Farah & Cassandra~

Cassandra & I met through a mutual friend , who was familiar with Cassandra's aptitude to read horses subtle pain signals & get to the root cause. Dean taught me that 90 percent of any horse problem, arises from pain. After describing some of the issues I was experiencing with Farah, Cassandra suggested we go out for a ride!  That meeting, early spring of 2016 & her resulting work on Farah, had made a huge difference in Farah's attitude. Farah had put up with ill fitting saddles right up until the time my custom Stonewall arrived late in 2015. We were also working with a new Farrier & had some slight changes in hoof balance to make. The issues found, were slight - but enough I was very glad to have them alleviated.

Cassandra & I had tried to connect - for most of the year after Farah had escaped her paddock, at the farm in IA. I'd wanted Cassandra to check Farah out, just to reassure me the mare had not thrown something out-of-whack. Routinely flying cross country to visit clients, she was unable to change her schedule to accommodate a lay-over in Omaha.

When I knew I was coming to WA & Cassandra would be home during the same period - we managed to schedule an appointment at Mary's farm.

My worried mare~

When Farah heard Cassandra's voice, her head popped out over her stall! I'm sure she remembered her friend, she'd taken to her quickly & enjoyed her manipulation. Again, shoeing topped my list of concerns. Last year, I think she was only shod once. I'd scheduled shoeing a with a new-to-me farrier, just prior to picking her up last September.  I couldn't be there to see what was done, but the job looked good, balanced & Farah seemed to be moving just fine when I rode her.

Working with Farah's neck~

Mary was back to searching for a Farrier, after the one she'd used for years retired. When I arrived, I was so excited just to see Farah & ride, I didn't inspect her shoes.  During our ride, I had that little nagging, somethings not quite right, feeling. Upon closer inspection, I found several things needing change.  Clips are something Farah had never needed.  There was no room for foot expansion, but the shoes were scheduled to be replaced.

Big Stretch!

 We had quite an interesting & fun day, watching as the horses were manipulated. Farah is very expressive & I was surprised she was so sore. Our long, fast ride, was something I shouldn't have done, but Cassandra consoled me, mentioning the ride, actually brought to the surface underlying issues, we might otherwise have missed.

Farah relaxing~

We tried several of Mary's saddles on Farah - Cassandra found one that fit & demonstrated why.  Mary wanted to see my saddle on Farah & the Stonewall fit as perfectly as it always had, no problems. Of course I love my saddleright pad! It's one of the best for back protection.

We were all cold & I'm sure Cassandra was tired by the end of the afternoon!  I was relieved to know Farah's issues had been addressed.  It was easy to see in both body posture & expression, she was more comfortable.  Her eyes relaxed, the former tightness & worry gone.

Relaxed~

   With the flooding, I had to take the long way back & forth to the farm.  I sat on Woodinville/Duvall Road for almost an hour to get across the valley & back to daughter Courtney's this evening.  I told Butch I don't miss all of that - at ALL!

Zero G's~

Since our forecast is one of temperatures warming into the 90's by weeks end, mid-80's would have to do.  The air is full of what I think is the dust from all the gravel roads.  This has been about the longest period this summer that we've not had rain.

Carrying a mouthful~

It was nice to pull into Waubonsie & have everything quiet.  Everything except the bugs!  They were out in full force.  Small flies - that were at the stable too, big horse fly's, something that did a lot of buzzing...  Even with spray slathered on us both - we were both bitten more than once.

My Stonewall~

My Stonewall is finally broken in.  It's been almost two-years now & we've had no issues with it - which is a saddle blessing that was a long time coming.  I still wish the seat were a little deeper & the twist a little narrower.  Jackie has reminded me that Farah is not a small bodied mare & requires a medium tree.

Honeysuckle~

Someone was full of energy today - a surprise with the heat.  She attacked the first of the hills with a vengeance.  I'm still not sure just how she accomplished it, but one minute I was in the saddle & the next I was in the air.  Both feet came up in the stirrups, my seat left the saddle & for a long instant I was suspended.  A millisecond later - I reconnected with the saddle - as we crested the top.

