One of Eric's clients has a couple of horses, and I guess she can't ride them due to an injury. So, Eric asked her if she needed someone to ride her horses *hint hint*, and we went out to the barn yesterday to take a look. I wore my breeches and brought my boots and helmet in case she wanted me to ride. The barn is about 10 minutes from Eric's place, making it very convenient to get to. However, it's right next to a busy road, which is something I'm not too fond of.
We got to the barn at about 3:00. It's an old building--one of those two- or three-story barns. The horses are kept on the lowest level. The ceilings are six feet tall in some areas, and only maybe seven feet tall where the stalls are. It was cramped and that "old barn" smell hits you immediately. The one bad thing about the place is that there's no arena--just pastures. I wasn't sure where the riding took place, or if anybody rode at all here.
We met June, and she led us to where her horses were kept. We were greeted by Max, a stocky Quarter Horse looking thing, with his ears back and a glare in his eyes, haha. He's a dominant, pushy, in-your-face kind of horse, and I loved him immediately--I love those dominant Quarter Horses. They always seem to be the safest ones to ride. Unfortunately, he wasn't the horse I'd be riding. June pointed out a little bay mare to me named Yetta. My initial thought was, "Whoa, she's tiny." She couldn't have been much more than 14.3 (which basically means I can very easily see over her back). She just turned five years old, and she's a cross between a Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse. Oh, and she hasn't been ridden since June. Last year. And this is the horse she wanted me to ride.
EEK. A five-year-old that was green to begin with, and hasn't been ridden in a year?! I must be crazy. The last time I rode a horse as a "favor" was in 2005. A woman had fallen off her seven-year-old horse, and hadn't ridden him in two months out of fear. I said I could give it a shot, and went out there to take a look. I lunged him for about twenty minutes to get any "kinks" out. He was perfectly fine. Got on and rode him around for twenty minues. He was a total angel. I went out a few days later, lunged him for maybe ten minutes--totally fine. I hopped on, and 15 seconds into the ride, I knew something was up. His back was stiff as a board, which is almost ALWAYS a precursor to a big blowup. About 15 seconds after that, he met my expectations and bucked, reared, threw me side to side, and I came off. I ended up having to go to the emergency room because I was totally knocked out.
So, on that good note, onto my ride yesterday. We brought the mare in and groomed her up. I put the saddle on her, and she grinded her teeth when I tightened her girth up, haha. We walked her out to the little pasture in front of the property, and I walked her around to get a feel for her reaction to everything--the saddle, the people, and especially the traffic, since the road was six feet or so from the pasture. She listened, but she didn't seem worried.
Now to climb on. Climb on a green horse that hadn't been ridden in a year. I need to get my head examined.
Anyway. I got onto the mounting block, put my foot in the stirrup, and gently settled into the saddle. She side stepped a bit and shook her head, but really didn't have much of a reaction. However, she really was not too keen on just standing around, so instead of upsetting her, we walked on. June had a hold of her head just in case she tried anything silly. We walked around once, and as we were passing by the side of the pasture that faced the road, some jackass in a truck stepped on his accelerator, making a lot of noise. I could feel her getting a bit nervous, but no spooking whatsoever. After a few times around, June let her off the lead, and we were on our own. I walked her around a bit, tested her stopping powers, pushed my legs against her sides to see what she knew (not much I don't think). We trotted around a teeny bit, too. I didn't want to do a whole lot with her the first time for several reasons, but mostly because I wanted to end on a good note.
So far, she seems like a pretty level-headed, think-before-I-spook kind of horse. She's very weak behind, doesn't have a lot of "go", and doesn't have much in the way of steering or brakes. ;) But, she seems to have a good mind, and should be fun to work with.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
The big five-oh
I did a 50 mile ride yesterday morning with Eric. I haven't done 50 miles since late 2007. I wanted to go several times last year, but things always seemed to get in the way... my longest ride last year was 42 miles, but it was a really hard ride--we did lots of really big hills, and it was HOT out.
