An Unplanned Adventure

Heading down home road

Last Thursday I decided to take Truby for a nice long walk to stretch her legs. While riding in the arena is fine, hand walking in the arena is the WORST. She had a bit of a cough, so I didn't want to ride her two days in a row. I opted for the good ol' Loop. But when I was walking her there, she was really dragging her feet and soooo slow. I did not want to have to keep whacking her with the lead rope all the way around the Loop. So I thought...what if we come someplace new???? And kept walking down the road. We'd done this once before, many months ago, and it was Very Exciting! While she definitely perked up, she was still calm so...we turned down the main road. Since Truby lives in an equestrian estate neighborhood, 'main road' is a bit misleading. The speed limit is low, traffic is usually only for the neighborhood and most people are used to horses being ridden or led on the road.

On main road

This was a whole new road we were going down, and Truby was really enjoying it! She was striding along nicely, interested, but not tense. I knew the trail to the wash was not far...could we make it all the way there?

I love this picture

We turned down the trail, which was Scary, because there was a couple of large rocks across the entrance in an effort to keep ATVs off the path. But, we made it past with just a little snort and a whole lot of side-eye. I actually had no idea how far it was to the wash, but there was new winter grasses for nomming, pretty scenery for looking, and a beautiful afternoon for enjoying.

She was super suspicious of this couple,

even though they said she was beautiful

It wasn't super far, but a nice stroll. I was super excited to see water reflecting the afternoon sun, and let Truby graze for a few minutes before heading down.

Being in the wash blew Truby's mind, but not in a bad way. This horse *loves* being in the washes. She likes wide, open spaces, and being able to see everything. She was definitely 'up' and super excited, but very in control.

And then the horses came. A large group of trail riders came jogging down a trail. They slowed to a walk when they saw us, and we all waved and Truby tried not to lose her mind because, omg, HORSES. They splashed through the wash behind us and we continued the other direction.

After giving them a chance to get out of sight, I turned Truby back the way we came and headed toward the water. I wasn't sure what she'd think of it, but she charged right in, stopped and took a drink. Best. Desert. Pony. Ever.

splashy-splashy

We splashed around, and for a minute I thought she was going to drop in and roll in the water. It was a bit chilly (and the water was cold!) so I'm glad she didn't. I realized the trail riders were headed back out way, and decided it was time to wrap up.

Found out my boots aren't waterproof

As we left the wash, I heard one of the riders tell the group to cross the wash and head straight. Thinking they were coming towards us, I started to hustle Truby down the path. I wanted to get her to a more open area, so we could get well away when they passed.

Truby was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, and this was just a bit Too Much. She got Super Prancy, and although it was really pretty, I was dismayed to see the tension and nervousness start to take over. And by the time I realized the group wasn't coming our way, Truby was quite wound up. I let her prance to burn off some nerves. She wasn't pulling and staying right next to me, and her racehorse-going-to-the-post prance wasn't getting her more wound up.

And then the bike came.

I pulled her well over, stopped her, and encouraged her to graze. Luckily, the cyclist was very aware I had a potential horse-dragon kite, and slowed down and actually walked his bike past. We chatted while Truby STARED, and once past us, I continued home. Thank you, bike guy! You're the best.

Once we got back to the road and heading home, Truby slowed into a walk. She realized where she was, and where we were going, and I'm so proud of her for being to chill.

And the the Prime Van came.

I don't think the guy was speeding, but he certainly didn't slow down at all as he came up behind us. Luckily, we were at the corner of home road and main road and there was lots of room to get off the road. But Prime Van definitely did NOT slow down as he turned onto home road, and Truby lost her mind.

DUDES. SLOW DOWN FOR LIVING THINGS ALONG THE ROAD. JEEPERS.

Luckily he turned down one of the first driveways and was out of sight by the time Truby got all four feet back on the ground. We headed down the road, into the rapidly setting sun. As we passed the avienda that leads to the Loop, Truby dropped her head and heaved a sigh. She knew exactly where she was. It was so familiar. She was almost home.

I let her loose in the arena for a well deserved roll, and then tucked her into her stall for the night. As I grabbed her haynet and headed to fill it, I realized I hadn't closed the door far enough. I had enough time to think "oops, I need to close that" and then Truby pushed through, and went galloping down to the turnouts where the boys were. Oh Truby.

