Wednesday, September 2, 2026

August 2026

 I am blogging as fast as I can but there is still so much to write about! I'm going through all my firsts with Max which will require proper documentation. 

His first trail ride with me. First time being ridden downtown. First time going swimming. First solo trail ride. First time ponying Chip on trail. First time trail riding with Bonnie. First time setting up a NACMO ride. With any luck, we'll add our first camping trip this weekend.

We've also finished our 100 miles of walking so things are about to pick up!

But one thing I can stay on top of is the monthly photo dump. So here you go!

Chip says hello.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Chip's 2nd Birthday

 On July 10th, Chip turned two. I have no idea where the time has gone. I feel like I just met the shy three month old colt at Dodie's. At the same time, I can't remember life before this little ray of sunshine came into the picture. 

Chip is definitely in his bratty two-year-old phase. He has been really well-handled so he doesn't actually do anything bad but he's a pest and is definitely testing some boundaries.

For example, Mike and I spent the weekend doing some fence repairs because someone objected to being left alone while I trail rode Max. First he escaped by squeezing into then out of the alleyway between paddocks. V found him grazing next to Mulberry. The next morning, he was in the alley again, just because the grass there is apparently better than his rolling, green pasture.

Otherwise, Chip continues to be a pretty solid citizen. He is becoming a pro at long lining. I even long lined him around the freshly mowed paths behind the pond this week with Bonnie romping alongside. 

While Chip has had a lot of handling, he has not been in much work while I allow him to just grow. I suspect we're reaching an age where I'm going to have to start giving him a job to keep his brain busy so he stays out of trouble. 

Of course, I did a birthday photo shoot. The weather wasn't very cooperative, but I got some nice pictures anyway. 

Without further ado...

...here's Chip at two!

I cleaned up the background on this one a little bit. I could not be bothered to do the same for all of them.

Thursday, August 20, 2026

July 2026

 I have finished privately chronicling the final rides of the previous chapter. It's time to dive into new beginnings! I am officially viewing July 1st as a clean, new page. 

I still have to formally introduce Max (very soon!) In the meantime, have a bunch of photos from July.

So glad this kid is safe and settling well into his new routine.

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Back in the Saddle (with a side of paranormal activity)

  In which we learn why it's called Hell Mountain...

After our ten day trip, it was really good to get back in the saddle. This was my longest riding hiatus since I broke my leg in 2013.

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Days 9 & 10: Homecoming

In which we run out of things to do and invent a new driving game...

More on this guy later...

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Day 4: Badlands and Beyond

 I am well known for taking too many photos of every aspect of my life, but on the fourth day of our road trip, I outdid myself. I believe this is the most pictures I've ever taken in one place. Despite that, they fail to capture the grandeur and scale of the Badlands.

Monday, July 13, 2026

Day 2: Wisconsin Bound

 My only goal for our first full day of travel was to make it into Wisconsin, the first new state on our list. That was the theory, anyway.

Friday, July 10, 2026

The Journey Begins

For the time being, I am leaving my old blog locked down so all my photos of the mares stay protected. In the meantime, I'll continue cross posting here with new content. I am going to continue with our road trip recap. I want the whole thing available to readers, so here's the first post again.

If you're friends with me on Facebook, you've already seen the "short" (haha) version of this trip. Considering it took me almost a month to do that, I'm not sure how I will ever get caught up here. 

Life since we've returned has been... not great... which makes it hard to get inspired to write. 

Still, this trip was the coolest thing Mike and I have done to date, and it deserves to be recorded for posterity. 

We packed a lot into ten days, so this will definitely be posted as a series. 

Brandywine Falls in Ohio.

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Meet Max

 Seriously not sure how I am ever going to get caught up on anything ever again, but here's some good news for a change. Everybody... meet Max. The newest member of our crew. (And yes, I paid a dollar and got it in writing!)