The curse of being goal oriented…

Aug 312009
 

I need goals. Without them I sink into a malaise of boredom combined with a slightly depressive apathy. Then I start searching for some goal to create for myself. So far my recent horse goals have all been related to getting Paisano and Vinnie prepped to find new homes. That’s pretty open ended and a bit too vague for my taste. Besides, I don’t really want to find them new homes. That’s a sort of “must” goal, not a “want to” goal. Though it does still hang out there, I don’t think that I’ll be pursuing trying to make Paisano into a dressage pony, for instance.

Still very perky after 10 miles and 1,000 gain in elevation each way.

Still very perky after 10 miles and 1,000 gain in elevation each way.

After riding Paisano for two days at almost 10 miles/day this last weekend, I’ve been reconsidering my decision to do a fall Limited Distance AERC ride. We rode about 8-9 miles on Saturday with mostly flat trails through the woods, down the gravel forest service road and in a local park. Paisano loved trotting and cantering through the narrow wooded trails, up and down little rises. I hope that he had as much fun as I did! At the park, Paisano found his ‘big trot.’ It was great to know that he can enjoy moving out without breaking into a canter very often. That’s a new thing for him. I think that riding with a couple of mares was an incentive.

Checking out his saddle that Sky wore.

Checking out his saddle that Sky wore.

Sunday, Romina and I traded saddles. I rode in her Trekker Endurance Pro and she used my FreeForm. We found that our stirrup lengths are the same, along with a lot of other horse related ideas. I look forward to riding together again.


I really liked the Trekker. It is a very well made saddle of high quality, durable leather and fully adjustable. Unlike most other treeless saddles that I have tried, it has full spinal clearance for the horse and a firm, solid seat for the rider. It’s definitely jumped to the top of my want list. Romina liked my FreeForm too, so it was a good test ride for both of us.

Nice, even sweat pattern from Romina's Trekker Endurance. That's Romina and Sky in the background.

Nice, even sweat pattern from Romina's Trekker Endurance. That's Romina and Sky in the background.

Sunday’s ride was good with a lot of walking uphill. Through google maps, I figured that the ride was about 5 miles each way with a gain of 1,000 elevation. I’ve ridden this trail a number of times and this was the first time I made it to the top of the trail. We had to dismount to go around and under a large fallen tree. Amy Jo found that detour. Paisano led the way on a couple more. We were determined! The big tree was what stopped us when we rode it during the SMR meeting.


Paisano got sweaty, but not out of breath, except for the gallops and long, big trots. He is very game and will barge through brush, go off ahead of the the other horses, in the middle of the pack, at the end, whatever. It was great getting him around other horses and used to riding in close quarters.

The 25 mile ride at Foothills of the Cascades on October 17 will be my choice. I have 46 days to condition Paisano. I’ve been getting to the barn 3-4 times/week. I am going to try to make at least two of those on the trail, hopefully three. He’s doing well with EasyBoot Bares on the front, over trails that are a mix of pavement, gravel and dirt.

We are riding bitless in my FreeForm saddle. Now to start figuring out camping gear to keep me warm in October Oregon weather!

I’m pretty stiff and sore today, but doing more consistent trail riding should help me there too. And maybe, just maybe, I might loose a few pounds to bring us out of the heavyweight division. I’ll have to weigh my tack and gear tonight and get an idea on that.

So here I am … once again making plans for something that I really don’t have the time for, but will enjoy doing none the less.

Milestone passed

Aug 302009
 

Yesterday, I was up at Tired Dog Ranch. We pulled Vinnie from the pasture with his mother and siblings and put him to work!

First came the saddle. He had never worn one before. All I had was my FreeForm, as I was trail riding Paisano this weekend. I couldn’t really girth it up tight enough, so it slid forward some. All I got out of him was a little half buck. Then he settled down.

Look at that mane...

Look at that mane...

He showed us his lovely movement.

He showed us his lovely movement.

I also put a snaffle on him, which he didn’t really care much for. He kept getting his tongue over the bit. Since the saddle didn’t really fit, I took it off and did a bit of long lining. Then all tack got stripped off and we just played a bit.

Vin is a huggable pony!

Vin is a huggable pony!

I had a small audience, so just for fun, I hopped up and down next to him. Then I thought, “How will he do with my weight?” He could have cared less! I jump on him, wiggled all around patted him and bounced. Vin hardly moved.

Me saying, "See, he could care less!" I was pretty surprised at how calm he was about it.

Me saying, See, he could care less! I was pretty surprised at how calm he was about it.

Then we asked Amy Jo if she wanted to hop on him. He was a bit sweaty, so I let her take the first ride. ;)

Can you see us all grinning? I think that Vinnie is too.

Can you see us all grinning? I think that Vinnie is too.

After she was up, Amy Jo said that she had never ridden bareback before. I think that they both did a stellar job!

He knows turning.

He knows turning.

I think that he wondered what took us so long.

I think that he wondered what took us so long.

And after his bath - the grown up boy!

And after his bath - the grown up boy!

