tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35475115704085746752011-11-27T19:04:05.242-05:00Stories and musings by Zephyr's MomZephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.comBlogger601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-82526098380804796292010-10-21T15:51:00.000-04:002010-10-21T15:57:59.097-04:00

OK.  The more astute of my readers might notice that in this post Zephyr goes back and forth between wearing two different saddles, a borrowed Abetta-type and the new EZ-Fit Saddle.  That is because Melissa and I went to the beach twice in April, on the 4th and the 25th, and I have no memory of which pictures go with which trip, other than that the ones with the EZ-Fit Saddle are from the 25th,

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-58434424524209981402010-10-21T14:40:00.000-04:002010-10-21T14:53:26.735-04:00

Some of you have written to ask where I’ve been, and if Zephyr and I are ok.  We are, but we are going through a rough patch this year.  I’m in the middle of a divorce, and there are some complications that have made life extremely stressful.  Zephyr has pretty much been hanging out in the field since my last post… sometimes with various neighbors’ horses for company, and sometimes alone.  He

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-4186397223871544482010-03-21T15:52:00.001-04:002010-03-21T15:52:11.923-04:00

Zephyr and I traveled to Hampden today to ride with some new friends.  It was very low-key, a walking-only ride of only a couple miles, but still fun to get out and meet some new people.  The new EZ-Fit Saddle was comfortable, I think I have the seat and the stirrups set right now. Afterwards, Howie (the host) took some pictures of Zephyr and I riding in his outdoor arena.  Here they are: View

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-36662639796051383422010-01-24T11:25:00.000-05:002010-01-25T11:27:02.982-05:00

On Saturday, I tacked Zephyr up in the demo treeless EZ-Fit saddle that I have on loan from Wendy Jordan (email me for contact info) for our second and probably last demo ride.  I already knew that the foam panels don’t have enough angle (you can see this in the picture below), but I needed a few good long trots so I could tell whether it would be comfortable for me.  Our other ride was in fairly

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-60483831221523696282010-01-18T21:40:00.000-05:002010-01-18T22:50:06.147-05:00

My friend Gary and I hauled over to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands yesterday for a nice long ride, thinking that the trails would be hard-packed from the snowmobiles.  Gary rode his horse Rocky over from his house a half-mile away, because I wasn’t sure my rig would make it up his driveway.  Rocky, Gary’s 6yo foundation QH gelding, hasn’t been on a slant-load trailer since Gary bought him,

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-63828539343420661082009-12-31T18:57:00.000-05:002010-01-20T18:57:21.227-05:00

A few weeks ago I received a set of Grips and a set of studded Gloves to test in snow and ice here in the frozen Northeast.  Since that first successful test, we've had an odd combination of near-50's rainy weather and near-0° windstorms!  Not only that, I sold my saddle and don't have another one yet.  Zephyr is so full of energy right now that I don't dare ride bareback... he bucked me off on

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-3646949985889380502009-12-15T19:10:00.000-05:002010-01-20T19:11:12.119-05:00

We got our first snow a couple of weeks ago, and another storm a few days later followed by rain, so we've got about 4" of snow laying on the ground... some of which covers ice but you can't tell until you hit it!  I thought yesterday's sunny 34° weather would make a perfect day to test the set of studded Easyboot Gloves that arrived last week. I had to tie to the telephone pole in my

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-67064302295320537592009-11-24T17:17:00.001-05:002009-11-24T19:20:02.227-05:00

On Sunday November 22, I was scheduled to ride at the Wildlands with my friends Kerry, Gary, and Kathy.  Kathy was going to borrow Gary’s Quarter-pony, Peyton, again.  They first met two weeks ago on an impromptu neighborhood ride, and got along very well!  Peyton blew away all our expectations and earned the nickname “The Trail Assassin” with his steady demeanor and easy gaits. At the last

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-30323977797921384342009-10-12T16:51:00.000-04:002009-10-12T17:53:14.553-04:00

This ride actually took place on Saturday September 26, and it’s taken me this long to write it up! My friend and fellow MMESAR member, Melissa, brought her TWH mare over so she could ride with Zephyr and me.  She thought she knew what she was getting into, but maybe she should have talked with my friend Kerry first. First things first… I booted Zephyr on the front feet, and left him barefoot

