[eskielover]

I had been looking forward to yesterday since our last months womens horse group luncheon. We were invited to bring a potluck lunch at one ladies farm where they have 30 miles of trails on 1000 acres (called Eagles Nest). My horses are still in California & I am really going through Horsey withdrawel.......but I figured that enjoying the lunch & getting to know the women who live around me is a wonderful relaxing day. I had decided to make a huge crock pot of BBQ'ed pulled pork & bring tortillas to wrap in it......& also a nice orange jello salad with pineapple & orange bits in it.

Then I got a bright idea over the weekend. I have a horse trailer & the truck to pull it with....just not the horses......so maybe someone needed to haul & I could exchange that for a horse to ride.......the mind is always working. It turned out that the lady who owns the farm, has 5 horses she was bringing out for others to ride. The lady who was going to haul for her couldn't make it, so she called me yesterday morning early & my truck (didn't need my trailer) came to the rescue. The horses she has are all gaited horses.....from saddlebreed to Kentucky Mountain horses. All I have ever ridden are the thoroughbred type where you have to post to keep your rear end from getting smashed against the saddle.

Well, I hauled, successfully I might add (as I am learning how to haul a trailer in the first place) her 2 horse trailer, following her with her 3 horse trailer over to the farm. We got there early & got the horses groomed & saddled. It was then I realized just how much horsey withdrawel I am going through. We got on the horses a bit before everyone else showed up & rode a short ride.....just walking. Came back & ate lunch, then took off on about a 1 hour trail ride through the countryside of Kentucky. Oh, the beauty. There is a gorgeous lake with a damn on the property & trails through pasture, trees, & streams. She found some open area where we could actually take the horses at into their gait. I was amazed....you just sit on top of the horse & glide along....smooth....no bumping, no smaking your rear on the saddle. It was the most enjoyable trail ride I have been on ever. We got back & took a short rest & then another person came & wanted to go out on the trail, so we loaded up & went back out for another hour. Picking up some trash on the way, on the way back to the lunch area, I was riding with a liter pop bottle in my hand.....even with that challenge, the ride was awsome.

My California horse hasn't exactly been a wonderful experience in trail riding, so it is amazing that I have enough nerve to do trail riding anymore, but this new adventure is totally awsome & when I get settled, I will be looking for a Kentucky Mountain horse for my trail horse as my 17 + hand tall baby isn't a good idea for a short person to take out on a trail ride. To explain a bit about my previous trail experiences.......I have been knocked off by a huge tree branch when I didn't duck soon enough. I have been dumped in a puddle of water when he refused to get his feet wet (Mister always hated water to the point he wouldn't even step in his own pee puddle). Then at the end, he stumbled over a small mound of dirt & went down....gashing his leg with a 2" x 6" gash that had to be stiched....at the same time, I went over his head, landing on mine, cracking my helmet & getting quite a concussion & sholder injury myself. These are just a few of my trail experiences with my old horse. These gaited horses are very sure footed also.

I am a bit stiff & sore today, but I haven't ridden since last September.....so my body would hurt doing any type of real exercise. The countryside was gorgeous....spring flowers out, the trees with their new leaves on them. The grass green instead of the sage brush & tumbleweeds of the California desert. It was like the dreams I had as a child of riding my horse (which I never had one at the time) through the woods & pastures. It's interesting how the dreams & pictures we had in our head as children can actually come true sometime in our lives.

Brushing down the horses after the ride, obviously, I came across a few ticks on their legs.....she had a bottle of alcohol to put them in to kill them.....ewww, the buggies I am not used to....we had them in California....I just didn't come across them in my experiences.

I am so blessed with this move to Kentucky....wonderful people I'm meeting & getting to know better everyday. The peace of the country is so wonderful. Finding a relaxation that I never was able to experience in my previous life. Even with the financial stress, I am finding that I am able to relax & breath.....& live through the rough times without falling apart.

Three of my doggies always go with me in my truck.....& they enjoyed the outing.....I didn't take them along on the trail as I didn't want to worry about the bugs even though I use the revolution which is put along their skin & goes internal to keep the fleas, ticks, & mosquitoes away.......I still don't want to take any chances.

