I'm so very thankful for the many blessings I've enjoyed. I have good health, a wonderful family including three beautiful granddaughters, a special husband who understands me, great friends, a job where I can make a difference in people's lives, a vibrant church that is reaching the community in new and innovative ways, two goofy cats, and (of course) my horse, Rusty. He is a special part of my life and we learn so much from each other.
Along with Rusty, I have my wonderful friends and their horses at the barn that I enjoy riding with, talking to, and learning from. I'm especially thankful for Marie and Gary and all their hard work that makes On Eagles' Wings Equine Center so great.
So I'm wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving. All of this belongs to God. Yes, times are tough right now and I know a lot of people who are out of work. Let's keep our focus on God and look for ways to bless those around us. No matter what our situation, there is always someone we can be a blessing to.
God bless you this Thanksgiving. Enjoy this special time with family and friends.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Cold Weather's Coming!
Well, it's time for bundling up for barn work again. Thermals, down jackets, hats and headbands, and especially GLOVES! Our recent rainy weather has left us some soggy horses. But I think we are more bothered by the rain than they are.
Today I finished cleaning my stalls and went out to get Rusty. Wouldn't you know he'd be lying down in the mud!! YUK! His whole right hind leg was wet mud! His belly was mud-covered, too. My friend Denise saw him and laughed. She told me that her horse, Eddie, used to love to lie in the mud, too. She said he would get so muddy, he'd look armor-plated! Mud from ears to tail! We both had a good laugh at that. I remember Eddie, who's in Heaven now, and he was quite a character! Anyway, at least the area where the saddle goes was relatively clean. At least he didn't roll! I did a "cowboy grooming" and took him out to ride.
We rode in the indoor arena. Pretty soon that will be the only place where we can ride without freezing. I'm very grateful for a big indoor arena. By springtime, though, it will be awesome to be outside again.
All the colorful leaves have dropped now for the most part. Doug and I raked the back yard after I got back from the barn today. Our big maple in the back has finally almost finished dropping its leaves. It's one of the last trees in the neighborhood to lose its leaves. So, 26 stalls cleaned today, a wonderful ride, and raking. I'll sleep well tonight!
Today I finished cleaning my stalls and went out to get Rusty. Wouldn't you know he'd be lying down in the mud!! YUK! His whole right hind leg was wet mud! His belly was mud-covered, too. My friend Denise saw him and laughed. She told me that her horse, Eddie, used to love to lie in the mud, too. She said he would get so muddy, he'd look armor-plated! Mud from ears to tail! We both had a good laugh at that. I remember Eddie, who's in Heaven now, and he was quite a character! Anyway, at least the area where the saddle goes was relatively clean. At least he didn't roll! I did a "cowboy grooming" and took him out to ride.
We rode in the indoor arena. Pretty soon that will be the only place where we can ride without freezing. I'm very grateful for a big indoor arena. By springtime, though, it will be awesome to be outside again.
All the colorful leaves have dropped now for the most part. Doug and I raked the back yard after I got back from the barn today. Our big maple in the back has finally almost finished dropping its leaves. It's one of the last trees in the neighborhood to lose its leaves. So, 26 stalls cleaned today, a wonderful ride, and raking. I'll sleep well tonight!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Trail Ride!!
Today is the first time in the two years I've owned Rusty where I took him off the farm for a "real" trail ride. I'd not been able to do this before because I don't own my own trailer or a vehicle that will pull one. (I LOVE my Honda Civic but it will not pull a horse trailer.)
My friend Pam (cool name, huh?) has a trailer and she takes her horse, Jordy, out a lot. We'd decided earlier in the summer to do a ride together but her truck broke down. She told me we'd go when her truck got fixed. She e-mailed me to say her truck was fixed and we set up our ride for today.
So, today I got to the barn early and finished all my stalls before Pam arrived. We got our horses ready and loaded up and were off! Rusty loaded so well! He went right in the trailer like we do this every week. We went to Oak Ridge Forest Preserve which is about 20-30 minutes away from the barn.
What a beautiful place! Pam and I rode for almost two hours through woods, by streams, and around fields. Despite a couple of sprinkles, we had the most wonderful weather to ride in! The next time I go, I will take a camera. The scenery was lovely! We met other people out on horseback, too. Rusty was so well-behaved! No spooking or bolting. He was a little keyed up when we first unloaded at the Preserve but after I did some figure 8's at the walk and trot, he settled right down. This was an unfamiliar place to him and so doing some familiar exercises helped a lot.
Jordy is a Missouri Fox Trotter and has the neatest fox trot. It looks like so much fun to ride. The fox trot is like a running walk. It's an easy gait and Jordy can go along for quite a while without getting tired. Rusty and I trotted right along beside Pam and Jordy on the wider stretches of the trail. In the woods we went single file up and down hills, around curves and over culverts. The trail is well-maintained. There were a few muddy places, but it was mostly dry with very good footing. There is even a place where riders can cross the river into Deer Run Preserve.
I appreciate Pam taking us along today! I also have to thank God for helping me get the chores done on time and for the beautiful day we had! Now that I've been out, I'll want to go again. If not before the cold weather sets in, then next summer.
My friend Pam (cool name, huh?) has a trailer and she takes her horse, Jordy, out a lot. We'd decided earlier in the summer to do a ride together but her truck broke down. She told me we'd go when her truck got fixed. She e-mailed me to say her truck was fixed and we set up our ride for today.
So, today I got to the barn early and finished all my stalls before Pam arrived. We got our horses ready and loaded up and were off! Rusty loaded so well! He went right in the trailer like we do this every week. We went to Oak Ridge Forest Preserve which is about 20-30 minutes away from the barn.
What a beautiful place! Pam and I rode for almost two hours through woods, by streams, and around fields. Despite a couple of sprinkles, we had the most wonderful weather to ride in! The next time I go, I will take a camera. The scenery was lovely! We met other people out on horseback, too. Rusty was so well-behaved! No spooking or bolting. He was a little keyed up when we first unloaded at the Preserve but after I did some figure 8's at the walk and trot, he settled right down. This was an unfamiliar place to him and so doing some familiar exercises helped a lot.
Jordy is a Missouri Fox Trotter and has the neatest fox trot. It looks like so much fun to ride. The fox trot is like a running walk. It's an easy gait and Jordy can go along for quite a while without getting tired. Rusty and I trotted right along beside Pam and Jordy on the wider stretches of the trail. In the woods we went single file up and down hills, around curves and over culverts. The trail is well-maintained. There were a few muddy places, but it was mostly dry with very good footing. There is even a place where riders can cross the river into Deer Run Preserve.
I appreciate Pam taking us along today! I also have to thank God for helping me get the chores done on time and for the beautiful day we had! Now that I've been out, I'll want to go again. If not before the cold weather sets in, then next summer.
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