May 2012 !!!

SILVER / ARK: We are real close to town/village of Delwen and that is very close to CONWY , COLWYN BAY, and ABERGELE. During part of our travels today, we got a glimpse of the IRISH SEA. We are a another farm (dairy & sheep) B&B for the next 4 nights.

I'll try to get our schedule posted if the "tour director" will let me.

More about that later....

Love to all from Rick, Carol, and Snoop from the land of WALES.

Did we loose our new poster already?

Ark, watch those endurance rides...here they have at least a few each year that at 10 milers for people who want to try it out. That would be my advice. Stryker and I did one and it was fun. He could do it standing on his head it was me who could not walk for a day after. He had that wonderful shuffle gate that they also call an Indian gait. He could go all day in that gait and it was so smooth to sit. He was smoother than any Foxtrotter or Walker I ever rode.

Bar T, in Colorado in the 60's my friend's mother had a horse with what they called an Indian gate. I hadn't heard that expression in years........that horse was marvgelous to ride and it just tackled those mountains and moseyed on forever in that gate.........I loved her. Is this really 2012? Heavens, seems like last summer.

Everyone have a wonderful blessed Mother's Day tomorrow.

God bless. Prayers for ALL.

Good Mothers Day Morning to you all. It is not a very cheering morning here as the sky is very dark and dreary. We are taking mom out to a casino this afternoon as that is her favourite pass time. Yesterday my sis and I took mom out for lunch to beat the crowds of today.

Ark, no I have not been riding at all since I arrived home. It seems that there is always something else more pressing to do, and I have a pup that has the be the centre of all things going on. I also am chief mower here, got lots of that to do, seems that I just get one part done, then have to start all over again then the weed whacker is also needed everywhere...it is a never ending job for sure.
My one niece is coming over with a friend and I will help them with the horses as the friend is not all that horsey...sooooo I may get on the back of a horse at least.

Silver Dancer I hear of different folks doing the orienteering, It sounds a lot like what a lot of us riders used to do onhour own when in new territory, get a map, a compass and go but the only thing we were competing against was the supper table, we all wanted to be back at camp before supper or at the very least dark...sometimes it was just under the wire finishes. lol I find it hard to work a gps at the best of times, as I some how have my own map in my head and find it difficult to have two "brains" working in one saddle. That is not including the horse who usually has his own gps working, homing instincts and a stomach to come in handy at times. lol
but in the long run it does not matter what we love to do with our horses, in the ring, rodeo, race, trail, orienteering, endurance etc etc...just get out there and do it...something that I have to make time for soon. geeeesh there is never enough time in a day anymore.

happy mothers day all mothers out in horse friends land Kent and I are going over to my daughter's house for homemade spaghetti and meatballs and a made from scratch cake, I hope that you get to be with family or ride or just do what makes you happy

thank you one and all for the condoences ....I'll pass them on to larry and family also.

Happy Mothers Day to all Moms of two and four legged kids!
Have a great day.

Orienteering...I loved it...we did it as a family team and just loved doing it. We drug those kids along and they lerned to read a map and compass before they could read very well! LOL My oldest kid and another teams' oldest daughter formed their own team and did quite well, two teens having a blast! We Moms worried a bit about them getting lost, but knew their horsemanship was good...and ya gotta let them fly on their own sometime...and when they beat all of us "old timers" they were unstoppable!

Its a good sport.
So is anything you do on horseback...I've done competitive trail, endurance, orienteering, team penning, showing, barrel racing, trail riding...its all fun when you enjoy being with your horse or a friend or family....its ALL GOOD!

Happy Mother's Day to me.............I was in the saddle at 6A.........only rode about an hr but I was so at peace with the world.........Faith seemed to know it was perfect. The sun was just up, cool breeze, quiet, just Faith. me & God..................sometimes I just feel so blessed.

The family will be here this afternoon..........lots of good food will appear. MMMMMMMMMMMMM.

God bless...........I hope it's a wonderful day for everyone!!!

CB, add my sympathy towards Lynn's family too. At least you know she isn't in pain anymore.

I had to work today. Boy, was it slooooow. Most of the mothers must have been out and about with family.

Well fiddle dee dee...............I can't get a pic in my gallery...........Image Shack tells me I don't exist and I see no other way in..................

Hope everyone had a super day...........I'm stuffed............

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Hope you all had a very nice one. My babies all have 4 legs, but they treated me nice today anyway.

EILEEN:
I know what you mean about having to make time to do horsey stuff. Having lessons every week has forced me into riding more, or I would let barn cleaning and other things take all my riding time.

