She came in a dream....

2 years ago, in the winter, our first boarder arrived. A bay mare, Morgan cross something if I remember correctly. This poor soul had been through extensive abuse in her past and was anxious, scared and untrusting. She could not be ridden safely and had no use for humans aside from feeding time. She had then been acquired by the most appropriate woman for the job of building her back into the confident partner she deserved to be. Through her scars and lumps she was still the most radiant and beautiful creature, truly magnificent.

Funny thing about the universe and timing. Now, I am not into whoo hoo mystical stuff, but I can't help but notice how some things line up and how things can be "known" with no way of knowing?

When this mare, Diamond, came to board at our property our 7 year old son was going through a bout of acute anxiety and was having trouble with even basic daily activities. There was something in this mare that brought him out and she trusted him. He quickly became the one to feed her, brush her and catch her when  I could not. I remember one day she was down in the yard and would not come up with the other horse at feeding time. I could not catch her nor call her in. I sent my son into the yard, she put her head down and followed him closely all the way through the property to her stall, never running ahead to get to the feed.

I think they understood each other. I think they could relate and saw a kindred spirit in each other. Maybe it was the way he never asked too much of her, but was happy to just "be" and live in the moment as kids do. Whatever it was, during the short time she lived here she had a great impact.

Her owner changed her name to Dream, a new name for a new life. Gentle training and solid relationship building began, and last I saw the horse that was to be euthanized at one point in her life was a happy willing trail partner.

My son has again been suffering months of debilitating anxiety.  I was up cleaning the barn yesterday and I just stopped. Frozen with a sudden thought of that mare. I pictured her there and wondered if she would help her boy in his time of need.

Then today I got a message. I had not heard from her owner for some months. All it said was,"do you have a stall available?" I do not, we have since gotten a pony for our daughter and another boarder. 3 stalls -all full. But it nagged at me so I replied to find out for whom. "Dream might be coming home" was the reply.

How strange! I had not thought of her for some time and then yesterday this overwhelming thought, followed by the possibility of her staying with us when we could use her help. Even my husband agreed we could divide the large stall and find a way (now for those with non-horse hubbies, you know this is huge!)

So I leave it. If it is meant to come together for the betterment of my son it will. I hope that he can find peace in horses the way that I do. It is truly a gift we are given.

Merry Christmas

Well it is Christmas Day! We had some melted snow on the ground and after the morning feed it began to snow... and snow! Ace has been in quite a bit lately with the snow, mud, and me being a bit out of commission from a routine surgery.

This morning they were out playing in the snow and found a tree that had snapped in the previous snow fall. I think they had seen the humans playing with it, trying to snap it off. They thought it was pretty fun -Ace thought it was more fun to try to get the mares to play! Sometimes I think he would like another boy to rough-house with, but mares were in our cards! You can hear the family in the background trying to figure out how the new Christmas toys work ;)

I am glad to say Ace is feeling better and recovering from his lameness and is itching to go. We are taking things easy as his feet are not there yet, even though we are making some good progress.

I hope all of you who are reading this are safe and warm and in the company of those you love, furry or not!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Angela and Ace

The first forte into CTR

Well, the little pony saddle was fun, but I found a great little used endurance saddle and a week later tried my hand at Competitive Trail Riding!

What a hoopla of fun! Not having a partner (nor a clue) I was paired up with a lovely lady camped beside me. She had a heavy duty stock QH type, a gelding, who Ace seemed pleased to camp beside. The evening meeting talked about the route, obstacles, speeds and how to navigate. Okay, seems pretty easy. I was doing level one (easy level for us greenhorns), and it was timed mostly at the walk on a QH, in hopes we would enjoy some of the beautiful scenery such as old growth forest and such. After the meeting an additional member joined our two-some, another first timer on a dressage horse. Bit of contrast here!

The next morning we get ready to head out, pee about 50million times, and off we go! walk nicely out of the farmyard, across a field, through a ditch and along the road. This is lovely (but still trying to find my seat in this new saddle?)! We get onto a single track trail and my fearless leader kicks it into high gear! We move into a long trot, which Ace can barely keep up with and we are losing our leggy addition!? During a quick walk break our new member says, "do we usually travel that fast?" Appearently, yes.

So on and on for 2 hours we fly through narrow trails, logging roads, rivers, subdivisions, airport (?!)..... until we reach our halfway point about 9 miles out. Whew! Ooops, where is that fancy horse that was with us? She came in 5 minutes later.

Let me tell you, 45 minutes goes fast! Vet check (slight lameness, hmmmm), water and food. Back up on the horse and away we go again, back where we came! I thought I was pretty well conditioned for our "mainly walk" but let me tell you.... 4 hours of extended trot with small breaks of walking (jigging) OWCH!

Ace was really forward and geared to go and was happy as close up the tail of his riding buddy as possible, much to my dismay (must work on that!). We got back with a time of 4 hours and 43 minutes, only a few minutes off of our optimal time of 4 hours 45 minutes, thanks to my fearless leader!

