I Did Trekking!

Hey everybodies! How are you? I am AhhhMaaazing! Yesterday was a big day for me. I went on trek with all my friends. Trek (Redwood Coast Riding Vacation) is when peoples from all over the place, even other countries, come to do pony riding on my friends and see our fabulous trails. This time there were eight guests, plus my Aunty V, plus the Lady in Red. This is a lot of ponies for me to be in a group with. Cyd came and got me very early in the morning and once I was brushed and got my saddle we went to my friends' house for me to wait in a stall with some second-breakfast. Once all my friends were ready, and the peoples made their lunches, it was time to go on the pony trailer. Aunty V was busy doing many things, but I have to go in the pony trailer first so we couldn't hang around and wait for help. I totally proved my grown-up-ness by getting on All By Myself!! We drove to Orca where the cows live to start our ride. There was a crane in my field going up and down working on the electricity pylons that are there. OhMyGoodness! We were parked with our butts to the crane (still in the pony trailer), but I wanted to see what was going on so I used my bendy-ness to turn about and look the other way. Sorry to my bestie for getting my butt in his face. I stood calmly when I was tied up, but got a bit excited and did some dancing around while every body was getting on, so Cyd decided to walk me for the first little bit to check where my brain cells were. I totally would have been fine but there were a lot of ponies around and we didn't want to cause Troubles. Once she got on me I was kinda walking by myself, cos by looky-looing at everything I couldn't keep up with the main group, but I was still going faster than the slower ponies. I wasn't doing anything bad, though Cyd says I was bit like a banana pony to ride with all my bending to look at stuff.

Waiting for ponies behind me to drink

We got to the first crossing where I have had problems before cos for it being scary, and I totally went over in a not big deal kinda way. Then it was time to divide up into groups for fast pony riding (big trots and cantering) and not so fast pony riding (normal trots and some small canters). I went in the not so fast group. The first time I did trotting I was a bit bouncy and not quite finding my feet. The second time I did much better, and we did some canter but I got bouncy again. The third time I did great at trotting, and then I did a super awesome canter, just rolling right along like a grown up. There was a drinking spot that I hate to go across, it has taken me more than ten minutes before even with Aunty V's help, and the speedy group were still drinking. They got done and let us in and I totally put my face right in for a drink, then politely hopped over, not leaping for the sky. I didn't care when the speedy group left us, then it was our turn to do canter. I had to take some breaks on the hill but I made it not far behind the other ponies. At the top the speedy group was waiting for us to ride the ridge together and do photos. They had done some already and the Lady in Red tried to get some of our slower group but Rioja totally photo-bombed us and did bouncing which made me do bouncing so we just went walking on to the next spot.

Heading to an amazing view spot!

We had to wait a long time to get fabulous photos of everybody (including me - will get those later), and I waited patiently eating some snacks. I got a bit stuck when it was time to leave, and Aunty V had to come back to fetch me. It was really warm today, Cyd's watch said 79F, which we are not used to, and I'm already getting fluffy for winter. We just did walking to the next photo spot, where Cyd hopped off me to hide in a bush, then decided since it was downhill (makes my saddle wiggle - we're trying to fix it) that she would just lead me down. I didn't walk very politely so we got left behind so I was a bit more impolite, but we made it just fine. It was only a little way back to the pony trailer, so no need for Cyd to get back on. I thought twice about getting on the trailer, but it didn't take me very long, and off we went home.

Sweaty me

Except we didn't go home! I got out when we stopped, and we were at Manchester field. I was a bit confused. Everybody was getting on their ponies again, and Cyd hopped on me with my reins on my rope halter instead of getting my bit. She said "Hey Bugsy, we're just riding to the stream for a drink, you'll be good without your bit, right?" I wandered to the stream, and got right in with no questions, but then needed some boomping to keep going. I was so thirsty I wanted to drink right away, but with eight ponies behind me I needed to get all the way in the river so we could all drink. We hung out there for a while, took more photos, did some snorkeling, and drank a ton. Then I politely waited while every single pony walked past me to leave and we went at the back. We ate our hay snacks at the pony trailer while the people ate their snacks. I was a little bit put out when Cyd came back and got on me for a third time. I was working hard today! She didn't put my bit in again since I was being so well behaved. We had to do more stream drinking first with it being so warm, and I happily walked off by myself cos for it being too crowded for me to fit in. The other ponies except for two left and I went for my drink. This bit was really deep, I might have had to swim, so Cyd wouldn't let me get all the way in (though she thought about it hehe). Even when the two remaining ponies left I finished up my drinking before going back to the trail - apparently this is a very good skill for me to have. There was a longer faster group doing a loop, and a slower shorter group going out and back on the same trail called Abalobodiah. I went in the short group. I did awesome at trotting and practiced doing some big trot, keeping up when some ponies did canter. I kept putting my nose way up in the sky though, cos I realised quickly that, in a rope halter, Cyd has no leverage to bring my nose back to where it should be. (Aunty E is going to make me a chin strap to make me not do that, one of her ponies does that too). This made it hard to steer me, and I couldn't see where I was going, so we actually crashed into a bush, which made me pay attentions a bit better. I kept doing trotting though. Then we got to the big hill. Aunty V asked Cyd if she thought I could do it, and we said I'd try my hardest. I have had problems with this trail. It makes me really tired, and it's quite steep. The strong fit ponies love to fly up it, but I have to take breaks. My first few tries, I just did stopping. I needed a lot of boomping and cheering and help from my bestie just to make me walk up it. Yesterday? I did trotting. Then cantering. Then took a break and did walking, but right back to trotting, Then cantering. I never got totally left behind. Another short trot break, then canter more. We were nearly at the top and I stopped but then saw the top so trotted the last little bit. Aunty V was asking everyone if they had fun and where were Cyd and Bugsy? She was so surprised to see that we were there and didn't need waiting for! I was breathing quite hard (my friends too) so we all took a little break then headed down the hill.

