Horsecrastination

This is one of my favorite photos of me riding Amiga.  It was when we were in the Parade of Breeds at Wildwood Stables in 2019.

"Horsecrastination" is an informal, portmanteau term combining "horse" and "procrastination" to describe the act of choosing to ride a horse or engage in horse-related activities instead of other necessary tasks.  It's a playful way to acknowledge that a person is delaying other responsibilities in favor of spending time to "horse around."  








With the beautiful, cooler fall weather we have been having, and now that the pool is closed, my main focus has been riding.  I wanted (and still do) to take advantage of the opportunity for nice rides before it gets a lot colder and the days even shorter.  
I actually rode every day this week, totaling 35½ miles (28½ on Rico and 7 on Amiga).

Saturday 9/27 - Betty and I trailered to East Fork Stables where we met up with Christie and went for a nine mile ride.  













Christie was on her new three year old paint mare for a 'training' ride, so we didn't go faster than a walk.

Christie kept Sadie at the end of the line in case she needed to circle or back her at any point.  Rico did most of the leading because Dorado was not wanting to be out front.  








Rico did a great job going first, only spooking at a horse drawn buggy that came down the trail with a large group of riders.  And later at a squirrel (while I was getting a drink of water) causing me to bite my lip.  






We were in the woods most of the time, so stayed comfortably cool.  We did cross this beautiful field of wild flowers, but it was overcast and there was a lovely breeze.  






We couldn't have asked for a better day in terms of weather, horse behavior, or trail conditions.  

The cattle in the woods were of little concern for Rico, yet something of interest (video).

When we got to the Coatney Loop picnic area, we chose not to get off the horses because the picnic table was too close to the edge to make it safe to get back on the horses.  Christie was also unsure how Sadie would do tied to a pick line.  We turned around there because the rest of the loop was overgrown and not very passable.    





Back at the campground we hit the obstacle course and then went with Christie to her trailer.   

Betty and I took our boys farther around the campground to expose them to more things.  It was a very busy place with both the McMinnville Saddle Club ride and the Ride for St. Jude happening. 

We washed off our horses after untacking and let them graze while we ate lunch.  Then we took them to the arena where they both enjoyed a good roll (video).

Trailering the hour each way, to and from East Fork, went with ease.  We drove through a little rain on the way back.  





I got home at 4pm, cleaned up, did household chores, and was at The Grove for Utopia at 5:45.  They were so good, I was on my feet dancing for most of the three hours they played.  But I was thankful for slow songs and a chance to rest.

Sunday 9/28 - I forgot to mention, Joe got a new car last week, because his other SUV needed some repairs that were going to add up to too much.  The new one has fewer bells and whistles and 100,000 less miles.  Joe prefers a vehicle that's more basic, less frills.  

I met Karen at the ranch after church and lunch and we took Zorro and Rico on a four mile ride, going a different route than usual.  Zorro did great, as did Rico.  


Near the end of our ride I had gotten off Rico to pick up a red metal rake with a broken handle that Patty had seen a couple days ago.  Well, I kind of showed it to Rico and sort of waved it around him.  But then when I set it on the back of the saddle and put my foot up in the stirrup to get on, the rake jiggled and Rico spun away from me and took off.  He only went about 12 feet down the road towards home, and then stopped dead in his tracks and stood there.  I abandoned the rake, walked up to him and gave him a treat for stopping, and not running home, which was not that far down Hathaway.  I thought it was great that he started to run away and then stopped and just stood there and waited for me.

We continue to learn and grow together, building a bond of trust.  I sometimes forget he is not my Amiga, who is as trustworthy, level headed, and solid as can be.  

Rather than go home to do much needed yard work after our ride, I chose to spend over an hour raking our trail through the woods.  Getting the leaves off helps the horses see their footing better.  And with the sticks and manure gone they won't try to side-step to miss them, and run us into trees at the narrow spots.

Monday 9/29 - The problem with getting old is that more stuff happens to us.  And when stuff happens, it usually puts us out of commission for a while or maybe longer.  And once we’re sedentary, it’s that much harder to get up and going again and sometimes we just never really get back to our old self and our body continues to age/shut down.  



Today's horsing around included a ride with Patty and Joanne after I did chores (video).  

Look at what silly Zorro did during our photo shoot.  He grabbed Joanne's stirrup, pulling it out from under her foot.  He is such a stinker, but we all love him.  



Joanne looking good up on Rico, and ready to ride.
Patty and Joanne went four miles, but I turned Amiga back for home early, after getting some photos of the two heading down the road.  














I wish I'd thought to take the photos sooner (when they were closer and easier to see) than when it occurred to me to do so.  The two cowgirls and their horses just looked so at ease riding down the road together.  








Patty leading Zorro after our ride, back up to the paddock (by the house) that he shares with Amiga.

My back has started bothering me again so I had to ease off on a few exercises at the gym today.  I also pulled out my heating pad when I sat here at my desk in the evening.

Tuesday 9/30 - Last day of September.  Our troublesome, renegade chicken continues to escape, even though both her wings have been clipped and the branch we thought she was getting up on to get high enough to fly (glide) over the fence has been trimmed.  

I was at the barn by 8:30 with Zorro to get his chiropractic adjustment.  His back hip was not out, which was good.  Katy said his muscle memory helped with that.  But he needed several other little adjustments in his back and neck.  

I then took Rico out by himself.  He was no pokier than usual, leaving the barnyard and he remain calm yet alert for all of the ride.  He even stood while I trimmed branches along the narrow trails and when I 'parked' him to move logs, he remained there waiting.  I am quite pleased with his progress.
 

Horses aren’t the only way to procrastinate. Dancing works well too, or going for a nice long hike. Anything but working in the house or around the yard.  I’d even rather go to the gym.  

