I’m Still Alive

Some of you have written to ask where I’ve been, and if Zephyr and I are ok.  We are, but we are going through a rough patch this year.  I’m in the middle of a divorce, and there are some complications that have made life extremely stressful. 

Zephyr has pretty much been hanging out in the field since my last post… sometimes with various neighbors’ horses for company, and sometimes alone.  He probably wishes I would come spend time with him, but I just can’t.  I’ve lost my riding mojo, for one, and I also can’t stand to be home much. 

I’m not sure what I will do with him this winter… if anyone knows a REALLY responsible and REALLY experienced horse owner in the Bangor area who might like a free lease, please let me know.  I don’t know whether that’s the route I’ll take or not, but it might be a possibility if I found the right person.  He can and should be ridden all winter, and of course there would be no farrier expenses as he is barefoot and I would continue to trim his feet.

Enough of that.  Let’s see some pretty pictures.  :-)

July 2009:

After one of our very rare rides this summer (July 2010):

OH, I did go for a nice long ride in April 2010, over in Dixmont, with my friend Melissa (a fellow MMESAR (Mid-Maine Equestrian Search and Rescue) member).  Here are the pictures from that:

Rocky road, and happy bare feet!

 

This is what you see a lot of in Dixmont, Maine.  Though I believe we actually rode in 2-3 towns by the time we were done.  I think she was getting me back for the ride I took her on at my house!

 

We stopped at the convenience store a mile or two from Melissa’s house, and I went inside for snacks.  Zephyr stood like a ROCK for her, and didn’t even move when I came back and fed treats first to Peek-a-Boo and then to him.

Peek moved, not him… note that his feet are still in the same place:

That tongue is just a-goin… “Hey Mom, bring ME those snacks!!”

But he still just stood there, didn’t come mug me for them.

On the way home from the store, we had to race a storm.

I like the shadow in this picture:

 

This isn’t Zephyr.  This is the moose we saw on our way back from a MMESAR training session in somewhat-northern Maine.

This was taken in early March 2010, in Zephyr’s paddock at home.

This was taken in March 2009 but I love it so I’m posting it again.

Check out this over-stride at the trot!!

This is Zephyr and the Peek-A-Bus sharing Peek’s trailer on the way to the beach in April 2010.  Their noses were even; their butts were not.  (Look at the floor, not the butts.)  Many laughs were shared over this one.  Now that I see this picture, I remember that I have a TON of other pictures from this trip, so I’ll post them as their own entry.

Can you find the poneh?

Here’s the poneh:

More awesome laying-down shots, from the field down the road this time:

“I’m not worried.  The black horses are standing watch.”

Shortly before twilight, on a different day after the cows moved home.  I was able to walk right up to him and cuddle for a while… I sure do love that……

He has a small grass paddock at home.  It’s fairly narrow and goes back to the tree-line in the background.

Anyone want a Myler Combo Bit?  Low-port mouthpiece, rawhide nose, biothane chin strap, 3-ring shank.  Retails new for $130, used 3x.  I’d like to get $100, but make me an offer!!

A rare late-May ride:

The new EZ-Fit Saddle and Thinline saddle pad left PERFECT sweat marks!

One heck of a shiny boy, on vacation at Melissa’s house while I house-sat in June 2010.

Running in October 2010, at the field down the road:

Bouncing back to June 2009, here he is in the field down the road from home.  I love the rays of sunshine in the camera lens.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now.  Just know that I’m doing ok, and so is Zephyr.  We’d love it if y’all would write from time to time… I’ll read your notes to him.  ;-)

Second Day of Spring

Zephyr and I traveled to Hampden today to ride with some new friends.  It was very low-key, a walking-only ride of only a couple miles, but still fun to get out and meet some new people.  The new EZ-Fit Saddle was comfortable, I think I have the seat and the stirrups set right now.

Afterwards, Howie (the host) took some pictures of Zephyr and I riding in his outdoor arena.  Here they are:

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Pine Point Paradise

I took a vacation day today to drive down to Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. I haven't been down since the '06-'07 season, I think, so I was really looking forward to it.

My friend was supposed to bring her new horse along for the trip, but she got sick the day before and couldn't make it. I decided to go anyway... Zephyr and I have spring fever! Then yesterday morning I slipped on some ice and fell hard, but the doctor said there was no sign of concussion and gave his blessing on the trip.

I got up when my husband left for work, and Zephyr and I departed at a leisurely 8:30am. I had to stop several times for errands and gas, but still made it to the Scarborough Town Office by noon to get a beach permit. We were at the beach by 12:30 and saddled by around 1:30 I think. I gave him some grain slurry and hay, then electrolytes. There was no rush, low tide wasn't until around 6pm so the water was still high and I could hear the waves breaking on the beach pretty loudly.

I have a nice thin rope halter these days, with a 10-foot rope knotted onto it, so I left that on him and put the bridle over top. I walked him down to the beach so he could remember what it was all about with me on the ground giving him confidence.

He did great! Within mere moments we were both in the water... not deep, but there. I was feeling pretty smug and smart that I'd worn my tall rubber chore boots so I could go in the water with him.

Unfortunately, he was doing SO well that I got a little over enthusiastic. I was fine until a really big wave came and dumped cold seawater into the tops of my 16" tall boots! Of course I scurried right out of the water to dump them out but nothing came out... it had all soaked into my socks, orthotic insoles, and the neoprene insides of my boots. Oh well, gotta laugh. My feet didn't fall off so it wasn't the end of the world.

Once I determined that Zephyr was fine with the water being so high and loud, I mounted up. He was definitely more reluctant without me on the ground with him. Sometimes it got a little frustrating, but only if I really pushed the issue and made him walk on the shiny wet sand.

We walked and trotted down to the pier a little over 2 miles away, then on the way back got in some good long canters. He was definitely better going away from the sun, the wet sand didn't shine as much.

After our first trip to the pier and back, we went to the trailer for lunch. Hay and water for him, tuna sandwich and water for me. I took the saddle off while we ate, to figure out why the heart rate monitor belt wasn't working. The transmitter battery seems to be bad, so I'll need to get that changed.

Back out on the beach, the water was now much lower and Zephyr was much happier to just motor along at a nice 9-10mph trot without freaking too much over the seafoam and water. There was a lot more flat non-wet beach to take him onto if I needed a break, too.

On the way back, we met a very nice lady who offered to take our picture. Unfortunately there was a teenage boy and his unleashed dog who kept chasing us, so it made for an interesting photo shoot! I'm surprised the dog isn't in either of these shots.

The whole rest of the way back to the trailer, Zephyr just kept getting stronger and stronger. About halfway back, after a really nice long relaxed canter (maybe a mile worth), I asked him to walk for a bit. Then asked for a canter again and he jumped into his old extended trot. I haven't felt that trot in so long it took me by surprise! It feels like somone jammed a rocket under his tail and lit the fuse. His whole body drops down a few inches, his neck comes down, he tucks his nose in a little bit, and his hindquarters thrust with such amazing power that quite honestly it scares me sometimes! It feels like he might take off... a trotting runaway! I've been more relaxed riding a GALLOP than I was riding this trot today. Just blew my mind.

After two trips up and down, we had done 11 miles and I think it was around 4:30. It was time to go. I rode him back to the trailer, untacked, and brought him back to the beach to roll. And ROLL HE DID! Very thoroughly!

We both had a marvelous time. It only took 3 hours to get home so I was back by 8pm. Unloading gear went pretty fast and now I'm ready for BED! All that sun, exercise, and wind... tires ya out! Still, I hope to go back soon. Horses are allowed there until May 1st.