Truby Saves My Weekend

I was not feeling it this weekend. You know how sometimes you're just so tired of the same old nonsense you get at work? I just COULD NOT with the annoying clients, phone calls, co workers eating guac and chips (ahhhh, the crunching!) I blame the recent solar storm for it all. I shot out the door as soon as I could on Saturday, and headed straight to the barn.

Hello! I'm Truby. Here to make it better!

Once I get out of town things slow down. There's far less traffic, so I can drive a little slower. Once I get on the neighborhood roads, I just coast along. The barn is so peaceful, always. The horses are relaxed and happy. The grounds are quiet. The ranch dogs are Golden Retrievers, so super happy and pretty laid back. I could feel the tension and annoyances of the day just slipping away. Bliss.

I brushed Truby and worked on deshedding her. And then despite the fact that I was wearing my loose leg yoga pants, work smock, and only a regular bra, decided I would go for a ride. Since Truby's been moving out so well for a while, I decided it's time to start really riding her again. Usually I hop on bareback and we just stroll along. But today I pulled on her saddle, hit the timer  on my phone, aiming for 15 minutes of good walking.

Why yes, I ride in a 2k saddle and a $30 sidepull.

Truby was fantastic! We just walked, enjoying the sun and the movement. Lots of changes across the diagonal, and even a couple baby leg yields each direction. I want to build her up slowly, both because of her injury last fall, and because it's gonna be HOT soon. So, taking the Denny Emerson approach. Good foundation of walking, building it up over terrain, then slowly add in the rest. Also, if you're not following Tamarack Hill Farm on Facebook, you really should. It's always interesting. Great pictures, history, past/present/future thoughts on eventing, lots of great ideas on being a better horse person and rider. I love it.

I also love this picture

Looking for coyote in the wash

After our ride, I hopped off, thanked Truby for a good time and gave her lots of hugs and cookies. I went home feeling elated and relaxed. Of course, the next day I was back with the grumps. I was supposed to go to a work related seminar, which had been cancelled....and I was not informed. Nor was the cancellation posted anywhere. I had taken the day off work to attend this, and it was only the night before that I found out it wasn't happening. With no appointments scheduled, I decided to keep my day off rather than hope for the chance of setting up same day appointments. Not that I really mind an extra day off, but I don't get paid time off, so no work means no money. Feeling grumpy and annoyed, I head to the barn for an attitude reset. 

I spent a long time just brushing Truby. Shedding her out. Combing her mane. Currying and brushing. We both enjoyed it, and Truby is starting to look pretty sleek! Then I took her for a handwalk down the backyard trail. 

Family of Road Runners lives here, and I usually see

at least one on the backyard trail.

Secret horse friend was very excited to see us!

After our walk, I decided to work on desensitizing her to the front gate. We attempted it earlier in the week, and it hadn't gone great. I took a huge handful of horse treats and a couple long carrots and headed over. First we just walked up to the gate. I allowed her to look and sniff. We circled around in front, and she stayed at a polite speed, not spinning around or charging away. Then I let the gate open. I continued to feed her carrots while the gate whined open and clanged into place, and more carrot while it closed. We walked back up to the gate and looked around. This time when I opened the gate, I led her through. She immediately got super tense and worried, which is typical for her (omg! Crossed the property line! Ahhh!). I shoved carrots in her face. I offered her to walk forward, and when she did, I decided to see if she relaxed moving away from home. Yup! As soon as we got a few feet from the driveway she really started to calm down. Rather than school the anxiety area, which doesn't help Truby at all, we continued down the road. I had the community trail in mind. Truby walked confidentially and calmly down the street, and we made it to the trailhead. 

 The more warning signs, the better

Truby, calm and interested

Once we got off the pavement and onto the trail Truby relaxed even more. She was totally chill! Near the beginning of the Loop it goes right behind our barn. Even with her friends whinnying at her, Truby was interested, but relaxed. She walked with a nice free gait. She'd look at things, but not worried, just curious. I was SO PROUD of her! In fact, the only thing that bothered her was a big barrel cactus growing on its side. It was well of the trail, but she was Not Okay with it. Even coming back she got the snorty nose and arched neck. None of the other cactus bothered her. Just that one.

Saguaros? No big deal

She really wanted to walk over to the Teddy Bear Chollas.

Trust me, that is a BAD idea!

That sideways barrel cactus? NOPE.

We probably only walked about a quarter mile of the mile-ish Loop before she started getting balky. At first I could get her walking again with a swat of the lead rope, but the second time she stopped, she was starting to get the tense ears and over anxious eyeballs. I asked her to walk forward a few steps, and then we turned around and continued walking back. When we turned around, she let out a big breath and lowered her head. I don't think anything was scaring her, but she was clearly Too Far From Home. Since we're learning and gaining confidence so Truby can be a happy and safe trail horse, we simply redirected to her comfort zone. She started powerwalking, but slowed to a good pace with a gentle tug on the lead. Heading back, the trail takes us directly facing our barn. Even facing the barn with her friends calling her, Truby only stopped and looked toward home, but then walked off nicely. The rest of our walk back was uneventful. Even when I opened the gate Truby only jerked her head a bit. 