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-16713870883363017512009-10-11T18:36:00.000-04:002009-10-12T10:41:40.734-04:00

The first annual “Walk on the Wild Side” walk/bike/ride-a-thon at the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands was a huge success! My neighbor Mary and I staffed the Mile Four “aid station” and had a lot of fun with our theme of Maple Syrup.  I cooked all day Saturday… Maple-Mustard Chicken, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Spiced Maple Sauce, New Orleans Maple Coleslaw, Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts,

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-62136076063557411712009-09-20T20:54:00.000-04:002009-09-29T21:22:29.901-04:00

On Sunday September 20, Jill and I went to get the boys from the field.  They were as far from the gate as they could get!  Six acres can take a while to cross, when laid out in an L.  Look carefully, they’re both here: Jill and Ellen hauled their horses over to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands.  Zephyr and I hitched a ride with Jill.  She bought a pair of Fuzzy Logic Equine riding pants from

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-42734451277580580132009-09-19T19:13:00.000-04:002009-09-30T12:48:11.421-04:00

On Saturday the 19th, several fellow members of the Mid-Maine Equestrian Search and Rescue (MMESAR) unit visited me for a weekend of pleasure riding.  Jill and Ellen were scheduled to arrive Friday after I got home from work.  Ellen arrived first and we got her Arab mare set up in one half of the paddock in the front yard. Shortly after dark, Jill arrived and we settled her Paint gelding in to

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-58683953748813521982009-09-14T07:53:00.000-04:002010-01-19T12:49:46.094-05:00

On Saturday morning I gave Zephyr another fresh trim, with extra attention paid to getting his toes as short as I could. That afternoon we had a great ride with my neighbor Laurie and her gelding Chief.  We rode out on the snowmobile trails behind her house, with Zephyr barefoot so I could see how he was feeling about his fresh trim.  Sadly, he wasn’t very comfortable on pavement or gravel;

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-10805203450127242152009-09-10T10:31:00.001-04:002009-09-10T10:31:04.344-04:00

A good friend came over to pre-ride the trail for next weekend’s pleasure ride with my mounted search and rescue unit (MMESAR).  Kerry got to my house 20 minutes early so she unloaded her Ara-loosa into the front paddock, then enjoyed a cup of coffee while I scarfed down the omelet and bacon that my husband had prepared.  After she got the nickel tour of my house, we were off to the races about

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-82075064964173717502009-08-30T22:38:00.000-04:002009-09-03T10:33:49.436-04:00

I've got some catching up to do!  Here are some pictures from a ride earlier in August.  I took Zephyr out barefoot, thinking he’d do fine, but the local trails are just SOOO rocky.  We had to walk most of the way.  I vowed not to go on those trails again without Gloves!             Last night, I did a fresh ‘mini trim’ in preparation for putting on the new Gloves that Garrett

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-21665616626688672702009-08-20T20:36:00.000-04:002009-08-21T15:03:59.140-04:00

On Sunday 8/16, I was horrified to see damage and bruising on the hairless part of the skin on Zephyr’s heels on his hind feet.  I couldn’t take pictures that night, but this is what they looked like the next morning.  I applied Equine Relief as soon as I saw the damage, and it looked SOOO much better in the morning!  Instead of raw soft skin, it looked like a nice dry/hard frog.  That’s what you

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-72794682691072583392009-08-15T11:27:00.000-04:002009-08-21T11:48:06.660-04:00

My husband and I went for a ride on a local “scenic railroad”, accompanied by my new coworker Debbie and her husband Kevin.  We started with lunch at Ralph’s Cafe right around the corner... yummy! Excellent food, excellent atmosphere, and good prices.  That was honestly the best part of the day! When we arrived at the historic railroad station, this is what we saw.  The engine looked nice but

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-68988618477883188472009-08-14T12:40:00.001-04:002009-08-14T12:40:22.373-04:00

I trimmed Zephyr’s hooves before riding last Sunday; these pictures are from after I got back.                        