GRAYMARE:
Your ride sounds wonderful. I am so glad you found Faith, she seems perfect. You can send a photo to your gallery here directly from your computer and not use ImageShack. Let me know if you have problems with that.....

SUNNY:
You are sounding better! Hope you had a good time today!

CB:
I hope Lyn's family is doing okay. It must have been a stressful time for them the past few months.
Orienteering sounds like fun!

BEECH:
So how is Maine? I just saw the Dark Shadows movie last night and the story is set in Maine. I thought of you....aren't you glad you don't live in Collinsport with a vampire? The movie was fun, I was a big fan of the t.v. series when I was in high school.

ELLEN:
So why weren't all those moms buying fancy sewing machines today? Sorry you had to work.


My ride yesterday was a mixed bag. Ivan was a holy terror for the first half of the ride and pretty good the second half. We went on a 12 mile ride on a wonderful trail. Ivan was so nervous he literally shook, all day. He knew all the horses, had been on this trail before, the day was perfect, and he couldn't relax and enjoy it. It was like riding a ticking bomb, but luckily he never exploded. After fighting me for 6 miles, we stopped and rested for a half hour and he turned into Mr. Reasonable after that. He did insist on going first, he used to insist on being last, but was happiest being the first in line for this ride. He got to go first when he got reasonable and we did a lot of trotting and cantering. When we got back, he was still so nervous he was quivering. I am not sure what to do about this. He was so much better last week on the more technical trail than he was on this easier, level trail. Two steps forward, one step back....Lately we get two nice rides, then a not so good one.

yep ARK, I know it was hard on Larry the last few months, it was hard enuf on me to see her wither away before my eyes when I tooik groceries in....I'm glad she is out of pain.

ARK, some endruance riders try Primrose oil or lavender oil and rub on the nose...this may help calm him down...worth a shot. I've rideen with my friend Jack who rode a stallion on trail rides with us and he used vicks in the nostrils at home and away so everything smelled the same...it does ten do work I have used it on my male doggies when I am not wanting them to breed..it does even block that smell, believe it or not!

Well, I think I will have an early night....this ear of mine is still giving me fits....altho I did manage to get everyone fed and watered and all 3 doggie yards cleaned and all the doggies got pork broth on their dog chow...they sure liked that treat!...no matter how I feel they still need care and lovin.

Cat's got everyone's tongue today?

We are practically drowning here, we've had over 3 1/2 inches of rain in the past 24 hours. The mud is fierce.


CB:
I will try to remember go get some of the Vicks and the lavander oil. Heck, I'd paint him with it if it would help his anxieties.

GRAYMARE:
That is a really sweet photo of you and Faith! I like your barn, too. Thanks for posting it!

RICK:
Have your toured Conwy Castle yet? I love that castle! I have been to it twice, once with Donnie and once with a bunch of teachers. I could happily tour it again, it's great.

GRAYMARE - Yes, that is a wonderful photo! You look 11 years old and clearly in love. What could possibly beat that??

CB - Send Lyn's family hugs from here, too. And give yourself a hug for having been a super friend to her.

RICK - I'm going to look on a map to see where you are, and am looking forward to the pics.

ARK - It's raining just a bit here right now, but we have had two or three days that were just perfect -- sunny with gentle breezes and temps about 70 amid all the spanking fresh greenery. Tulips out, peonies budding, lilacs just starting to blossom. No vampires I spent some time this week cutting all the pieces I'll need to build a big bookcase in my bedroom, did a little gardening, no scootering, and a lot of reading. I've just recently discovered Penelope Lively -- an earlier novel, dense and powerful, called The Photograph, and her latest, lighter, called How It All Began, which I loved because of its accurate depiction of (among other subjects) what it's like for a woman, a former vibrant teacher, to face the maddening limitations of advancing age. Probably only an oldster's cup of tea. PL herself is old enough to know.
Past bedtime here now...

I love the photo Graymare!!!! I can see that Faith is loving all the attention for herself!!!!

