Quick Ride w/Blue Kanti before the Thurnder - Rain

Just a quick ride today.  I was almost against it.  So many things to do before vacation next week.
Kanti was just coming off a great ride with Laurie the 9am type.  I got there at about 2min of 10am.

Beautiful Duke, he is looking thin I hope he's feeling better soon  xoxo

Olivia was working in the paddock with the horses.  Kanti and Laurie were getting some plants for Kanti to plant.

When I called him he looked over and me and smiled, Im pretty sure.

Kanti was out on a pale horse sweet and named Cody.  She looked like she was some type of Appaloosa.  She liked her.
I was on Blue, We went on the ride with the customers, 10am.  There was a family that seemed like they were from another country and had accents on the ride.  The family all took the walk ride.  There were a mom and daughter with us and Sarah was the guide.   Anja and Olivia was on the walk ride plus Anja had the young boy tethered.
It was an interesting ride, plain but Oreo and Blue kept us from going too fast. Blue doesn't ride as great as when we are out of the customer. ride.  I took a few pictures and talked with Kanti the whole ride.  It was fun. I took a map of the ride and will upload.

There is a bees nest on the hill approaching the end of the ride near the area where the sheep, mini donkey's and lamb sometimes are penned.  Apache was stung yesterday on the hind leg.  Poor thing.
Market Basket Drama is still going on.  I was able to get some groceries before I left Littleton.
There was a horrible accident on the highway involving campers, tracker trailers and a smushed car on Route #495.

First ride with Teresa Cassie's sister - canter

Wicked traffic today held me up so I didn't make the 9am but got there well after 9:35.  I twas ok I spent time with the lamb and talked with Sandi.  She and Sarah said that Duke was sore on his withers but he was still saddled up in the corral waiting.  I hope he didn't work at all today.  He did get some hay and I was able to give him a quick carrot after the 2nd ride left.

When Kanti and Laurie came back the 9am had returned they went out quick and returned with the customers. The breezy air and high 70s weather makes you feel good to go out in the woods for a ride.  I was able to choose who to ride. Blue, Hershey, Domino (I wanted Domino).There was only one customer Eve I thin her name was and she had been a boarder years before.  She was patient.  There were some girls hanging around (two young ones).

When we got to the split Theresa asked if everyone wanted to trot ride.  It was only on customer, 2 girls who seemed like they were friends of someone (so they were not customers free riding most likely) Kanti and I.  The customer wanted to ride fast.   Teresa asked if everyone was comfortable with a canter.  I was pretty excited that she would offer.  There was a man on the first wooded run so we had to wait until the corner and then we did really trot.  When wet got to the lake things got fun.  There were families on the lake and people on the island.  Teresa got us trotting at the corner but the family had 3 dogs and Fletcher has come for the ride which makes it difficult to do much running on the trail.  We stopped and the  nice lady got her tiny Lassie style dog in her arms.  She was nice.
we then walked for a bit and went into what would be  4 canter tries today.  The first one was a struggle because of Fletcher, Kanti was behind me.  Blue was a good boy, but he couldn't get into a canter with Fletcher there.  So when Teresa asked about the next one, I made it clear that Blue won't go fast if Fletcher is there.   She called the ride and then I told Fletcher to be careful and he went off the trail so Blue could ride.  I was happy he listened to me and I was also surprised.  The little dog did better.   We had some great canters. Blue was a good boy.  Eventually the girl in the back wanted to be up with her friend and after that,  Apache got too close to Blue and bit him.  Apache had never done that before.  Laurie is pretty good with him.  Kanti wanted to pass with Apache but Im not sure that it was a good idea. I let them.   I was in the back for the rest of the ride.  It was perfect for Blue.  Kanti later said that Apache was stung by a bee at the end of the ride.  When we got to the paddock I was able to get off Blue and put him in the gate.  I gave him a few carrots when no one was looking.
Later I went to leave and then turned back the car and gave the carrots to Duke when no one was looking in his stall.  Domino knew what I was doing.  Duke looks blue around the nostrils.  I hope he'll be feeling ok.  He takes such good care of me I wish I could do something for him.
Spent some time with Sergeant and Winston. gave them some carrots too.  They pose sweet for treats.
Met the owner of Jeb the horse that looks like Duke, Blue but even bigger.  He is a nice man and he's new to the farm.  He looks like he'll be a great addition. I took tons of pics of him and his horse in the sandy parking lot.  He was dying to go on a ride.
No ice coffee today. Straight home for hot coffee.

