Riding with Colleen on Memorial Day

Wasn't sure Id make it back home from the Cape this weekend to get out to the Farm.  Thank goodness I did.  I gave Colleen a buzz in the am and asked her if she was still up for a ride.  She was thank goodness.  It was so good catching up with her with her life and both of our latest news.  I had to get her up to speed on the farm.  She and I were thinking about Sheila and how different it seemed.  I had to tell her that Andy was not around any more.  I know how much she loved him.  She ended up on Bogie.  Almost perfect for a ride today.  The weather was clearing a little and had been raining in the am.  The girls had said they all got out in the am for a great ride to Acton.  They were all smiles so I knew it was a great time.

Anja's Big Draft Horse, 

Taking it slow and easy with Colleen worked out great.  I took lots of pics and I walked around with Colleen talking.  There were some interesting people on the ride.  I was able to ride Duke so I was happy.  He makes me happy when we ride.  There was no trotting today, I missed that but another time. Live is short and its good to just be there.

The great news was that Cassie had taken out Tonto on the trails.  As I looked there was Tonto, smiling with Val.  I was so outside myself.  Val had been talking about Tonto retiring and how it may be the right thing for him at this time.  Then I see Val walking Tonto on the ground outside the barn.  I could seem him and his big beautiful face, smiling with pride, wearing his amazing outfit.  What a horse!  So happy.
There was so much going on that I was a little taken back.  Two new people were walking around helping with the rides.  I didn't know them but the man seemed helpful but he took Duke out of the water barrel and walked him away.  I asked him who he was and what he was doing? He said he was helping.  I let him know that I liked to work with Duke and did not need him to lead him.  He seemed like a nice happy man that enjoyed being on the farm with the horses.  Someone said he and his wife had bought 3 horses and they were helping out on the farm.  It was nice.  Many of the animals have been brushed out, Honey and the old grumpy donkey.  They may have helped with the animals.
I had bought some Horse Apple Snacks and was excited to give a couple out after the ride and to give the giant bag to Bob for all the horses as snacks.  It was fun.
There was a little black and white kitty that had gotten his tail caught in the bathroom door.  He had ripped the tail apart and the bone was hanging out. I was totally freaked out that the little sweetheart was walking around doing the best he could while his tail was just about off his body. Hanging on by a thread.  Cassie said that Bob wasn't looking to get it looked at but she wanted to make sure something good happened.   I got a text today that said the little kitty was in the Vet getting care.  I was relieved.  Maybe one of the girls got him thinking or just did it themselves.  It was the right thing to do.  I offered to help with some $ secretly hope no one got in the hole trying to do the right thing.  Colleen got the "iride"app and we can look forward to some fun rides this summer, I hope. That is all for now I can upload some pics later this week.  Im feeling a little sick today, need to go to doc tomorrow.

Ended up going over to the farm in the Rain

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Had a Birthday party with Christina's little girl, Hayliegh.  She was so cute.  Wasnt sure if I could get a ride in before it started so I just drove over in the rain to see what was up.  There was a 9am, 10am.  Ended up going on a later ride.  It was fun.  I was able to ride Duke.  At the end I was so happy I put him back in the paddock without taking his reins off.  Im a rufus.  Sarah was so funny, she said next time Julie.  Ill post some great pics later.

One ride for Saturday, I really missed being with Duke

On Saturday it was a nice enough day, the sun was coming out but it was still a day you need a coat.  The 10am ride was huge, I was considering skipping it so I could be with Duke but he was with another rider.  Sarah and Kanti were encouraging me to go on the big ride. I was concerned that it is so many people.  Cathy was helping with Cassie out and Sandi is too hurt to ride.  I guessed it was ok to ride the big ride.  I went on Duchess.  She is a great horse I think, big sweet girl.  I had not secured my phone or my camera.  I should have wore the coats I usually, the black levi or the Carhart but I had a hoodie.  When we broke off and went for a trot, I had the strangest experience.  It felt as though I was was shifting back and forth with my legs, each trot was like the leg in front switched off.  I twas very interesting.  The other thing is we were on muddy trails and we were trotting, I was holding on to my camera and trying to secure my phone.  Eventually near the end of the ride before the bridge cross in the mud, my phone popped out of my pocket and I didn't realize til after the bridge.  Sarah and the girl Lexie ran back to get it for me.  Very nice.

The ride was interesting and challenging because of my discomfort with my coat, camera and phone. I decided not to go on next ride and wait for Duke to come back.

Again I forgot to turn on the iride, tracker on my iphone until later in the ride.  See starting point.  :)
Also I forgot to turn off the app as I walked around the barn and the field, that is why 1:22min.

During the time that the second ride 11am, went out (Kanti was trying to get me to ride) I spent time with Val, and eventually brushed out Pedtro.  I enjoyed it very much.  As I was watching Pedro scoot his body near Val as she brushed out Tonto.  She mentioned that Pedro wanted to get brushed too.  I realized that I could hang out with Pedro and give him some love and attention.  This made me enjoy the hour not not he trail very much.  I couldn't wait for the ride to get back so I could grab Duke.
I went on the horses and got to scoot in a give Duke some quick carrots.  I love how he looks at me.  He is a sweet guy,  I miss him today too.
Then something crappy happened . . .

The woman took Duke right from my hands on the corral.  The girls had said that Duke had gone on all of the morning rides and needed a rest.  I had told the woman that I waited the 1 hour while they went out on a ride (I stayed back) because I wanted to be with Duke.  I felt terrible as she pulled him away.
Something amazing happened in that moment, Duke looked me in the eye and pulled away from her to be with me.  My heart ached and I felt badly.  I was so distraught that I wouldn't be able to see him at all during my 3 houre there, I left feeling sad.  I took the carrots and drove home.
I know now I have a great feeling for him.  I love that he recognizers me as his carrot lady.  I can't wait to see him again.

Oh yeah, Laurie and Kanti went out earlier in the morning and they rode to Acton.  It sounded like fun, she said they had an adventure.  I didn't even see Laurie that day, she must have snuck out to go about her day.

Another thing is strange they were tieing up Tulsa to keep her from doing some kind of behavior.  I was feeling badly about it.  I have a strong liking to Tulsa and she is a sensitive horse that needs to be respected.  Just saying . . .  I miss Sheila.

I keep getting Tootsie and Foxie missed up.