Beautiful trails~

It's so nice to have a place to ride that seems so changeable & where almost all the trails are totally in the shade of the deciduous timber.  We weren't out too far when I heard a huge rustle of feather & Farah went sideways.  A turkey had flown up just a foot or two off the trail!  He perched about 40 feet up in a tree as we went by.  The first I've seen here.

Vine on the hitching rail post~

It's been fun too, to play games.  Once the stats are downloaded, it's interesting comparing our time from one ride to the next - doing an identical pattern - or changing it up.

White blooming Nettles?

I'm pretty sure that these plants are Stinging Nettles, or their cousins.  The white blooms on both sides of the trail were beautiful - even if they're not flowers in the true sense of the word.

Ah  Shade~

The photo above is of one of Farah's favorite places to take a break.  Mine too, as it's up on a ridge & there's usually a little breeze that keeps the bugs away.

Young Coyote~

As we turned out on our final loop, I saw something up ahead on the trail.  I got out the camera & got one shot of this young Coyote before he turned into the brush.  He was looking a little skinny - so hope he found a rodent or two for his dinner.

After her bath~

Farah really enjoys her baths on hot days - our new hose & nozzle works great & gets the job done much faster than a sponge.  She gets just enough time to dry - before the bugs find her again & the spray goes back on.

We headed for home & pulled in to wait for Butch.  Farah loves grazing in the yard & walks away when Butch goes to gather her up for the trip back to the stable.  Nika was even OK with it & had the gumption to circle Farah at a run!  :-)  She'd still like to herd her - but is smart enough to know better.

My Red Geranium's & Farah~

My germaniums have done well this summer - they grow much bushier than they did in Washington, but have about the same amount of blooms.  It wont' be long before I have to get them back into pots for the long months of the winter season.  

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 4 - A Day Off!

Butch & Farah ~

Uncle Keith was leaving on a hunting trip & invited us to an early breakfast out.  Butch & Courtney took him up on his invite.  I was tired & the luxury of sleeping in - sounded good to me.  That extra hour & having no rush to get on the road - felt wonderful.  By the time Butch & Courtney were back, I was sitting out with Nika & my tea, enjoying a beautiful, if overcast morning.

On the Pavilion~

We took Farah out on a walk-a-bout of the fairgrounds, then headed to town.  I can't possibly come to Sheridan without visiting my cousin Jackie's quilt shop!

The Quilters' Fix~

We brought along Jas - the rocking horse we'd purchased in Snohomish many years ago for the Grand-kids.  Most of them have had their photos taken on her :-)  It was time for her to find a new home - here in Sheridan - at the Quilters' Fix. 

Jas in her new colorful home!

We couldn't remember how many years it had been since Jackie & Courtney had seen each other!  Way too may - that's for sure.  Funny though - when it's family - in so many ways it seems like yesterday.  The two girls were yacking away in no time flat! We both bought fabric & I found another project I hope to find time for - some cold winter.

Jackie, Connie & Courtney

 After leaving Jackie's shop, we found a little restaurant for lunch, then did some shopping.  There's no place like Sheridan if you're a fan of the Western lifestyle.  I ended up with a new area rug for a house I hadn't even seen yet. :-)  Our final stop was King's Saddlery - always on my agenda.  This visit I was soon fixated on the Calvary saddles.  They had more than I realized, the rigging & design so similar to my Stonewall.

McClellan~

 Wouldn't it be amazing to know the history of these saddles?  Who rode in them, where they've been & what horses they were on?  Maybe even which battle?

Nice fenders & a really deep seat!

The artifact below was certainly interesting.  I think there's a good probability that this horse was in a battle!

Horses lower jaw with entrenched bullet.

I've preached for years now about saddles with deep seats & the Arabian show saddle below demonstrates that philosophy :-)  It was later in the afternoon by the time we returned to my Aunt & Uncle's home.

It was hard to say our goodbye's - but the distance wont' be quite so far - for us to visit.  Back at the Fairgrounds, it was so quite & the night so dark - easy to fall asleep.  Tomorrow - the next leg of our journey - destination - Chamberlain, SD.