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[Joan Deutsch]

Juliane is working Grace under saddle again and took her out on the trail yesterday and today for a short trip. Finally, Grace behaved herself on the trail and walked home calmly instead of prancing and throwing her head around. With these hot temps, the weather is definitely on our side. Anyone else venture out in the heat?

[Joan Deutsch]

Amazingly, Grace walked home quietly the last two days. The plan is to slowly build up to a longer trail ride with the hope that she won't be so reactive in the park again.




When Juliane rode from the trails back to our place, she made Grace stand quietly for a while.

[drafthand]

Been busy this week-end. Had a team doing the Snoqualmie RR Days parade on saturday. Sadly, we were the only horses in the parade. The team sure put up with a lot of foolishness--Seafair pirates shooting their cannon, some buzzing ATVs behind us and then we were under the town siren when it went off at noon! Wagon rides were appreciated by the people. Just another day at the office.
Finally got the raffle horse hitched to a wagon--all this time and she has never been next to a pole. We took it nice and slow and got hitched. This mare really catches on fast! Drove the wagon for a short drive she did very well including backing uphill! Drove to a outdoor arena and did some turns so the pole would make contact with her legs--she didn't really care so we drove back home and she backed the wagon into the drive with little fuss. I plan to drive her in the single horse log-skidding at the show. Now to polish up the rest of the outfit for the show.

[Rngovvet]

We finally did it! Diamond had her first trail ride on Saturday. After the panic of hauling to a strange place with strange horses and barking dogs, we got on the trail and she did very well. She decided she was done a few times and just stopped. But we got going again without major problems. I haven't gotten her very fit yet, so I was worried about getting her too sore or tired. I was also worried about the rocky stretches, but her little mustang feet held up fine. I will be measuring her for boots - I'll be ordering those today.
She was not at all spooky - she did look at some things with concern, but no jumps or spins. Awesome!

Five of us went for a couple of hours.


The view over the Valley


Watching the elk run off through the underbrush (too slow to catch the elk in a photo...)

[Joan Deutsch]

Hey Rngovvet, That's so cool you got out on the trails! Thanks for the beautiful views. What did the horses do when they saw the elk?

[Rngovvet]

Hey Rngovvet, That's so cool you got out on the trails! Thanks for the beautiful views. What did the horses do when they saw the elk?

The horses didn't seem to notice the elk. At all.

[Joan Deutsch]

Rngovvet, Always amusing when horses don't notice something that's obvious. Often ours stare at the woods when there's nothing there

[Joan Deutsch]

MaryK, Have you had any dressage lessons lately? Wondering how you like the horses and what you're working on in the class?

[Joan Deutsch]

Has anyone been enjoying this good weather from the saddle? I've had fairly good luck getting out on the trails. Unfortunately, Joe is lame now -- probably his longtime navicular. And Grace's stiffle problems seem worse even though she was on an exercise program. Dr. Krauter is coming next week to take pictures of both horses. I figure we better find out what we're actually dealing with. Looks like the weather is holding so I hope you and your horses are enjoying the sun.

[Eventer]

DH and I went to Sahara Horse Camp over Labor Day weekend with a few friends. The weather was great, little chill at night but the days were gorgeous. We got there Saturday morning and went for a short (2 hours) ride that afternoon. Sunday we went for a very long ride, got misplaced once when we hit a road and weren't sure where the trail went. We were about 5 hours in the saddle not counting lunch and breaks. Terrain was up and down all day and some of the hills were pretty extreme so not for the unfit horse or rider. However, the views were beautiful and Mt. Rainier was so close you could feel the cold coming off of it.

Sahara is a very nice horse camp with shady spots, lots of camping areas, highline poles, water hydrants, picnic tables and fire rings. Plus, it's free! They are putting the finishing touches on an expansion with several more sites. The only thing it needs is a manure bunker but then you'd need someone to come empty it out. So be prepared to bring your poop home with you. Discover pass required and they do check.

Highly recommended!

Also, this weekend there are 2 prize rides at the tree farm. Saturday is one put on by Cascade Horse Club and Sunday is hosted by Cherry Valley Riders. And don't forget about the Halloween prize ride put on by Traildusters on Saturday, October 27.