I have to remind myself that this past summer I was thankful for the rain since it has cost me some riding time recently.  On the side of good news, all the riding students have braved this cold winter and are back to riding after our holiday break.  What a great group of very dedicated young riders we have!  Their enthusiasm and joy at coming back to the barn no matter the weather is contagious.  Jon and I started the new century in our traditional way - with our great horses and great friends in Round Oak.  We enjoyed laughing with friends around the campfire and a wonderful (as always!) dance.  Jon even steamed oysters over the campfire to celebrate the new year.  The cold and wind didn't dampen anyone's spirits, but it was very COLD and windy.  Bitterly cold.  On Saturday's ride, if you didn't recognize your friends horse, you just might not recognize them everyone was so bundled up.  Even though the big topic of conversation was how very cold it was, it was sunny and bright, and none of us would have been anywhere else.  We blanketed the horses as much as we could at night, but as ususal, they handled the cold better than we did.  TIPS for camping with horses in the cold:  The biggest worry is water.  Many horses will not drink enough when the water is frigid.  Warm a pan of water over the campfire and pour it in the horses bucket to make the water tepid before offering it to horses.  Also, put a tablespoon of salt on your horses grain to give them thirst when water is offered.  One more thing, to make sure you get some water in your horses gut, you can make them a soupy beet-pulp mash to go with their grain.  Beet pulp shreds are sweet and most horses love it - but never feed it dry.  Dreaming of some warmer rides......

I hope everyone had a great holiday!  Jon and I spent a wonderful week-end with our dear friends in Round Oak.  Great dancing, great fellowship and great riding!  I'm so thankful for my new Tucker - after three days of riding, I could keep going.  However, once again I'm reminded that cutting off Spook's mane was a mistake.  We had some pretty steep ditches, banks and hills - luckily Spook was patient with me.  I didn't quite help him navigate the obstacles when I went to grab mane and found only air.  Riding side by side with Jon, both of us mounted on strong, sound horses, under God's creation truly makes me thankful so it was the perfect way to spend the holiday.  And we had a special treat - Jon's son, Adam came as well and rode Xanadu.  I've been working with Xanadu here at the house and all our work showed.  She and Adam made a super team.  Icing on the cake was the perfect weather.  It truly was an occasion for thanksgiving.  Peace to you and yours.

Jon and I really enjoyed the rodeo in Gray over at the Moore's farm this past week-end.  Bullriding and more bullriding!  One of the highlights for me was watching the opening parade of flags and watching a certain beautiful young lady carrying the American flag.  I had the priviledge of being a small part of her formative riding years and her lovely riding certainly makes me proud now.  Jon and I had a six-year old in tow so we had to leave early and missed the barrell racing.  But just being around a rodeo arena again brought back some great memories.  My own barrell racer, Rocky, is currently enjoying his old age and teaching new young students the basics.  I was happy to see that most, if not all, of the bullriders were wearing head protection.  I hope the cowgirls were as safety concious too.

Tip: Winter is coming.  When it's cold, don't put an ice-cold bit in your horses mouth.  Just a second under hot water will take the chill off.  Or put the bridle under your jacket while you groom.

I couldn't resist today.  While my boarder was clipping his mules, I had him give Spook the "mule trim".  Luckily, I saved his forelock but the rest of the mane went.  And I mean all of it!  He looked quite handsome with his macho roached mane - until I tried to mount and that familiar, handy lock was gone.  This will be interesting on the next mountain trip.  Jon and Jughead rode in Toomsboro this week-end and had a great time.  The weather was gorgeous and I think they behaved themselves even without me.

Hint: Don't clip the whiskers around the horses nostrils and lips.  They help him feel harmful objects and avoid injury to tender noses and lips.

Hi folks.  Jon and I just got back from riding in South Carolina.  We camped at Whetstone Horse Camp - one of our favorite campgrounds and rode in the beautiful SC and GA mountains.  We picked the perfect week-end to see the leaves!  They were gorgeous - a quilt of yellows, reds, oranges and greens.  We felt so blessed to get to ride at such a pretty time of year.  We rode through some mystical mist but the rain left us alone.  The river was high and very rushing!  Definitely white water.  We did have a second though about crossing but the fords were good and the horses didn't have any problems.  We did have to cut our week-end short when the rain came in.  Sorry we missed the Rockdale Trail Blazers dance over at War Woman.  I hope everyone had a great time!  Looking forward to the Whistelstop Ride!  Happy Trails!

Hint:  When trail riding, carry plastic wire-ties.  They are a lightweight and very handy for fixing a broken bridle, etc. on the trail.