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-83927994504965006252009-08-14T12:31:00.001-04:002009-08-14T12:31:54.110-04:00

Zephyr has been enjoying his time in Gary’s cow field, just down the road from our house.  I’ve been leaving him out there unless we’re expecting heavy rain or a thunderstorm.  He has two other horses and 6-10 cows for company.  Every night, even if he’s going to stay out there, I bring grain for him and the other two horses.  They see my headlamp as I walk towards the field along the road.  It

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-7517131813033495262009-08-09T22:41:00.000-04:002009-08-14T12:43:40.911-04:00

Written on August 5: I’ve waited a few days, hoping inspiration would strike, but I’m just feeling BLAH about this one.  So here goes… short and sweet (for once). We left home around 8ish in the morning on Friday July 25.  I stopped along the way to have my Trailer Guy fix something on the awning.  He spent 20 minutes trying to get it just right, before settling for “it works” and only charging

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-64652429224441991902009-08-06T12:50:00.001-04:002009-08-06T12:50:36.253-04:00

* This was originally written as a response to a friend’s Facebook post, where she posted a video of Keith Olbermann taking some Republicans to task for being given campaign money by healthcare and health insurance companies.  My response was too long to put as a comment in Facebook, so here it is. And do you know for certain that no Dems have been given money by the healthcare industry?  As

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-45618968408243321412009-07-26T19:44:00.001-04:002009-07-26T19:44:14.191-04:00

Settling in for western maine pioneer. Got here sat pm, volunteered for fryeburg ctr today, glued front hoof boots on tonight.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-2978282693413230932009-06-30T17:24:00.001-04:002009-07-01T11:20:53.238-04:00

Last month, I entered Zephyr in a 3-day 80-mile ride to work on fixing the “race brain” that he has developed since we started racing 50s in 2007.  I knew that was the last step I wanted to conquer before trying again for a 100.  He did great so I decided to go ahead and enter the Pine Tree 100 on June 27.  I figured that with his race brain fixed, more advance planning, and terrain that is more

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-58973081112268468002009-06-28T20:17:00.003-04:002009-06-28T20:18:46.891-04:00

Zephyr and I finished at 3am this morning and both of us are doing just fine! I'm so very proud of him! More in a day or two.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-46702644481383476592009-06-27T20:24:00.001-04:002009-06-27T20:24:04.949-04:00

@ hold 5 @ 78 mi.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-45809784295423503582009-06-27T08:50:00.001-04:002009-06-27T08:50:40.897-04:00

At hold 2 and doing well.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-78703840615644157142009-06-26T18:35:00.001-04:002009-06-26T18:35:58.608-04:00

Vetted in ok - 100 or bust!

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-63116780112667304622009-06-16T21:53:00.014-04:002009-06-17T13:54:58.839-04:00

When I got home tonight I had just enough time to go get Zephyr from his pasture, eat my dinner, and get dressed to ride, before the UPS man came with my EasyBoot Gloves. Because time was getting short and I needed to get at least a short ride in, I skipped installing the Power Straps and just headed out to tack up. I brought along the athletic tape to try the method the Aussie boot

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-754863383720214842009-06-16T15:43:00.001-04:002009-06-16T15:43:21.025-04:00

Last Wednesday I took Zephyr for a short ride at the Wildlands.  He had just gotten his shoes pulled on Monday in preparation for switching to Easyboot Gloves, so I planned to take it easy on the gravel roads.  He was tender enough that we ended up just walking the entire time, and I even got off and walked the last mile back to the trailer myself.  His Gloves are arriving tonight, so we’ll get

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-15532054138651948032009-06-16T14:42:00.000-04:002009-06-16T15:24:41.675-04:00

Except I only have one horse, not a herd.  This month’s Endurance News contains an article written by Tamara Baysinger, in which she explains the spreadsheet she created for converting miles/hour to minutes/mile and also converting minutes to hours.  I can’t believe I hadn’t already done this... what a fabulous idea!  If my crew uses this new spreadsheet in combination with the loop timing

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-8488832894070466832009-06-11T13:02:00.002-04:002009-06-11T13:09:58.023-04:00

