Halloween quick afternoon trip to visit the barn and Duke, just to see how he is doing

Ran over to the barn after lunchtime and after the huge session with the VA.  I called over Cassie said it was slow.  First thing I did when I got there was to pay Bob for Duke lease talk to him see how he's doing.  Then I went out to the barn area.  When I got there I was able to meet Erin the Equine massage expert.  She was working on Honey.  She also had her daughter in the barn.  Her name was Zion and she was so cute.  I have included a few pictures of you.  Honey  looked pretty relaxed.

I started talking to the girls Sandi, Cassie Sarah Katie and they said that Duke had just received his new shoes.  Cassie said that he was feeling better on his feet. The girls were doing different chores.  Sandi and Cassie were working on their leather saddles.  Katie and Sarah was working with Smokey, Witchata and Hawk in the ring.
As I looked at the end of the barn Duke had his head over the fence. Id like to think he heard my voice and maybe thought he'd hang out.  Cassie said he had just gotten his new shoes and most likely not too interested in coming into the barn again.  Well, I was so happy to see him that I just went out into the mud to hang out.  He is so sweet I can't wait to go out on the trail soon.  When he's feeling great again.
When I was walking with Zion on the rock wall to visit the corral with the horses, a call came in the boarder who had been saddle up and went out on a ride, phoned in that she had fallen and needed to be picked up.  She had hit her head.  Cassie and Sandi took the ATV and went out on the trail to get her.  I believe she was ok.

Barb was sick, Duke has a cut on his back leg, decided to take it easy and stay on Farm

It was cool when I went out but it warmed to about 56 degrees.  Barb texted me at 630 she was on the way to the ER, stomach pain and blood too.  I was sad.  I was going to go for the 9am ride but there was not one.  Amanda said I could go with her but then she became busy.  I was going to get in the ring with her but Duke's back leg had a cut.

It was like a sign.  There were many peolpe going out with Cathy, maybe (6) Lexie, Kathy, Sandy, Kanti Laurie, another lady, for the 2 hour sunday ride but I didn't feel like going.  I wanted to go on a peaceful ride with Barb, Im so sad she's feeling badly.  So, I stayed back, plus . . . I found out that Duke was right there so I took him out and showed him some love, groomed him.  I had so much fun with him.  He was worried that I was going to make him go out and work.  The girls went out and there were so many on the ride.  Kanti was so upbeat, she gets almost crazy when she rides with Bogie.  She loves him so much.  I am not sure I would buy a horse if I didn't have the connection with Duke over the past 4 years.  ITs exciting.  I waited for Val and hung out with her and Tonto.  She went out into the muck it was so deep, like 10".

Then we talked.  She is so nice.  She said that sometimes the guides fight.  I hope things are ok. She says she stays out of it.  Good side to be on neutral.

Anyway I had a nice day, hours at the ranch with my animal friends.  Duke and I Val Amanda.

I wish I had gotten into the ring with Amanda and rode around.  It would be good for me.  Just saying. Great day, it got cold and by the time I left, Laurie and Kanti were still talking and it was raining.  So strange weather.

Saturday Sunny Ride to Groton Woods

Beautiful morning the temp got up to 65 degrees.  I didn't make it in time to tack Duke but I did get there early.  There wasn't a 9am ride so we went out with the leasers.  Amy, Kanti, Laurie, Terry all went out for a 915 ride.  The trails were too wet for me.  Duke's size, hoof and weight to be fooling around with mud and cantering.  I will be looking forward to hoping on the guide rides this winter.  Today Sandi said that we will need to avoid bridges because the water is so high.  Val said that this water saturated soil, flooded and puddles, we would need to be careful with the conditions.  Duke is a bigger horse than any of the others by far. 

As we left Duke was needing a drink so I turned around later to catch up. As we went around the corner and the horses were way up the field with Kanti, Duke let the other horses know that he was coming whinnying, and he began to trot to catch up.  I absolutely love him.  Today we went out the back the straight away was not good for cantering and I voiced that I did not want to canter in mud and deep puddles.  I want a safe happy experience. 

Val said that she enjoyed going on the rides with the trails and the guides.  I have to agree, although there  cornfield and groton woods are nice I need a rich and rewarding experience with Duke.  I want to work with him in the ring too.  

Val said that some time in the ring with him can really help out with my bonding with him.  

Duke was so great today not tailgating Foxie, I was wonderfully proud.

The funny thing is today on the second stone wall, the rest of the group was up the hill and I hadn't gotten to the rock wall.  It was difficult for me to convince Duke to continue over the wall this time.  After turning him back about 5 times and with Terry waiting with Foxie, Duke felt better about crossing the shifting rocks.  I was glad that Terry was on the ride.

Missed Riding last Saturday but Val rode with Duke

Val texted me 2 pics while I was at Elizabeth Grady with Raychel.  I just love them!