We left for a group ride that was supposed to leave at 7:30, but actually left at 7:00--so it was just me and Eric for a few miles. He said it was going to be a 44 mile ride. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it without collapsing, but it had been a while since I had done a long ride, so I figured it was worth a shot. About 10 miles in, we met up with one of Eric's friends, and continued downtown. The weather was perfect. It started out a little chilly, but after a half hour or so, I was able to ride without arm warmers. We rode to the art museum, about 22 miles away from the start of our ride, and had a Clif bar. We started back out the way we came, but there was a walk going on... after about five minutes of fighting our way through walkers, Eric got pissed and turned back around, which was fine with me. I had a feeling it would be a pain in the ass anyway. The only part of the ride I didn't like was fighting our way through traffic. I just don't like holding up cars. They're pretty much used to it in Philly, but it still makes me uneasy.
On the way back, I was feeling great. We were going anywhere between 16-18 MPH. I told Eric that if, by the time we got back to the car, I was feeling up to it, we should continue on to get 50 miles since it had been so long since I had gone that far. Up until the point we got back to the car, we were going about 17. We rested at a picnic table for a few minutes, drank some water, and hopped back on the bikes. I couldn't go any faster than about 13. ;) It felt like it took forever to finish the last six miles--my butt HURT! But I did it. :)
We left for a group ride that was supposed to leave at 7:30, but actually left at 7:00--so it was just me and Eric for a few miles. He said it was going to be a 44 mile ride. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it without collapsing, but it had been a while since I had done a long ride, so I figured it was worth a shot. About 10 miles in, we met up with one of Eric's friends, and continued downtown. The weather was perfect. It started out a little chilly, but after a half hour or so, I was able to ride without arm warmers. We rode to the art museum, about 22 miles away from the start of our ride, and had a Clif bar. We started back out the way we came, but there was a walk going on... after about five minutes of fighting our way through walkers, Eric got pissed and turned back around, which was fine with me. I had a feeling it would be a pain in the ass anyway. The only part of the ride I didn't like was fighting our way through traffic. I just don't like holding up cars. They're pretty much used to it in Philly, but it still makes me uneasy.
On the way back, I was feeling great. We were going anywhere between 16-18 MPH. I told Eric that if, by the time we got back to the car, I was feeling up to it, we should continue on to get 50 miles since it had been so long since I had gone that far. Up until the point we got back to the car, we were going about 17. We rested at a picnic table for a few minutes, drank some water, and hopped back on the bikes. I couldn't go any faster than about 13. ;) It felt like it took forever to finish the last six miles--my butt HURT! But I did it. :)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Shooting a gun
Eric bought a 9mm Taurus gun for my birthday. We went shooting on Thursday, and because I'd never shot before, they had me use a .22. They explained "line of sight"--how to line up the gun for a target.
Before I was willing to shoot, I made Eric shoot it first. I was surprised at the amount of "gun powder" coming from it, even as I was standing back. My face was getting pelted with it. Anyway, the gun was a piece of crap. The first time I tried to shoot it, the thing didn't go off, and I had a moment of panic. Eric looked at it, fixed it, and I shot it again. After a couple of rounds, I got a good feel for it, and shot what Eric called a "3 inch group" at 7 yards. Basically, it means that all the bullets hit the target within 3" of each other, which I guess is pretty good. I became comfortable enough that when I had issues (and there were many with that gun), I felt competent enough to fix it. I shot six rounds I think with the .22, and went on to the 9mm. Eric put one round in it (after I made him shoot it himself, lol), and handed the gun to me. I aimed, pulled the trigger... and immediately set it down. I turned to Eric and said, "I don't like it." Heh. The gun is just too powerful, and it intimidates me. I think we've decided to either get a .22 or continue renting the .22 at the range until I become more comfortable with guns.
Eric and I went on a bike ride yesterday, and joined a couple of his friends. Eric rode about 30 miles, and we did another 29 together. It was a pretty easy ride, but my butt was really hurting, so I opted out of riding today. We're going out to dinner with some of his friends tonight, which should be fun! :) Tomorrow morning, we're doing a long group ride.
