My first "Ride with Me" adventure, January 25, 2009

Whew; ok, so at the last minute, Robyn (Caryn's sister and a good friend of mine from HS days) decided to join Caryn (Good friend of mine from HS days and also my brother's other half, she owns Star and Zypher here) and I for the ride today. So, Robyn rode Epona (as she is my surest riding horse here), while Caryn rode Star and I rode Lyra.

When we started out it had just stopped flurrying lightly, later on it started sprinkling, but then stopped completely. Was fairly chilly, but nice, about 34F or so. As Denise mentioned I am recovering from being pretty sick lately, beware the plague is what I say. Getting better though.
We rode out to the end of "our" driveway, across the street and were promptly "pulled over". Our driveway is half a mile long, the last quarter mile being an easement through a state park. Across the street is another easement leading to another person's gate and to their house, through the same state park. My understanding, and say what you will, but I did check at my college and it does work this way there, but the signs say in the actual park part that "all pets must be on a leash" not "dogs" but "pets", we weren't in the park part, we were on the easements. Our "pets" were on leashes. Anywho, apparently we can't leave our house as horses aren't allowed in the park, so to even get off where we live, the horses have to be on wheels. I'm considering teaching my Curlies to roller blade. Ridiculously we can ride our horses down town, any day, any time, just so long as we don't go over the speed limit (yes I called and spoke to a police officer to make sure on this one, they had to call me back about it) yet we can't ride on our own driveway in the middle of no where. Anyway, this on top of our current land lord changing the rules here so we only have the one paddock for use here (is about three, very wet, acres as opposed to the originally agreed upon twenty seven, mostly drier; which of course none of the particulars are written down, so we have nothing to stand on), has us house hunting. Very frustrating. The park ranger said if we were caught riding on our easement, "driveway" to the road it would be a huge fine. Unbelievable, since we are the only ones who use the road to get to and from our house, they don't do any upkeep on it at all, and well, it's all very frustrating.
Onto a better note.
As I said I was on Lyra.

Caryn and Robyn are fairly new riders, which Star and Epona are more than happy to exploit. Lyra is the least experienced riding horse here, hence I was on her. There is a huge grassy field we pass, then our driveway goes through a gate and you are in a bunch of trees out to the road. None of the horses like passing the point of going through the gate and into the treed area. Knowing this and also that all of them are well behaved on the ground, I decided to have everyone ride out with a lead rope attached to their mount, I then ponied Star and Epona through said trouble spot and then the rest of the ride went smoothly. The ponying went very well too, so easy! Anyway, I wish someone else had the camera at that point, really fantastic! I should have a snap doing a double bridle when/if I ever have a dressage Curly trained to that point then. I always carry two dressage whips, so had Lyra's reins, the dressage whip in each hand, and then the lead rope from Star through one hand into the other and Epona's lead rope through the other hand and through to the other, managed to work everything just fine though, ahh!!, what fun!! I am hoping that a couple more times of that and Star and Epona will figure out that balking and turning back home at that point isn't an option, that their riders aren't getting off anymore and so their little antics there are not going to help. I've ridden all of the horses through this area, they don't give me any trouble, it seems it's a little treat they save for anyone they know isn't as experienced. So, we will see if it helps. Also has me hopeful that from now on when I ride out alone, I can pony two other riding horses so they also get to exercise and I can trade off who I'm riding, extending the whole trip rather than repeating out and back, we will see. I am tickled pink by the whole thing though.
So after having our trail ride cut in more than half of what I'd hoped and planned for, we came back early and worked in the field that belongs to the same land lord we have and we are kind of allowed to use, for now, before the Spring grass comes in.



If we stay here 'till then we will have to negotiate further use of it.
In the field I worked with Epona, Lyra, and Star on some trotting, some bending, and some canter. I know it doesn't show here, but I was pretty much grinning from ear to ear the whole time. I just love getting to ride my own ponies and do things with them. Until recently none of my horses were cantering under saddle, so this was particularly wonderful for me. Made me feel like a little kid. Next step is getting everyone else comfortable riding at a more advanced level so we can all trot and canter and do more advanced things; all in good time though, and really, all of it is fun for me. :-)
The last picture here is of Epona doing an extended trot, when I see pictures of what she is doing under me while I ride her, I am always amazed, she has incredible movement!

Brandon and I watched some Dressage clips from the Olympics last night. Every time I see some of the more advanced riders riding the extended trot, sitting to it, I am always amazed. Last night I said, wow, I wish I could actually do that rather than immediately going into posting trot. Brandon said "You can do that, just do it." Granted while riding Epona I was in the western saddle (love that thing btw, it's an old working cow/roping saddle, doesn't move on the horse's back at all and built to pull down a house) but I sat her extended trot, as well as Star's, very exciting for me! So I am glowing. Very happy.
Off to house hunting now.
I hope everyone else had an absolutely wonderful day; riding or otherwise!

~Heather
http://hk3day.blogspot.com
http://www.skygazerranch.com

Personal vs. professional

As of today, I have two blog spots, not that I've been perfectly punctual with one. However, this blog spot will primarily revolve around my personal life. As opposed to my other blog, Stargazer Ranch, which will primarily revolve around my business, which is budding and new and still trying to breath. We will see though, life is nothing if not an adventure.
I hope you enjoy.

