This past Saturday I had the opportunity to ride a beautiful flea bitten grey anglo arab named Indy.
Drinkers of the Wind
He gathered his people to show them the magnificent and magical being. “It drinks the wind,” he announced, and they called it for a long time Drinker of the Wind; only later was it called a horse. Every tribe wanted horses of their own, and from that first swirl of strength and beauty came thousands of others.
I went for a trial ride at Point Reyes Arabian Adventures. Susan who was a gracious host, called me earlier that day to tell me unfortunately my scheduled 2 1/2 hour ride was shortened to 1 hour because her truck was in an accident. We rode around the property and up the hill to experience the breath taking views of Tomales Bay.
The trail was lead by Susan’s assistant and we were accompanied by a nice couple from San Francisco. One of them had been riding trails there for so many year she sad she had ridden every horse in the herd of about 15 except 2.
Since one of the riders was inexperienced I was allowed to canter ahead of the group. Indy was great, once I remember to gather him up and hold him in an actively engaged canter. Funny as I was in the trail riding frame of mind to just let the horse canter but when I tried to do that he was all over the place. Once I remembered to keep contact with him he felt much more collected.
It felt good to be trusted and allowed to experience the trail as an advanced rider.
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Before the trail started I rode around a smaller pasture waiting for the other riders. The wild life there was amazing. A massive bird flew overhead when I was at the look out point. I think it was a vulture. This is a couple of pictures I snapped of a deer in a back yard.
Over the weekend was the first time in forever my 3 kitties were together. Being barn cats you wonder about their welfare when you don’t see them for a while. So I captured the moment with them. I hope the new owners are OK with them staying behind.
Elvis, Patches & Mugsy
(I know what your thinking… No, I haven’t had any bites yet on the farm. Showings have been fewer this time around, we thought we had a few good leads but it appears no one is ready to pull the trigger.)
On Sunday, we took Dalton, Apples and Chex on a trail ride around Green Lane. It was a perfect fall day to get the horses out. Fresh air, open spaces and trials through the woods is a great way to clear the cob webs from your head.
Start fostering one dog at a time to help the rescue Critter Cavalry. My first one was Missy and now I have Jett aka Cecilia
Move out of PA to live closer to my family (especially my nieces).
So I put the farm on the market at the end of January. It is a very unique property so I knew I would take a while to sell. During this time I am waiting for my family to purchase a home in California. The housing market there is so crazy that they have actually given themselves a year to buy. If they don’t find a place in a year, they will be looking to move maybe to Austin,Texas. So I have decided to wait to move until they buy a place. I have not had any luck selling the farm, the contract with the realtor is up at the end of July. So I will wait it out and take it off the market at that point to wait for the family decision on where we are living.
My parents and I went to visit Austin in May and loved it. We have family and friends there, so I am secretly pulling for Texas. Here are a couple of pictures from that trip.
Warlock came to the farm completely unbroke, he was the baby. Ok he still is a baby but he has come along by leaps and bounds thanks to the farm’s two trainers.
Last weekend after a few weeks of ground training with her lesson student. Rachael got her on him. He did so good with her lesson student. I have to say I was proud of them both!
On Sunday we went to Green Lane park for a 5 horse trail ride. Casey, Apple, Chex and Warlock went from the farm. It was a perfect day, not too hot yet the sun was out and a cool breeze was blowing. Chex and Warlock had never been to the park before or seen a bike. We had several that we went past on our trails. At first they were freaked out but by the 5th time they took it all in stride. Rachael wanted to introduce Warlock to water. Through a lot of patience and kissing noises (we use that instead of clucking) she got him up to the water’s edge. Then she had to go into the lake in her boots to get him to take that next step. When he finally went in he loved it and was playing in the water! Oh Warlock your such a ham!
Riley is the official ‘welcome wagging’ of the farm. He greets everyone with the same enthusiasm and love. He runs up to them, starts the happy whining, flops on his back and doesn’t want the attention to stop.
Usually he stays at the farm during my trail rides. Last week I brought him along. He loved it! Now I have to admit he wasn’t the best trail dog. He wandered off too far into the woods, then when he went to find and catch up with us he took a wrong turn. I told him to use your nose buddy. Shadow my previous trial dog would always find me. But I digress… all was well with Riley we saw him running the wrong way and he came right back to us when we shouted to him. “Wrong way Riley we are over here!”