Sergeant

All the Maps

Blue today, 2 rides a canter or two

Missed the Saturday so it was great to make it in time to ride with Sandy, Cathy, Laurie and Kanti.
Kanti took out Big Red and he coughed so much that she was worried when we cantered.  She brought him back and caught up with the guide ride.  I think he was feeling better.  Hope everything is ok.  Laurie was riding behind me on Apache, I like how she is with Apache.  He's beautiful guy.

I was challenged on the ride because I am getting used to Blue's canter style plus I can use some riding tips.  When there are rides away from customer rides, more advanced I have opportunities to learn how to ride fast with Duke or in this case Blue.  These are sometimes short, under an hour but they are the most exciting of the times.  I don't aways count how many times that I actually get to a canter.  Blue like I will explain leaps into the air as soon as he knows we are going to run.  His leap is so strong and large that I must keep calm and handle it.  On the trail all the other riders have much smaller horses when we go out (I noticed).  This may be easier or more difficult.  From what I Have experienced it is easier for them on a smaller horse.  The experiences from everyone are so helpful to me on the trails.
Sandy gave me a tip, called it Cowboy Post, he said that you slightly post up and down during the heavy trots to keep your body off the saddle and help to keep the balance too. I tried it, Ill need more practice.  We talked about heavy or continual trots and how it is difficult to get in the rhythm from a long trot to a canter.  The horses can "Jump" into a canter from the get go.  Thats exciting.  He and Cathy were talking about how in Wyoming, the riders on the ranches frequently hold the horn and also the back of the saddle.  When I was in Colorado, the guides said, Hold the back of the saddle but this was because the inclines on the giant rocks were so steep, I don't know of any other way to stay on at that angle.
Blue's Canter is much different than Duke.  The saddle actually needed to be titghted after the 3 canter when we went up the hill after the left turn to the left at the edge of the lake.  Cathy jumped off and checked it and it was too loose.  I really appreciate her doing that.
I was able to keep up without sliding off after that.  Blue's canter is huge.  Gigantic steps.  He loved the jump before the canter I could really feel  how powerful he could be if he let his whole self go, or run as fast as he could.  It was beautiful thing as usual to experience another horses's flying canter.  I am so fortunate.  :)

We saw a man and his dog. Blue was ok with that but on the second ride Blue didn't like the small child holding the god back.  And also the man or dad was scolding the boy for letting go or not being responsible with the dog.  I expected the dog to run up behind us.  I was with Sarah and as we walked down the trail the dog boy and Dad (with fishing rods) was following.  Blue turned his head as he walked to let me know he didn't like being followed by the dog and others.  Blue kept doing it, it was interesting.
ON the first ride, We were with Cathy and Sandy and doubled back to catch the guide ride.  It was nice. Those two can go fast,  Sandy was on April and he really liked how she was riding, Cathy of course on Taboo. Those two continued for a 2 hour ride to Acton.  I was nice to ride for a bit with them.

I had a nice talk with Laurie on the way back.  Blue was excited to go fast on the hill before the little stream after the straight away that goes left on the river.  I enjoyed him very much.  On the first ride Cathy slowed us down to go around a downed tree that had 2 huge splintered ends that went 1/2 way into the trail.  Wicked dangerous for a rider and horse if they didn't see it or if they were in a canter and needed to slow down.  The area after the wooden planks, before the turn around the lake is called,  Lower Pine and when you take the loop back at the turn is called Triangle Trail.  Sarah told me this today.  I always wanted to know how to describe it.  Sarah told me that Hawk is still lame from Stetson kicking him.  Now she is having Stetson take all the rides with her until Hawk feels better.

I also got a chance to help Christina get on Domino.  All the guides were gone already and I helped Christina, it felt good.  Olivia helped me with Blue so I was lucky to on the second time not need any help.  It feels good to not need help.
Ill post pictures later.
Oh yeah I asked Sandi if she could give Duke the 3 carrots I left in the bag for me and she said certainly.  I hope he got them today.  She said that her and Shenen had s slip and fall again.  She said it was on a bridge and her foot when through and then she fell on top or her leg.  I hope she is ok and that her and Shenen have some better luck on the trails.  Thank god, Sarah was behind her.