Out from the Farm~

It's been a very long while since we've been able to ride any distance without trailering.  Today, was the perfect day - the break before another round of storms & temperatures in the 50's!  I saddled Farah at the tail gate of the Bronco.  There's not a place in the barn safe from rodents - yet.

Looking at the east end of Farah's barn & the Granary~

 It was just beautiful out at the farm, hardly any wind & warm enough I dropped a layer before leaving. When given exploratory decisions, I usually head uphill.  

Correction - Woodchuck/ Ground Hog hole

Janice warned me not to go galloping madly off across the fields, due to the possibility of Farah stepping into a hole like the one above.  These are deep & nasty!  Easily big enough to take a foot & leg at least up to a horses knee.  Disaster at any speed.  The farmers pay to have them removed, but it's expensive & each year usually brings new holes.

Top of the hill~ 1,200 ft.

The views are really amazing!  It almost gives me a feeling of grandeur to have so much wide-open space in all directions.  Since the fields aren't planted yet, I have options that I won't have later on for learning the lay of the land.

Burned Terrace~

These terraces have been recently burned, Farah was unsure of both the look & the smell.  The ones across from her barn are due to be done.  I'll need to be there to be sure she doesn't get frightened.

At the Briar Patch~

We'd left going pretty much south, then turned north, south again & then north.  That put is at The Briar Patch.  I called out for Bill, but he didn't seem to be around.  His horses whinnied at Farah.

Dirt Road!

We were both excited to find a dirt road going a 1/2 mile before becoming gravel.  It's got a very nice hill & we had our Very Best Gallop since leaving WA!  Farah hit 24 & we both loved every minute of it!  As we turned back, she galloped again & the sound of her hooves on the dirt was so wonderful.  She offered to trot on the gravel, but after a way, I pulled her back to a walk.  I just can't wrap my mind around faster speed on that surface.

Heading back~

We made new friends :-) Three kids out in their front yard jumping on the trampoline.  Farah jumped straight up when the oldest jumped into the air! :-)  Farah I'm sure thinking a trampoline was about the most interesting thing she'd seen in a while.

Green Grass!

We circled around the far side of the Timber & creek on our way back, checking out the area we'll be fencing for a pasture.  So nice to see Green - even with snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

South side of Farah's barn~

It was fun to see the barn from the far side of the creek & timber. Once back, I put Farah out on the new Ground Tie.  After following directions & having her drag it across the corn stubble a while.  

Farah on the Ground Tie~

She had no problems with it at all but getting the stake out will be the trick!  I came home happily tired.  A wonderful feeling to know our mare has settled in so well.  I'll be able to ride Iowa back roads once again~

One More Day~

One more day & we'll be taking Farah to her new barn!  Today, I again scraped a ton of mud & loose hair off her coat - mask on my face.  Under all that mud & hair, her summer coat is coming in.  Once I had her somewhat clean I asked if I could use the outdoor arena, since it had been freshly graded.

Farah - the last day~

 Someone had come out & started the horses in the pasture running.  This put Farah into an extremely animated trot!  I had my hands full, so no photos!  She galloped for quite a while, bucked & loosened up.  I felt bad for not getting her out more this last week.  She had no issues with her new shoes - the footing was pretty deep.

Beyond Tack~

I've ordered a ground tie system from the above vendor.  I think it will come in handy for some grazing time on the farm & make it easy to move her from place to place.  We still have the pasture area to get fenced & the ground will need to be dry enough to let her go there.  I don't see the point of putting her out when all she'll do is make mud.

What I've disliked~

This is the outside door that Farah has used to go from her stall to the paddock.  We put the matts in months ago, since water from the roof also drains here & when things ice up - it's treacherous.  Butch attached the matts with rebar, pounded well into the ground to keep them from slipping.

We have plenty of things to do yet.  I stopped by the storage this afternoon to pick up some items from the tack room.  Butch was there ahead of me, loading the back of the truck!  I think we're both pretty excited to have our own  barn space again!