Friday Fotos: Miscellaneous

I'm having a stressful week, so here are some recent photos of the finer points in life.

JR enjoying a good roll.

More Snorkeling

Mike and I ended up going back to Round Valley for some more snorkeling this month. The weather has been holding steady somewhere between Boiling Water and Depths of Hell so the water was nice and toasty, which meant we could stay comfortably in the reservoir for hours. It was pretty choppy that day so I stayed close to the shore, even though Mike was bravely going out in deeper water.

WW: Tookie

Booger is Back

It's July, which is Booger's birthday month. The 13th came and went, and I posted a sad status on Facebook about Booger turning six. It has been nearly a year since I rode her last. I heard through the grapevine that she got some rides in during the fall with another trainer, but it sounds like that didn't go anywhere. The last time I saw Booger was November, when I tagged along with Mike who was still feeding at the farm at the time. Booger's owner changed jobs and Mike stopped taking care of her animals for financial reasons. That was the end of that.

I got a few email updates here and there. Booger was getting lots of regular massage and chiropractic. The time off was probably good for her, but she was clearly bored.

Introducing: Kansas

I have a few new clients to introduce still. One of them is just over the border in Pennsylvania. She is thinking of moving her horse to the barn Gunner is at, and when she came to check out the facilities, Skye's owner recommended me to her.

She called me and the first words out of her mouth were, "So are you actually a horse trainer?"

I had to laugh, and told her that yes, it's what I do full time.

"Well, you know, some girls just know a lot about horses, but aren't trainers."

It was a strange start to the conversation. Other tidbits from the conversation included, "Sometimes Kansas tosses his head under saddle. Do you think you can handle that?"
As I watched a horse in the background trying to tear a barn down, I calmly replied, "Yes, I think I can handle some head tossing."

Things got a little convoluted before the evaluation. The best way I can tell the story is chronologically.

The new horse is a seven year old AQHA gelding named Kansas. Actually, he is KSU White Hot Chip. He was born at Kansas State University, where he was part of the ag program. He got a lot of handling as a youngster, and I even found his baby photos and video.

From there, Kansas ended up at a show stable in Pennsylvania. With his western pleasure breeding, he sort of flunked out as a show horse. However, he was super safe and they were using him in their summer camp program as a four year old! 

He was listed for sale. 

That's when his current owner picked him up. She is an older woman with very little riding experience. This is her first horse, and she really went into horse ownership blind. Nobody told her it wasn't a good idea for a first time horse owner to get a young horse.

Kansas's owner is on a budget and her goal is to trail ride, so she ended up at one of those rent-a-horse trail riding stables. The place backs up to a state park, and it has a pretty gnarly reputation.

Here are some of the stories I've heard through the grapevine:

• I noticed the barn had changed names a few times over the years. I found out it's under the same management it always has been, but every time they get sued, they change the barn name.
• The owner is an old mobster who once killed a man in a bar fight, but didn't go to jail.
• Someone once called the SPCA about the condition of a horse. When the ACO went out to the barn, the BO asked if there was a specific horse that the complaint listed. The ACO replied with the horse's name. So the BO walked out in the field and shot the horse right there on the spot. Then he turned and asked, "Do you have any other horses whose condition you are concerned about?
• The BO was sleeping with another man's wife. One night, while the BO was grilling on his deck, the other guy came by looking for him. When he said, "Yes, I'm the BO," the other guy pulled out a gun and shot him FIVE TIMES. After being shot, the BO ran down the stairs and beat the other guy nearly to death with his bare hands. After that, the BO stumbled across the street to his former business partner's place and asked, "Can you call an ambulance? I'm not feeling so hot." He went into surgery where they recovered four bullets. The fifth was a through and through. Several weeks later, when they went to court. The BO walked in under his own power. The other guy was still in a wheelchair. 

Thankfully, the BO is getting up there in age and has mellowed somewhat in the last several years. Still, it's the type of barn that really attracts low lives and bad horsemanship. 

The day I went for my evaluation, I almost didn't get out of the car. I understand that these rent-a-horse facilities only make money because they do trail rides by volume and cut down on horse keeping costs. I understand that most of these horses probably come from the auction and would probably be dead if they hadn't been selected for the trail riding string. I will also say that the horses at this particular farm are almost all at a good weight and they do get their feet done regularly, even though the shoeing jobs don't come anywhere near meeting my standard of care. I really try to be open minded and not give my opinion where it's not being asked.

