A WTF Kinda Week

Sabino Canyon Dam

Last week was a doozy. I decided to go to Sabino Canyon for a short hike up to the dam. It's FULL of water, which sounds obvious to most people, but here in Southern Arizona, most of our water is seasonal. Like, our main river, the Santa Cruz, doesn't even flow most of the year. But we'd had a lot of rain recently, and the mountains got even more, so water was a-flowing! It was a beautiful day, low 70s, sunny, light breeze. Me and a billion other people were out to enjoy the park.


The hike to the dam is about a mile, and an easy one. I had fun though, walking in the dry river beds, checking out the recent flash flood damage. Climbing on big rocks. Enjoying the cold spray from the waterfall.

Look at all that water!

And somehow, even after all the sandy stretches I'd gone through, and rocks I clambered over, I managed to roll my ankle on one of the flattest, easiest paths. By the Nature Center, so of course, when I fell on my face, it was in front of a bunch of people. It's the same ankle that I trashed a few years ago, and never fully healed. Luckily I was okay enough to get back home, but I've had to spend the last week icing it, wrapping it, and avoiding doing anymore walking/standing than absolutely necessary. What a pain!

Can climb all over this, 

twist my ankle on flat ground.

We had a huge storm system that was supposed to roll in Wednesday evening, but when I woke up Thursday, it still hadn't arrived. But that was great, because Truby had a date with the dentist. The storm was postponed to later morning, so I went out at 8am to let Tru and Cinco out for a little bit before the vet arrived.

I was dumping a wheelbarrow when I saw someone wandering around the barn aisle wearing a parka. Yup, my Tucson born vet had arrived! We joked about the weather (chilly, windy, and overcast), and got Truby ready for her dental.

You are getting sleepy....

Once she was all nice and sleepy, we got a good look and feel in her mouth. She was in great shape, with no sores and just some itty bitty points forming on her teeth. I got to get a good look and even stick my hand in and feel her teeth! It was really cool.

Toofs

At the very end, Truby was awake enough to start backing up

I volunteered to stand behind her and brace.

It worked! Also, Truby bums are super comfy.

She was so sleepy

It didn't take long to get her finished, and good timing, because my vet had to head off to an emergency. I took Truby back to her stall, and read while she slept off her sedation. After awhile I decided to grab something to eat, because it was getting really cold sitting in the barn! It was starting to feel damp and raw, and just reading quietly made me really cold. By the time I came back, Truby was awake and indignant about being kept in a stall without any foods. The horror! I let her back out to play with Cinco for a little bit. My weather app telling me the storm was going to start SOON.

Impending doom

After about 40 minutes, there was no rain in sight, but the wind had really picked up, and the temperature had dropped. Truby and Cinco both met me at the gate, and were quite happy to go back in their stalls. By this time (1pm) the storm system was supposed to be on top of us, but it would actually be around 7pm that the first bit of rain finally started!

Falling asleep to the steady tap-tap-tap of rain on the roof, it made me happy to know Truby was snug in her blankie with lots of hay and new, fluffy shavings. I was extra glad when I woke up Friday morning and it was still raining steadily, and quite cold! I saw there was even some snow flurries in Oracle, which is north and west of us. Snow was falling in surprising low elevations of the mountains (Like, all the mountains. The Catalinas, the Rincons, The Santa Ritas, and even the Tucson Mountains!)

I was positive that I still wasn't going to get any snow, so I was stunned when I opened the door to go to work and there were HUGE flurries falling! I woke up the husband, and we marveled at the snow for a few minutes before I headed off to work.

I don't think I've every seen snow flakes so big before! About halfway to work I decided to pull over and take some videos of our desert winter wonderland. It was unbelievable.

I got to watch the snow fall all day. And while both my coworkers had several cancellations, every single one of my appointments showed up. I was so disappointed! I would have loved to get out early and ride Truby in the snow! Let's face it, riding bareback in the snow is fun anyway, but during a rare desert snow? Magical.