Before I was willing to shoot, I made Eric shoot it first. I was surprised at the amount of "gun powder" coming from it, even as I was standing back. My face was getting pelted with it. Anyway, the gun was a piece of crap. The first time I tried to shoot it, the thing didn't go off, and I had a moment of panic. Eric looked at it, fixed it, and I shot it again. After a couple of rounds, I got a good feel for it, and shot what Eric called a "3 inch group" at 7 yards. Basically, it means that all the bullets hit the target within 3" of each other, which I guess is pretty good. I became comfortable enough that when I had issues (and there were many with that gun), I felt competent enough to fix it. I shot six rounds I think with the .22, and went on to the 9mm. Eric put one round in it (after I made him shoot it himself, lol), and handed the gun to me. I aimed, pulled the trigger... and immediately set it down. I turned to Eric and said, "I don't like it." Heh. The gun is just too powerful, and it intimidates me. I think we've decided to either get a .22 or continue renting the .22 at the range until I become more comfortable with guns.
Eric and I went on a bike ride yesterday, and joined a couple of his friends. Eric rode about 30 miles, and we did another 29 together. It was a pretty easy ride, but my butt was really hurting, so I opted out of riding today. We're going out to dinner with some of his friends tonight, which should be fun! :) Tomorrow morning, we're doing a long group ride.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Hard ride
Eric and I ventured out on Monday for a fun ride. Lol.
We met up at the trail head, and ride on the trail for about two miles, then hopped on a different trail to avoid the nastiness that is The Bugs and took it through an area called Valley Forge. We saw some old cabins, memorials, and graves. It was pretty neat. After riding through Valley Forge, we rode through an area with some ridiculously gorgeous houses, and then up the longest hill I've been up since my trip to California. It definitely wasn't the steepest I've been up, but steep enough to make me hate the world for a few minutes. ;) I hadn't eaten much, and I was incredibly tired. But, I finally made it to the top, and then back down the other side we went, haha.
We rode for a little over an hour and a half, but it felt like three. I was SO tired! Eric was, too, and so was his friend that rode Monday. We're thinking it must have been something in the air, lol.
Anyway. Mom and Dad are coming to Philly tomorrow night! We're celebrating my birthday on Saturday, and I think we're going to the beach on Sunday. It isn't going to be very warm, but hey--it's the beach!
We met up at the trail head, and ride on the trail for about two miles, then hopped on a different trail to avoid the nastiness that is The Bugs and took it through an area called Valley Forge. We saw some old cabins, memorials, and graves. It was pretty neat. After riding through Valley Forge, we rode through an area with some ridiculously gorgeous houses, and then up the longest hill I've been up since my trip to California. It definitely wasn't the steepest I've been up, but steep enough to make me hate the world for a few minutes. ;) I hadn't eaten much, and I was incredibly tired. But, I finally made it to the top, and then back down the other side we went, haha.
We rode for a little over an hour and a half, but it felt like three. I was SO tired! Eric was, too, and so was his friend that rode Monday. We're thinking it must have been something in the air, lol.
Anyway. Mom and Dad are coming to Philly tomorrow night! We're celebrating my birthday on Saturday, and I think we're going to the beach on Sunday. It isn't going to be very warm, but hey--it's the beach!
Monday, April 6, 2009
I'm here!
Wow... it's taking a lot longer to unpack than I had anticipated. Eric has a lot of stuff, so trying to figure out where to put all of my stuff has become a bit of a chore. We've been chucking as much stuff as we can. Eric has given me free reign of one of his bedrooms. It's basically a guest bedroom, but it's also my escape hatch whenever I need "me" time. :P
The job situation is up in the air. Currently, I'm working remotely for my employer in Austin until they find a replacement. My boss has been looking for a while, and I gave him some references, but I don't know if they've panned out. So, we'll see. For now, I'm still working 30 hours a week at the old job.
Jaiden is doing great. We drove through D.C., and visited Eric's parents. They have two cats, and Jaiden was a perfect gentleman. He never tried to chase, although I have no doubt he wanted to. The first time Oreo caught sight of Jaiden, she completely froze, gave him that "cat look", and backed up, one step every five seconds, lol. It was hilarious. It was like she was thinking, "Maybe if I move reeeeeally slowly, he won't notice me." I got up to use the bathroom, and came out to see Jaiden lying on the floor in the living room, and the cats four feet away--everybody just staring at each other. I think Jaiden was teasing them just a little bit. "Come out and play, kitty kitty..."