However, I was still pretty appalled.

For starters, there are probably fifty horses in one paddock together. The farm is not huge. These are not large, rolling pastures. At this point, they are basically dirt lots. I will say that each paddock has multiple round bales and multiple water troughs. Of course, the paddocks are fenced with uncapped t-posts and straight wire (though I do believe it's at least electrified). Their idea of manure management is to take a front end loader and shove all the manure into a big pile in the middle of the paddock.

While I was sitting in my car, parked between an old rusted out stock trailer, a jet ski, and two boats, I watched a small pinto pony climb up the manure pile, lie down, and roll down the side of the manure like a little kid on a grassy hill. No, no, no, no, no...

I almost didn't get out of the car. Between the strange conversation and the "facilities", I really wasn't thrilled with what I appeared to be walking into. Still, I had driven all the way there, and I do try to be a professional. 

When I did finally go in the barn, I was met by a very nice little bay horse who was standing quietly on the cross ties. His owner also appeared to be very sweet, and she was delighted to have me out. 

I liked Kansas right away. His ground  manners were impeccable. He stood, half asleep, on the cross ties. He picked up his feet, stood quietly for saddling, opened his mouth for the bit, and let me touch him all over. 

His owner started to tell me all these horror stories. All the people at the barn were telling her that Kansas is dangerous. She should sell him, give him away, put him down (!) 

Sadly, she told me, "There isn't a single person here who thinks he is a nice horse."

I glanced at the sleepy young quarter horse in the barn aisle and asked, "What on earth are they talking about?"

Apparently, Kansas has 'bronco bucked' on two occasions. Apparently, he "tests everyone". Apparently he "can't trail ride". 

Ok then...

The only criticism I had of the horse so far is that he toes in pretty badly in the front.

We took Kansas down to the outdoor ring, which is thankfully at the very back of the property and out of ear shot . 

I ran him through my basic evaluation on the ground. He bent softly at the slightest rein pressure. He yielded his hindquarters with merely a cluck. I even had him moving his shoulder around in no time flat. 

I threw a leg over. I will admit he walked two steps away from the mounting block on the first attempt, but it took less than a minute to correct that behavior. We walked away from the mounting block and my only complaint was that Kansas is super pokey. I would probably die of boredom if he was my horse, but for an elderly beginner rider, he was perfect. 

I asked him to jog and he picked up the dinkiest trot of all. Good western pleasure horse.

I looked over my shoulder and asked, "When is the  last time anybody cantered him?"

"Probably three years ago at the last barn."

I kissed. Kansas flicked his ears. I kissed, added a touch of leg, and said, "Can-TER." 

Off we went on a loose rein, loping quietly around the arena at like two miles per hour.

I halted Kansas from the canter and turned to his owner. "There is nothing wrong with this horse."

I had her ride him and she did fine at the walk, and was afraid to go any fast. That's fine. 

I got back on board and rode him down the trail behind the farm. We didn't go very far, but the seven year old horse had no problem leaving the property and venturing into the woods solo.

It took some questioning on my part, but I got to the bottom of his bronco bucking episodes. On both occasions, he was ridden by inexperienced trail guides in horrible shanked bits. On the last occasion, the girl riding him jerked his face up when he tried to grab a bite of grass. Poor Kansas, who normally goes in a plain snaffle, dumped her (though I doubt there was any actual bronco bucking involved). In the process of falling off, she grabbed him in the mouth again. Then she proceeded to get up and shank the hell out of him as punishment. The horse, who was getting his face ripped off, apparently reared and 'struck out'. 

...

I asked the owner how she feels about Kansas.

"I love him," she told me with tears welling in her eyes. "I can't imagine ever loving another animal this much."

"Then stop listening to what other people say, and stop letting them use your horse. There is nothing wrong with Kansas. He is a very good boy with a level head. He is perfect for what you want to do. If I took a horse like this, I'd list him for $5k tomorrow and I'd have no problem getting it! You would be hard pressed to get another horse this good."

Apparently she has ridden him along the front of the property and he doesn't even spook when dump trucks go by. 

