Wednesday, August 21, 2019

They might be giants

Okay, the band by that name isn't really my thing; I'll take giant horses any day. However, alternative rock would probably be a fitting soundtrack for riding a slick, round, one-ton powerhouse in a big hayfield/pasture with only a bar bit, especially when she gets a bit amped! Meet Emma:

Actually, Emma and I got on pretty well for a first date. Apparently I passed muster; Brian told me on the way home that he overheard the owner and friends talking about putting me on a more challenging gelding after watching me handle Emma. I'm going to nip that idea in the bud if it comes up when we go back out!

Brian worked his team while I rode, so no reciprocal action shots. Afterwards we hosed off our sweaty partners, and I captured some neat photos then.





The sky was amazing last night!

It was also pretty spectacular this morning:
Mt. Hood in pre-dawn light

Mt. Adams up in WA with 'shower curtains'




The new neighbors' 'day lodgings;' they don't stay there overnight




Rick and Brian were up and out of here early to make it to the State Fair by 7 a.m. to check in livestock. I got up and made their lunch, and was rewarded with that sunrise. It's been cloudy ever since, but no precipitation yet. Chuckie is doing his best to summon some!
Chuckie believes in "the power of the paw"

That's it for now from . . .

10 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Wow, you be some good horsewoman to be able to ride those giants bareback!

Michelle said...

Mama Pea, this is probably as close as I am willing get to "thrill-seeking"!

Helen said...

At one point I lived near Pisa, Italy (on US base) and one of my friends from on base was a horsewoman who found a place near base where she could go and ride horses. But she ended up switching places as the one she went to first started giving her the horses that 'needed work' as she could settle them and get them to behave. She didn't realize what the place was doing at first, but once she realized they were using her to train horses, when all she thought she WAS PAYING FOR was a ride, she dropped them. A compliment to her ability, but she was paying them for that 'privledge'?

Retired Knitter said...

I greatly admire the beauty and grace of all horses. I kind of wish I had been raised in a family that could afford either owning a horse or riding lessons or whatever. In reality the largest animals I have been near-ish are zoo animals. And really near - dogs. But I did have one visit to a friend's family farm where she kept her own horse. We both walked up to the fence and she called to her horse - who was pet worthy and ambled up to see her - right up to the fence where I was standing. My first thought when his head was in touching distance ... was MY GOD YOU ARE BIG! Her horse was a former race horse so it might have been taller than regular horses, but for me ... horses are big big animals. And you were sitting on a horse that was not only tall but stocky! VERY BIG. At 72 I kind of feel it is a bit late to be acclimating to such a big animal - but I still admire horses greatly - from a distance - like a "blog distance." Hahaha. Maybe in my next life I'll land in a family that owns horses! They really are magnificent animals.

A :-) said...

That is a good-sized horse, Michelle! And definitely a testament to your skill as a horsewoman for them to ask you to ride - and bareback, no less. I know you'll do well in the show!! Can hardly wait to see the photos :-)

Jeanne said...

Oh my! That's a lot of horse to ride bareback! What a beauty! When is your competition? And Brian's? I'd love to see you both!!l

Susan said...

That is my kind of horse! What a beauty (and the rider ain't bad, either...) I will have to say - again - that you get the most spectacular skies out there. So much beauty. And thank you for the Chuckie moment - he is so darn cute.

Fat Dormouse said...


The photos of sunrise are beautiful! I can admire horses from afar but don't want to get very close. I am a little frightened - mostly by their size. Our friends keep a livery stables and I can look at the horses in the field with equinamity. Just don't bring them any closer!!

World of Animals, Inc said...

What a beautiful horse you got to ride. Such a wonderful and peaceful sunrise. Chuckie is the cutest trying to summon some rain. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos. Have a wonderful day.
World of Animals

Michelle said...

Please forgive me for not responding quickly to the rest of your lovely comments, readers! It has been a very busy week....

Helen, I have avoided those types of "deals;" I figure my time and abilities are worth something. Not that I wouldn't "tune up" a horse for a friend, and I have a friend with a horse who needs training right now. Maybe more on that later....

Elaine, I was BORN "horse crazy" but realize not everyone is comfortable around them – my mom isn't! Bless her heart for facilitating my horse-craziness despite her fears.

Adrienne, to my astonishment, I won the bareback class! I'm hoping to get more photos from my friend who came and watched; I do have a couple to share when I can sit down long enough to do a post.

I hope you're feeling better, Jeanne; maybe I'll see you on Sunday! I plan on riding Emma with a saddle in that class.

I get it, FD; see my comment to Elaine above!

Thanks for your lovely comment, WoA!