It was really cute though. She ran right over to Cinco, and thurst her head over the gate, as if she just had to tell him all about her adventures! "She took me someplace new! It was kinda cool, and there was grass, and I got to splash in the water, but then there was a BIKE and this van tried to run me down! And I missed you!!!"

Telling Cinco about her day

Having told her tale, I was easily able to grab her and put her away (again). She grabbed a mouthful of hay, let me rub her face, and was ready for bed. We're both ready to go again. The few mistakes are easy to fix, and she's always better each time. Hooray for new adventures!

If you look carefully, you can see the trail riders

Grand Theft: Doggo

Doggo

Last week was perfect Thanksgiving weather. And by that, I mean the typical weather I grew up with! Gloomy. Bleak. Chilly, but not excitingly cold. Overcast. Dark.

Dark and cloudy

A Tucson Rarity!

I loved it! To me, that's how it should be for Thanksgiving. Dark, bleak, and cloudy. Good weather for soups with crusty bread, snuggly sweaters, and hugging shaggy ponies.

Wednesday, M and I decided to ride the Loop before the rain blew in. The barn dogs were hanging around, and we tried to keep an eye on them, so they didn't get loose. Buuuut...we got distraced by the neighbor dragging their trashcan down their pea gravel driveway, and Juno ran out with us.

I made a half hearted attempt to catch her - I was still on foot, but M usually mounts at the barn. Juno likes to play Catch-Me-If-You-Can games, so when I failed to grab her the first time, I gave up. I knew I wasn't getting a second chance!

Since Barn Owner and I has gone on the Loop with Juno before, I knew she'd stay with us. I thought about texting her just to let her know we had Jun with us, but I rarely have phone service, so I didn't bother.

We had a great ride, both ponies were a little tense, but we rode through it just fine. A bit of a sticky point when the neighbor just-out-of-sight-but-not-quite was unloading their car. Lots of children squealing, small yappy dog yapping, doors slamming, and stuff being moved around. The horses could juuuust see the commotion through the mesquite, and they certainly could hear it!

Truby thought this was a good time to wig out. But I stayed calm, talked to her, and asked M circle back and get right in front of us.

It worked great!

Once we got past that, it was a pretty chill ride. Juno stayed (mostly) with us, and was good practice for the ponies. Jun's not the best with horses, she happy, and playful, but annoying. Still, everyone got along...even when she ran right behind Cinco (seriously, she had his tail drape over her for a second) and then darted past him. Good ponies! No spooking or kicking out.

The couple times Truby started to get tense and think about panicking, I just asked M to circle Cinco back. He walks much faster than Trubs, and by coming back and circling right in front of her, he kinda "hooked up" and it made her feel secure. Plus I think his momentum took her along! It worked a treat.

Just heading toward the road, nbd

Today was also the FIRST TIME we've walked 110% of the Loop. Usually I hop off right before we come around the last corner. That's the ranch's yard, and it can be quite hectic. Horses being ridden, horses playing in turnout, barnworkers working...and sometimes lazy coyotes sleeping on the trail. But all was quiet, so we just kept going.

I say 110% because when we got back to the start of the Loop, I nonchalantly just kept going. We rode through the gate and even down the little avenue! I opted to dismount when we hit the real road, but only because it was trash day and most of the cans were still out. I think Truby would have been fine, but no need to press our luck.

Home is at the end of this road and a bit to the right

We walked up to the gate, and waited for Juno. M lagged behind to make sure she came back with us. Junie was really dragging her paws...she didn't want to fun to be over! Barn Owner saw me by the gate and called "Have you seen my dog???" I yelled back "Yup! We stole her!'

Hanging out in the driveway

When we were all back on the farm, we clustered in the driveway chatting and laughing about the adventure. BO didn't mind Juno going with us, she knew we'd take care of her! A nice way to end a fabulous ride.

The Snowbirds Are Back, and So Am I!

Ohmergerd! Whetermehlons!

You guys. What a summer. I had stopped blogging because I was so tired, so unbelievably tired...all the time. Mind, I'm never super energetic, but this level of constant fatigue was unbearable. Add in another bout of sky high anxiety, and you have a recipe for noping out of most of life. Many days I could barely get myself to the barn, say hi to Truby, and leave. She didn't mind, she just wants pats and cookies. Turns out I had a rather significant vitamin D deficiency. Combine that with my body's usual inability to Do Things Right, and it mostly explains my very difficult time.