When we got back to the barn yard, I dismounted, and loudly praised Kansas while people stared. "What a nice horse this is! You are soooooo lucky to have him. What a good boy!"

I explained to his owner that it's a simple lack of communication that keeps her from accomplishing more with her horse.

"So I'm the problem," she said sadly.

"You can't look at it that way! Horses speak a different language than we do. How are you supposed to magically know how to speak horse? And shame on all of these people here who are so quick to shoot you down, but won't do anything to help you! I think that's terrible. They can either try to help you and decide that you are a lost cause and dislike you, or they can refuse to help you and stay out of your business. They don't get to ignore you and then taunt you about your lack of knowledge! What a load of BS!"

I was fuming.

I am trying to get Kansas's owner to move him to the barn Gunner is at. The people there would welcome her with open arms. She would still have a ring and trails to ride on, and she'd have other people to guide her. The horse would be getting a serious upgrade, and there's only a $20 difference in board. I honestly don't know why she stays at the barn she's at now.

For our second lesson, I rode Kansas from the barn, straight onto the trails. He did try to stop to graze a few times, and he balked a little bit at a particularly rutted section of down hill trail. Still, with a little guidance from me, he marched forward and did just fine. 

Apparently, one of the workers at the barn told Kansas's owner that Kansas is fine as long as he gets he way. He's only 'dangerous' if you try to make him do something he doesn't want to do.

I sighed heavily.

Then I let Kansas start grazing. "What does Kansas want to do right now?" I asked.

"He wants to eat grass."

"Ok, now I'm going to ask him not to eat grass." I tugged lightly on a rein. Kansas kept grazing. "He says he would prefer to keep eating, right?"

"Right."

"Now I'm going to make him stop eating." I pulled one rein in earnest and added leg. Kansas reluctantly walked off. "Is he getting his way right now?"

"No."

"Is he being dangerous because he didn't get his way?"

"Not my definition of dangerous!"

"Guess what... your definition is the only one that matters! Stop letting people trash talk your horse."

The funny thing is that the second a professional (me) walks in the barn and says nice things about the horse, everyone suddenly has all these compliments about him. I guess they don't want to look foolish. Ugh!

The main culprit, a middle-aged slob of a man, is clearly talking smack about the horse to make himself feel powerful. When I told Kansas's owner that I'm guessing he doesn't have much going for him in his life outside of the barn, she concurred. I told her that people like that make themselves feel good by picking on other people.

As we were having the conversation, a woman walked by us on trail, leading a half-dead looking pony with a little girl on board in flip flops and a bicycle helmet. Two more ponies followed obediently behind with two more small, unbalanced looking riders. 

"Why can those kids ride these horses but I can't?" Kansas's owner asked."They are not actually riding or steering those horses. The woman who is walking the one in the front is controlling all three. They're playing follow the leader out of habit. If I put Kansas on a lead rope, I could give you a pony ride too. You don't want your horse to be one of these brain-dead robots. You want him to be your pet and your partner. There's a difference between a horse who is well trained (what  you want) and a horse who is broke to death like the horses here."

I feel so bad for Kansas's owner. She just doesn't know any better (she didn't even know what thrush was!) and nobody will help her. I want to know what the benefit of bullying a little old lady is. Congrats, you made a grandma cry! Ugh. I really hope she moves the horse. 

At the end of one of our lessons, she told me, "Dom, I am very religious. I have been praying for an answer on this for so long." She started to cry. "I didn't know if I should pray for a new horse, or a new barn, or a trainer, but I prayed every day for a sign. I think you are God's answer to my prayer." And then she hugged me. I am not religious in any way, but man did that one get me! (As Satan laughs in the background.)

Last week, Kansas's owner went down to the shore for a two week vacation. She asked me to come ride Kansas while she was away so that I could get a real feeling for him on the trail. Her ultimate goal for this summer is to ride him to the covered bridge by herself. It's a very reasonable goal and the covered bridge is only about a quarter mile from the barn. 