I was invited to go to breakfast & to an estate auction this coming Saturday with a couple of the women from the group.....as my horse trailer might come in handy if they buy one of the horses they are interested in.......Life is great no matter how many stumbling blocks find their way into my life.......I am surrounded by beauty & Blessed beyond what I ever imagined my life would be like.

Now that the fighting & wars with my husband have been left with him in California, I can truely find the life God meant me to have.

Enjoying another day in Kentucky,
Debbie

[gimmeice]

((((((((((((( Debbie ))))))))))))))))))
I'm glad you had a fun ride, it sounds like a lot of fun.

[bebop]

oh that sounds so relaxing! I am glad you are finding new friends and enjoying life once again!

[sarahlilianne]

I'm glad you are having a good time Debbie . Your posts are always so refreshing to read
Lily

<font color="purple">That reminds me for my birthday I would always go horseback riding because I really liked it as a kid. My stepsister is going to become a horse breeder/trainer too

I'm glad you had fun!</font>

[(JD)]

Sounds wonderful! You certainly have paid your dues (((Debbie))) and deserve all the good stuff Kentucky can give you!

((((((((((((((eskielover)))))))))))))))

Hw wonderful to be back in the saddle again. I had to sell my mare 2 years ago when my hubby was made redundant, she was a little fell pony .... she was so beautiful, kind and gentle. She has gone to the peak district where there are trails and hacks in the most beautiful counyside, the two little girls who had her adore her and give her lots of love, that alone puts my mind at rest. They say I can go ride her whenever i like, but it is so painful to see her again. i have pictures on my walls and a whole albumof good memories in my head. I know once a horsey person it gets into your blood and you crave for them.

I am so pleased for you and hop you have many wonerful days in Kentucky riding through the lovely picturesque countryside .... i miss my baby, even on the cold mornings when i had to go much out lol ..... take care and keep us posted .....love a horse lover, Jinny xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[StarPonysMama]

(((((((((((eskielover))))))))))
Oh, I have horsey-withdrawl too! I lost my baby that I had for 21 years 12/12/07, she was about 26 years old. A mutt quarter horse that came from a Sheriff's boys ranch in Sarasota, FL.

I've never been on a gaited horse. Also used to always having to post. Sounds like a dream.

And is it not funny how experiences like that with things you love make everything in life a little more quiet. As if for a minute or hour or day you are at peace and there are no financial woes.

I love it and am so happy for you. I live vicariously thorough your experience!

Yahhhoooooooooooooooooooooooooo....... Debbie...

how absolutely wonderful..... can see the trails.. and feel the horse riding thru your eyes...

how very wonderful.....

[Doh2007]

That truly is a dream come true. I learned to ride on a Tennessee Walking Horse. Sharing in your stories is almost as good as being there.

[TaintedGoth1]

We used to have horses...long time ago. They are amazing creatures!!!!

Glad you had a wonderful time!!!

[recluse1]

((((((((eskie))))))))) Just in reading your words I could feel the love, the beauty, and the joy you experienced. It is so wonderful that you are finding life so fulfilling and full of amazement! I live in Tn. so I can picture the countryside in my mind with the hills and streams, just lovely.

I am so happy for you! You deserve ever wonderful thing that life has to offer! You have truly been a blessing in my life and a positive inspiration for so many.

Much love and many blessings!
recluse1

[sabby]

I'm betting you just can't wait to get out there and do it again (((((((((((((((( Debbie ))))))))))))))))

It sounds like you had a most wonderful time.....and you so deserve those times!


sabby

[Yoda]

How exciting! I totally understand horse withdrawal; I went through thirty years after my teen years with no horse and wanted to ride badly. My neighbor has horses so I would feed them treats and pet them which helped.

I would love to ride a Kentucky Mountain horse. I hear they are really comfortable. When I was a teen we had three Tennessee Walkers and they are a dream to ride too. If you ever get the chance you should ride a flat shod one.

I was actually looking for another Tennessee Walker when I found my horse who is a standardbred. His charming personality won me over. He paces and that is not too comfortable a gait but we most trail ride walking and the occasional jump and short canter over ditches and trees. I just came back from feeding him. He was soaking wet so the only dry place I could find to pet was under his neck and chest. Aren't horses amazing?

I would love to hear more about more of your horsey experiences.

