In with the herd.

The boys were introduced to the herd today. Sampson, the big gray, stomps at Gravano. Then Slew and Gravano circle around him and trot off together. Pretty uneventful from what I could see. :)

They say necessity is the mother of invention!

Last year it was chipping ice with a boulder. This spring it's homemade hip waders!
That is what made me get out the garbage bags for the Sunday trail ride!
"Huh, what? Garbage bags???
Yes! Tina, Tracy and I have been riding the trail the last few weeks and now that the snow has all melted the river is high and the 137 bridge flooded out. I was sick of turning around there and out of the desperate need for Tina and I to have a longer more scenic ride, it was time to overcome Mother Nature's obstacles and wade through mid-calf high water. I could have grabbed my Wellies, strapped 'em to my back or the saddle but then I would have bulky boots to deal with. Kind of puts a damper on the fun ride aspect. I needed something that was portable, waterproof and lightweight.
Pondering this in my kitchen that Sunday morning and being the savvy homemaker, I looked around and thought 'Aha..... my Glad brand garbage bags would do the trick'! I could just pack them in my pocket, slide them over my relatively new and still very clean field boots and lead the boys through.
I slipped the bags over my boots and offered a pair to Tina giving her the option to decline saying I would take Gem too since her tall boots have built-in 'air conditioning'. Tina snickered, (of course) and decided she would hoof-it (pun intended) over the road and meet me on the other side.
Well it was great in theory but when put to the test, Glad bags failed miserably. My right bag started leaking in ankle deep water (possibly due to Grace catching it under his shoe) and for fear of trashing my new boots I felt I had to bail (pun intended).

Lesson learned: You can't beat Mother Nature...... OR..... maybe I need to try Hefty next time!

Boy, what a difference a year can make!

It was only October 2007 when Dory started taking her lessons with Gretchen. Shortly thereafter she was shareboarding Grace, and now our little fledgling is off (at Sunflower Farm) on her own with OTTB Gravano! She's even created a personalized blog for him, and his life so far is a really nice story. I'm really eager to watch their relationship unfold and grow. So if her posts are fewer here, that's because she's got a full plate with her new boy. I'm sure she'll check in here every once and a while.Meanwhile, Patti, Grace, Gem and I are enjoying every minute we have together. Patti and beautiful Gracie live life to its fullest, enjoying every happy ride.

Me and big ol' Gemmy thrive somewhere between complete laziness and serious adrenaline rushes. He's a funny, quirky guy but there isn't any other horse I'd rather have.

Sassy Gem!

And they're off!!

Tina and I were getting bored at work and needed to lighten the mood. So what better than to have a horse race in our cubical! We hopped on the mini Gravano that Bella painted for me and off we went! I was concerned with the herd behind me, and Tina was giving him the schtick.

Below I've put up some out-takes of me mounting and almost falling off.

Ride that piggy Tina!

I hadn't ridden in a week.

And for that matter hadn't even been to the barn the whole week! That hasn't happened since: It's been so long I can't even remember when?? (must have been during a vacation when I was out of town). Even if I can't ride I always make it out there to see Grace. So needless to say I was jonesin' for my fix. I was dying to get to the barn and was bummed watching the weather and thinking that we weren't going to be able to ride our Sunday ride outside. However lady luck was with us and the weather obliged by sleeting early in the am. By 7:00 it was clear and above freezing, all Tina and I needed. I got to the barn and as I walked through the door the familiar smells (hay and horse) and sounds of Javi, Cruz, Frederico & the rest of the guys working hit me at once & I smiled. For 7 days I missed this! As much as I love to ride I also feel right at home just being at the barn and going through all of my simplistic rituals there. For me, walking through the door is as comforting as being at home. It's where I belong and so I smiled, just happy to be there.
Tina arrived shortly thereafter and we tacked up in the quiet yet busy atmosphere of the morning barn routine and then headed out.
Even if there is nothing hugely special, on the trail there is always something that stands out. Today it was Gemmy's 'tude , Grace's speediness on the return and the 2 deer couples (yep, a buck & doe each) and separate group of deer in the woods we happened upon. Just enough to be a great ride and take us away for awhile and a story to bring home to my family.

I Forgot My JINGLE BELLS!!!!!.............

but we went dashing through the snow anyway! The snow was perfect and fresh for our Christmas Eve ride and I went helmetless 'cause I could. The boys were pokey heading out. I guess my old geezer is wise to the fact that I love my long rides in the woods so he paces himself now. On the way back, different story, we trotted most of the way and I had to half-halt Grace for if I didn't he would break into a canter. I love that :)

I shot 2 video's of us cantering but the first one didn't take. User error. Jeez 46 and Alzheimers already!
Heading home through the wide open 137 stretch Dory and I were side by side with Grace cantering (I dropped my stirrups and just sat back) and Gemmy doing an amazing extended trot keeping pace, the snow flying in our wakes. DREAMY!

I've earned my Pomegranate Martinis tonight and Gracie his mash.

Merry Christmas Everyone!