The round pen at TDR now has beautiful bark footing, thanks to Amy Jo moving two dump loads. What a grand place for a first ride. Thank you, Amy Jo! And MANY thanks to Megan for taking tons of great photos with my camera.

Reminder – Carnival of the Horses!

Aug 272009
 


Carnival of the Horses is coming to Akal Ranch

Image courtesy of Claire Bow, burdyboo @ Flickr

Image courtesy of Claire Bow, burdyboo @ Flickr

I am happy to announce that I will be hosting Carnival of the Horses for September. It is a blog carnival maintained by Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch. The official description “A collection of blog entries about horses, life with horses, horse breeds, horse care, horse stories, why we love them, and anything else equine.” Sounds good to me!

Consider submitting a favorite post from your blog. I look forward to reading! Be sure to check back on September 1st and join me for a great selection of horse blogs.

Submission Form


And if you are interested in some good blog reading right now, check out the August Carnival of the Horses here.

#mailart

Aug 272009
 

Rest and Motion 1998 Monoprint/collage on waxed paper 11 1/8 x 17 Matted and framed - Private Collection

Rest and Motion 1998 Monoprint/collage on waxed paper 11 1/8" x 17" Matted and framed - Private Collection

On twitter one day, I picked up on a group of artists participating in an exchange of original art through the mail. I’ve always really like the concept of ephemera as art. So I signed up. It’s been a while since I’ve been in my studio. In fact, it has become a dumping ground and is barely navigable. I will be clearing some space and using this small project to get back in gear.


I have decided to create monoprints and rework them with drawing and collage. I really enjoy this type of media. The image here is just one such work. It is larger than a postcard, but shows the basic concept. I’ll be including my son and daughter in the process, if they are so inclined. They may do their own work or participate in the project.

So far, I have purchase some watercolor paper and sized it to sheets that will be further torn down to size, after the printmaking process. Reworking them will be at the postcard level. Each will be unique and follow the guidelines put forth for the project.

I’ll be posting the finished images here before mailing them, so check back. I think that Labor Day weekend will be my first opportunity to get to work.

Renewed Journey

Aug 272009
 

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

My busy weekend was quite incredible and shows me that I am on the cusp of a shift. It’s one that I’ve been anticipating for a long time. It may be a long transition, but I can feel that it is really starting to happen. I had several confirmations from unrelated sources recently and that is very empowering.


I ended up at a few Sat Nam Rasayan classes years ago, as part of a camp I was at. I didn’t seek it out, but did the classes just because they were there. In the last year, I’ve been considering starting the practice again. To the point that I had put it in my calendar at work. I just didn’t go. Well, last month I did. And then it just so happened that Guru Dev Singh was coming to do a SNR workshop and meditation class. I signed up.

Both turned out to be excellent. This is jump starting me back into a regular practice. Yes, for a number of years now, I’ve been just coasting. If the spiritual journey is likened to a trail spiraling up a mountain, I was bivouacked on the side of the path with my feet up on a rock, probably the dark side too. Well, I’m packing my rucksack and on the road again now.

And last week, I won something! Something great too! An intuitive counseling session with Bridget Pilloud. I had also had a session with Guru Dev Singh on Monday night. What Bridget shared with me dovetailed very well with much that I learned from Guru Dev, both in my private session and the workshop and meditation course. If you are looking for direction or clarity, I highly recommend Bridget.

I also recently subscribed to Notes from the Universe at tut.com. Here is one that came last week. Yes, I know that these are written by a person and not “the universe” but it’s fun to see the meshing of messages from all around.

Simrat, I know what it’s like. I’ve seen it played out a few zillion times. You’re waiting for that magical day when someone makes the connection and recognizes who you really are. Maybe they’ll first catch the sparkle in your eye. Or perhaps they’ll marvel at your insights and the depth of your spirit. Someone who will help you connect the dots, believe in yourself, and make sense of it all. Someone who will understand you, approve of you, and unhesitatingly give you a leg up so that life can pluck your ready, ripened self from the branch of magnificence. Ahhhhhhhhhhh…

Well, I’m here to tell you, Simrat, your wait is over. That someone, is you.
Good thing you rock,
The Universe


I guess when it is time, the message comes from everywhere. Now I have to step up and get on with it. I am grateful that, this go ’round, I get to be on a spiritual path, with the chance to explore all the infinite possibilities of the human consciousness.

Take a few minutes today to create your own Thankful Thursday.

How:

  • Sit back and consider what you have to be thankful for. Listing three to five things is nice, but one will do.
  • Post about gratitude on your blog. If you don’t have your own blog, go ahead and write about what you are thankful for in the comments here instead.
  • If you blog, please link back here or leave a comment.
  • Feel free to tag other bloggers, if you like to do that, but it’s not necessary. This is not a meme that obligates you to do anything, but look for gratitude. Oh, and link back, and comment, that’s all I ask.
    • Visit these other blogs that often participate in Thankful Thursday:

  • Tired Dog Ranch
  • Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch
  • Earth Dancer Spanish Mustangs
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