Eric and I went on a bike ride Sunday morning. It was... interesting. Riding with Eric is fun, though I was a bit grumpy because it was cold and WINDY. 10-20 MPH winds. It was awesome on the way out; not so fun on the way home. We rode a trail most of the way to a town (basically a suburb of Philly) called Manayunk. Eric and I had actually celebrated Valentine's Day in Manayunk. :) Anyway, the last two miles or so into the town were hilly. We rode to a coffee shop, had some coffee and a croissant, and headed back. The ride back really kind of sucked. Even drafting off Eric, I felt completely drained of energy. Eric offered his Clif bar, but I knew it wouldn't help--once I get to the point of no energy, no amount of food will help. I just have to keep fighting, and rest once I get home. In the last mile, struggling and grouchy from a rather pitiful ride, I ran into two HUGE swarms of bugs. They got all over my coat, up my sunglasses, UNDER my headband and into my ears, down my shirt, into my helmet, UGH!!! I stopped right then and there and practically flung my helmet, headband, and sunglasses to the ground. Eric was shaking his head at me, telling me to move forward five feet because I was just standing in a swarm. I was so creeped out. I don't mind a few bugs, and even in Omaha, I'd always find gnat bits down my jerseys after a hot day's ride, but I draw the line somewhere around 20 bugs. ;) Yesterday, I had at least 50 on me. ::shudder::
I'm SO out of shape. It's ridiculous. But, Eric and I will be riding together a lot. We have another ride planned for tomorrow (my legs are actually a bit sore today from Sunday's ride, which never happens). Sigh... probably meet up with some more bugs. :(
The job situation is up in the air. Currently, I'm working remotely for my employer in Austin until they find a replacement. My boss has been looking for a while, and I gave him some references, but I don't know if they've panned out. So, we'll see. For now, I'm still working 30 hours a week at the old job.
Jaiden is doing great. We drove through D.C., and visited Eric's parents. They have two cats, and Jaiden was a perfect gentleman. He never tried to chase, although I have no doubt he wanted to. The first time Oreo caught sight of Jaiden, she completely froze, gave him that "cat look", and backed up, one step every five seconds, lol. It was hilarious. It was like she was thinking, "Maybe if I move reeeeeally slowly, he won't notice me." I got up to use the bathroom, and came out to see Jaiden lying on the floor in the living room, and the cats four feet away--everybody just staring at each other. I think Jaiden was teasing them just a little bit. "Come out and play, kitty kitty..."
Eric and I went on a bike ride Sunday morning. It was... interesting. Riding with Eric is fun, though I was a bit grumpy because it was cold and WINDY. 10-20 MPH winds. It was awesome on the way out; not so fun on the way home. We rode a trail most of the way to a town (basically a suburb of Philly) called Manayunk. Eric and I had actually celebrated Valentine's Day in Manayunk. :) Anyway, the last two miles or so into the town were hilly. We rode to a coffee shop, had some coffee and a croissant, and headed back. The ride back really kind of sucked. Even drafting off Eric, I felt completely drained of energy. Eric offered his Clif bar, but I knew it wouldn't help--once I get to the point of no energy, no amount of food will help. I just have to keep fighting, and rest once I get home. In the last mile, struggling and grouchy from a rather pitiful ride, I ran into two HUGE swarms of bugs. They got all over my coat, up my sunglasses, UNDER my headband and into my ears, down my shirt, into my helmet, UGH!!! I stopped right then and there and practically flung my helmet, headband, and sunglasses to the ground. Eric was shaking his head at me, telling me to move forward five feet because I was just standing in a swarm. I was so creeped out. I don't mind a few bugs, and even in Omaha, I'd always find gnat bits down my jerseys after a hot day's ride, but I draw the line somewhere around 20 bugs. ;) Yesterday, I had at least 50 on me. ::shudder::
I'm SO out of shape. It's ridiculous. But, Eric and I will be riding together a lot. We have another ride planned for tomorrow (my legs are actually a bit sore today from Sunday's ride, which never happens). Sigh... probably meet up with some more bugs. :(
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)