This morning

Ruby and I had a very close call this morning.  I haven't ridden her much this week, due to all of the rain we've been having but we've had two whole days (TWO WHOLE DAYS) without rain as of this morning, so I saddled her up for a ride down the road.

Heather wasn't interested in going so it was just me and Ruby.  The plan was to see if her feet were up to trotting a few stretches right on the edge of the road.  I didn't have much hope for this, since everything has been so wet.  You folks in California don't know how good you have it with the hot, dry summers with no humidity.  But then, you probably have much bigger arm muscles than I do, for all of the trimming you do on your horses' rock-hard hooves.  Anyways, we started off walking as usual because Ruby was being a little looky.  I mounted up right after the first curve and we went on our merry way.

We were able to trot a few stretches, though they were very short due to mailboxes, drive ways, etc. Things were going very well when we approached the black/white dog's yard.  I veered Ruby off into the grass a bit and let her start munching while I scanned the yard for the dog.  He was maybe 10 feet from the fence, snoozing in the grass when he heard us and alerted his BFF, the old Labrador.  Ruby was unconcerned.

Black/white dog in front of large oak on left, Labrador is easier to spot.

She's deathly afraid of barking dogs, obviously.

I sat there for a few minutes, letting Ruby graze, watching the dogs surreptitiously, hoping they would get bored and find a shady spot to lay down.  No such luck, so I decided to get on with it and ride by.  The dog's side of the street has a 10-12 foot shoulder while the other has none, so we stayed on the side with the dogs.  We were walking along when we came to a hole under the fence that has been blocked with a cinder block, when Archie (black and white dog, short for Arch Nemesis) slid under the fence not 8 feet from us.  I was watching the dogs from the corner of my eye, and saw this and yelled 'Hey!' at him.  He stopped, tucked his tail and trotted off a bit.  Damn.  The dog is loose on the street and his Lab buddy is still raising hell on our right.  I didn't want to turn Ruby around because most dogs take that as an invitation to chase - instead, I decided to back Ruby past the fence and then reassess.  When I looked back over my shoulder, I saw a van coming our way from down the street.  I turned Ruby so she could see the van, waved at them to slow down and turned back to the dog.  He had used my distraction to creep closer to us, maybe twenty feet away.  I honestly thought we might die.  The Lab was right behind us, barking for all that he was worth trying to drive us away from the fence, Archie was creeping closer every time I looked away, and now this van was coming towards us and still picking up speed.  I waved and yelled, 'Slow down!' but he kept his foot on the gas pedal.  While I was busy freaking out, Ruby was still calm. The van blew by us (she didn't even flinch) and suddenly Archie was no longer interested.  I guess that last yell at the driver made him decide that we weren't worth it?  Once past the fence, I let Ruby graze again so I could take a breather.  Archie was busy marking everyone's mailbox and heading the other way.  I took the opportunity to loosen my muscles - I was so tense that my whole body was aching.

We trotted once more on the way home, and Ruby did her usual 'we're flying' trot, but mostly we moseyed.  My nerves couldn't take much more drama.  Ruby did get a little nervous when we rode by a home who's yard had a dog that had never had one before, so I think she was possibly more bothered than she let on.   We stopped at one point so I could save a baby soft-shelled turtle from the road.  I would have taken a picture but Ruby is more nervous when I'm not mounted and the new dog was still going nuts barking at us.  I took the little turtle to a ditch full of water which flows into Tenoroc.  We were almost home, so I walked the rest of the way.

We both have freckles :D

Phew, I'm so grateful for this freckle-faced mare who charged into my life last November.  I'm also so glad that Heather didn't want to ride this morning - I don't think Candy would have handled the drama well.  So, what to do about next time?

I'm resisting the urge to carry rocks in my pockets - if I'd had one this morning, I'd probably be in jail right now.  I wear a highlighter yellow safety vest during these rides, but I think I'll order one of these: equestrian road-riding vest.  I like the fact that it has a message across the back, for those drivers who have no horse sense.  I may also order some of their reflective boots for Ruby's legs.  Still, I don't think the guy didn't see me, I think he just didn't care.  I do know he didn't see the dog.  I don't have anything against Archie and I'm glad he didn't get hit either. 

In other news: I hate the gaiters on the Easyboots. The velcro sucks (already falling apart), and when they get wet, they stay wet. And let's face it, in Florida the grass is almost always wet except for a few hours a day.  I've been totally slacking on contacting Mel regarding purchasing used Renegade boots.  For now, I will probably continue to use the Easyboots for trails which have gravel but I won't be buying them again. 