Time with it's enormous wings...

flies by without my seeming to notice, the more that passes, the quicker it seems to accomplish it's disappearing act.
So much has happened of late, where to ever begin... going to try to make this semi-quick.

In August I moved to a new home, it is a huge house on 27 acres, three sides have a state park abutting them. The atmosphere is tranquil in it's seclusion.
With me, I brought Epona, Lyra, and Xandra. Next Tiska came to join my little herd, she is a breathtaking Hungarian warmblood, who sustain an injury years ago, however has been very successful as a broodmare. Next came Rhys, he is on a long term lease, he is an absolutely gorgeous Bay Curly stallion. Lastly came Star (who is Xandra's mom) and Zypher (who is Xandra's full brother), they belong to my brother, Ryan, and his girlfriend, Caryn. We are expecting four Curly foals next summer and I can hardly contain myself in anticipation of their arrival.
Almost immediately after finding this house I landed an incredible job training German Shepherds and some of their owners even, was a lot of fun. Sadly it was not all that it seemed, not all activity was ethical and some not even legal, so I had to leave, no amount of money is worth my soul.
I am now working very part time in a book store (dangerous place for me to be, I love books almost as much as I love horses!) and am working on training my rideable horses for a potential future career for them in equine facilitated programs. I am really enjoying my time to finally actually spend with my horses.
On a sad note Callie past on October 24, 2008. It was devastating for me, more than I think anyone really knows. To help deal with the grief I went out and got a German Shepherd puppy, Iris. In mythology Iris was the Goddess messenger between heaven and earth, she rides the rainbows for transport between. I thought with Callie having traveled the rainbow bridge, Iris was a fitting name for this little girl. She is such a joyous, happy puppy, very quick to learn and is doing her job in helping me come to terms with Callie's passing.
Once again, I will try to stay a bit more current with this blog. I apologize if things get a bit backed up. :-)

Rest in Peace Callie, My Love.

I lay there, our last night together, in the bed we'd shared countless nights cuddled together on, hearing a heart beat entirely too fast, mine or hers? Definitely hers, her heart beat too fast, her breathing too shallow. Stroking my hand through her hair, along her body, I could feel every bone, each vertebrae, she hadn't eaten in days, too sick to keep anything down. Burying my face in the mane of her neck I cried, thinking of the life we'd shared to now.

Recalling running down the trail to the beach; hopping over fallen trees, avoiding banana slugs. Callie would run into the sound, tail swishing, snaking from side to side. She'd look back with a glint in her eyes, trot out and find the biggest stick possible. It always amazed me to see the logs she would come prancing over with.

Out in the woods, up a trail to some peak, and around the bend and rolling next to a mountain bike. There was no adventure Callie would pass up. As a puppy she used to adamantly request to join in on car rides, despite the fact that they made her violently ill. Out on trail rides with horses, or just crossing a small field, she would happily trot alongside or just behind them.

She was born on the fourth of July, 2000, the only dog I've ever met who truly didn't mind fireworks. I met her in October of 2000, despite the fact that she was the one puppy who ran over joyously as I pulled up, I did not take her home until almost December, two weeks prior to flying across the country, from NY to WA. She was laid to rest October 24, 2008. During the Winter of Callie's fifth year she was diagnosed with kidney failure, we were given six months, despite the odds her will to live and carry on pulled her through the next three years, showing only marked decline in the last couple of months.

Callie has been the best friend, confidant, and guardian a young woman could ever hope to have. She traveled across the country with me on my first adventure away from home, 3,000 miles away on an airplane, riding first class do to her status as a Search and Rescue dog. She accompanied me on countless adventures to the beach, to the creeks, on trails, on hikes, bikes, and trails. Callie stood guard as I went through many a social adventure and intervened on three separate counts when my personal safety was jeopardized.

Callie escorted me from the realm of teenager, hopeless romantic, and naïve high school graduate through my real testing grounds of growing up into a mature, more realistic, grown adult woman. Callie was the guardian I pray my own child(ren) will have to escort them through the fires of their own training ground as they learn who and what they are and who accompanies them through the passing of their final years of adolescence.

Callie was obedient, intelligent, sympathetic, regal, aware of her self physically and others mentally, and above all, she was always there. She was the perfect companion at all times. Callie was frequently an ambassador, not just for other dogs, but for other humans as well. To those who had lost trust in the human race or those who had terrible past experiences, she always seemed to know what was needed to bring them back to a whole place. Callie's impeccable manners gained her entrance to many places most dogs are not allowed and gave her the ability to interact with a great number of people whose lives are richer for having also been able to know her.

The loss of Callie is unbearable at times. I was blessed to have been loved by her, to have had her in my life for the brief time she was. It was an honor to have been her person. I know she is here still in spirit, I trust she is running through fields after tennis balls, finding enormous tree branches and "rarfing" in the snow she so loved to play in on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

Until we meet again my beloved friend, I miss you dearly, wish you could accompany me in physical form on the next chapters of my life, and look forward to your brief visits and continued guidance in time of need. I love you now and always.

