I Spooked and Bombay Didn't

I took Bombay out alone on a trail ride today.  I hadn't ridden him in a while, because either someone keeps biting him, or he's found some sharp spot along the fence or railings to scratch himself on and every time that I see him he has another chunk taken out of his fur and/or skin.  I don't like putting a saddle pad over open sores and cuts.

Bombay has been behaving in a grumpy manner,

Panning

After not having a successful panning attempt with Lostine last week, I tried again with Bombay today and still couldn't get the horse in focus while the background was speeding past. My husband came out and offered to control the horse's speed so that I could concentrate on my posture, keeping the camera level, and just turning my upper body at the waist at the exact same speed as the horse.

Walkin' the Big Dogs

Just before sunset and after Thanksgiving dinner my family took a walk.  I had led Bombay out into the desert in the morning to work off some calories, and led Lostine out on the family walk in the late afternoon.  No one seemed happy that I was bringing a horse along.  I guess they thought it would be a hassle.  I said, "The horses aren't any problem.  It's almost like they aren't even there."

Rock is a Ladies' Man

Despite it being a cloudy, chilly day with hoards of Thanksgiving travelers on the road, Christine and I decided to meet up for our trail ride.  I was finishing my lunch while she was saddled up and riding out to meet me.  Amazingly, I was able to get Rock tacked up and put his new Renegades on before she arrived.  I led him around in the boots to get him used to walking in them on dirt, rocks,

In Which Rock Serves a Purpose (or Tries To)

I had a trail ride scheduled this morning with local blogger Christine.  We've been trying to ride together for a while but couldn't coordinate our schedules and have the weather cooperate at the same time.  The deal was that she was going to ride her Friesian out my way with a neighbor, and then we'd all explore the trails together.  I saddled up Rock and got a text message that they were on

Adaptions

I don't have much to report on the horses other than that they've been standing in mud puddles because it has been raining off and on since Thursday night.

I went to more photography classes and found that I am still struggling to adapt to my new home.  I live in an area that is primarily inhabited by retired snowbirds, so when I do discard my usual hermit status and get out to be around people

Shutter Shudder

I'm practicing my shutter speed homework assignments and came out with some fun images of Lostine cantering.  Because it was a cloudy day and the camera was on shutter speed priority, allowing the camera to choose the aperture, the images came out overexposed and ghostly.  However, when I tried to balance out the exposure with software, I found that I preferred the overexposed images.

These two

Camera Ramblings

Rock's Renegades arrived last night fresh off the press.  The smell of them gave me an instant headache.  I ordered my favorite color:  Arizona Copper.  Today I tried them on him, and couldn't get the heel captivator up over his heel, so I had to adjust them by making the cables longer.  He was a good boy about letting me put them on him and lunge him in them.  They make squeaking noises with

The Day of the Big Machines

I was behind schedule this morning and doubted I would get to trail ride, but P.S. talked me into it.  I wasn't sure who to ride, because Bombay had ripped his hair and a little skin out in places where the saddle would sit, Lostine needed the saddle that Gabbrielle needed, and Rock's shoulder injury is still somewhat fresh.  However, Rock seemed to be moving okay, so I took a chance on him,

Choices and Voices

After class today I had a choice of cleaning house, which I haven't done in weeks, cleaning up manure, doing my homework, or riding a horse.  I made the smart choice.



I can no longer keep up with trimming bridle paths.  Rock doesn't have one and his mane is beautiful.  It doesn't get tangled in the halters and bridles, and I don't show my horses, so I've decided to let everyone's manes grow

Overdoing It

Normally, I am fortunate enough to have a few days each week that are appointment free.  I have nowhere to go, so I can plan out how I want to spend my time.  However, I have been so heavily booked this month and will be next month too, that my body and brain are having a hard time keeping up with all the activity.  Despite having good intentions by doing the complimentary photoshoot for the

Plumb Tuckered Out

NyQuil did the trick and I was finally able to get a good night's sleep.  I had planned to get caught up on things around the house and in the office and balance that out with some rest today, but we had perfect horseback riding weather.  It was warm, not hot, with a steady cool wind.  On the back of a horse it feels like someone is blowing air conditioning on you.

I caught Rock galloping

A Long Weekend

On Friday I trail rode Bombay alone.  He was all jacked up after seeing some trail riders pass by in front of our house, so for the first leg of our ride he was jerking his head all around looking for other horses.  There was nothing to do but keep riding him until he settled down and try to get him to focus on where he was going.  I don't care for having to steer a horse because he's gawking at

Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?

Just a note to let readers know that my blogging will probably be less frequent for a while.  I know sometimes people worry about me when I get quiet, because I'm normally a whirlwind of words in the blogosphere.  I'm actually fairly quiet in person, but I type fast and am addicted to writing, which is part of the reason why I will probably be blogging less than usual.  I'm doing NaNoWriMo this

A Land Owner's Perspective

I have continued de-spooking exercises once or twice a day with Gabbrielle.  She now accepts having a plastic bag on a stick circling her head and shaking around her ears and sides, but touching her with it is still a no no.  I did walk up to her with a bag wadded in my hand and groomed her with it.  She didn't notice until I walked in front of her to switch sides and the bag made a crinkling