Just what I needed

I'm not going to lie, I was pretty bummed after yesterday's lesson. But, Ruby has never shown any signs of back soreness and I've never been as unbalanced on her as I was on Rita so I decided to go for a ride today.

First, I pulled out and checked the foam in the body of the saddle.  The foam looks to still be in very good shape from what I can tell, but it can't hurt to replace it.  I haven't heard back on whether the saddlery can change my rigging, or even if they think it might help the issue.  I'm still considering a crupper.

We went to Tenoroc for a short ride.  The original plan was to ride the north loop, which is only 3.5 miles long.  The problem is that I have only ridden part of the loop once, and we followed it back to the trailer - we didn't start out on it.  So, I took a wrong turn.  It was a nice trail, with small hills and turns on the trail.  About 1/2 mile out, I saw a black lump on the trail as we were about to come around one of those turns.  It looked to be 2-2.5 feet tall.  I stopped Ruby behind a tree while I tried to determine if it was a hog or a small black bear.   It was a lone hog so I started calling out to it and it eventually moved off the trail.  About a half mile later another, smaller hog came out onto the trail.  Again, I started calling (Hey, hog! Hey, hog!).  Yes, I probably sounded dumb but seriously, these hogs seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Ruby and I were even there.  When they did see us, they thought about whether or not to give way before they actually did. The last hog stood her ground, then grunted at her piglets and took off across the trail.  Ruby liked that the hogs ran from her, lol.  It definitely gave her a confidence boost.  It wasn't much longer until we came to a trail marker, and a dead end.  It was so weird - the trail marker was a horse and '1 Mile', and then a tiny clearing with no trail....Whatever.  We turned around and called it a day.  I didn't want to ride too long because I'm now paranoid about how I ride and it was screaming hot.

When we got back to the trailer, I stripped her tack then brought out her beet pulp/hay cubes mash.  She does not like beet pulp alone, grrr.  We didn't ride long enough for her to need a mash when she'd been noshing on hay all morning, but I'd like to have a way to get water into her when she won't drink after a hot ride - I'm glad she'll eat this, picky mare!

Ruby approves.

She loaded onto the trailer with no issue.  We rode only 2.6 miles at 3.9 mph but it was worth it to get my head back on straight.  I'm going to do what I can to fix myself but I'm not going to stop riding in the meantime.

Easyboot update: they came earlier this week and we tried them on Wednesday.  I should have recorded her first few steps - she was, let's say, unsure of this new pony torture device.  They seemed to fit ok except there was gapping at the top of the boots.  I lunged her and they stayed on through sand, even when cantering.  I rode a bit down the road and they were ok but I'll need to watch the fitting videos and possibly order a fit kit to be sure.

Looks like we need power straps

I'm still looking for some used Renegades. 

End of the week update

Road riding yesterday did not go well, mostly due to people speeding up behind us.  Actually Ruby did very well, it was me who was having the problem.  I just don't trust people not to hit us.  Hell, in this area you can't trust people to not run red lights (unless you want to die, you look both ways before going on green, no lie).  I attempted to ride on a different road yesterday but we'll be sticking to our little road from now on.

Afterwards, though, I did find a way to the park behind us, woohoo!  It will require a little bush-whacking but I can handle that.

Today I trimmed Ruby's feet.  I'm going to have to start taking her heels down more because they are becoming under run.  It makes me nervous because it doesn't look like there's any extra to take off.  Her white lines are showing great improvement, and all of those little toe cracks shown in the last photo set are now gone so I feel like we're making progress.  I'll post more pics soon.

ETA: I should have some Easyboot Gloves on the way, now I just have to find some used Renegades. 

So far this week

Note: Multi-day posts are written on the day referenced, so will say today, tomorrow, etc. even if posted days later. 

Sunday: I trimmed Ruby's hooves and measured her front feet for boots.  They are 4.75" long and 4.75" wide.  I've put up an ad or two looking for used boots, either Renegades or Easyboot Gloves.  I would like to try out both types to see which fit Ruby best before spending the money for new.  Buying the wrong boots would be an expensive mistake. 

Monday: I finally got to see why there were so many road maintenance vehicles parked on the barn road - they were getting set up to re-pave it this morning.  I debated riding along the road today but I had one last hope for finding a back way into the park, so I saddled up.  I had to walk between some parked vehicles and the 'crazy horse' pasture - there was just enough room.  Ruby was much more concerned about the horses than the moving, beeping, steaming equipment a few feet away on the road.  I walked her down to the first corner before mounting up and rode to the area in question.  It looks like it needs to be explored on foot before asking a horse to follow - I might do that tomorrow.  On the way back, during one of Ruby's 'we're not going fast enough' episodes, I heard the distinct clink-clink of glass.  Luckily she didn't get cut, or even seem to notice but I'll feel much better when we've got boots! I dismounted after the next curve and walked her back home with no issues.  Oh, and my Evolution bridle from Rock Moss Endurance came in the mail! 

Tuesday: I got to try out my new bridle from Moss Rock.  I was very worried going into this - the last bitless bridle that I tried was horribly designed and has been sent back.  I should have trusted though; Lisa knows her stuff and designed this bridle herself.  First, I went to fit it as a halter:

I ended up taking the throat latch up a hole or two after this picture; but it fits!  Ruby is trying not to fall asleep.

So far, so good.  I finished tacking up and decided to try it as a side pull first.  I took her for a spin around the barnyard and she was doing very well - a huge improvement over the last bridle, in which she acted like she had no idea when I was asking for a stop.  Now I was really starting to look forward to trying it as a cross-under bitless bridle.  Ruby was fantastic while I finagled my way through getting the reins on properly.  I decided to stay in the barnyard while she got used to it.  Again, she was very responsive; barely a squeeze of my fingers was enough to get a turn or stop.  I was very happy to see that this particular bitless does not have the release issue that some have.  She was doing so well that I decided to put it through the ultimate on-property test: riding in the larger arena with the gate open.  Ruby has two main bad habits. The first is that, in this arena in particular, she will try to go towards the gate.  She doesn't head towards the gate, she will turn her head in the direction you are asking, but she will bend her body towards it and before you know it, you're doing a half pass towards the gate.  Her second bad habit is that walking is not always fast enough in her eyes - she wants to trot All. The. Time.  Generally speaking she was respectful of the side pull, but there were times that I had to be much harsher than I wanted.  Occasionally at the end of a trail ride, she would have a small rubbed spot on her nose from the rawhide nose band.  I was very happy to see that she cannot blow through this bridle.  Whereas it would sometimes take me 6-7 strides of trot to bring her back to a walk, I was able to do it in 1-2.  She was also unable to blow through my cues and drift towards the gate.   I am more than pleased with this bridle, I'm ecstatic! 

'Cookie?'

Things I like about the design: the part of the reins that cross under the jaw are a thinner width, which seems to ensure that there are no hang-ups when giving the horse their release.  The throat latch lays flat (does it bug anyone else when they twist awkwardly?).  There is only one piece of beta over the poll, so there is no chance that the horse's skin will be pinched or mane/forelock will be pulled.  The browband is long enough that the cheek pieces aren't too close to the eyes, and there will be no pinching near the ears.  Lisa really did a great job designing this bridle.  Heather is going to try it out on Candy tomorrow; she may be putting in an order of her own soon. 

And a quick little side note - Ruby threw in two strides of canter on Tuesday when we were supposed to be trotting.  This is the first time we've done anything over a trot as I wanted to get some other issues straightened out first (including my own!).  She was very balanced but I brought her back down to a trot immediately because I hadn't asked for a canter.  Soon, my dear!

Wednesday: Ruby got a day off while Heather tried out the new bitless on Candy.  Not sure yet that this bridle will work on a more stubborn, less sensitive horse.  She only had a few minutes to try it out so wasn't able to get a good feel for it.

Thursday: a busy day! My kids had their school orientation this morning and the hubby is taking me to a concert tonight.  I have plans (that hopefully won't need to be cancelled again!) to go trail riding tomorrow.  So, no riding for me today; Ruby's starting to look at me like I'm forgetting something :)

Another road riding adventure

Yesterday evening, I spent time on Google Maps attempting to find a back way into the park that borders some of the properties near the barn.  I found a trail that looked very promising, so I checked the street view.

Snippet of Google Maps view showing the trail, woohoo!

To get to the trail, I would have to ride maybe 3/4 of a mile on the busy 45 mph road near the barn, only one short stretch of which would have skinny shoulders.  Originally, I was going to wait until next week to check it out but the trail ride scheduled for this morning was cancelled, so went today instead.  It looked like the trail into the park was a good 3-4 miles long, so Ruby got to eat from her hay bag while tacking up - it made her morning, lol.  Same as yesterday, I led her down to the first corner then mounted up.  The road maintenance equipment was still parked on the barn road.

I saw several people out in their yards today, all of which seemed to be happy and surprised to see someone out riding.  I was passed by a few polite drivers and two speeding knuckleheads, but Ruby was was unfazed.  We made it to the yard with the black and white dog much sooner than yesterday but I was very happy to see that the gate was closed this morning.  B&W's side kick is an ancient yellow Lab, who is LOUD and made the first dog much bolder but we made it by that property with Ruby barely acknowledging their antics.  Next up was an old Arabian in a pasture that wanted to visit, but again, Ruby had better things to do.  We made it all the way down to the main road without incident, where I hopped off to determine our next steps.  I let Ruby graze beside me while I gazed down the road...and reconsidered.

I tried to see how I could get us safely to the place where the shoulders widen out again but I couldn't find a good way to make it happen.  My original plan was to dismount, wait for a break in the traffic, and jog her on the shoulder to the 'safe zone', starting at the next street over.  The connection that I didn't make before standing there is that the traffic was coming towards us around a small curve.  The speed limit here is 45 but right before the curve, the road slims down from four lanes to two.  A LOT of people speed up to pass before the road narrows and are still speeding when they come around the curve.  There's no way for them to see (assuming they would care) a horse and person right beside the road before the curve.  I let Ruby graze while I thought, and looked, and thought again but let's face it - I don't want either of us to ever become hood ornaments, so we turned around.

On the left (the part I was thinking of jogging) you can see the thin strip of grass that is the shoulder. It dips down into a 3-4 foot deep ditch.  The farthest car has just come around the curve I mentioned.  This picture was taken near noon and this area is much more shaded in the morning when I was riding.  I may be able to travel down the shoulder on the right though, hmm.

A few minutes after we turned back, a guy brought his little girl out to pet the pony.  The poor child was very excited to meet Ruby until she realized just how big she was, lol (big being relative, Ruby's only 14.2).  We parted ways and I decided to let Ruby graze for a minute when the shoulder widened out again.  I was sitting there, watching for cars and dogs when I saw movement.  The black and white dog was out, and maybe 60-70 feet away on the other side of the road.  Ruby continued to graze while I figured out what to do.  I'd just determined that it was not safe for us to ride down the main road, so this was our only known path home.  I knew that yesterday he was fairly non-confrontational but he was much more bold with his buddy.  I didn't see any sign of the Lab so I decided to dismount and lead Ruby past the property.  It was about this time that the dog saw us and started slowing trotting our way.  He kept looking over his shoulder for back up and the Lab started barking. With relief, I saw that the gate was still closed and the Lab was still in the yard.  B&W gave us a wide berth, occasionally barking at us as he trotted by.  He went to stand by his yard and watched, but didn't make any move to follow us.  About this time, someone came out of his house to yell at the barking dogs so I told her that one of her dogs was out.  She said, 'Oh, that's not my dog.  He just hangs around here - he was dropped off by someone.'  But she did come and get him off the street.  Thinking back, this may be the same dog I saw at another property weeks ago.  Anyway, I hope she decides to give the guy an official home, that or take him to the shelter where he won't die a painful death on the side of the road.  Ruby was glad to be heading home - a little too glad and was trying to break into a trot, silly mare.  When she did, I'd turn her around and make her trot the other way for a bit, then we'd turn around and try again.

The most blind of the blind curves, and the one closest to the barn. This is the good side, with wide shoulders, heading back to the barn. Immediately after this turn, the shoulders become deep ditches.  The only place to get off the road safely are the two driveways on the right (can't see in pic).  I apologize for the blinding quality of my photographs - iPhone cameras suck and I'm no picture-editing genius. 

We didn't see any more dogs or cars, but Ruby had one more mini-antic up her sleeve. As we got closer to the barn, she tried to trot to the barnyard gate without me asking, so she was forced to trot all the way to the end of the street and had to walk quietly back.   This is the worst of her acting up - I'll take it gladly!

'Where is my cookie, human?!'

Last on the agenda for this morning was measuring for boots.  Ruby is sometimes slightly ouchy when riding on pavement, so I'd at least like to get a used pair for her fronts.  Unfortunately, the only measuring tape I could find was marked in inches only, so that was a bust.  Besides that, to get a truly accurate measure, I'll probably need another set of hands as well.  I hope to accomplish this tomorrow.