Testing mobile blogging.Edited to say... looks like it works! I'll be using this method to keep family and friends updated on our progress through the Pine Tree 100 on June 27. Yes, you heard me right, we're giving it another shot... we're both more prepared this time (both mentally and physically) and the terrain is much more similar to the trails we train on at home. I'm looking for 2-3

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-91906467747005113352009-06-11T12:46:00.001-04:002009-06-11T13:36:45.041-04:00

Every morning when I turn him out onto pasture, Zephyr runs right to his favorite spot.  The grass must taste the best there.  He’s not always there when I go get him in the afternoon, which is good... he’s out on six acres so it would be nice if he were actually making use of more than just this little bit of it! In the afternoon/evening when I go down to get him, he comes running back to

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-81011803149086596112009-06-10T14:30:00.003-04:002009-06-10T15:04:26.242-04:00

Please change your favorite/bookmark to point to www.zegifts.blogspot.com – I won’t bore you with the details, but the blog will be much easier for me to manage if it “lives” on the blogspot web servers instead of my own.  I will no longer be updating the blog files at this address (zegifts.com/blog/index).

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-59979144655667618222009-06-07T21:00:00.001-04:002009-06-07T21:00:07.385-04:00

Well, that’s what it felt like anyway.  This morning, Gary and I finished up the fence tightening and got it turned on.  About 2:30 I walked Zephyr over there.  I walked him down to the pond and the stream so he’d know how to find water, then turned him loose and spanked his bum.  This was the only movement we saw for the next hour other than chewing! As I said, this is all we saw after that.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-19190711725364592662009-06-04T21:16:00.001-04:002009-06-04T21:16:50.884-04:00

I’m totally excited.  This is where Zephyr will be spending his daytimes, starting any day now and lasting until the snow flies.  There are two pastures, the summer pasture is about 6 acres, and the fall pasture (for after it gets hayed) is a little more.  They’re both across the road from my house… a neighbor is letting me use them for free!  Zephyr will have to share with a few cows, but he

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-59993058069928772342009-05-26T20:34:00.000-04:002009-05-28T19:26:51.248-04:00

Despite packing over the course of a couple weeks, I was still up late finishing on Thursday night because I had a few organizational things to do.  I added a canvas pocket organizer in the rear tack compartment (three separate shopping trips were required in order to get the right hardware) and also some D-rings in the dressing room to help secure the load to the walls.  I think I made it to

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-89732332464689652252009-05-15T07:41:00.000-04:002009-08-15T19:29:47.966-04:00

I fell off and hit my head last week, so I had to replace my old-style Tipperary helmet.  Good thing I had already done my research and found that the Tipp Plus wasn't going to fit the same, but the Aegis Aspen probably would... I already knew what I wanted to replace it with. State Line was the only place that had them in stock, so even though it cost a bit more I ordered from them.  Got it

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-24371652066730148342009-05-13T20:47:00.000-04:002009-05-15T09:47:12.354-04:00

I'm so excited!  The trailer guy called.  One of the seals was leaking, so he cleaned everything up and replaced that seal, as well as all the other seals on the other wheels.  He hand-packed more grease into the bearings (said it didn't need to be cleaned out entirely and repacked from scratch), and checked the brake adjustments (which were fine).  The bill?  $50!!!!!!!!!!!! He also replaced

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-88074439134756350162009-05-08T12:39:00.000-04:002009-05-11T12:39:53.883-04:00

Hubby and I are going away for the weekend, and took today as vacation to get a few things done around the house.  So after we got back from breakfast at the local diner, Zephyr got his first set of shoes for the year.  (Nate says Zephyr feet ARE bigger this spring!)  I’m trying Shock Tamer rim pads on his front feet, and also going back to the aluminum wedge shoes he’s worn off and on (on his

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-19342324271542544562009-05-02T20:16:00.000-04:002009-05-04T16:41:11.030-04:00

I snuck away for a short ride “around the block” on trails and roads last night, but today was a chance to get a good long ride in.  It was supposed to rain all morning and stop around 2pm, which was going to be a great time to clean the house, but instead it was sunny and warm!  I did get the cleaning done but worried the whole time that it would rain in the afternoon. Around 12:30 I brushed

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-88417042850863507942009-04-30T07:00:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:25:06.473-04:00