Had a nice ride yesterday. Ice seems to be pretty much over his reaction to spring shots. Makes me mad as I am careful not to give too many. I am a minimum vaccination person!!!! He had a pretty nasty reaction this time, so was glad to have him (after 10 days) back to his normal self. It was so nice, I think I will go do it again this morning!!!!! LOLOL

Good Sunny morning to all you Foop Peeps in cyber land. lol What a beautiful morning it is here in my little corner of the world. Once I get the morning Java down and domestic 'gotta dos' I will have to spend some time outside. The birds are singing up a storm. The farmers are outstanding in their field. lol Rained a bit, can't rememver when now. But I gotta get out there and cut some more hay ...aka...lawn. I got too much damn lawn to cut, brother and I share mower, his son uses it also so it is always in demand and try to plan around the rain and when the grass is not soaking wet from either dew or rain...It is a challenge, plus the fact that I hate the mowing thing, it is just a wase of time and energy and fuel....it will be the same damned thing in a few days where is the sense in that. kind of like doing the dishes...wash them now in a few hours the sink will begin to fill up again with dirty dishes...why is that. Cleaning house...same thing...sweep, dust, mop, vacuum, and before the sun sets, ...more dirt ...laundry, well you get my point I am sure....can you tell that I hate wasting a perfectly fine day with the maintenence thing.....boy I sure **** up a perfectly fine message at the beginning didn't I...better go before I go postal.

Ark ... I keep thinking about you and Ivan ... a thought I have is that you are probably a part of his problem. I know this because I am a been there, done that, got the t shirt person on this. So, I am thinking if we can figure out a "chill pill" of sorts for you before you start at the trailer that it might make a difference. Still not perfect probably, but might give you a start on it. I expect he feeds off your anxiety, then you feed off his ..... and on it goes. So, I am just starting a brain storming session here for some ideas for you. OK? tell me what you think please.

Ark, going along with Carol's thought, I wonder what would happen if you and Lori were to switch horses for a while on your next ride, just to see if it makes any difference.

ARK....YEP...been in Conwy and about 4 o 5 other castles on this trip. We is castled out!!

BEECH...I'm gonna do a "daily report" thing AFTER we get home and Carol gets well into her photo/scrap book.

EILEEN...You NEED Sir Sweeps-A-Lot Snoop to come for an extended visit!! Please? Pretty Please with chocolate syrup?

I will say that we actually saw some snow today up on higher elevations.

Love to all...The lost travelers...Rick, Carol, & Sir Laffs-A-Lot Snoop

Ark, Carol and Ellen have hit on a thing to try if you feel comfortable switching horses. If nothing else it will give Ivan something else to think about. When Stryker was barely trained he threw a hissy hit on me and Karen and I switched horses. He decided right away that this was not the time to be an idiot, and all went well. I on the other hand was on a 16.1 hand Foxtrotter mare who kept looking around at my legs and wondering what the hell those little short stubs that were asking her to do things were. It was rather a comical ride on her and my part. My feet were nowhere near the places she was use to being asked to move off of.

Been busy doing nothing the last couple of days and I am finding that this hot weather is making my breathing harder. Had not figured on that.

Rick glad you are having a good time. Sounds like loads of fun.

GM, I love the picture of you and Faith. She looks like a happy lady.

CAROL, ELLEN and KATHI:
All suggestions as to how to make our rides more relaxed are welcomed with very open arms!!

Actually I have spent the past week mulling over things, too. Why was Ivan so different at the New River Trail ride than he was the two weeks earlier at the Ivanhoe Poker Ride and the Pandapas Pond ride? The biggest difference I can think of was that at Pandapas and Ivanhoe, we arrived earlier and had to wait on the other riders to show up, so we walked around, nibbled some grass, and had time to chill out before tacking up and taking off. At last week's ride on the NR Trail, we all arrived together, tacked up and took off before Ivan got any chilling out time. If this is the big problem, then I will just have to build in that time for him to get more relaxed. It wasn't until we stopped for a break half way thru the ride and Ivan stood around with the other horses for 20 or 30 minutes did he get his brain back and turned into a more reasonable, thinking horse.

We are hauling Ivan to the NATRC ride, also in Ivanhoe, but at a different camp ground, on Friday. We will arrive around noon and he will be in a stall for awhile until I get us checked in. Then the vet-in is at 2 pm. The ride itself isn't until Saturday morning, so he will have a fair amount of time to get used to being there. I'll try to work with him Friday afternoon. The bad thing from Ivan's point of view is that he won't know any of the horses there. They are assigning a mentor to us, so hopefully he will bond with that person's horse for the ride.

ELLEN:
Coincidentally, I told Donnie that I was going to start taking lessons on Daisy and let Lori ride Ivan after this ride. If Ivan can't get over his nerves around strange horses or in different places, I may start taking Daisy. I'll need to ride her here for awhile since I have never seriously ridden her. She also gets nervous away from home, so she may not solve my problem. She has been doing great at home for Lori, though.

