We do not know many horsemen who would turn down riding the trails with their friends. However, it does take a special one to pay to enjoy those otherwise free trails. These horsemen are extra special because horse ownership is expensive and no one is looking for more expense. But it is not about us, it is about helping our neighbor. What better way to do that than with friends and horses?

Blue Rock Horses would like to thank those riders that joined us on our 3rd Annual Ride for Life, June 8, 2013 at Sky Meadows State Park:

Mr. Walter Davis, Professional Farrier
Ms. Carol Newlin
Ms. Helen Bricker

It takes a special rider to pay to ride otherwise free trails.

Mrs. Holliday
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
Mrs. McCorkle
Mr. W. Bricker
Ms. H. Bricker
Mr. Taylor
Apples ‘n Bits 4H Horse & Service Club

The weather and scenery were “made to order” the morning we hit the trail head at Sky Meadows. The cool breeze was pleasant as it tossed the tall grass skirting the trails in gentle flowing ways. We watched birds, saw a snake, a deer, and listened to the cacophony of cicadas off in the woods while sharing stories of our horses and other rides. Laughter and jokes were plentiful as we rode pleasantly along knowing we were riding for people and families we may never meet. How enjoyable is this task that benefits our neighbor!

It was a day “made to order” at Sky Meadows State Park.

Thank you all, each and every one of you!
Blue Rock Horses
Clarke County, Virginia

Laughter and jokes were plentiful as we rode pleasantly along.

For more information on AbbaCare in Winchester, Virginia
Call-540-665-9660 or visit: http://www.AbbaCare.org

How do you feel when you look out at your horses and see this? Which horse did you see first?

Which horse did you see first?

Do you look again? Real careful?

“Ahhh, that horse is just sleeping,” you tell yourself.

Then, you turn around to go inside, and somehow a clap of your hands and clucking sound just happens. On a quick “I’m not worried” motion you glance around to see you have woken your horse up!

A quick glance back to find you have woken up your horse!

With a sigh of relief you go back in the house!

Those were some favorite words of our Aunt Julia’s many years ago. They held little sway with me way back then when youth felt endless and physical strength unlimited. But now, indeed, they have “hung use to.”

Long is the list of things I “use to” be able to do with horses:
Ride all day with little fatigue. Give me rest and food and I am good for a big 2-3 hour ride!

Strength and courage to ride any horse. So what? Now I am smart instead of brave!

Jump on the tallest one in the barn. Well, I can still jump on the tallest mini!

Had no trouble making them perform. “So you don’t want to walk through the mud puddle? No problem, we will go around it!”

Ride anywhere. “Are there bathrooms where we are riding?? I had three cups of coffee this morning.”

So they hung use to—oh well, it happens to all of us. I do know this, I will ride as long as my legs lift (or plop) me into the saddle. My horses and I are going to grow old together. Fifteen years will likely pass and what I am able to do now will then become a “use to”. So it seems the point is this: take good, good care of yourself, keep a positive attitude, expect the best, and these times as they march on into our sunset years will hold plenty of times to create wonderful “use to” memories for many years to come.

Saddle up! It is time for a ride. But wait! First, let me get extra tissues, and put on my comfortable jeans, and find my water bottle, and pack some food, and, and, and….

Happy memories and “use to” to you, kind reader.

Saddle Up! It is time for a ride!

New! For the horse enthusiast. Blue Rock Horses has created a lovely set of horse note cards for yourself or as a gift. Perfect size for a brief “hello”, “thank you”, or simply “just thinking of you!” After all, who does not like getting a pleasant note in the mail?

Printed on quality card stock paper. You will enjoy sending these out to brighten someone’s day!

Four different pictures, three of each one, $15/set, plus shipping ($3).

Let us wrap up a pretty set for yourself and a friend today!

There is no such thing as a sterile barn cat.

No one ever notices how you ride until you fall off.

The least useful horse in your barn will eat the most, require shoes every four weeks and need the vet at least once a month.

A horse’s misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching.

Your favorite tack always gets chewed on, and your new blankets gets torn.

Tack you hate will never wear out and blankets you hate cannot be destroyed.

Horses you hate cannot be sold and will outlive you.

Clipper blades will become dull when your horse is half clipped.

If you approach within 50 feet of your barn in clean clothes, you will get dirty.

The number of horses you own will increase to the number of stalls in your barn.

Your barn will fall down without baling twine.

Hoof picks always run away from home.

If you fall off, you will land on the site of your most recent injury.

If you are winning, then quit, because there is only one way to go. Down!

I got these funny quotes from the back of my farrier’s business card. Thank you Walter!

Do you take your dog(s) when you go riding? Why or why not?

Riding horses and taking your dog(s) along I have found has some very differing opinions. There are some stables that do not even allow dogs on the property. Perhaps it is because of the different types of riding that is done. There were no dogs at the riding school I attended years ago. Plenty of cats, but no dogs. Whereas, the livery stable where I worked for years giving trail rides to tourists had multiple dogs.

Here at Blue Rock Horses, we like riding with dogs. We ride in the mountains where there are not many people nor riders. Rather we see deer, turkey, quail, snakes, turtles, and other wildlife. Although we have never knowingly run into bears. Our dogs are what we call our “scouts”. That is because they run in concentric rings around us as we ride. They see many things before we do, thereby alerting us of our surroundings. They will run the wildlife off long before we arrive. This is very helpful. Flushing a flock of big, wild turkeys can spook the stoutest of horse and rider. Thanks to the dogs though, this is rarely an issue.

Even if your horses are accustomed to dogs on the trail with them, they can still be spooked by their sudden appearances from nowhere. It is good to keep an ear and eye out on their whereabouts so as not to catch anyone off guard. Horses watch the dogs with their eyes and ears. They are aware of them, and some horses “look” for any excuse to spook. Know your horse. Riders need not only their “horse brains” on, they also need their “dog brains” on!

Water can usually be found in the mountains by thirsty dogs. If the ride is not too long they will be fine until the end of the trail. If the trail is a long, hot one everyone will need water, plan accordingly. We have carried water in our saddle bags many times. Water should always be part of the regular gear packed in the trailer when heading out for a trail ride. Breakdowns and/or other problems could arise.

Stay alert, keep an eye and ear out. There are amazingly wonderful sights and sounds on the trail. With care and attention it will be a ride to remember, while looking forward to the next.

Happy Trails!

“It is interesting to know that all over the world horses are measured in hands. The dollar changes everywhere, and gallons and weights vary too. But in India, China, England, America, everywhere horses are measured in hands.
And it is exciting that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower–even in this space age. The first rocket that lifted the first American into out space had a weight-lifting booster of nearly a million horsepower. Horsepower has become a world term, translated into French, German, Swedish, Italian, Spanish, and Yiddish.
And the feeling which man has for his horse in universal. He respects machines. He knows they are tougher than horses, can stand heat and cold better, and they do not have to be watered and fed when they are idle. But with all their efficiency they cannot give one vital thing, companionship.
The jeep or automobile doesn’t whinny in gladness or in anticipation of breakfast when you come out to the garage in the morning. And you can’t smack it on the fender and tell it to move over. And it doesn’t care whether you ever take a ride or not. And it doesn’t lip carrots from your hand or nip your jacket in fun or slobber water over your clean shirt. Machines have about as much warmth as a refrigerator. And that is why the horse is still a part of our lives and will live on…”

Quote taken from Marguerite Henry’s book, All About Horses;@1967, Random House.

Even 45 years later, her words still ring true! Don’t you think?

"Horsepower" at play!