Just before Christmas last year, I helped my neighbor Gary buy a pony for his girls. We went to look at a couple of private-sale ponies but decided early on that the best place to look was a local “horse dealership” named Hemphills. That pony seems to be working out fairly well. On the day the picture at left was taken, Gary decided that in order to get the best use out of the pony, he needed a

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-49232690947777043982009-04-28T11:51:00.000-04:002009-04-30T12:11:00.946-04:00

Nah, there wasn’t really any madness, I just seem to like the alliteration lately.  Hubby got me to the airport in plenty of time for my flight, so I started in on one of the two paperbacks I’d brought.  I left Bangor on a 6:30ish flight, connecting in Detroit.  By the time I got to Detroit I had finished the first of the two paperbacks I’d brought in my carryon.  My layover in Detroit was only

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-43494616881561289402009-04-19T21:00:00.002-04:002009-04-20T11:34:29.180-04:00

My second and last beach trip of the spring was supposed to happen this Tuesday, but an unpleasant weather forecast changed it to Sunday.  One thing after another made it so none of my riding friends could join me, but our neighbor from across the road (Mary) said she’d like to come just for the walk, and to take pictures.  Mary sometimes takes care of Zephyr for me when we’re away traveling. We

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-14883032121682034322009-04-17T07:40:00.000-04:002009-04-17T09:41:12.886-04:00

It's sunny and warm out, no bugs yet, no mud in my paddock, I get to ride tonight, I'm riding at the beach on Sunday, someone is coming this weekend to take all my manure away, and next Thursday I fly to MN to spend five days with my best bud in the whole world (if you don't count hubby). Oh, and within the next couple weeks I will be able to start turning Zephyr out in my neighbor's 6-ac grass

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-77495778832605001192009-04-14T22:00:00.001-04:002009-04-17T09:43:58.885-04:00

When I got home from riding tonight, I tried (again) to put Z's new easyboots on. I was thrilled to have found a great deal on them and I wanted to be able to USE them! They're the same size that I've always used as a "spare tire" out on the trail... size 0... but even after rasping his edges down to nearly-freshly-trimmed he's still wasn't fitting into the boot. So I flipped it upside down

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-2353853843022846662009-04-14T21:39:00.002-04:002009-04-14T21:40:25.858-04:00

This photo/caption appeared in all the Turner Publishing newspapers… around 15 publications I think?  :-) 

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-59668140251569319572009-04-14T21:00:00.001-04:002009-04-14T21:00:43.890-04:00

Found a new trail, but couldn’t explore that far because there were so many downed trees. A different new trail… a road along the power lines that turns into log skidder roads.  Can’t tell if any of them go anywhere. I don’t know if you can tell from this pic or not but honestly I think he looks DARN FINE this spring!!  No

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-91122225762090722712009-04-14T06:33:00.001-04:002009-04-14T11:58:30.649-04:00

Horse & Rider, Etc. has Shires brand small-hole mesh hay nets for $6.95!I used a homemade version of this all winter, and I'm thrilled to report that Zephyr looks better than any other early-spring so far. I was able to feed less hay because he ate much more slowly... so he's NOT a porker this year!

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-48597209587568562812009-04-13T10:41:00.003-04:002009-04-13T10:46:27.111-04:00

"Wound TLC" at thehorse.com is a wonderful reference, very easy to read and understand, on the different kinds of wounds and how to take care of them. You'll need to register for a free membership, but it is SO worth it. Great article... print it and post it in your barn!!!

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-39482256853702354342009-04-12T20:00:00.000-04:002009-04-13T16:49:32.860-04:00

The April meeting of the Mid-Maine Equestrian Search & Rescue unit focused on on-trail First Aid for Horses. A local vet volunteered her time to come and speak to us. She first spoke about various supplies we should have on hand, and why, and then we practiced bandaging. We were all fascinated to learn that in order to wrap a hock you first wrap the lower leg, then the hock, so that the hock wrap

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-73025472351590762612009-04-10T20:00:00.002-04:002009-04-14T12:38:16.326-04:00