I snuck out of work to take some snow pics

Too bad for me though, the snow started to melt around 1pm. Which was made even worse by the fact that it continued to snow until almost 2pm. And by the time I was ready to leave work at 3:30, almost all the snow was already gone. I decided to just go home. My ankle was killing me, apparently very angry that I stood on my feet all day. I heard from my barn friends that by the afternoon, there was no snow, just muddy and cold.

So, my SECOND desert snowstorm was pretty amazing! I'm happy that I got to watch it all day. But I am disappointed I didn't get to go out and enjoy it with Truby. But, still. I shouldn't complain. Desert snow, how amazing!

Happy me!

Very sad cholla

The Catalinas completely cloaked with snow.

#unicorn

So last month our awesome equine massage person contacted me to see if I wanted to book an appointment for Truby, since she was getting quite busy and wanted to be sure Tru got in when I wanted.

I had been thinking mid-February, but I knew that her husband had been furloughed, and hell yes we support our friends! So I made our appointment a little earlier than I intended. And it was a really good thing I did, because Truby was SO SORE! Omg, I felt terrible! I had no idea. Instead of doing the massage in her stall, I held her in the aisle. (The outside run was really mucky, and I didn't want Jena to have to slog through it if Truby wandered out there.)

Even though Jena is really gentle in her approach to massage, Truby was trying to get away from her. Nothing in particular was especially bothering her, she was just sore all over. Jena told me she thought it was just soreness from us riding more, and nothing more than the soreness we get when we ramp up our exercise programs. Which made me feel a little better as I watched Truby trying to walk away, and sometimes stretch her head out looking for something to bite. She's not really a biter, but for whatever reason, she really seemed to think biting something would make it better.

I'ma bite stuff!

(Not that actual day, we don't massage in tack, obvs)

We finally made it down to my tack cabinet, which was open. Truby immediately decided that biting the cantle OF MY SADDLE would be the perfect thing to bite. Naughty pony! Fortunately, I stopped her before she did. Instead, she played with her old, tatty leg wraps. That's fine, bite those.

This led to a conversation about dressage saddles. Jena has only ridden western, but had the opportunity to ride a client's horse. Having never ridden in one, she was a little worried. We talked about saddles, and I assured her that dressage saddles were awesome. Super comfy, and would help her stay in the saddle. I offered to let her try mine, and we fixed a date the next week. Truby finally started to loosen up, and allowed Jena to go back to some of the really sore spots she resisted earlier. But it would be pretty mean to make her go for a ride!

Instead, we gave her cookies, and turned her out to doze in the sun while we chatted. She was happy to get some extra love and cuddles from Jena. At least she doesn't hold a grudge!

Sun sponge

Feeling better and full of forgiveness 

So, of course, the night before our pony play date the temperatures plummeted. We decided to go for it anyway, and Jena brought along hot drinks to get us through the morning. It was so cold I pulled out my fleece lined breeches and heavy socks! It was also super windy. Always a good combination for nice, calm horses, right?!

Snow in the Rincons

I suggested we turn Truby and Cinco out, and let them run around if they needed. Cinco took off galloping, but Truby couldn't be bothered. Next, I offered to show Jena the backyard trail, and take Truby to let her stretch and warm up her muscles a bit. Truby remained suspiciously calm, but I wanted to give her every chance to spook or be silly. So we took off her blankie and let her roll in the arena. She STILL wasn't acting tense or spooky, so we brushed her off and tacked her up.

You can just barely see the snow in the Catalinas 

I decided to get on first, so if she pulled a sudden panic like she did before, it would be me dealing with it, and not Jena. But no, she was good as gold. We just walked a few big circles each way and checked her brakes, all good! Jena surprised me by telling me she'd never seen me ride. We boarded at the same barn and spent time together when she owned Cherry and we both boarded at our old barn. Huh. She told me that Truby and I looked made for each other, which always makes me feel so happy and a little giddy.

Truby certainly seemed like the weather wasn't going to bother her, so Jena got on. I decided to start off by walking with them, holding lightly to Truby's sidepull. I told Jena that it was so she didn't have to worry about steering or anything, and could just enjoy the ride and get used to the new saddle. But it may have been that I still didn't quite trust her not to spook.