Grooming friends

Anyway, I've clawed my way back, as I always do, and am ready to start sharing more Truby adventures! Let's start with the best one. Just a couple weeks ago we did THIS:

Dream I barely dared to dream?

ACHIEVED! 

That's right! We hauled Truby and Cinco over to Saguaro National Forest East, and RODE OUR PONIES!!!!!!!!

Perfect trail buddies

It was amazing. It was magical. It was...calm. Relaxed. Safe. All the prep work of teaching Little Miss Social Anxiety (almost her show name!) paid off, and our first ride was a success! Truby loves this place, and we had a wonderful hour long ride. Truby led, Truby followed. Truby rode side by side. I'm so proud of her!

I was SO HAPPY!

I wasn't sure if Truby could handle these steps 

carved into the hills and rimmed with stone

But she LOVES them!

She thinks so hard about where to put her feet, it's adorable

The scenery is okay..I guess

She was so tired by the time we got back to the trailhead.

. And after a few more trips here, we'll try new places. I think she can handle it! In fact, our first "new place" will simply be heading left instead of right when we get to the wash. I think she'd be fine now, but I'd like to get a bit more experience at a known successful area. Luckily, M, Cinco's owner, has the same viewpoint I do, and is more than happy to help us build our confidence.

Drinking buddies

I Just Wanted to Visit My Horse

This morning I went to visit Truby. I do this all the time, so I've gotten pretty good at it. I parked my car in the parking area, and followed the drive towards the barn.

I was actually looking at the ground, it's a good idea in the desert. Or at a barn. There's snakes and lizards and sleepy Golden Retrievers and poop of all kinds.

Suddenly I stopped short and my heart fell to the ground before leaping back up and slamming against my chest. My body realized before my brain that I was about TWO STEPS away from stepping right on a rattlesnake.

OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!!!!!

 pls do not step on snek

Once I got done dying, I did what any rational person would do, take pictures. Lucky for me, the drive splits to make a loop around the barn, so I was able to alter my course and walk down the far side of the drive. I stopped by to give Truby a pat, then walked back around to take another picture, because I'm stupid like that. 

 Warmed by the sun, she turned around and eventually left

Afterward, I took Truby for a nice little ride. We stayed in the arena the entire time. My original plan was to do 30 minutes in the ring then head out for a walk around the stable and maybe one of the turnouts, but for some reason I wanted to stay where the ground was clear and any snakes would be clearly visible. 

The mesquite trees are still pretty and bring green

Truby got a spa day. I was just going to wash her tail and legs (I'm trying out some Equiderma lotion on her leg scruff), but she was kinda icky with dirt and fly spray and sweat, so I decided to do a full bath. No pics, but she was soft and gleaming after! I tucked her into her fly sheet and let her enjoy the rest of her morning. Heading home, I stopped to watch this buzzard pick at his breakfast, a squashed ground squirrel (I think). 

Breakfast

It's all worth it to spend time with this silly face

A Very Truby Birthday Party

Happy Birthday, Truby!

Recently both my husband and my best friend graduated from college. Since we're all creeping towards 40, neither of them felt particularly excited or proud about it. It was just something they worked hard at, yes, but both of them clearly didn't have the starry eyed excitement of someone in their early 20s, newly educated and ready for their first 'real' job. 

Both of their families wanted to celebrate though. So I spent a bit of time thinking about it, and then explaining to them why their family wanted to celebrate even though they themselves didn't feel like there was anything special. 

I realized it's because life can be really boring. At best. At worst, it can suck. Especially in husband's case, where a bunch of the family was getting together to visit his father who's in failing health. Last year they lost a beloved member of the family, and just recently, another. Having a little graduation party wasn't really about the husband, it was a much needed excuse to get together and have a good time. 

Of course, both their families were proud of them (even if my friend and my husband weren't especially proud of themselves.) They wanted to celebrate the time and effort and money they had invested in themselves in hopes of creating a better life. They did work hard, they did learn a lot, and they had to set aside a lot of free time to do so. And their families (me included!) are proud of them. 

