Good riding requires good physical fitness. It is also important for safety around horses. We will never be able to out-strength a horse, but being in good physical shape produces better performance and enjoyment.

Here at Blue Rock Horses, our motto is “Safety First, Beauty Second.” This begins with being in good physical condition. To be safe and enjoy our time with our horses, one must be alert, observant, and healthy. Good health and physical strength are not a given. One must work to gain and maintain them.

We had some fun recently learning a few exercises that strengthen our upper body, legs and core. As our students have heard many times during their lessons, “consistency and persistence” is key. Daily attention to our physical fitness goes a long way. There are many good exercise DVD’s on the market. These exercises are from Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home.

Here are some pictures of us working out and gaining strength!

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“Where should we ride this year?” I asked Walter as he was trimming the horses hooves early one morning this Spring. After a quiet moment came his straight-to-the-point reply, “Passage Creek.”

A great idea. Passage Creek winds through the north end of the beautiful Massanutten Mountain, the 35-mile long mountain that cuts the Shenandoah Valley in half. I grew up riding in those mountains in and around New Market, but knew little of the north end. He said he would pick up a map at the Rangers Station in Edinburg and get the details. With the trail picked and the date already set, it was time to invite riders and seek sponsors.

A week before the ride is our pre-trail ride. We always pre-ride the trails so as to inform ourselves and the riders of the lay-out of the parking area, the general nature of the trail and the surroundings. It removes the questions of the unknown. Indeed, one of the riders this year was concerned over the winding road leading to the trail-head. She drives a big truck with a 27′ trailer behind. I assured her she would be fine as we had been there with our rigs. Knowing we had been and the detailed instructions eased her concern.

Six riders met bright and early at the trail-head on the pleasant morning of June 14, 2014. Horses are curious with new trailers and horses. They whinny, hold heads high, and show a great interest in their surroundings and activities. It is an exciting time. Our riders introduced themselves, horses nickered to one another, and pretty quick Walter called for one of the riders to lead out. Starting out on trail is always filled with many questions of each ones mount: their name, age and breeding. Trail riding makes meeting new folks easier; we all have something to look at and talk about!

Walter is a brave man. He is the only man on this ride. Except for the one ride his son, Wally, joined us on (see “A Boy and His Pony” blog posted July 29, 2012), he has always been the only man. We pick on him unmercifully!

This ride was the toughest and longest one yet. We crossed a pristine mountain creek four times. The water was clear and cold, the horses carefully picked their way through the stone bed. It had this “far away” feel to it back in those mountains. Walter was right, it would be easy to get lost back there. The trail eventually dead-ended for us. As far as we were able to see only rocks and riverbed lay before us. We turned around and re-traced our hoof-prints back to the trailers.

Breaking out of the woods and into the parking lot marked the end of this trail. And who was “waiting” for us? A black bear cub! Only those in front saw the cub as it ambled back in the safety of the underbrush of the mountain. We never saw the momma.

Over 10 miles, 3 hours later from the time we started out the horses had their rub-downs, apples and carrots. We enjoyed blueberry muffins and last bit chatting before loading horses and heading home—happy.

Happy for many reasons. Horses and man were meant to spend time together, being with and making new friends is special, and raising money to help AbbaCare of Winchester reach out to help and support young people caught with an unexpected pregnancy to choose life is a privilege. So we here at Blue Rock Horses wish thank our riders, sponsors, and silent-auction buyer:

Riders:
Walter
Helen
Mitzy
Jean Marie
Alice
Linda

Sponsors:
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
Mr.Taylor
Mrs. Jenkins
Mrs. McCorkle
Apples’n Bits 4H Horse and Service Club
Mrs. Stransky
Mrs. Vogler
The Vogler Family
Mr. & Mrs. Hickman
Ms. Mead

Silent auction buyer: Mrs. Shank

We thank you all most sincerely,

Blue Rock Horses
Clarke County, Virginia

For more information on AbbaCare of Winchester, Virginia
Call 540-665-9660 or visit AbbaCare.org

A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. It has long been a desire of mine to spend time with the Mennonites on their farm with their horses and buggies.

