To The Hill's!

 After the month we've had - Butch was home - the weather was moderate & my husband agreed to drive Farah & I to Waubonsie!  When Farah saw the truck & her trailer coming down the road she was the most excited I've seen her in forever.  She was more than ready to jump in the trailer & when we arrived - instantly recognized where we were.  I couldn't believe it had been almost nine-months since our last visit.  Last year, we'd ridden here fourteen times.

Butch with Farah~

Farah made us promise not to show the above photo to anyone!  :-)  She'd only worn her Cashel Quiet Ride fly mask once in WA.  On that ride, after the first few miles, she was tossing her head letting me know she wanted it off!  I took a good look at the fit today & decided the piece that covered her nostrils was probably what she didn't like.  It makes it hard for her to get air if she has to breathe through the mesh.  I folded it up & put it under her nose band.

Into the shade~

The temperature kept climbing, probably into the mid-80's, but the humidity was less than it has been.  The bugs though - were out in force.  The horse fly's started landing on her ears, even with her ears covered.  I pulled out my little bottle of spray & that helped to keep them off.

Dry!

I was surprised at how dry the ground was!  So dry, almost powdery & a grayer color than I'd remembered.  Though there were several trailers at the park, hardly any of the spots had been reserved.  We'd expected it to be full.  We did find the beautiful orange lily we first saw last year.

Lush, green grass~

We took what had become our usual route from last year.  Farah remembered every break spot & loved the fresh green growth.  We'd go through area's where the bugs were bad, then others where there were almost none.

Sweat~

We both worked up a sweat in no time.  She wanted to blast up the hills, but after seeing the condition of the trails, we had to be ever so careful.  The rains had again rutted the surface, in places leaving holes over a foot deep.  My confidence is back, but it's disheartening to not be able to see enough to enjoy the vista's as much as I used to.

Upper trail~

We did our usual long trotting trail at full speed, but I'm hearing clicks with the new shoes.  More as our speed increased.  The first time this has happened - with this farrier.  I hope he'll find time to make whatever adjustment is needed.  We did a lot of galloping.

Tree down~

It was really sad to see one of the really tall trees on the trail I call;  "Tall Trees" down...  This is such a low protected area - it had to take a lot of wind to uproot it :-(  This trail reminds me of a WA trail more than any other I've been on - even if the trees are deciduous.

Deer~

Our second time around the top loop, Farah was spooked when we heard a crackling noise directly behind, us on a corner.  Two deer jumped up & took off across the gully.  Why we didn't spook them the first time around is beyond me.

Back in camp~

Butch & Nika had taken a hike & Butch was reading in the shade when we returned.  We'd done all the trails & a couple twice to get in just under ten-miles in two-hours.  Plenty of work for us both after such a long time.  1,200 ft. of elevation gain in that distance is a lot!

Clean!

Farah loved getting her bath & having Butch there to pamper her.  A few more trailers had come in, but all the other riders were out on the trails.  We hadn't seen anyone our entire route, which I loved.  We sat out for a while enjoying the afternoon, before loading back up.

Red-Tailed Hawk~

We stopped for dinner in Tabor, before going back to the farm.  Butch brought the truck & trailer down the hill from the top & as he did said, Look, a big bird is on the machine shed."  He stopped; I got out the camera & managed to get the photo above.  What a stunning bird.  He sat there for several minutes posing - before flying off.  Fitting end to a really fun day~

Spa Day~

It's taken me weeks to get an appointment finalized to replace Farah's shoes.  The best Farrier in two states has a busy schedule.  Farah is just one mare & he makes the road-trip just for her.

After her bath - watching for the bugs!

I got out to the farm early.  Dean had mowed down the hip high grasses & weeds were already growing up since the last time it was done.   I'd pre-sprayed the area first with Pyranha - in the hope it would help with the bugs.

Time to help with the grass trimming~

Last Thursday, we decided to take our lawn chairs over to the pasture & sit in the shade to let Farah graze, since the hot wire is not yet installed on the top of the pasture fence.  Butch had walked her along the road to get there, the walkway by the creek is still so muddy from all the rain.  He'd no more than gotten her in the gate - than she was attacked!  It was just crazy how quickly these huge flying insects came at her out of the corn!  It was like something from a horror movie!  She reared into the air, jumped up & lashed out with both hind feet, narrowly missing Butch.

Her tail dries almost instantly!

He turned her loose, but after trying to take a few bites of grass, she was attacked again.  She flew past us, up the walkway at a run & leaped the creek to get back to the barn.  Even covered in fly spray - it just wasn't enough...

Today, I had the hose on full blast & as the bugs came - I sprayed them away.  I finally got close enough to see some of them were Japanese Beetles.  Everything I've read says they do not bite.  Miss Hypersensitive must think - if it flies - it bites. :-)  It took some good hose blasts to keep them off.  I've figured out the generator now.  It runs the pump for the well & I can start it the first try.  It's just the noise, that takes away from the enjoyment we both get from her bath.

I occasionally drive by a small herd of Quarter Horses out in a pasture.  They graze, tails flying, with occasional body shakes.  They seem more stoic - over the constant irritation.  But I also think being surrounded by planted fields contributes to the problems we're having.  We know now, after seeing Farah's violent reaction on Thursday - it was probably buzzing insects that drove her to jump out of her corral.  John told me he's seen them drive a horse right through a fence.  That does not surprise me now.  After her bath, I took her inside to dry & put on her fly sheet. It's staying in the mid-80's & even though the humidity is high - it's been higher.

A very dry face now~

Ryan came about 5 p.m.  He did have to make a comment about us keeping what kind of animal in that corral? :-)  My usual concerns that grew in the damp climate of the great Northwet, were again not an issue.  There was plenty of hoof growth, healthy feet & good walls.  Ryan is leaving a little more hoof & the sole has a nice cup to it - great for riding on the gravel roads.