Plus, who doesn't love an excuse to eat some cake?

A Truby party has been an idea I've had for years, but never actually done for no real good reason. But with the above thoughts in mind, I decided to have a party this year. Life can be boring. Or it can be stressful. Or both. Plus, let's eat some cake! So I threw myself into planning a really great party. I had a blast planning it. I decided to go all out, with games, prizes, and food. It was going to be fairly small, just barn friends, but it was gonna be fun.

Getting set up

Everyone seemed really excited about coming, but at the last minute, the barn owner and her sister had to deal with a family thing and couldn't make it. Bummer! Husband came to help me set up, and when we got there, M and Cinco where gone. And I began to wonder if I was going to host a party no one came to. I was determined to enjoy it, even by myself, but I was also going to feel like a pathetic loser if no one showed! 

We got everything set up, and a few minutes after 4pm, Jena and her daughter arrived! They were super excited, and we took pictures of everything, and especially Truby. Not longer after, K, Annie's owner walked into the barn. I asked if she was there to see Annie, or to party, and she replied "I'm here to party!" Whoo hoo! Truby's party was a party!

Checking out the prizes

"I could win this Truby Trivia contest"

 

Checking out the people cake

I had gotten paper unicorn headbands, and we started off by getting drinks (pink lemonade with frozen strawberries and water with frozen mixed berries. The water turned a really pretty pale purple.) and decorating our headbands. While we were coloring and chatting away, M pulled up! She had mistaken the start time, but that was okay. She put Cinco away, and we got her some unicorn punch and a headband. 

Best pic of the unicorn headbands

It was really nice, all of us just hanging out together. It was hot and sunny, but in the shade of the barn, with cold drinks and friends, it was perfect. In true horse girl fashion, I'm pretty sure we could have just talked horses and horse people all night, but K had to leave, so I stared the games. 

Truby ended up being the only one who played Pin the Tail on the Unicorn, because the Gator got parked in front of it (plus we kinda forgot it was there!) but everyone played Truby Trivia and How Many Treats in the Jar. I also had Equestrians Against Normalcy, but we never got that far.

Test your Truby knowledge!

After scoring the trivia contest, I gave out the correct answers, and then shared a whole bunch of baby Truby pictures I had brought with me. Because what's better than cute baby pics?

CAKE

In addition to regular people cake (and gluten free people cupcakes) I had also made pony cupcakes. So we got Annie and Cinco out, along with Truby, and we sang Happy Birthday to her. She spent the entire time trying to get her cupcake. And when I finally gave it to her, she sucked it down before I could peel the paper off!

M has cupcakes????

Annie didn't like her cupcake and spat it all out

Cinco was intrigued, but unsure

Kenna has cupcakes????

Cupcakes with friends

Loose Unicorn!!!!!!

Truby loved her cupcakes so much, that when I put her back in her stall, she spun around and darted back to the party area, hoping for more! She's such a naughty unicorn! The entire property is fenced, so I wasn't worried about her getting loose-loose. I couldn't help but laugh at her silliness. It was easy enough to grab her, and return her to her stall, especially since I brought another cupcake along with me. 

Afterwards we ate our people cake and people cupcakes (Jena is gluten free, so I made her a batch of cupcakes filled with homemade lemon curd. If you ever want to sound extra extra, tell people you're making gluten free cupcakes for a horse's birthday party. Eyes will roll!)  

The party wound down as the sun set, and after cake we took a walk on the Backyard trail, and poured out the berry 'ice cubes' for the coyotes. It was almost completely dark as we got back to the barn, so we broke down the party and packed up. I sent everyone home with their party favor boxes (of course there were party favors! Unicorn themed, obviously) and we all went home, tired, but happy. 

Auri helping make up party favors

My party went pretty well as planned. We missed out on a few games (Pin the Tail, Equestrians Against Normalcy, and I had gotten some pony paint so everyone could paint a real life Truby) but that was okay. We had a ton of fun, and even the horses enjoyed it. Planning the party was a lot of fun for me, and helped distract me from some worries I have. And getting my favorite Tucson horse friends together was a blast! Everyone had a really good time. I'll definitely have another party for Truby. Maybe something fancy for her 21st????

Gonna need some champagne next time!