The Mennonites are a quiet folk, not open too much to strangers showing up on their farm. It is not because they are rude. Many times it is because we outsiders want to take photographs of them. This is against their religious beliefs of the Biblical Commandment to have no engraven images. This is important to them. To be respectful of their ways and beliefs will surely gain one a fine, new friend. To know someone who is already friends with them is of great help. So, I turned to my life-time friend, who had become friends with a Mennonite family at the local produce stand where she worked. Her philosophy is great. “Can’t hurt to ask,” she told me at my inquiry. To our joy, Mr. K (that is his name for this article) agreed. His reply was just as great when she asked how much advance time he would need. “Oh, about 10 minutes will be fine.”

The day and time were set. On a lovely evening in May, we made our way out to the pristine farm of Mr. & Mrs. K. Two happy Boston Terriers announced our arrival and cheerfully greeted us as we emerged from the car. There lying across the hitching rail in front of us was the clean, black harness all ready and waiting to go. Mr. & Mrs. K walked briskly from their home with the kindest of smiles upon their faces. My friend made introductions and we chatted a bit. I assured them no photographs of them would be taken, nor would their names or where their farm is located be mentioned. They appreciated the respect of their privacy.

Mr. K led us over to their stable. He slide open the barn door where three tall, strong, slender horses stood quietly in their stalls. We would be driving the black horse in the stall on the right. As I walked into the barn, Mr. K asked me, “I’d like to know, do you know what that strap is for that is around his neck?” “Yes,” I replied, “ it is a cribbing strap.”

Now I do not know for sure, but I believe that was a test, and I do believe I passed!

Mr. K led the sleek black horse from the stall and after brushing him, introduced him to us. It is obvious they think much of their horses. His name is Blitz. He is a 19-year-old Standardbred. This is the breed of choice for the Mennonites. He stood 15.3 hands. Mr. K prefers geldings over mares. There is something interestingly different between pleasure horses and real working horses. It was easy to see Blitz knew what he and his job were all about. He is a professional. “Ok, harness him. What goes on first?” asked Mr. K. About this time their pleasant daughter, also full of smiles, joined us. I put the bridle on first. Already a mistake! There were two bits and I missed the checking bit. This bit is connected to a leather strap that goes over the head and attaches to the collar of the harness. Mr. K proceeded to slide open the other barn door which revealed three neat and tidy buggies.

“Pull out the one on the right,” he told me. The buggy pulled easily from the barn. I set the traces gently down on the concrete pad. “Now tell Blitz to come over,” he said with a big grin on his face. Well, I tried twice, the second time with a bit more force of command. Blitz is no dummy. He did not move one hoof! “Get over there, Blitz,” came the firm, yet quiet command. That horse knows who butters his corn. In double time he walked over to and backed up between the traces! Mr. K double checked the harness and helped me hitch the buggy to Blitz.


It was now time for the long awaited ride. The buggy was clean and orderly on the inside, covered with a soft material and soft comfortable seats. They weigh a bit over 700 pounds. The buggy lights and signal lights are powered by a battery. There is a heavy plastic windshield that can be opened for fresh air or closed in inclement weather. In the windshield are two small openings for the reins to go through. I sat on the left, Mr. K drives from the right. He closed the windshield, threaded the reins through the openings, clucked quietly to Blitz, and off we went!

Blitz immediately set his pace. The steady cadence of the trot, the wheels and the harness all joined together into the most pleasing of sounds to the ear and soul. Winston Churchill said it well, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” Mr. K made me laugh when I remarked about how Blitz’s ears were cocked back listening to us talk. “He’s not used to people talking so much.” Funny. He put Blitz in an extended trot out on the main road and offered the reins to me! The power in those reins was amazing and I was nervous nevermind the car that was coming up behind us. It was a relief when he took them back. The horses go about 8 mph in their extended trot.

The return ride to the farm was lovely and quiet as I tried to take it all in. There is something special about this quiet, rhythmic lifestyle. When we got back Mr. K also gave my dear friend a ride. After their return, we unhitched that good faithful horse. While taking off the bridle Blitz taught me a good scratch on both sides of his nose was my thank-you to him! I walked him a bit and returned him to his cozy stall.

As if that was not enough hospitality and generosity from them, they asked if we would like some lettuce and radishes from their garden. Surely a desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. A “thank you” does not seem to be enough. I did take a pie and a pretty Gerber daisy as a thank you; but I missed one thing. I wish I had taken some apples for Blitz, perhaps next time.