[eskielover]

Thank you all for your responses.....when I post, am always afraid that it's too long & boring & no one will get through all the words to be able to see the beauty I am enjoying.

It is nice to know that my posts are being enjoyed.

(((((Kaika))))),

When I was a child, my parents couldn't afford a horse for me either....my Dad would take me out riding in a group rental place at Griffith Park for my birthdays too. It was about the 1 time of year I would get to go riding.

Your step sister must be great with horses to plan on breeding (an expensive proposition), & training....one has to be very talented to be successful.....she must be great with horses with those plans.

(((((((((Jinnyann)))))))))))),

I can imagine how much it hurt to have to find a new home for your fell Pony.....they are gorgeous ponys with the furry feet. It sounds like she ended up in horsey heaven on earth with the beautiful countryside around her & 2 little girls to love her....but I know the empty place it leaves in our hearts.....that can't be replaced. Maybe some time in the future when finances get better, you will be able to bring another horse into your life....you never know what the future holds.....I never had a horse until I was 43 years old.....now I have 3.....& a farm in Kentucky for them when I get it settled.

(((((((StarPonysMama)))))))),

I can only imagine the hurt you are feeling after just loosing your baby last December...my heart goes out to you....even though they haven't been my horses, I have lost several horses that I have been very close to over the last few years. The stallion (Daddy of my Filly) died last fall from cholic. The older horse that I helped take care of at the ranch was so old & sick, our vet came out to put her down......even knowing it's the best solution doesn't stop the pain & loss that is in the heart.

(((((((((Doh))))))))))),

We have many Tennessee Walkers around this area....along with the saddlebred & Kentucky Mountain Horses....my neighbor raises & traines Tennessee Walkers. The gaited horses are a blast to ride. I found it interesting to see what causes the gaited horses to be differet......it's how their legs work even at the walk. Non gaited horses have all 4 legs going at different times.....gaited horses have the legs on each side going at the same time....left then right.....for that smooth ride.....pacing does make it a bit more bumpy however.

(((((((Yoda)))))))),

You sound like me...I never had a horse when I was young....my girlfriend & I loved to ride in highschool, we would go out to a rental ranch & ride for several hours renting the horses on the weekend. In college we took the equitation class for PE credit which was awsome....my english training started them & I loved riding in pairs....actually won a class competition in that we were a perfectly matched pair. It wasn't until I lost my job & they told me I needed to get into something I had always loved to help with the depression & anxiety attacks. That was when I started my dressage lessons & started showing & bought my first horse which I have now (Mister) who is now 28 years old...going blind, but loves to be ridden anyway as long as I am his eyes, it works pretty well. My mare was supposed to be for breeding, but I only came out with one live filly from her, loosing 5 other foals. My filly is now 3 1/2 years old (Itssabout Tyme.....otherwise known as Izzabelle or Izzy) She is awsome beyond any explaination. The bonding from birth has created a relationship that I never could have imagined. I hate being away from her...even though she is is training, I am afraid that bond will weaken over the time away & with the trainer doing all the close work with her. She is already over 17 hands high....a bit tall for trail riding....not one you can just get On & off of without a ladder...lol. I know I could go on & on about horses...they are wonderful beyond anything I ever imagined or dreamed of as a child. Reality in this case is much better than the dream.

I know what you mean about the paceing however...one of the horses I rode on Tuesday did a bit of that & part of the ride was a bit bumpy until I figured out how to make him smooth out
Would love to share horsey stories with you & hear about your experiences also.

I am glad that sharing my KY experiences doesn't bore everyone to sleep as in great reading right before bed....lol.

Debbie

[crazybones]

i love horses some day i will have my own out in the middle of no were it is always such an amazing thing to ride horses

[Yoda]

Are you kidding? Boring, no way! I love hearing about pets and especially horses. I loved hearing every word you wrote. If you have pictures you should post them too.

Honestly I don't know where I would be without my horse. I have been through some very difficult times and when I would have flashbacks I learned to go to the barn and give my horse some feed and sit in my chair and focus on his calm eyes and try to emulate him. He has been my salvation. I have a bond with my horse that I don't have with people. I trust my horse and he trusts me and I can't say that for any people.

Pets of all kinds are therapeutic and I feel so lucky to my menagerie.

Please post more, Debbie, I would love to hear all about your horse adventures.