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3equines
11-29-2009, 06:21 PM
I haven't been out with the girls, Sweet P and Peach, for about a month. What time I have had to ride I have been spending on Roxy, the rescue Paint, to build her confidence and put miles on her.

Sweet P shrunk out of her Aussie saddle this summer (she was quite obese, the saddle had a 10" gullet - was a tad big - but now I can't even pad it up, it is just wayyy too big) so all I have is a bareback pad for her. Back to old times - I did all of her training bareback.

Peach has a saddle, so she packed all the goods; I took turns riding one and ponying the other. Sweet P has always been easy to ride bareback, and the extra horsey heat helps warm me up on these chilly winter days. I was very glad to find some sunshine when I got around the big hill! In fact, I had to peel a layer off (one of about 4 or 5!).

The real trails are still obliterated by trees that blew down during the last storm, but the logging roads and quad/motorcycle tracks are passable (thanks to quad users who pack chainsaws!). One of these days I'll learn how to use a chain saw, so I can pack one in on the Haffies and clear the real trails after the storms.

Peach was a little amped up, she spent 5 years as a pasture ornament before I took her home, so she gets the nerves but doesn't lose her brain, just lets you know she is worrying over things. Sweet P is just as rock solid as ever, she's like a little tractor - just turn her on and go, chug chug chug on over the mountain. I love all of my horses and wish I could get all of them out and riding more often.

I've been riding solo most of the time, my young friend is too busy with high school to get out and ride, my riding partner down the road is doing cow penning competition with her filly, and the other horsey friends I have are up there in years and don't ride in the winter like I do. (poor, poor pitiful me!)

At least I am getting out, and I'll be spending Christmas break with my boyfriend, so I'll have a trail pardner for a couple of weeks.

A few pics of our lunch spot, and a big blowdown that I took advantage of as a hitching post while I visited the ladies' room :innocent:. One picture shows the water view, there is a white freighter out on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Sweet P is wearing her sexy bareback pad. She's still a little chunky, I want to get another 100 pounds off of her by springtime.

WashingtonBay
11-29-2009, 07:07 PM
Was a nice day for a ride, and should be a nice week... I'm looking forward to this nice patch of weather to get some cleanup done around here.

3equines
11-29-2009, 07:28 PM
Me, too. I scooped up a bunch of waterlogged horsey poo from the sacrifice area :poo: and still have big branches scattered all over the place from the storm. I took the ponies' blankets off so they can air out a little, I hope to get the blankies washed before it starts to pour down rain again.

WashingtonBay
11-29-2009, 07:41 PM
I took our blankets off too today, but put them back on for the night... gonna be chilly!

But I love chilly, and will gladly take chilly and dry.

I've got maple leaves I'd like to get off the lawn, and the lean-to needs mucked tomorrow. The horses have been great about not messing in the barn... but the lean-to, is apparently the toilet.

offgridgirl
11-29-2009, 07:44 PM
The real trails are still obliterated by trees that blew down during the last storm, but the logging roads and quad/motorcycle tracks are passable (thanks to quad users who pack chainsaws!). One of these days I'll learn how to use a chain saw, so I can pack one in on the Haffies and clear the real trails after the storms.

Yes, I wouldn't have any trails open, if I didn't get out there with my chainsaw. Get a light weight one with an push-button start:)!! Good for limbing trees too. I put mine in a backpack

Gypsy Rose
11-29-2009, 07:55 PM
Looks like beautiful riding country, that's for sure!

medicine hat
11-29-2009, 08:29 PM
beautiful scenery pics! a very pretty place to ride

Steelhorserider
11-30-2009, 01:34 AM
Very nice..thanks for sharing. I am considering getting a haffie for my partner as we lost her horse a few months and she would like something shorter but sturdy. Seeing pictures of yours makes me seriously considering adding one to the herd.

Painted Horse
11-30-2009, 07:07 AM
I went riding with a fellow this weekend. He and his wife have Gypsy Varner horses. They have some Clydsdale and Shire in their breeding. They are stocky but still short. They looked like a pretty stout horse. But Oh did they plod along. My horses went nuts with us trying to slow them down to walk with them.

I'll have to take my mares next time I go ride with those folks. The mares are much more willing to slow down than my gelding.s

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/Painted-Horse/2009/002-2.jpg

3equines
11-30-2009, 07:38 AM
Very nice..thanks for sharing. I am considering getting a haffie for my partner as we lost her horse a few months and she would like something shorter but sturdy. Seeing pictures of yours makes me seriously considering adding one to the herd.

Haffies are awesome, and can do it all! Look for one with the stocky, drafty type, the lighter Haflingers on the market today have hotter heads. Sweet P and Peach both can carry my boyfriend all day long, and he doesn't look too big on either of them. Peach is a more typical size, at 14 hands. Sweet P is shorter and wider, at 13 hands, built like a little fireplug.

What I like aboput both these girls is that they will just stand there while I crawl aboard bareback.... and I mean crawl, belly flop and everything!

Most of my photo albums have the Haffies in them. Here's Harris on 13-hand Sweet P.

PS ther's nothing slow about my girls! They outpaced my Arabian!

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=481&pictureid=9517&thumb=1 (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/album.php?albumid=481&pictureid=9517)