And she's on!

After a bit though, I let go and just walked beside them. Truby is wonderful for pony rides, because she'll just follow me and do whatever I do. But she does tend to follow me if I leave, and I didn't want Jena to have to have to make her leave me and go around the arena. Besides, it was nice to walk along and chat, and give her little tips on how to ride a Truby.

There were a few times when the wind blew especially strong, and rattled the trees, that I saw Truby raise her head and widened her eyes. She gave me a look, 'I'm gonna panic! That's scary...can I scoot??' but she let it pass, and regained her calm. I was SO proud of her. It was a very spooky morning, and even the couple times she thought she might spook, she held it together. Brave Truby!

By the way, she LOVED the saddle! She raved about how comfortable it was, and how surprised she was about how secure she felt. She loved the knee rolls and how it helped stabilize her legs. She couldn't get over how much more comfy it was than her western saddle.

Truby makes people break out in Jazz Hands!!!

After walking for awhile, she and Truby stood together, enjoying the sun, and the feel of each other. This is one of our favorite activities, and it made me happy to see my friend enjoying it as well. And when she was ready, Jena hopped off and we showered Truby in hugs.

This was the first time Jena had gotten back on a horse since she broke her back in several places 6 months ago. I was so honored to be able to give her a perfect first ride back. Truby seemed to know to be extra careful, and I was so proud of her. Jena said she always felt calm and safe with Truby, which allowed her to enjoy her ride and not worry about 'what ifs'. It was an incredible gift to be able to give my friend. Having had a couple really bad falls, I know how important it is to start back on a horse you feel safe on and can trust. Unfortunately, most of them time I didn't start back with a horse like that, or get to stay with a horse like that until I had gotten my nerve back. So to be able to do that for someone else just felt amazing.

Hello! I'm a unicorn!

Jena's daughter is the one who decided, years ago, that Truby is a unicorn, you just can't see her horn most of the time. While we couldn't *quite* see her horn that day, we knew it was there.

you can almost see it

Crisp

 The last of 6 deer. That's a deer, trust me.

A few days after our lovely Sunday afternoon, I was feeling quite lazy. There was a cold front rolling in, and Truby would need to be blanketed. But...pants. I just wanted to stay home in my jammies and watch Great British Bake Off. You know how it is. 

I texted M, to see if she was going to be out and could blanket. She could, but after work around 1 am. Nahhh. So I put on real pants like a Grown Up, and headed over. As soon as I turned into the neighborhood, a small herd of mule deer bounced across the road. I tried to grab a picture, since I rarely see deer out here, but alas, I didn't get a great one. If you squint really hard, you can kinda see one of them.

 Spying on the neighbors 

It was a really beautiful golden afternoon, so I decided to hop on and go for a little ride. I had just gotten a Nathe soft bit and it seemed like the perfect time to try it out. Now, Truby's been ridden in a bit many times and does just fine. Of course, she really prefers her $180 3 piece bit with the Sensogan metal, because OF COURSE SHE DOES, but she also usually goes quite well bitless, and I'm really lazy. It's so much easier to pop on a sidepull than a bit...somehow. 

So, while Truby rides in a bit just fine, and I don't have any silly objections to bits, we just don't use one often. And let's face it, for puttering around, we don't really need it. But...I'm thinking about getting back more in adding in some dressagey type stuff, and a couple times she's run through the sidepull, especially if she's wound up. Having a bit (haha) control would be nice. 

So I thought, what the heck, I have too much money this week, let's buy a nice soft bit and give it a whirl. 

 Slightly offended 

Truby did seem a little less offended by the Nathe than she has her regular bit. (UGH! I can't BELIEVE you need to use a BIT on ME! Fine.) I stayed on a loose rein, barely touching them at all. Truby held the bit, but didn't really interact with it. After about 20 minutes she started mouthing it and chewing a bit. I picked up  the reins but keep the connection very loose and light. We practiced some leg yields, and I think they were pretty good! (You know, for us.)