CAROL:
I suspect a good nerve pill would be good for us both. Ivan and I do feed off each other's anxieties. But he got off the trailer already nervous last Saturday, so started out a basket case before I had a chance to add to his nerves, so there must have been other factors.....like no time to chill out. He is the most emotional horse I have ever dealt with, but at least was trying to be fairly good since he didn't try to dump me or bolt or anything. His only outlet for his nerves was to shiver, shake and sweat....poor guy. He did get pretty huffy on occasion when I wouldn't let him go at warp speed. I wasn't sure I could stop him if he got carried away with running, but later didn't have a problem stopping him after he got his mind back.

Anyway, all suggestions are welcome as to how to improve our situation!! Hopefully we will have a wonderful time and Ivan will discover he likes these trips away from home. I'll try to keep us both calm.....

Has anybody been watching DWTS ths season? This has been the strongest season they've ever had. I really hated to see Derek and Maria get the boot tonight, but the other three are good too.

ARK, try some VICKS or lavender oil for YOUR nose! I couldn't resist. I use to tell a friend of mine to take a couple of tylenol before she rode...it sometimes just relaxes you enuf you go with the flow better and your muscles don't get nearly as sore either.

I'n not sure you can use vicks on the Natrc ride....but the lavender oil won't get detected at all...but the judges can smell the vicks. Lots of riders use the primrose or lavender oils tho. Sometimes when you are off your hore,, breathe in his nostrils...this sometimes has a very calming affect on them, and is used at P and R stops a lot...so if you see lots of riders kissing their horses, they are actually breathing in their noses. Remember to set a bucket of water out where it can reach air temps for when you get back, Ivan can drink the warmer air temp water rather than a fresh cold bucket, and one can be use to bathe him in and it will be warmer water also.
Good luck and have fun with it. You've come a long way Baby! Just keep on going!

does anyone have plans for Memorial weekend myself and Kent would like to have a B.B.Q. with my daughter and family here at the clubhouse by the big pool but will see, things are still not so well but at least the park is going to work out our condo fees and give us time to get some money to them and then they said that they will let us pay monthly instead of quarterly until everything is o.k again, so now all we have to do is keep the power on and hope that the Social Security makes there decission soon,

Sunny, glad to hear you get to stay in your place. Hope all the rest of it works it's self out for you.

Hot here again today but not as hot as yesterday. I complain when it is cold and snowing and when it is hot. I guess I need to live somewhere that is about 70 yr round. Not to picky am I?

KATHI:
Nope, you aren't too picky. That's where I want to live, too! Let me know when you find out where that is.....

BEECH:
I'll try to find Penelope's books at the library. They sound pretty good!

SUNNY:
Sounds like the park management is reasonable after all! I am so glad they are giving you and Kent a break. Have fun with your Memorial Day BBQ. We don't have any plans yet, but that could change any minute.

CB:
I hope to get out and look for the lavender oil tomorrow. I have about a million things to do tomorrow to get ready for Friday. We picked up the Mini-Winny camper from a friend and now have a place to sleep that doesn't involve a truck bed! It's a cute little Winnebago with all the niceties like air conditioning, bathroom, kitchen and bed! It will pull our horse trailer, too. We are going in style!

On the way home, I drove our car while Donnie drove the camper. He took off and I immediately got lost in a maze of back roads. I didn't think I'd ever be seen again. I can't believe I have been lost twice in the past two weeks.


Ivan and I had a lesson today. Butter didn't melt in his mouth, he never took a wrong step. I even cantered him down the side of the arena which I haven't done much because of the tight curves. No problem. I think he has multiple personalities.

woohoo ARK, going in style! don't forget your boots....when I did NATRC, ya had to wear boots!
You may want a bit heavier saddle pad than your blue one..jmho
Remember to smile! and relax and have fun with it, you learn as you go.

Sunny that is good news about the park working with ya's.

Well, yesterday I saw my endocrinologist, last week I saw my gastric bypass doc who thinks I have some scar tissue.wants me to see an internal med doc and have an endoscopy done and a cat scan...then today I got to see my arthritis doctor...I have to have a bone scan done, and today I had exrays done....wow...I feel like they could do a medical paper on me!

Hubby got the yard mowed and weed trimmed the front porch...it looks much better out there and now I can actually see if there are snakes crawling in the grass! LOL.well maybe I don't want to see them!

Missy Muleatude is growing fast! She llikes the hose sprayed on her...sily girl.
Puppies are growing and teeny tiny is getting really cute!
I have two red sables and one red and white piebald.

Hubby is on his way back to NV...long drive...I usually stay awake until he gets back..then I fall into bed!

Sweet Dreams Y'all.