Vet check again. (no human doctor checks? lol) Ace's lameness in his front right is slightly worse (big point deduction!) but passes. Saddle sores, nope, guess the new saddle fits?!! Over to our little campsite where we can relax. As I wander back over to the little paddock to check on my boy I see him flat out on his side. Breathing in big, noisy sighs. OMG, I have killed him! I go in and check and he gets up a bit, seems okay, Poor guy, I do the human equivalent and tend to my skin which is many shades of sunburn.

Potluck and awards: we placed 4th and got a big fancy rosette! Nice! I was happy we just survived!






After a fun day with an awesome bunch of very welcoming horse people, I was hooked! (We just need to condition better next time!


And the pony saddle? Well it found a new home on the back of my daughters new Arab pony, Jamaica Rose. Who knows maybe it will see a CTR yet ;)

The old pony saddle

It is interesting how some things make you feel like a kid again....

Last week I tried my old pony saddle on Ace, hoping the addition of a "tree" to his saddle would give him better spinal clearance. Anyway, Over the years my stirrups and leathers had been swiped by "un-savories", but I found a girth and a pad and tried it on. He really was not sure about this new saddle that feels so different and jingles in a new way. I thought, "I will take him for a walk. Let him get the feel for it". Grabbing my helmet, just in case, we set off for a quick loop around the trails. Well it got warm and I thought, "maybe you can carry me a bit" as we walked by a big rock. I climbed into the saddle, pleased my adult butt fit into the seat I bought with my saved allowance as a 10 year old.

We rode through the trees, just a saddle and a halter. I had that moment where I remembered taking my arab pony out with nothing but the bare fittings a teen could grab and go. The feel of the inexpensive all-purpose saddle reminded me of all the times I was dumped at the jump by my crazy sorrel Quarter Horse mare, and all the times riding to the ring for lessons on my trusty Arab, galloping along the trails. I had a grin that just would not wipe off until I returned to my adult reality again.

Loving the feeling, I was able to get out twice again that week and again today. I have borrowed some stirrups, working on getting my own, and on the longer rides my adult bones are not as forgiving, so I am making a sheepskin cover. I hope to incorporate the little bit of my youth with the comforts required of my maturity and have some great rides ahead until I can figure out our next saddle.

Back in the saddle again... on Friday the 13th?!

Well, it has been far too long without a good ride. The current boarder I have here is reportedly herd bound to a high degree so I have been reluctant to inflict seperation on her. However, it was too nice not to ride today!

Managed to hook up with my friend, Victoria, today and get out. I locked the mare in the large stall with hay and water and prayed to the horsey gods she would just stay calm!

Victoria took me on some of the new trails in the back 40 (did I mention we have the best, never-ending trails here?) The new trails were built by the district to fulfill a promise when they put in a new subdivision.

A great ride. There are several bridges that are small and wooden with sides, one of which makes a 90 degree turn halfway along then there is an opening along the side to turn off the bridge so as not to continue along to the stairs that are at the end of it. Interesting obstacle!

There was a nice waterditch, with a gaping bridge with no sides or a direct crossing (we chose the bridge, not sure of the sucking mud), open fields, steep hills, large logs to get over, narrow treed trails, a river crossing, and roads through a subdivision -complete with barking dogs, kids waving and yelling, and the ever fearsome manholes! (which were not hungry today apparently?)

Ace was picking up on the energy of his riding partner and did a bit of out of character prancing and jogging. Not his usual lazy self! Even after 1.5 hours he was still raring to go! Not bad for being out of shape!

When we returned his tack was covered in what only I can refer to as a duvet of horse hair. Not just the bottom, but the top and in every crack. I was also covered from top to toe. He is so long and thick still, despite my hours with the shedding blade! He really looks more goat in the winter than horse! Victoria is going to lend me her vacuum, see if that can make a dent in it!

The mare was fine at home, had not broken a sweat and only resumed calling when our hooves were within earshot. She seemed quite content and had been eating. Thanks be to the Horsey gods!!!

In my rush this morning to get out to meet Victoria I left Ace's braids in. Much to his chagrin we encountered a hiker who commented on his "unusual hair-do" Oh brother! Poor boy. Mental note: un-braid before next ride!

All in all a great ride.... despite being Friday the 13th! ;)

Well, in one month Ace will be 13 years old! Where has the time gone! People say time goes so fast and your kids grow up before you know it, the same is true with horses!

I am done my schooling -goal accomplished

I have lost 60lbs, and am lighter now than I have ever been in my remember-able life -goal accomplished

I have a beautiful home/barn, 2 great kids, a supportive husband who loves me. The perfect life. HOWEVER.... I have neglected one very important aspect that is just for ME. ACE.

So, I have made it my mission to finally begin training for Competitive Trail Riding.

This horse and I were born to hit the trail and conquer whatever we may chance across! LOL

So, step one: Find another boarder to keep the big red TB here happy while I go out. Check. No- wait he cancelled :( So still working on that. Is there a way to get out without her injuring herself out of stress. Hhmmmmmm...