A few houses away from home, a dog came barking to the fence as we approached. Truby didn't even bat an eye! She glanced over, but kept walking, unconcerned. I said "Good girl, Haiku!" (Haiku is my dog) and Truby didn't really react. I giggled, and said "oops, you're not Haiku. You're Truby, good girl Truby!", and Truby pricked her ears, arched her neck and gave her head a little shake. She was like "Yes! I'm Truby! Yay!" So cute. My heart melted a little and I leaned against her, absolutely in love with her. 

We finished our adventure by relaxing in the mesquite

I thought laying on my belly would make for some great pics

Might need to frame this one!

Saving Daylight, Desert Style

Sunset a few months ago, west side of Tucson

Tucson is kinda awesome in that we don't do Daylight Savings. At all. No clock changes, no trying to remember if it's spring ahead or fall forward, or trip sideways. The only thing about this time of year is that my family is now three hours ahead instead of two, and that makes them seem so much farther away. 

I stopped by the barn after work on Sunday unsure of what I wanted to do. It was a lovely sunny afternoon, not too hot. I was tired, the atmosphere quiet and sleepy. I plan to start riding Truby, but it just didn't feel like the thing to do. Instead, I turned her out in the big turnout area. It's all pretty and green, and Truby's been out there only once. 

Truby approves

Turns out the pretty green plant life is not horse food, or at least, no one wants to eat it. I'm not sure what it is, but none of the horses bother with it. There is a blade of actual grass here and there, providing the ideal turnout. Truby got to nibble some fresh green grass, but had to keep moving to find it. While she rambled around munching, I rambled around looking at stuff. It was a very pleasant way to spend time with Truby without having to SPEND TIME WITH TRUBY. We both enjoyed exploring together, yet apart. 

This reminds me of Carroll County, MD, where I'm from.
Just pretend that scrubby third growth hardwood and not mesquite.

 Mesquite trees are pretty cool though! 

Or is this an Ironwood tree? I can't tell.

There was a whole flock of bluebirds! They were Super Blue

but hard to photograph

Truby being pretty

 I was finally rewarded with the perfect moment.

Desert evenings are amazing 

Dude, Where's My Horse?

Gratuitous desert sky

Spring has definitely come to Tucson. It's a bit chilly night/morning, but once the sun is up, it's beautiful and toasty warm. I'm starting to see trees budding, flowers flowering, and pollen pollinating.

Hard to hate on pollen when it's so pretty!

In addition to the backyard trail Truby and I have been enjoying, there's also a community trail that goes all around the neighborhood. Truby's new home is in an equestrian estate, basically every house has some type of horse property, and even the few that don't, or are no longer keeping horses, are super horse friendly. I frequently see people riding down the road. It's amazing! Note to self: get rich, buy house in an equestrian neighborhood. 

I wasn't sure where the entrance to the community trail was, but barn owner offered to take me sometime. We finally got to meet up today. Because of Truby's history of off property super anxiety we went on foot. Turns out, the trailhead is super easy to get to. Just go out the front gate, go down the road a bit, swing a left down a short stretch of road, and bam! There it is. The neighborhood is SO QUIET, walking horses down the road isn't worrisome at all. 

 Heading down the driveway.
Truby is suspicious. 

 Beginning of the community trail

Saguaro cactus can be HUGE!

 Lots of super shiny horses in turnout

Like this stunning paint horse

Also, Hi Primo!

 Truby: super chill

Okay, first off, the community trail is super awesome. Well kept, wide, inviting. There's even a nice mounting block right there. How thoughtful! Barn owner says they usually handwalk over, and then mount at the trail.  Instead of taking the community trail, we took a trail just off of it that loops around east/west. Apparently the woman that owns it loves people to use it and we have an open invitation. It's beautifully maintained about about a mile long. 

It shows off the best of the Tucson desert, lots of mini washes, lots of cactus, and lots of scrubby trees, lots of sand. It was really neat to peak into the backyards and see all the different setups and horse properties. Yup. I am super nosey! 

I had fully expected Truby to be tense and freak out at least once. But...like...she didn't. She was SO GOOD. She got a little up when we first opened the gate and went onto the road, but she settled quickly. Shoving a carrot in her mouth helped distract from the noise of the gate opening. (It seems like everyone in Tucson has electronic gates. Like...everyone. As far as I can tell, it gives a small discount on home insurance, and we're so close to Mexico that hordes of illegals are just swarming down the roads and people need protection. Yes, that second part is sarcasm!) 