I went to ride in the evening, on my way to my lesson with Wink. I was relieved to find that the barn was basically deserted. I retrieved a surprised Kansas from his paddock, and tacked him quickly and quietly in the barn. I swung a leg over in the barn yard and rode down the lane between the paddocks to the trail. We went down the big hill and I guessed that the correct way to go was right. Not long after, I spotted the covered bridge ahead. We rode to the bridge and I debated riding into the river. I've seen photos of the horses crossing, but it looked deep and I don't know the terrain. I have since looked at a map and know the correct way to go. 

Rather than retrace our steps, I took a trail to the right that was marked with a horseback riding symbol. We made our way up a surprisingly steep and technical hill. Kansas didn't have the fitness to do it at more than a walk, but he went willingly forward, carefully picking each step. We crossed some pretty big logs and found the main trail again. I had trotted him most of the ride and had made good time, so when we got back to the farm, I finished up by cantering him around the arena a handful of times.

The horse didn't put a foot wrong the entire time. He probably hasn't been on a real trail ride in a year and he went out alone while all the other horses were eating. No problems. He is such a good boy.

I told his owner all of this and she was really excited. 

I know that change is scary, but I really hope she moves Kansas to Gunner's barn. He would be happier and she would have people to help build her up instead of tearing her down. The horse doesn't need any work right now. She just needs to learn how to ride him so she can enjoy him. Despite my initial bad feeling about the whole situation, I'm hoping to make a difference in this woman's life. It sounds like she's due for some good luck. 

More Geocaching

I am totally hooked on this Geocaching thing. I even downloaded the app on my tablet! Mike and I are planning to do a lot more of this when the weather cools and our schedules free up a little. In the mean time, we've started working on some of the more local ones.

We pulled over on the way home from running errands the other weekend and spent some time finding one along the route. This particular one was a micro cache, and it was magnetic. Even though we knew it would be in the bridge somewhere, it still took quite a while to find. Very cool!

I know there's one in the other bridge on the same road, but it's harder to pull over up there, so we haven't actually gotten around to grabbing it yet.

We went out one afternoon and started with the one closest to the house and then used the live map to go from cache to cache.

The first one was in a stop sign at one of my favorite intersections in the area. This is one of my favorite views in town, but it has been five years since I took a picture of it before the other day!

From there, it was just around the bend to the next cache. This was another graveyard mystery cache that involved finding a specific stone, gathering a clue, and plugging in coordinates to find the hide. I think these are my favorite ones. What blew my mind about this one was that I drive down this road all the time and didn't even know there was a cemetery there.

Next, we drove two more streets over to Bessie Grover Park. This is a tiny, usually empty park that I've driven past on several occasions without stopping. From the road, it just looks like a playground. Since I don't have kids, I never thought much of it.

As it turns out, there is a little walking trail that goes down to the creek. This is the creek I took the dogs to play in yesterday. Geocaching has paid off already! Now I have a swimming hole for the dogs without driving for an hour!

The hint was "Platanus orientalis" so we knew we were looking for a sycamore tree. Unfortunately for us, the creek was lined with them!

We spent quite some time exploring the banks of Rock Brook and enjoying the views.

We did find the cache after a while, though we had to go back for the GPS to narrow down what tree we were looking in. As it turns out, I was right about the tree based on my first guess! That's where I would have hidden it!

Then it was back to the car and down the street again, to an easy find at the Elk Lodge.

Another place I drive by without looking.

This find was right where I figured it would be.

Along the way, I spotted a bunny and took the time to enjoy the memorial trees planted in neat rows out back. We spotted a police car in the parking lot and I had a moment of panic, but all caches are placed with permission from property owners so I imagine they're used to seeing this.

From there, we went to our last location of the day, Hobler Park. This part I had been to on a few walks with the dogs. I don't think I ever took pictures, and Mike had never been with me. I knew from the Geocaching app that there were three separate hides in this park.

When we got there, a guy was setting off a model rocket with his little boy. I grinned as we watched them. This is something I used to do with my dad when I was little and I always loved it! I remember driving out to Schooley's Mountain and excitedly trying to catch the rocket before it hit the ground. This little boy was bouncing around and squealing as he told us, "We launched a rocket! Did you see it?"

The first cache was near the road, on a section of trail I hadn't discovered before. Along the way, I learned that the park had been funded by a local country club and golf course, which I thought was pretty neat.

The first cache was actually pretty well hidden and I surprised myself by beating Mike to it! I can spot the obvious ones myself, but if they actually take some searching, Mike almost always gets to them first. Go me!