The next trial ride he didn’t want to go through the gate right away but I could hear him barking as we were leaving “what about mee?”. So we went on the trial ride. About 3/4 of the way through he come bound up behind us. I guess his nose worked this time. He was so overheated from this run around the field that he jumped into the horses water trough when we got back.
I entered one of these photos into the dirty dog contest. If you get a chance click on this link and like his photo so he can win. Click here to like Riley’s photo! It should open with this picture in a pop up window and all you have to do is click like and share if you are so inclined.
So the object of horse back riding lessons here at GSF is fun. We don’t train you to get ready for horse shows, we don’t look for the most perfect form. We learn the basics and have fun. I love to watch the confidence grow in my students. We learn at their pace. We are safe with helmets and heels down but I try to do fun things as well. In this video is one of my students cantering for the second time. Casey is such a good boy, he tries to get away with a lot but once he knows he can’t then he will do as you ask.
After lessons during the cool down sometimes we go on a a trail ride. It is a great way for the horses and students to unwind.
Last weekend was great. It was in the 40’s (which now feels like a heat wave) and there was lots of activity on the farm. Starting with a trail ride with Cuervo and Nash at 10 am Saturday. Nash decided to be a freak and was bouncing around like a rabbit. Everything was scary when I was on him, but when I walked him things were fine. Cuervo enjoyed the ride and even had a spring to his step.
Then we had a lesson. My girls are troopers and have stuck with me the whole winter. It is fun riding in the snow bareback because the horse keeps you warmer.
Then the ferrier came to give everyone mani/pedi’s. While he was there the girl scouts came over to lend a hand for their volunteer hours. They cleaned all the cob webs out of the whole barn and goat house. Thanks Girl Scouts!
Finally the day ended with one more lesson with one of the Girl Scouts. Her mom even posed for a picture while I was photographing from a top of Nash. Yes Bareback to keep me warm.
On Sunday GSF’s favorite photographer Judy Reinford brought out her client for a photo shoot with Nash. Now my horse has been in more photo shoots than me! Again it was a great afternoon for it the weather was warm, but there was still snow on the ground for the picturesque winter couple photos.
While we were waiting on the wardrobe change we had role reversal and I snapped a shot of Nash and Judy.
Since being back from vacation things have been a whirl wind (hence the absence of posts). Cuervo’s half mom said she keeps checking there is nothing new, so here I am finally having time to write a little bit and catch you all up.
The Saturday I got back it was like a normal farm day. Trial ride followed by lessons.
This is Apple headed our for the road ride with Cuervo. Things change and happen so quickly. On the way back we are passed by a large noisy truck. Cuervo’s 1/2 mom looses her balance and is unable to stay on. Long story short we were very fortunate to have 2 good Samaritans stop to help us out and the emergency services arrive take her away with a broken arm. As I start to walk the horses back home Cuervo sends out a loud Whinny. There were no horses around for him to talk to, I am sure the whinny was for his 1/2 mom as he noticed she was missing. So this post is for you and for a speedy recovery! Cant wait till you get back out to see your old man (Cuervo) and eventually back in the saddle. He misses you too. Makes you realize no matter how good of a rider you are horses are still animals and accidents happen.
I get back to the farm 1/2 late for the next lesson. Luckily Rachael was there to fill in for me.
A few days later another snow storm hits. It sure is pretty but such a pain to deal with on the farm.
I still can’t believe and am very grateful for how strong the lesson program is going even though the temperatures are dropping my students are still hanging in there and I am starting new ones almost every week. With it getting dark at 5 pm I am even contemplating having lights installed around the riding arena. BUT lets find out how much it costs first.
I have started doing Gymkhana exercises with some of my lesson girls. They love it! I get on Apple and do it with them. Then I discovered how much Apple loves to do it too. It is a lot of fun and teaches them balance, quick reactions and confidence.
Sometimes at the end of lessons we go on “trail rides”. It is just a walk around the front pasture but the kids love it. They can relax. Not have to go in constant circles and enjoy a bit of nature from the back of a horse. The parents and dogs enjoy the walk as well.
How are your Pastures?
Hard to think about pastures when all I have is a soppy mess, but taking care of your horses pastures is like grown a crop of vegetables. I don’t have a green thumb but am trying to give the Farm horses the best quality grass. Here is where you start.
Golden Spike Farm's Plog 
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