Anyway. She walked calmly down the road, looked around when we got to the trail, and cheerfully followed barn owner and her horse, Primo. She didn't get upset when we walked behind our barn and her friends whinnied at her. She walked with a nice, level headed, ears forward, stride. She got tense and antsy when we got around to where some horses were enjoying their turnout and galloping around, but not even that was unmanageable. I shoved another carrot at her, talked soothingly and we power walked out of sight. Not too bad!

In fact, the only time she had a legitimate startle was when we got back! For some reason she got kinda jiggy  once we got back to the driveway, and did a scoot and Arab impression when the gate rolled closed behind us. It was almost reassuring, because I was having a hard time believing I had the right horse! She had been SO GOOD, and SO calm the entire time. I couldn't believe it! This is the first time I've taken her someplace new and she's been totally chill. You better believe she got TONS of pats and praise and cookies. 

I just could not believe how relaxed she was! I plan to take her around the loop a few more times on foot, and then start riding her. Because not only is she sound enough to start riding again, but she's (maybe)(hopefully!) comfortable enough to go trail riding! 

The only thing I can fault her on, is manners. She likes to walk at Truby speed. That's not especially fast, but faster than good ol' Primo was walking. In the interest of making the experience as positive as possible, I didn't worry about keeping her in place. If we walked faster than Primo, we'd just walk alongside or ahead of him. Truby doesn't seem to care at all if she's in the lead or behind, which is also awesome.She really just wants to go at Truby speed! Once we have her comfortable and confident we can address speed manners. Luckily Primo is one of the golden oldies that's perfect for everything, and even though he prefers to be first, he knew his job was too pack around the 'baby', and didn't get upset the couple of times we passed him. 

If this post seems extra ramble-y and poorly written, it is because I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!! I was expected and prepared for a lot of behaviors...but I wasn't at all expecting a calm, happy horse! 

Shame on me, I guess. I hope this horse keeps proving me wrong! I love being wrong like this.

Hi. I'm Truby. I'm awesome. Cookies?

This is Why Everyone Thinks You're an Arabian

I guess it was only last week that we had another bout of exciting "weather". Seems like longer! We had a quicky rain in the valley, snow in the mountains kinda thing, but only for the day.

Snow in the Rincons. Always pretty.

The next day I took Truby out to play. We went for a walk down the little trail. And then I let her roll in the damp sand. 

She is SO cute!

She didn't seem inclined to play on her own, but I knew she had some tense energy she needed to get out. So I let her loose in a paddock she's never been in. 

Where's this???

And then. Then a truck drove down the neighbors driveway, which borders the new turnout area we were in. The truck, pulling a small trailer, was crawling along at about 2 miles an hour. Apparently this was NOT OKAY, and Truby went on a tear. Volume on if you want to hear her clear out every tiny bit of air from her lungs!

People (especially out here) tend to think Truby is an Arabian, and I usually get asked "Full or half Arab?" by people meeting her for the first time, including her farrier, that breeds (very nice) Arabs. They're always surprised when I tell them she's actually an American Paint Horse. 

Recently she's been acting a little Arab-y! And yesterday, I not only got husband to go to the barn with me, but to go for a walk on the backyard trail. When we got to the end, where it meets up with another horse property, Truby's secret friend came running over. He doesn't usually run up, and Truby immediately flipped her tail straight up in the air and started to run/rear/something. I scolded her and she settled down right away, which was impressive and surprising! 

What do you see, Truby?

 Secret Friend <3 

She's been feeling a little sassy, but not out of control. I was really surprised she went from full Freak Out Mode to Alert but Calm almost instantly. I was glad, because husband was with us, and he wouldn't be impressed by crazy antics. He thinks horses are "unpredictable and dangerous". And while I definitely can't argue with that, I don't like to prove him right too often! We also got a new neighbor, a beautiful Arabian gelding named Cinco. Cinco is a *real* Arab, and much fancier than Truby could ever look! 

Hiiiiii! I'm Cinco!

Other than that, Truby's been a good little Truby. Her incredible lameness seems almost gone, you may notice from the video she's moving pretty good! I'm shocked, because two months ago I was trying to come to terms with the fact that Truby was going to be a crippled horse before she turned 18. She's made a remarkable recovery and is back to 95% her previous soundness and way of going. I'm shocked! I'm thrilled! I'm going to...ride my horse???

 Afternoon naptime

 She's such a princess

Even found some baby green grass out on the trail.

I guess winter is over. It's warm/almost hot during the day, although still a bit chilly at night. Today we visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens, which were fabulous, much better than I was expecting, and I'm having to recover from being out in the sun for about 2 hours. I don't do Tucson summer sun. It's waaaaay too strong! I actually get sun hangovers. But don't worry, more about that as summer really kicks in. Tuby's winter coat is almost completely shed out, although I still have more to go. We're so happy in our new home! I'm looking forward to some upcoming adventures, and just enjoying desert life with this cute little gray horse.

Enjoying the sun and feeling zen

With snacks, of course