Armor :-)

Of course, we discussed horses, bugs & the weather.  Ryan says he knows people who talk about how hard winter is on horses.  In fact, though - it's the summer's heat & resulting bugs that take their toll - even on healthy horses.  We're expecting a bit of a cool down.  I hope so!  Even with the humidity - out of the 90's seems ever so much better!

Invincible~

More than once lately, I've wondered what it is about the human race that makes so many of us feel like we're invincible?  Youth - yes - your invincibility quotient is at 100%.  Middle age - maybe you've been hurt a couple times & have finally figured out that you may not be?  But when those senior years - roll around - realization hits - you aren't.  My confidence has taken a beating with the vision loss.  The bug related difficulty our last ride has me leery now, too.

With all that's happened in the last few weeks, I'd gone a month without riding.  The longer it gets, the easier to make excuses.  Today, the coolest of probably the entire upcoming month - I decided to buck up & ride.

On our way~

The bugs were awful!  Farah tosses her head so violently I have to stay well clear & that makes getting her tacked up more difficult.  The large blank spots in my field of vision don't help.

One of Bill's Civil War Cannons~

Anywhere near the fields, the bugs come out in hoards.  I decided to play it safe & stay on the roads.  They found us there, Farah almost squatted to the ground when one bit her!  I can't use the Pyranha spray on her anymore.  It literally peeled the hair right off the drip lines on the backs of her legs & left the skin raw & red beneath.  Now we're using an all natural product & though it doesn't work as well, at least the hair has grown back on her wounds.

Farah at Jean's

Since we were on the road anyway - I decided to go visit Jean.  A good goal, I looked forward to seeing how Jean was recovering from her recent health issues.  We made it!  Even with head tossing, jumping sideways & constant stops to knock off bugs.  Don offered to take Farah off to graze so Jean & I could visit.  So very nice of him.  We both got a laugh out of the two of us discussing our Doctor visits - just like a couple ole ladies.  It was the first time I'd ridden Farah in the Shoofly leggings.  They stayed up fine & she used them to itch her face.  

A garden of Sunflowers~

When I went back out, Don said Farah had gone all the way down on her side to get rid of a biting bug, but didn't roll on her saddle!  He'd taken her to the clover & shade.  He also offered her a bucket of fresh water - but she declined.  

A beautiful drive~

On our way back, we went to see if our friend Carol was home.  I shouted out a couple times, but no response.  Again, I let Farah graze a little in the shade before starting back to the farm.

Tassels on the corn~

The corn is thriving in all the heat, rain & humidity.  We're now only 1.5 inches below our normal in rainfall.  It's the humidity that's made these last weeks such a bear.

Black with sweat~

We did trot, then gallop up our running hill road.  The surface is already getting overgrown with weeds!  The sides were pretty rutted from all the rain, but we had a nice area right in the middle.  With the heat, I didn't push & neither did my girl.  Her knee is healing up nicely.  I think even Farah now has some idea she too - may not be invincible!  :-)

Back on the Farm~

When we got back to the top of the farm, Farah stopped to look over the direction of her little escape a week ago today.  The horses were not in view.  I sternly said;  "You don't Go there!" for whatever good that might do :-) 

After her bath, I rubbed her down with a fresh towel & took her on a walk.  I decided we would visit Snowball, Janice & Dean's calf.  She's so cute & doing so well now!  She spends the hottest part of the day in a big pen in the machine shed with a nice breeze blowing through.  Farah walked in, stopped & starred as Snowball got to her feet.  Then to my surprise, stepped up & put her nose on the enclosure wire, not an inch from Snowball!  It was Snowball who retreated of course & I could just see Farah's confidence level climb!  I told her she has a new friend!  We'll see if this improves her overall impression of cattle!

Fourth of July!

No doubt about it - it's been Hot!  Humid too, with the dew points into the high 70's.  All that pushed the heat index over 105 for the last few days & today was no exception.  Last evening we had big plans though!  Kay set out chairs & fans, cold ice tea & snacks.  We watched a super fireworks display at the LeFever's, with Seth as our ignition tech!

Early evening on the 3rd.  The marigolds are now in full bloom!

 Linus's seeds have made a wonderful hedge of beautiful marigolds & the original orange daylily's are in bloom behind them.  I've been watering a couple times a day & they seem to be handling the heat better than most of the flowers.  Those in pots bake, even getting watered three times a day.

Today, Grandma's ice cream maker took center stage!  It had been among Mom's things in her garage in Boulder.  I had to wonder what Grandma would think?  Her ice cream maker had made ice cream on so many Fourth-of-July days here in IA, when I was a kid.  Then, at Mom & Dad's in Boulder, it was used a few more times.  Now, here it is back in Iowa & back to doing what it does best!  I used Grandma's recipe for the mix.  We didn't have the farm fresh cream, but we did have eggs off the farm!

Linus & Butch in the laundry room~

 With the record breaking heat, there was no way the guys could set up outside, even in the shade & expect the ice cream to freeze.  The laundry room in the basement worked.  Farah's feed tub acted as a drainage basin.  Gary pitched in too & the three men took turns cranking.  It didn't take long & soon the cream froze!  It was packed in fresh ice & covered with towels to season.

Finished product!

After dinner, out the can came.  When we opened it up - well - it was perfect!  To say that it was good - isn't saying enough!

Home~

Our second Fourth in IA & the time has flown. The date of the Blue's & Brews Festival at the park has been changed to August.  This in the hope that more people will be in town to boost attendance. The weather man is promising us a couple cooler days & we're ready! The firefly's are lighting up the dark, humid nights & the cicadas' are just starting to chirp. A sure sign that our summer is here!