Lyra

Lyra was feeling better, much better, moving out, getting ridden by Erica, my 5'4" twin sister, I'm 5'10" by the way and look a bit over sized for her. Erica though looks fabulous on Lyra, I think they make a lovely pair, I couldn't be happier watching the two of them, not to mention Erica has natural balance and is a very gentle, graceful, considerate rider, which is always nice to see on one of my horses in particular. Then I went ahead and trimmed Lyra's left hind too short and she's all gimpy and I feel absolutely terrible. That said, I have to say, about Lyra, she is stoic. I could not have asked for a more level headed, even tempered, good natured mare. This point is particularly poignant in that Epona, now being in much better shape, only ever wants to be bred and is having a terrible time being reasonable about anything else. I almost feel badly for Epona, however I have a pulled sternum from getting rodeoed off her a few days ago which makes me a little less sympathetic.

been a while

Hmm, it's been a while, a lot and not so much, all at the same time has been happening here.
I graduated from The Evergreen State College on June 13th, it was such an incredible event, many of Brandon and my family members were able to attend, which was really wonderful!! Pictured here is my brother Ryan, my twin sister Erica, Me, and my brother Trevor. We're always being a bit on the goofy side when the four of us reunite, lots of fun!!
Onto Horse happenings...
There's not a lot to report, has mostly been so chaotic here trying to find a post graduation job, having family visit, leave, other things needing doing, I just haven't been able to do much with the horses.
Scary thing happened yesterday, Xandra got stuck in the fence. The land lord where my horses are seems to enjoy tinkering in the field, especially putting up these ridiculous wire fences everywhere, then he conveniently forgets they need to actually be attached to the t-posts, not just looped over the tops, I can't keep up with the man in terms of running behind him attaching all these new fences, it's irritating really, not to mention terribly dangerous. Anyway, thankfully I was there when it happened and Xandra actually stopped when I yelled for her to Whoa. She stood there and just watched me, so I was able to get the fence squashed down closer to the ground and her leg pulled up and out. Was seriously one of the more scary things I've seen in a long while, I was terrified she'd lacerate herself terribly or worse actually break her leg trying to free herself. Thankfully again, she escaped completely unharmed.
The good news though...Brandon and I found a house to rent...with 27 acres and a huge house and several out buildings including a barn (although the landlord's keeping that as it's ridiculously full of all sorts of junk, for now), two green houses and several other outbuildings. I am so happy about the place I can barely contain it!! It's pretty much perfect for us. There's already a fence up, he's putting up at least two more fences so I can rotate. The one fenced area is about 5 acres, I will be sectioning it off to rotate as well. There is a large, maybe 15 acres? section that is getting hayed this summer and come winter I'll be able to rotate the horses out on that as well. The fencing is a lot more horse friendly, at the least it is attached top, bottom, middle... what a concept. I can have as many horses there as I want, he said he'll even build me a stallion pen if I want!, of course, I'd hope any stallion of mine could run in a field with other horses, at least one other horse, only seems right. Anyway, we don't get to move in 'till August 1st, horses might move sooner at this rate though. :-0
So now, really, all that needs finding is a job. Well, and maybe, in the not tooooooo distant future a couple more beautiful Curly horses to fill out all those acres more thoroughly!! :-)
I am loving my life!!!

walk

I took Epona & Lyra for a walk today, went a whooping 3 miles. We did do a half mile of hills though, so there's that. Today was more the psychological challenge of having both horses on lead, together, with just me. We went passed the little ponies (Lyra got wild with them, Epona could care less so Lyra stopped being so upset) then we went passed the cows, who in true form came stampeding over to say hi (Epona started to freak, but Lyra could care less, so Epona calmed right down). We also encountered a couple of large trucks, including a UPS truck, the driver said we three looked like three teenagers walking down the road from afar, how flattering. :-) Started raining midway through the walk also, which was actually kind of nice, I was a bit over dressed for the sun. Epona's hooves weren't ouchy on the gravel road at all, which was awesome!!, Lyra's hooves only got ouchy when she caught a stone in her still having a hole left front hoof. All in all went well. On the return trip Epona looked at the cows, then ate some grass with them literally two feet from her, way to go Epona!!!
Tomorrow I am taking them for a much longer walk, might even ride, what a concept, and put Epona's Easyboots on Lyra, lucky me, they wear the same size, so we don't have to deal with the stones getting caught on her. Discovered a much longer, private (yes I got permission) gravely dirt road a little further up the road with loads of hills and valleys and straight aways and it is very quiet. If we can survive the traffic to get to it, it will be really nice to ride on, better daily exercise than the other road. I am hoping, at this rate we will see, but to go on a trail ride with both of them July 19th. It's the Ride for Research held here in Olympia, in Capitol Forest, all entry fees go to support the Washington State Universities equine research department. Good cause, nice event far enough in the future to use as a motivating get out and ride factor. Will see. Perhaps Erica, my twin, will ride with, could be really nice. I did not expect Lyra to be so far along in her training at this point, she's just so willing and easy!!