Step two: Attend the orientation weekend in Duncan. Yay! Oh, wait, I need to get riding first. Grrrr... always something!

So here is the current dilema. Find boarder, get riding, then get comfortable at the trot (though Ace has an amazing ground covering walk) in a month and a half.

I like the concept of this approach, being competitive, because there are set dates I need to condition us for. Kind of keeps me accountable ;)

So I carry on, but now with goals that involve RIDING. Wish me luck! I will try to post more often and keep a bit of a log as to my progress on my goal.

Happy Trails!

The Cosmic Conciousness

Sometimes when you put things out there, things happen. My dad always called it the "cosmic consciousness", meaning that what one person thinks is passed to the other humans around them on a large scale. Think about that, how many times does this happen when thoughts or ideas spread like wildfire, even if no one spoke about it? More often than you think ;)

Anyway, when I was feeling at the edge of despair about what to do with Ace, and feeling I was coming close to an impossible decision I was not prepared to make, the phone rang. Just like that. I answered it to find the voice of Stefanie Travers who I had not heard the voice of for several years. She was the only farrier that stuck wih Ace through his training of "foot handling", and had long since moved away to start her own career in horse training.

"I have an empty spot in my horse trailer and I am heading back home. Can I take Ace? It is time, lets get him going."

WOW. I have to decide NOW? Umm, Umm, Okay! Do it. There is no one else I would trust, who had the same style of training I wanted to persue, and who I trusted to treat him properly. It felt "right". He was taken while I was at work and went off to sleepaway camp for one month as agreed.

At the end of the month the little scoundrel was not quite out of his stubborn, set WELL into his ways lifestyle that he had been accustomed to. Stef wanted him to stay another 2 months. I couldn't. Money was too tight, and taking this money from my family was already difficult at this time in our life, as I am about to begin my schooling. I had doubts, "did I waste the money to send him? Was this a mistake?" Stef said to come out and do a "Trail Riding with confidence" camp. Huh?? I have no confidence, I doubt I can even ride him, she is crazy! The negative talk was pulling me, but Stefanie gave me the extra push and I made it happen. I took out "death and dismemberment by horse" insurance and started to pack.

If you have not done a camp with Stefanie Travers you need to stop reading now, get onto http://www.lodestarhorsemanship.ca/ and sign up NOW! Yes, it was mind blowing for me since I made the great leap to finally riding my horse, but aside from that Stefanie has a gift. Now, there are plenty of very gifted horse trainers, but not many have the gift with the people as well. She is able to meet you where you are, in a completely non-judgemental way, that relaxed both horse and handler. She is at home with professional horse people and backyard pony people, she has no pretense, aside from the desire to see people and horses happliy working together. Anyway, I digress...

So I go to Merritt for this camp and arrive around midnight through the backroads and darkness. I find the place, horses in fields, mobile home, horse trailer, yup... I am here. I quietly sneak up to the house with my extension cord, hoping to find a place to plug in my power cooler, to no avail. Hmmm... funny the dogs aren't barking. I can't find an outlet anywhere! I am so tired from working all day then driving all night, I crawl into the back of the van, saddle as a pillow, and sleep, only waking every so often to plug the cooler in to the van to cool it a bit, but not drain the battery! Morning comes. I wake to the sound of footsteps outside may van. I peek up to see a strange man walking by and looking at the van confused. I watch him feed horses. He wanders back to the house, passing the van. I bravely come out. "Um, is this Stefanie Traver's place?" He replies, "nope, she is at the next farm down!" Completely embarrased I quickly collect my outstretched extension cord and scurry out with many appologies and excuses for my mistake! How embarrasing!

The bonus of this little side trip was during the drive up the road to the right place, in the wee hours of the morning, I see a blur of fur racing through the field from the river to the trees. I recognize the stretched out body posture and the distinct tail as a cougar! Cool! I round the corner where the cougar disappeared and arrive at the correct farm, Dot Ranch.

I slip in, unannounced and set up my van for camping, "mom style". No one up yet, hmm. I see Ace in a paddock, so I try to figure out how to get to him, and find my way through the barn and into his paddock. Oh how nice to see him after a month away! I look around to find a brush, and find the tackroom. I brush him down and go put the brush back. A strange man approaches as I put the brush back in it's bin. "Hi." "Hello?" (OH please GOD, tell me I am in the right place, yes, Ace is here. Who is this guy and why is he looking at me like I shouldn't be here??) I scurry back to my van. Stef comes out with a big welcoming hug, boy did I need THAT! I tell her my adventures and it turnes out the other woman at the camp this week stopped at the same farm down the road and unloaded her horse, much to the fellows dismay. He then directed her to the next ranch up. Poor guy, one day I will send him a new sign for his ranch, maybe we chould call it "Ranch before Stefanie's Ranch" or something more witty ;) It also turns out the fella at the barn owns the property and it was HIS tack room I was borrowing things from. Ah, that explains it!

I settle in, have some breakfast and prepare for what lie ahead in 3 days of "Trail riding with confidence" horse camp.