We ended on a good note. Truby accepting and interested in the bit, not terrible lateral work attempts, and we both were feeling loose and relaxed. 

I sat on her for just a few more minutes, feeling the warmth of her underneath me, the rise and fall of her sides, the last bit of sun shining. 

The cold front was coming in, and I could feel the temperature drop while I was riding. It felt chilly, and crisp. Like late October back in Maryland. I was pleasantly cold in my sweatshirt over just a tank top. 

It felt like it did many years ago, when I used to take riding lessons with my friend Rachel. I must have been 11, 12? My dad would take both of us to lessons, and we'd giggle and talk and laugh the entire way there. Afterwards, we'd stop and get hot chocolate. It would be dark, the early darkness that falls in winter. We often stopped at the local restaurant/orchard/market, and I can remember the gooey brownies we'd sometimes get, or the sugar from the cookies we might share instead. It was a happy remembrance. And somehow, it felt safe, and warm.

It's been years and years since I even talked to Rachel. We fell away as childhood friends do. Although, my dad and I still share a meal at the same place as often as we can. We still talk and laugh. Although, my dad doesn't really giggle. 

But even though those days are well past, I remember just how it felt. That's one of the things horses mean to me. It means chilly nights filled with laughter. Horses mean comfort. Horses are shortctus to being friends with strangers. Being partners with a large fuzzy creature that doesn't speak human languages, but we still understand each other. Horses mean there will be friends that will push me to have incredible experiences. To me, horses mean there's always understanding and comfort in the world. 

 Understands cookies

Coookiesssssss

And with those memories and happiness swirling around, I put Truby away, wrapped her and Cinco up, snug as bugs in their rugs, and turned out the barn lights. I headed home, fingers cold, but heart full and warm. 

Perfect Princess Pony Returns

That's me!

Sunday was a lovely day, warm and sunny, but not overwhelmingly so. I was heartbroken to find I couldn't keep my last appointment of the day filled. It was booked and canceled several times, and, ah shucks, no takers meant I got to leave early! So of course I went right out to the barn to spend time with the cutest grey horse. 

She was happy to see me, and a bit sleepy. All the horses were dozing in the afternoon sun. I took Truby for a walk on the Backyard Trail. We haven't been out in awhile, but over the last few weeks, the barn owner has been working back there, so the trees have been trimmed back which makes it much nicer! 

This time of year there's even some grass. I think it grows up into tall, dry, reedy weedy grass, but when it first comes up it's nice green yumminess. It's also hidden among weeds of some sort, so Truby has to work a bit to snack, and not just shovel it into her mouth. 

 Noms!

After our walk/graze, I turned her out in the big field and let her mosey around while I went and puttered around the barn. After about 20 minutes, I took her for a second walk on the trail. She continued to be super relaxed and well behaved, so when we got back to the barn, I tacked her up and hopped on. She got a little prancey and silly as I pointed her toward the open gate (I'm being so naughty! I'm escaping!) but I just laughed, draped my leg firmly against her sides and told her to chill out. She was still a bit up, but once we hit the actual trail, she relaxed fully and slowed into a nice pace. The trail isn't that long (barely a quarter mile loop) but it's a nice one, and it feels just like a 'real' trail ride, not just walking through the backyard.

 Oddly green right now

I was really pleased with how relaxed she was. Ears up, body relaxed, and interested in her surroundings, but not overly so. On the way back in, I decided to be a little daring, and turned her into her turnout pasture. In my experience, horses tend to lose their minds the first time or two they're ridden in their turnout areas. Not sure if it's just me, or in general they're like "BUT THIS IS WHERE I PLAY?!" So I was ready for her to be silly. But no, she was good as gold. We walked a large loop around before heading back to the barn and getting showered in hugs and treats. 

My goal is to jump that log. It's tiny, but I really want to.

I was so happy! Not only was it just a really nice afternoon with my horse, but it was nice to see her back to her normal self after her stressy few days prior. She soaked up the praise and loving, and seemed quite proud of herself. It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon.