Dreaming of summer....

as we visit the swimming hole. 

Riding day 9

Back on the trails

We are sure having a nice February. I usually get the blahs in February because it's usually grey and damp but this month we have had some pretty nice weather. I think nature agrees because the birds are singing their li'l hearts out, and speaking of out.....

the bears are out too. This print I found as Gussie and I headed to the cattle lease. I got off to open the wire gate and lo and behold what to my wondering eyes did appear...  It didn't spook me too much, just enough to make me keep a good look out as we rode. I did actually turn around and head in the same direction as the prints, I think it was headed to the river for water.

As you can see, the river is still open, it didn't freeze over this winter.

The next day we rode through the lease and didn't find any more tracks, so I think the bear had been visiting the town looking for food, as the town is just over the hill from where we live and the bears frequent the many orchards that are just above us. Hopefully it will have moved on.

The new saddle is working out ok so far, not perfect as the fork could have a little more clearance but the bars and the width are good. I am going to look into a Bio Fit Correction pad that has extra padding where her hollows are behind her withers. It's a common thing on older horses that they lose muscle mass there, and Gussie is 17 now. That pad should give me another inch of clearance without affecting the way the saddle fits. I put the Hamley twist in yesterday, may have to soak the leather one more time and make it a bit tighter but it sure helps. This saddle has fairly heavy leather and it's barely broken in.

Riding day 7 &8

Mr. Handsome

Just a photo post of Beamer , nothing lifts your spirits like a favourite horse, and this one has my heart.

 Is this my good side?

 I see you have the good camera! Would you like me to perform for you?

 Airborne!

 Showing off his studly jowls

1 point landing

And his signature move....

Thank you Beamer, you always make me happy.

Sunday Silence

Mary

Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know, for the rest of you, I am sad to say that the reason I haven't been posting much lately is that we have had a death in our family. My sister Mary passed away after a couple of months of illness and bouts of hospitalisation. Some of you may remember her from my posts; she loved to visit my horses. Here are some photos from the first time she met Beamer.

Mary had rubella as an infant and it left her permanently unable to speak or fend for herself.  As I spent time with her in her last days I was overwhelmed by how much love surrounded her; from her care workers, friends and family, even the nursing staff at the hospital. Mary was a gentle soul who touched the hearts of many people.

Four sisters 

I will get back to posting after the funeral

Success at last

So I did a thing....
I finally found an affordable saddle that fits both Gussie and me.
It's a Double C team roping saddle. In excellent condition with a few minor things that need doing- replace the saddle strings and 1 concho, change out the stirrups and put the Hamley twist on the stirrup leathers. The leather quality is excellent, I think it's Herman Oak leather, and the tooling is quite nice, though a little more than I am used to.



We went for a stroll through the woods and down to the river and back.

The saddle is a bit low in the wither but it doesn't touch. I'll probably ride with a breast collar to help keep it in place.

Riding day 6