Maggie and I went on a 3½ mile hike.

 

We took the Red Trail and veered off on the yellow trail for a bit, to check out the new 'sub-division' going in near the water tower up by Good Sams.  

Even though Maggie was able to get a drink and get wet a few times (video), she was hot and tired when we got back to the car.
 

Once home, I tied Maggie on the back porch because she was wet and a little muddy.  











Babe and Mama Styx were captivated by Maggie's flex-a-leash rope.  I didn't have time to sit too long, enjoying a rest on the porch swing.  

I couldn't find anyone to join me at Lake Tansi for Soul Soup, one of my favorite bands.  So I drove the 35 minutes there on my own.  







I ran into several Fairfield Glade people I know, both to sit with in the audience and out on the dance floor. 





The band was wonderful as always, the weather superb, and the setting by the lake just beautiful.







Joe got home from poker before I rolled in at 9:30.
 

Wednesday 10/1 - Hello October.  Betty and I went for a 6½ mile ride after I finished chores.  Rico gets very 'sticky' when I try to get him to pass Dorado.  I think he is a bit lazy and prefers to hang back so he doesn't have to be on the 'lookout' when out in front.  When he is in the lead, he is more forward moving but also on high alert much of the time.    









I tried Rico with the jolly-ball in the round pen once untacked, but he was more interested in eating.  

Once home, I took quite a bit of time to water (with fertilizer) all my potted plants, flowering shrubs, and new transplants from this summer.  









I was headed back to the ranch at 3:30 for afternoon/evening chores.  A friend met me there to inquire about our boarding operation.  
    
 


She was considering moving her horse to our ranch because she might need to find a new barn, sooner than later.  We discussed the possibility with all its ramifications.  I was wondering if this was 'meant to be' because I couldn't discount the timing of this with the very recent opening available to fill Banner's spot.  I had been praying for guidance in bringing on a new boarder and horse and planned to be very 'picky' about who we bring in to our co-op.  My friend and her horse 'fit the bill' but were we the right place for them?

Thursday 10/2 - The farrier came this morning.  Patty was there doing chores so got Rico and Zorro to the barn.  I arrived at 8:45 and things were already well underway.  Patty holding Zorro while he got trimmed.  I brought Amiga down.  Meanwhile, after Cowboy's trim, Bonnie applied epsom salt poultice to his back and wrapped him in saran wrap to allow it to heat up.   





Zorro is getting the same rub for his back too, except minus the wrap.  These older boys are a tad bit arthritic and have some bumps along a section of their backbone.  The magnesium in the epsom salt provides a drawing effect that reduces inflammation and swelling.  

Wanda enjoying the comforts of Betty's jacket.
Amiga was trimmed last, and by the time she was done, everyone had left except Chris and his apprentice Andy.  I took Amiga back to the upper paddock and the farrier(s) left before I got back down to the barn.  By the time I got down there, Rico (who was all alone in his stall) was quite anxious and upset.  He was calling out for the other horses, circling, and kicking the walls and gate.  


 

 

I gave Rico a handful of alfalfa pellets which quieted him down.  Then when I tied him in the barn aisle, he proceeded to stand calmly while I got him tacked up.  

And off we went on a lovely five mile ride.  Rico did well (video), although he did have two kind of big spooks.  

One of his spooks was at this new sign that was not here at the corner of Beachwood and Marmaduke last time we rode by this spot.  And yep, this sign means they will probably start building a house here, which we have been suspicious of since all four sides of the two lots were marked with the pink tape last spring.





I had to slowly ease Rico over to the sign so he would realize it wasn't going to kill him and he didn't need to be afraid of it.  He did finally get close enough to smell it.  









We rode around in the power line area a little bit, and then came home the 'back way' from the opposite direction as usual.

Joe had left for Florida this morning, and I got word and this photo that he had made it and was having a big, late lunch with Jim and Debbie.  









I ended up spending the whole day at the ranch, doing lots of random jobs.  I gave the tack room a good cleaning; cleaned up in the ranch house kitchen; collected all garbage and recyclables from house, barn and shop; moved hay, etc.

I did evening chores early and then helped Patty, who took a break from mowing, to put hooks on this wooden horse silhouette she bought and painted.  















Then I hung it up on the front gate.  Neither of us like the reflective tape on the gate just above the horses back.  So I'll need to adjust it or remove the tape.

Friday 10/3 - The ranch was not so lonely this morning when I went out to do chores.  My Saddle Sister met me again, to see the chore process and get more questions answered.  And Patty was out to mow.  
After the renegade chicken (Rene) is 'herded' back into the coop, she goes straight to the bucket for a drink of water.  Well this morning, Patty trimmed her right wing some more so we hope this will finally do the trick of keeping her in.  

Wanda kitty staying cool.

 


After chores,  Karen and I went for a 3½ mile ride.  Zorro was a little tender footed, but Amiga showed very little signs of soreness.  Man do I love her energy, but need to 'hold her back' so she doesn't overdo it.  

We had smelled skunk and after awhile, I noticed this poor young creature near the manure pile, dead with entrails hanging out and on the grass.  It's head and underside were black.  I buried it.  

  
These two photos of Layla were posted by Yaneth several days ago.  What a cutie-patootie.  I would be seeing her and Ava real soon.  

After our ride, I finished up mucking and then closed and locked everything up before heading home.  











I had to hustle to shower and do house chores and quickly pack so I could be at Patty's by 3:30. 

Well, it seems I got a little longwinded on this post.  Just ask any cowgirl about her horse and you will get an earful.  Actually you'll hear a lot whether you asked or not.  Anytime we Saddle Sisters get together, it is always a big gab session.