would do circles.  Once she started to relax I  started stopping her and backing her when she got too close.  Danny tried telling me I needed back up flashers on her butt, but by the end of the ride she was listening to my seat, was soft in the face and had a fairly decent back up which isn't something I've worked on much with her.

Plum tuckerd out!

I logged my ride on Endomondo.  I didn't have my gps turned on but we rode for 4.5 hours.  I now have my gps on so I can track my miles along with my time.  If you are a member feel free to "friend" me.

Welcome Duke!

He's here!  Duke arrived around 7:30 this morning.  He's got a bit of frosting on his butt so it looks like he will be a roan.

Thank you so much Danny for everything!

I love this picture -
 

Waiting to get the strength to get up

Up but not steady!


As you can see Lucy worked up an appetite.


I love this picture too.

Yep, he's already sticking his tongue out. lol


Yer doing it wrong! lol Lucy is lifting her leg for him.

One man's trash

Is still trash but sometimes it can be useful trash. ;)

The neighbors were kind enough to leave a tractor tire in our timber so I pulled it up to the front of the pasture and filled it with dirt.

Cat didn't even bat an eye but instead gave me the "your an idiot" look as she stepped up and then gave me the "are you happy now" look. lol




DH let me try out his saddle.  It might look pretty on Cat but I'll stick with my saddle from now on!


I can't leave out my LLL.  Bad picture I know but hey, it's all I've got for now.

Everyone is getting out!

Last night my niece came out to ride. The kids are getting old enough I told them they can start catching, brushing, saddling, ect. by themselves. I didn't realize it would be dark before they got done.  I did help put the bb pad on Black since Black has cinching issues and I helped bridle the horses as I don't want the kids to bump their teeth.

Ty got Nikki cleaned up and Chase even decided to ride (he has until May 1st to figure things our or his pony will be on CL). I did a bit of GW w/Abby since it has been a while since she's been ridden. She was full of P & V! All of the kids mounted up and rode around the pasture while Cat and I headed to the rp.

Cat..........oh my sweet Cat........she is soooooo much like her mother! She's also been on vacation way too long. She decided the rp = run 100 mph, kick, buck, & fart. Needless to say I had a few things to say about that.

While I was having a come to Jesus meeting w/Cat I noticed Chase had picked up the flags from the arena (the one's I had used to desensitize Cat) and was carrying them around on Abby. I swear that pony will do anything for him. Nikki pulled out her "shake" trick and Ty ended up on the ground. His pride was hurt more then he was but he got back on.

Cat is fat and out of shape so it didn't take her long to run out of air.  Once she finally decided running wasn't any fun I ran her a bit longer and then let her come in. She was lathered in sweat and had her head hanging in submission.

My new headstall

I decided to end the session with a slow, quiet ride in the rp.  Cat was pretty willing to let that happen. ;)

I've had two full pain free rides!  Woo hoo!  I'm so ready to hit the trails but I also know I have to prepare Cat even more then I normally would as I don't think my body can react as fast as it used to.

This, That and Everything In-between.

Duck, duck, goose???

Yep, our geese have decided to adopt the baby ducklings I hatched out.  I got tired of fighting them so just said here ya go.



I went to the Iowa Horse Fair on Sat.  I found Ty the cutest little bareback pad.  The handle is stiff and goes from side to side instead of front to back so he can grip w/both hands (if need be) and actually find the handle if he needs it.  They only had one so I was limited on color options.



Nikki is just thrilled let me tell you.

The poor kid rides just as bad as I do. But he has a good time.





I had my injection just a little over a week ago. I'm still on the fence but am trying to be patient. I did ride Cat Friday night after playing w/the scary dollar store stuff but my hip locked up as soon as my ass hit the saddle. I rode Sis last night w/better results. I'll give it a bit more time and hopefully things will loosen up and work out.

The Dollar Store

I found some fun “objects” at the dollar store and couldn’t pass them up.



Cat is no dummy so it didn’t take her very long to drag me over to the scary objects and stand on the hot tub cover to get me to leave her alone.

“Thank god! I get to rest!”



“Where does she find this crap anyways?”



“Oh hello. I didn’t realize you were taking pictures. Let me pose.”



“God I wish she’d just leave me alone!”



“Really? How many more freaking pictures are you going to take?”



“Please tell me this is the last one.”



I bought an umbrella too but someone…………..*cough Chase*……………broke it before I could use it on Cat.