THE GOOD NEWS is I accomplished everything needed during our brief summer to prepare the family homestead for another wet winter.
The bad news is I didn’t get nearly enough riding time in.
My sentiments were shared by Back Country Horsemen Buckhorn Range Chapter President Bob Hoyle.
In the chapter’s November newsletter, he wrote: “As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter I realize that I didn’t get to spend nearly enough time in the saddle this year.
“I have spent a lot of time on projects related to horses . . . it’s very easy to let time slip away without thinking about it, and it takes a real effort to impact the way life tends to drift, to disrupt that and make a change in habits and practices.”
Years ago, I incorporated mud management practices in my horse’s shelter and feed areas, so I didn’t have to do much preparation there.
I put up gutters to direct the rainwater, drains, laid a thick geotextile fabric and covered it with 6 inches of gravel.
I also put thick rubber mats in the feed areas.
I’ve found the gravel needs to be replenished every so often, so I got that completed.
Prior to attending a seminar by Alayne Blickle, instructor of Horses for Clean Water (www.horsesforcleanwater.com), the mud in the horse pens would get so thick in the winter there was no way I could pick up manure, much less walk through the mire without getting stuck.
In fact, the mud was so thick on a number of occasions that the mud would suck my boot off, and I’d be forced to walk out in my bare feet: Yucky and cold!
Thankfully, mud is no longer a problem in the paddocks.
Some people prefer to use hogfuel as a topping instead of gravel.
The material, which is basically woodchips, bark chunks and needles left over from processing trees into lumber, keeps dust down, prevents erosion, and mops up extra water in soggy spots.
However, before you order a load, make sure is has no sharp wire or metal from nails mixed in it from lumber byproduct as that can cause puncture wounds in hooves.
What I really want to do is take my horses and winter under Arizona’s hot sun.
Wouldn’t that be the best?
I’d love to explore new trails with my dog and horse, Lacy and Indy.
Unfortunately, that takes money and planning.
Could I really just up and go? I wonder . . .
Southbound
A few weeks back, I wrote about Trish Wild, the gal who calls herself the Equine Nomad.
She sold her home in Colorado to travel with her horses with a goal of riding in as many states, and on as many trails, as possible.
She emailed me to say she is currently in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she plans to “hole up” for the winter.
“I’m looking for work and a place for me and all four horses, which is no easy task in this populated area,” said Trish, who is a registered nurse.
“I’m also planning to produce an instructional DVD on equine yoga this winter.”
She invited me to come visit her if I need a break from the weather this winter.
While I appreciated the invitation and admire her gumption, my question is: “Where, Trish? You have a friend willing to keep your four horses, plus mine, in their manicured backyard?”
Reminder
Hard-core hunting season ends next weekend. Yeah! Trail riding seems so much safer without the deer hunters.
Events
■ 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 — Olympic Peninsula Arabian Club meeting at the Thomases’. To RSVP and for directions, phone Bill at 360-461-5519.
■ Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 — Cow working at Freedom Farms, 493 Spring Road, Agnew.
■ 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 — OPAC trail ride at Gibbs Lake Logging Trail network. Directions:
Take state Highway 104 to the Center Road turnoff (toward Chimacum/Quilcene). Take a left onto Center Road, a left onto Eaglemount Road, a right onto West Valley Road and a left onto Gibbs Lake Road.
Parking is on the left or 0.2 miles down the road for the large lot.
■ 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 — Freedom Farm Schooling Shows, 493 Spring Road in Agnew. Phone Mary Gallagher at 360-457-4897. For class details, visit www.freedomfarms.net.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears every other Wednesday.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, please email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also write Griffiths at PDN, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