We looped back around towards the parking lot to search for the caches on the other side of the park, where I'd previously walked with the dogs.

On the other side of the parking lot, we stumbled upon house sculptures, made from heavy steel. Each one is engraved with the address of the actual house it's modeled after.

They reminded me of the old buildings at the Skillman Asylum, and I suddenly had the urge to photograph them in black and white. At the right angle, they look real.

So I throw Mike in for scale. The effect is eerie.

Mike humored me while I spent an absurd amount of time taking pictures of these.

Eventually, we went back to hiking and searching for the next hide. It was a beautiful day and the trails at this park are easy and well maintained. I took in the rural landscape and was grateful to live in such a nice area.

Mike almost immediately found the next cache. It's hidden underneath a bench and the container is cleverly crafted out of a stick. Unfortunately, the log appears to be missing. I spent some time looking in alternate locations, but the more we read in the spoilers, the more I was sure we had the right spot. I've logged in since and other people have come to the same conclusion. This cache needs maintenance. I contacted the owner online, but haven't heard back. It's too bad because it was a really clever hide.

Empty cache container.

After a while, we agreed that this was where it was supposed to be and moved on to the final cache. This one was in the back corner of the park, hidden inside a head that I'm glad I didn't notice when I was walking there alone! Creepy.

From there, we walked back to the parking lot, taking a different route than on the way out. Along the way, we passed more sculptures and found out more about the artist. I visited her website later and was disappointed to find a quilting site. I did some searching and found the correct web address: kategraves.net.

We were both ready for dinner by the time we finished Hobler Park so we called it quits for the day, agreeing to pick this up the next time we have free time and nice weather. I think this is going to be such a great way to explore our surroundings. I have loved having a new hobby that is easy, cheap, and not physically demanding. I have so many things that I do for the challenge or out of necessity. It's a nice change of pace to just mosey and relax.

Down in the Creek

There's a cute little park around the corner from us, along the creek. It's mostly a playground and doesn't get a lot of foot traffic. There is a small trail that winds its way down the creek, which we probably never would have discovered if it wasn't for Geocaching.

All my lessons today are in the evening so I took advantage of the free time and took the dogs down to play in the water. It's terribly hot out and I couldn't think of a better way to exercise them. Both were excited to go for a ride and even more excited when we got to the park. I played fetch with Herbie while Julio chewed his tennis ball into oblivion.

I feel like Herbie is aging in front of my eyes, even though she's only six this year. At her annual vet appointment, she was diagnosed with pretty severe arthritis in her knees, and despite medication, she has days when she's pretty sore. Swimming is good, low-impact exercise, but I think she'll be laying low for a few days now anyway. Poor girl.

Bonfire

We were long overdue for a bonfire at The Farm. I honestly can't remember the last time we had one. On a sticky June night, we all gathered by the pond to watch the flames, drink tequila, and reminisce about pond parties of the past. It was strange for me to watch everything come full circle. So much has happened in the five years since I first parked my car between box trucks at the farm stand. New car, new ring, and suddenly I'm one of the 'old faces' in the crowd. I'm greeted by people who I now consider family, and introduced to some young faces who have never been to The Farm before. We stand around, beer cans in hand, laughing about 'remember when's. Remember when Mike jumped up and down on the frozen pond? Remember that time someone called the fire department at 3am? Remember that time Trey threw a stick and Herbie brought back a deer leg? Remember that time I caught my jacket on fire? Remember those we've lost since then? The conversation cycles from happy to sad and back again, and I bask in the comfort of a favorite tradition, in taking time away from the real world. There isn't a horse in sight. There's one thing that hasn't changed in all this time. I still get goosebumps when Mike wraps his arm around my waist and asks if I'm having a good time. I cannot wait to marry this man, and I grin when I think of Juice calling me Mrs. T, with his big belly laugh lighting up the night. When I spot Amy's sister playing with the camera, I wave to get her attention. I remember struggling to find the words to describe nights like this, but as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

"And it's two bare feet on the dashboard

Young love in an old Ford

Cheap shades and a tattoo

And a Yoo-hoo bottle on the floorboard

Perfect song on the radio

Sing along 'cause it's one we know

It's a smile, it's a kiss

It's a sip of wine, it's summertime

Sweet summertime"

Beamer Updates

Chelsea and Beamer have been moving right along in their training. Incorporating lunging and side reins into their routine has really helped Beamer with his balance, and the difference in his topline is visible already. Plus, with the development of his new muscles, he's starting to naturally carry himself better. Chelsea has been doing her homework in between lessons and invested in a surcingle for more precise work.

