A Collection of Madcap Escapades: Redux: September 2026

I cannot believe it is October already! I was almost caught up on August blogging.

I mostly just have to write about the 2026 Assunpink NACMO ride. This year, Taylor hosted while I assisted in the background. The ride was a great success. In the process, Max did his first double digit rides and broke 100 miles of walking!

Which brings us to September!

I need to blog about:

Max's first trip to Round Valley
Max's first camping trip at Fair Hill (featuring bareback night rides, galloping in wide open fields, and solo trail rides galore)
Riding at Nockamixon with Terra
A trip to the Adirondacks for our 10 year anniversary/ Andrew & Amy's wedding
Ponying Chip at Deer Path (again)

In the meantime, here are all the September tidbits that didn't warrant their own posts:

Maxwell's first waterfall.

First, something fun! In August, I got to help Hannah with a music video that was being filmed at her farm, starring Falcon and Usidore. I haven't posted the behind the scenes pictures because I'm not sure what the rules are, but the music video has now been released! Check it out!

The Columbia trail is just a few minutes from the barn. It is one of the few places that is open after dark and doesn't allow hunting, which means it has become a regular after-work haunt. I think we rode there three times in September, all ending in night rides.

On this night, I took a short side quest with Max while waiting for Hannah and Taylor to arrive. I found a trail that connects the Columbia rail trail to the grounds for art without any road riding. I took Max past the ironworks to the Lake Solitude House and dam.

I'm skipping ahead a little bit, but I hooked Max to the cart this month. I was planning to long line him, etc. this winter and hopefully eventually drive him. Last week I decided to see if my custom harness fit him. It did. Then I decided to see if he would long line. He was confused but compliant. So I hooked him to the tire, which he didn't care much about. Next thing you know, I'm texting Mike to spot me while I put Max to.

Max was so easy about this that I initially wondered if he has previous driving experience. We are now three sessions in and it's pretty clear that he has not driven in the past. He is just a very good egg. Still, I'm excited to potentially have another driving horse in the family.

Put Max in the blue tack this month. I think it looks nice on him. Now I have one set of tack that lives in the barn and one that lives in the trailer. This saves me a lot of packing/unpacking/forgetting things.

A little pedicure before our camping trip.

Long story short, I'm working on turning our encounter at Hell Mountain into a whole thing. In the process, I started imagining what a movie trailer for this would look like. "This will probably be a nice relaxing trail ride" sent me.

Falcon working on his hair color before a movie shoot.

Chipper all tacked up for play time.

Doing some liberty play. He trots "in hand" without a lead rope.

Practicing trot circles with no lunge line.

Even if he gets tall enough, I won't be riding Chip for almost two more years, but I still practice lining up with the mounting block and leaning over him. This was not our best attempt, but it shows how silly he is and how much fun I have with him.

Before I hooked Max, Mike got to fill in while Bonnie practiced riding in the cart.

Mike's favorite motorcycle place sold and the owners retired. We spent a lot of time in there during September. This is Sadie, the resident shop dog. I love her.

Chip has gone from being scared of Bonnie to wanting to harass her all the time. She is not sure she appreciates the attention.

My red boys.

Bonnie has been spending lots of time at the farm.

The whole family is here.

Mike and his BFF Mulberry.

Chip's obsession with Bonnie continues.

Shoes I wound up picking for the wedding. I liked these more than I thought I would!!

Looking downright beefy one evening.

Less beefy, but look at that shiny coat!

Chip assists with literally everything. Even things that require zero horses.

Six spotted tiger beetle.

Making our way towards Main St, High Bridge on our way to the Columbia Trail.

On this ride, Max did his longest trot stretch to date and felt awesome!

We hit the Gorge on the way out so we'd be on the rail trail when we came back in the dark.

Merlin and his beloved rapids IYKYK.

Another flattering portrait of one of Hannah's horses.

Max handled the rocks really well.

Crossing the trestle bridge in the dark.

My under-desk gremlin keeping a close eye on me.

There were some temporary chicks. I couldn't resist.

This harness fits everyone from Chip to Mulberry and I can't believe I got it for free!

More tire pulling practice. He's a pro.

Max has been here for less than three months, but he's picking up the cookie face already. Hahaha.

Tis the season! This will be the first winter I have access to an indoor since I had Ozzy!

A deer in the farm pond.

This Tractor Supply sweater was so silly I had to have it. It brings me great joy. So does weather cool enough to warrant a sweater!

Mike has been doing some fence repairs around the farm. This post wound up level by accident before he even checked it. He was quite proud of himself LOL.

Another evening on the Columbia Trail.

This douchebag in the pro-Trump truck? Apparently that's my estranged brother in law. THIS is why we haven't talked to that side of the family in over a decade. Ew.

Hi, boys.

Checking to see if the harness fits.

Long lining? Check.

The tire was a tad suspicious.

I texted Mike this photo with the caption, "Can I borrow you for a minute?"

The size difference is both amusing and depressing.

We get some pretty glorious sunsets at the farm.

Cormorant in the farm pond!

Wine that was in our gift basket from the wedding. Adorable.

More long lining with the baby. He is so used to it that he finds it boring.

Riding through the art grounds.

I have ridden over this bridge many times. Cars drive over it. But this week, on the way back, Max's left front went THROUGH one of the boards. Luckily, he didn't panic and carried on. He didn't get injured or even cut himself, but he did lose a shoe. Whoops! The World's Best Farrier came the next morning to tack a new one on. The man is my hero. Good news is Max was sound for the rest of our ride in just a boot.