One Step at a Time

     I have been a member of the California State Horsemen's Association's  (CSHA) Trail Riders Awards Program (TRAP), since 2012. TRAP was established in 1988 to honor and recognize the trail rider who is the foundation of the CSHA and to encourage the use and maintenance of riding and hiking trails.  I keep track of the hours I trail ride and maintain in log.  At the end of each month I send my log into the program chair.  This poor woman patiently deals with my number dyslexia and corrects when I've accidentally added a 60 hour ride into one of my days. 

   As the hours spent in the saddle add up, you get awarded patches and plaques for your accomplishments.  It's always fun to get a lumpy envelope with a patch that awards you for another 100 hours left behind in hoof prints.  The main reason I joined is that the club is able to take all of the participant's hours, region by region, and have them work to encourage participation at state and local government levels to preserve equestrian traditions and to safeguard the equine community against policies that adversely impact its well-being. 

     Over the last few years Autumn and I have logged just over 600 hours.  We just received our 500 hour plaque which hangs off a crooked thumb tack in the barn.

 

Our major award!

Our trophy on display amongst our clutter.
(Snowdrops, can you see your blue ribbon award you made us?  We love it!)

    Autumn and I have swam away hours.

Splashing in sunshine on the Mad River

 

    We have camped away a weekends of hours riding through, and under, the most gigantic old growth redwoods at Cuneo Creek.

Cindy leading the way on Syria under a fallen redwood tree.

   We have left time in memories on the beaches in Humboldt county.

Caught in a fall sunset at Clam Beach

    When Autumn injured her stifle we walked side by side through the forest as she healed.  Our time spent on the trails sometimes only adds up to 15 minutes, just a quick walk before work. Other times hours melt away.  I don't think many people would bother to add those 15 minutes in but I write them all down.  Hoof beat by hoof beat we have logged over 600 hours. 
    It is amazing what a fifteen minute ride can give you.  It is fifteen minutes of being with my best friend sharing in the way the light slips into the forest.  Sharing the way the shadows fall from the clouds onto the mountains.  Sharing the echo of bird songs in the blowing breezes.   
    Below is a fifteen minute trail walk with Autumn as my photo assistant and Lilly leading the way:

Leaving the barn.

Looking at  Kneeland, the mountain across from us.

Autumn at New Pond, not happy that she is not pigging out on grass.

Autumn happier after I let her get a little snack of grass....I'm a total pushover.

Making the turn for home.

Snow Camp is the mountain across from us.

There's Autumn's palace straight ahead.  She is happy because she knows that it is dinner time.



   If you would like more information on how to join CSHA click on  California State Horsemen's Association.  If you would like to participate in the TRAP program please click on California State Horseman's Association Trail Rider Awards Program.

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my mailing list or would like to contact me please email me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@aol.com.

Copyright (c) 2014 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com May 28, 2014

A Friend In Need

     It was close to 7:30 in the evening when I had finished feeding the horses at the ranch after I had gotten home late from work.  Autumn was waiting by the gate of the pasture when I went to catch her.  There really wasn't much catching involved.  I walked up to my dozing draft horse and slipped her halter on.  Her breath was heavy with spring's new  grass. 
     I tucked her into her stall and gave her a little hay for dinner.   I turned a bucket over and sat in her stall to read my book for a bit.  As I read I listened to her shift her weight from leg to leg.  After a few pages it got real quiet.  Autumn was not eating.  I looked up to see her puffed up like the Goodyear Blimp with ears.  The poor thing was so bloated and gassy from all the rich spring grass!  Of course I sort of panicked like I always do when she is hurt or not feeling well.  Then my logic kicked in...get her walking and farting!  I slipped on her halter and we headed for the hills. Gravity can be a great asset for gas expulsion in farm animals.  I decided that I would walk her for a half hour and if no farts I would call the vet.


“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself” ~Zen saying
"...then it will make your horse explode" ~Jackson Hill Horsey Girl add on to Zen saying

     The twilight grew faint. The wind hushed the air gentle with soft stars.  Autumn stayed close to me and I stroked stroke her mane as we walked.  The lion in the constellation Leo pursued us through the trees above.  Mars blushed at Jupiter as we walked below on the country road.  I prayed to the stars to help make my friend feel better.
Then the stillness broke...more like, wind broke.  Our quiet walk through the woods began to sound more like a world polka band convention chasing us through the woods.  It was music to my ears.  I sighed as Autumn deflated to her normal giant size. 
    The moon broke free from the horizon and guided us home as we tooted up the hill.  I tucked Autumn in her stall and she happily began eating.  I was so relieved and happy.  I hugged her and headed home...Then I neurotically went back up to the barn to check on her a few more times that night and then I went to sleep.  

 

 

The moon catching Autumn's blaze in it's blue glow

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to contact me or would like to be added to my mailing list, please email me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@aol.com.

 

Copyright (c) 2014 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com  May 21, 2014