back to paradise

We had an emotional start to summer, a simple "are we going to see you guys?" text from our friends was the catalyst to our annual summer trip to Colorado. We started traveling there many years ago for kids hockey, which evolved to traveling there for friendship - and the much needed respite back to paradise. To quote a friend "If you don't believe in god, you haven't seen Colorado in the summertime"...the best way to experience it is on horseback.

Heading up the mountain with Kym (on Clint), Brad (on Cash) and I'm riding Dobie.

Brad & I giving the horses a break

Riding through Bear Hollow is surreal, and smells soo good!
No sheep this year, so it remained lush.

Kym taking Daisy on her first ride on the mountain, she did great!

Brad & Cash playin' around

What goes up, must come down

It is fun to ride different horses, I don't get to very often. Both Brad & I enjoyed riding one our ranch favorites, a Hafie named Diesel - who is appropriately named. Every time we visit the ranch they have more Haflingers. No surprise, they do so great on the mountain trails.

Brad & Diesel

These pics were all taken while riding at our friends ranch, called Vail Stables. I went to grab the link, and just discovered WE are on their website riding through Bear Hollow lol!! wait I also found us here bad picture of me, but look at those flowers! What the heck, we are on this page too! I am sure the photos frequently get changed up, but that was a fun surprise. We didn't do the Elk Springs ride this year, it's also gorgeous and has the coldest spring water you'll ever have the pleasure of tasting!  Take the time to mountain ride if ever in the area, you won't be disappointed. We've ridden some of the other ranches, and while all are pretty and have there own unique flair, Vail Stables view's are second to none - and I'm not just saying that because they are our friends. It's true.

On our last day, we hit the trail shortly after Derek arrived from Arkansas. We tested his horse skills and Cynthia showed us a few trail games she plays with the horse camp kids...that was a fun ride!

Heading up the mountain with Cynthia, Brad and Derek

Our vacation was shorter this year, one week passed so quickly. We are so glad we decided to stay an extra day for the http://www.lanefrostchallenge.com/ in Eagle, Co. Watching it open air with the mountains in the background, together with friends, was a highlight! We cherish our Colorado memories, and look forward to our next trip back to paradise...

Mid-mountain ride, looking East

color me sweet

When we met Cierra as a baby, she looked like this...

...after a few visits, and clipping, we were surprised to find a much darker girl...

...Cierra came home with us. Over the winter she grew a warm coat...

...we weren't sure what color she would be in the spring. Cierra turned a pretty dark smokey black color...

...but that didn't last long. Cierra started getting lighter from the bottom up. Anyone care to explain that to me, I would think horses get lighter from the top down...

...we are enjoying her summer look. These were taken a few days ago...

...it's fun watching Cierra grow, and change the many color shades of sweetness!!

Sunday Stills ~ Sunrises and Sunsets

I was planning a sunrise trip this morning over to the other side of the farm where we horseback ride, but it was raining. It did clear up later in the day, below are the view's I enjoyed from home with our teenage son. The colors intensified, and so did the "really mom, put the camera down and get in the pool before it's too late - I thought we were swimming" something I've cherished for years, that too soon will be just a memory. Of course I obliged, but you get the picture.

Sunset colors wrap around, viewing south.

Sunset reflections

a second ride

It was late morning when we arrived to ride Koda & Nemo for a second time this week. They are still at the trainers, which limits our rides for various reasons. The reality is summer is almost over, therefore we are being pro-active in getting in a second weekly ride. I am happy to say we accomplished that yesterday.

Koda slinking over to me, yep it's time to go to work.

I was happy Koda came to me in the pasture when I called him, albeit slowly. Can't really blame his slow-mo, it was really hot yesterday. We usually ride in the evenings when they are already back in their stalls, and it's starting to cool off. It was nice to ride midday, and have more time to groom. I got to condition and brush Koda's long beautiful mane & tail. I haven't figured out who enjoys it more. 

Of course that meant Brad & Nemo were well into their ride before we even got out to the arena. Not only do they move faster in general, but Brad isn't one to socialize until after they ride. I snapped a pic of them before I mounted. You'll notice Nemo's head is still pretty high, but he has really slowed down and is getting better overall.

Brad & Nemo loping

Altho I am making progress with Koda, we aren't there yet. I am still working on having the confidence to correct his naughty/disrespectful behavior before it grows. I got an earful yesterday, and while I fully understand what our trainer is saying - and why - it's still hard for me. Sigh. 

On a more positive note, our turns, spins and side passes are improving. Still a ways to go, but I love doing them! I don't think Koda minds them either. He continues to be fun to stop at a lope, and really gets his butt under him. Sometimes he ends up doing a little slide :) It would be fun to learn to slide, but it sounds like an ordeal with the boots, shoes etc. He would be good at it, maybe someday down the road.

The past couple rides I worked on learning to see & feel the correct lead at a lope. Something I've never been able to do. It gets old having to ask/be told. It doesn't help Koda's counter canter is pretty darn smooth. I intentionally cued a counter canter, and that helped me feel the difference when starting out. Earlier this week Trainer Patty suggested we do a fast stop on one. Koda's right leg swung out, that visual and uncomfortable feel made even more sense. It helped his front leg has a white pastern. When things are going smooth, I am trying to see by glancing down at his shoulders. The feel just isn't there yet, but I am trying. How do you tell if your horse is on the correct lead at a lope?