  Today I took Zephyr for his annual chiropractic adjustment. He didn't really seem to need one, but I had promised to take my neighbor Melinda's horse Jamaar, so I decided to take Zephyr along. We really had no idea how willing Jamaar would be to load into my trailer, so we decided that Melinda would bring him over to my place extra-early. We had a 6:30pm appointment and the chiropractor (Dr.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-10412683281500091372009-04-10T11:26:00.003-04:002009-04-14T12:00:10.954-04:00

This was posted on the Maine Riders' board. I love it, so I'm reposting it here. Right now I'm not sure where it originally came from but if I find out I will give credit. Rider Checklists Keith Hosman I'm going to give you three "Rider Checklists" today. Together they'll keep you safer and accelerate your training to boot. They'll keep you rational; they'll keep you from "losing it" –

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-73577272913963978972009-04-09T20:02:00.006-04:002009-04-14T12:41:34.880-04:00

Today was the first official after-work ride of 2009. I didn't leave work early to ride, I just came home at the regular time. I was saddled up and riding out of the driveway at 6:30 with the goal of getting home between 7 and 7:15... the earlier the better because it would be all road. Just as I got out onto the main road, which can be fairly busy and is more hilly/curvy than I like, my cell

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-58457561022652970032009-04-04T21:37:00.009-04:002009-04-14T12:48:06.252-04:00

Saw this on a friend's blog and thought it would be fun to answer. 1. How old were you when you first started riding? My first pony ride was when I was about 4, but I started lessons when I was 21. 2. First horse ridden: Mmmm, lesson horse named Amy I think? Morgan, I think? 3. First horse trotted on: Amy 4. First horse cantered on: Amy... flew off her right shoulder when she

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-55009348503685184902009-04-01T13:45:00.004-04:002009-04-01T13:52:39.595-04:00

Sorry, this isn't horse related, but I found a nugget of PURE GOLD buried in a news article today.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/01/house-republicans-stimulus-repeal-budget-plan/A partial quote: "The GOP plan also proposes major changes to the tax code. It would allow taxpayers to either file under the current system or choose a simpler option: Individuals earning $50,000 or less, and

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-83661389950347459842009-03-25T20:46:00.006-04:002009-03-25T22:15:35.236-04:00

I took a vacation day today to drive down to Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. I haven't been down since the '06-'07 season, I think, so I was really looking forward to it.My friend was supposed to bring her new horse along for the trip, but she got sick the day before and couldn't make it. I decided to go anyway... Zephyr and I have spring fever! Then yesterday morning I slipped on some ice and

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-57308378992398507432009-03-21T17:53:00.004-04:002009-03-22T18:00:19.745-04:00

This morning my friend brought her horse over to my house for a little more trailer loading practice. I was able to get him onto the front stall of my trailer pretty reliably, so we loaded up both pones and headed over to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands a few miles away. We had a wonderful ride, it around 45° and sunny!Zephyr behaved marvelously, with the exception of a little too much ...

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-66766423997664667192009-03-20T18:25:00.000-04:002009-03-20T18:29:13.019-04:00

My friend and I are taking our horses to the beach on Monday. Her horse is relatively new to her and doesn't load into the trailer well. She asked me for more details about the method I use, so I invited her to bring her trailer to my place so I could work with Zephyr to show her the method. Her trailer is quite different from mine, so I thought it would take some work. It went very well, and I

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-27879171308000165612008-08-25T19:21:00.001-04:002009-03-20T19:44:47.859-04:00

I don't know why it took me so long to write this story. There's really no possible reason for it, other than that nothing bad happened! These stories are more interesting when Zephyr and I are overcoming adversity. There wasn't really any adversity to be had at The 'Burbs, unless you count having a really hard time finding the place!I'm writing this story in February of 2009, having finally

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-1678968945874189162008-07-19T20:52:00.001-04:002009-03-20T20:59:49.989-04:00

After Pine Tree, I decided that if we had kept a more reasonable pace for the first half of the ride we would have been in much better shape at the end, and capable of going much further. So I decided to enter the Moonlight in VT 75 that was being held 3 weeks later. The name of the game would be GOOOO SLOOOOOW. To that end, I practiced getting off and jogging alongside. Unfortunately, I soon

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