Stretching down on his own.

They have continued their conditioning rides and are constantly out on trail. It's refreshing to have a client horse with a level of fitness that I consider good. At the risk of sounding like a snob, very few horses outside of distance riding are actually what I consider fit. Of course, horses at the top levels of competition in any discipline are athletes. Eventers, upper level dressage horses, cutting horses, top notch competitive driving horses are all my definition of fit, but the average horse owned by the average rider lacks a certain baseline. One of my biggest struggles as a trainer is to get people to work their horses more between lessons. I understand that there is life outside of horses, but many times when someone tells me that their horse is struggling with a training concept, it comes down to basic fitness. Whether it's a standardbred that is having a hard time cantering, a dressage horse who struggles with his counter canter, or a jumper who is taking bad distances, I often find that fitness (horse or rider) is the culprit. It's really awesome that I don't deal with that with Chelsea and Beamer.

A good way to beat the heat.

In fact, Chelsea and Beamer just did their first two-day 50 at the Brookfield CTR. It's a shame that ride isn't AERC sanctioned because I loved the trails and the people. (In case you haven't noticed, I have taken a break from CTR entirely this year.) Beamer completed the ride with flying colors and I am super proud. (In another case of small world, Ace's current owner mentored Chelsea and Beamer through this ride!) They are getting ready to do their first endurance ride and I can't wait to see them out there!

Our last lesson was on a brutally hot morning. Another thing I admire about Chelsea is that she doesn't make excuses not to lesson. I get a lot of cancellations during the summer because of the heat. I get it. I can't stand the hot weather myself. Chelsea just asked for an earlier slot.

Chevy knows how to keep cool!

We started off with some more lunging and Beamer looked stunning.

We have started to incorporate some ground poles to add some lift to Beamer's stride and really strengthen that back. We are just now adding some cantering on the lunge line as well. Beamer canters willingly under saddle and has a pretty nice canter on his own, but he didn't have the muscle for cantering in side reins to be beneficial yet. Cantering out on trail and cantering circles in a ring setting are two very different beasts.

When we were done lunging, Beamer did the good endurance horse thing and stopped for a water break. Chelsea informed me that he takes really good care of himself on trail, which is awesome!

We started the mounted portion of our lesson, and Chelsea's old guy, Clay wanted to tag along.

We're still working on things that are relatively basic so there's no need for a 'real' arena yet, but Chelsea has been riding down the street to Gunner's barn and using their ring. I'm thinking of suggesting that location for a lesson in the future. I don't think Beamer cares where we work as long as he's getting attention. He's got such a great work ethic!

Beamer's walk is really coming together under saddle. He has a great, ground-covering stride and he loves to go forward, which is what most horses struggle with in their walk work.

We have also been working on trot transitions, specifically on being prompt, soft, and forward through the transition. One thing's for sure. Beamer has got the push part of the transition down!

Reach is also definitely not a problem for this little guy. Check out the size of his stride! (And look past the fact that he is ducking behind the vertical in this one.)

So we are doing lots and lots and lots of trotting right now. Chelsea is learning to pick up a contact (she's another one with hands that are so light and feathery that they can be ineffective) and to sit up with her shoulders open. and her elbows bent. She has a great feel for her horse, which makes her work really rewarding.

We have also been working on slowing that gigantic trail trot to something more arena-friendly. I've been working with Chelsea on slowing her seat and asking Beamer to relax and slow down without shrinking his stride. At the end of their lesson they nailed it! You should have seen the float in Beamer's step and the smile on Chelsea's face!

I am really enjoying working with this pair! It's really cool to see a young horse with a blank slate and a patient, hard working rider. The two of them are coming along in leaps and bounds and Chelsea has gotten several comments on how nicely Beamer is filling out. I'm excited to be part of their story. I'd be happy with ten clients like this!