Cyd led me down the steeper section and got on at our usual spot. We did some more trotting and some canter on the flat bit. Before we got to the end, the speedy loop group caught up to us. I didn't freak out at ponies coming behind me, but did have a bit of a bounce when I realised I was suddenly in the very middle of a big group. We asked Aunty V to wait for me to catch up and then we all walked back across the field to our pony trailers. It was really home time this time. This was a long day for me - it was dark by the time my friends were put away and I could go home. I had lots of tests today and I passed them all really well, even when I had baby moments I didn't lose my brain and listened to Cyd. I'm really growing up! And look at my lifetime stats from all my pony rides:

My tracking started from my very first trail ride on January 1, 2014. I have gone more than 300 miles and over 50000 feet of up. Everybody says I'm doing really really good. We just need to get me a better fitting saddle and a pony trailer and next year I can start being an endurance pony! Weeeheeee!

Behind Again

Hi everybodies! How are you? I am fabulous but I am behind on my writings again. Cyd has been super busy and not able to do my typing for me. I've been doing good things and some not good things and I'm just as cute as always. Totally starting to get a bit fuzzy around the edges cos for it being winter soon; even though it doesn't get very cold at my house I need some bonus fluff. We'll catch up soon, k?

Canter Improvements!

Hey everybodies! How are you? I am fabulous, a bit more so than usual cos for doing so good at pony riding today. I actually started a bit bad, but considering it was quite a high stress start for Cyd and Aunty V, and I didn't do pony riding in two weeks, and I was testing a new kind of saddle I should be forgiven. We had to hang around for ages cos for a different pony needing tack adjustments and I was quite impatient, but didn't act out, just not settled either. I didn't do anything super bad, just testing the waters to see if Cyd would make me behave myselfs. She went 'Grr' at me, and after about 20 minutes of slight-badnesses on the trail I did better. The kind of saddle I was wearing is called 'treeless' and we borrowed it to make sure I like it before we try to get me one. (Spoiler: I loved it!).

Our ride started nice and gentle, just talking to the peoples, and ambling along. Cyd and me were getting used to being able to feel everything we were each doing, it was a bit odd. Then we got to our first canter spot. Guess what? I made it all the way up! And I didn't do my bucking. Cyd went WOOHOOO and all the peoples cheered for me at the top for doing so good. I didn't go as fast as my friends, but I went the whole way with just a few trot strides when Cyd told me to cos for a bad spot of ground. Turns out, when I'm going properly and not doing bucking I'm a super comfty pony to do canter on. Next was some long down hill so Cyd got off to lead me down, and eat a snack. I might have stealed a bit of her snack. Oopsie! At the bottom, once everyone was back on, we did some trottings and canterings. Cyd decided to test my brain so when my friends did canter, she said we had to just do trot. No fair! I waggled my ears at her and she said "No Bugsy, we're just doing trot" so I bounced a bit, and she said it again but in a more grr-y voice, so I decided to be a good pony and just do trot. I did a big kind called extended trot on a loose rein and Cyd was super proud of me. We soon caught up to my friends, and I was a bit excited so did prancing and took a minute to put my brain in order. After a good drink at the creek (and some snorkeling cos it's funzies) we went to go up a trail called green gate. To get there you have to go around a yellow gate. Anyways, we set off for a long canter, and I didn't quite make it ALL the way, but I went most of the way, and when I needed a break I just did trotting, not walking, and I didn't get upset when my friends cantered off without me. On our next canters, I cantered the whole way!! Everybody was super proud of me, especially Cyd. She even took a short video of me, so you can pretend like you're riding along with me. Look how good I do just watching my friends canter off (that wasn't planned, not everybody listens to instructions and thinks they can do whatevs which they can't but it was at least good training for me. Also, excuse my bouncing at the end, I got a bit full of myself...)

Next we had some really steep trail, and I totally made it up there with no issues either! I am getting so strong. Cyd thinks some of my stopping has been cos for my saddle not really fitting me good, even though she kept trying to adjust it and make me feel comfty. I moved really good in this new kind, and went up the hills good, and did awesome at my cantering. The one thing I didn't do good at was being a fearless leader pony, but we can practice that another time. After I got home and had a shower and a snack I was totally ready to go again. I would really rather you didn't watch me do my rolling with sound on cos for me making a noise that does not make me sound like a big tough grown up pony...

A Saddle For Me

Hey everybodies. How are you? I am fabulous. Cyd is a little bit sad though. She totally needs to buy me a new saddle, she just can't make my one work for me. Troubles is, she didn't budget for a new saddle. The one I wear now fits almost every pony she does pony riding on, except for me. We have tried all its various adjustings and the different pad options in all the combinations and I still don't love it. So now we are shopping. To do that, we need to sell the fancy saddle that Cyd has that she loves, but will never fit me. It is a super nice saddle though. Here is a picture, leave a comment if you want to see more if maybe you think your pony would love it.

17" John Whitaker, super comfty but doesn't fit me at all!!!

We are now looking for a treeless saddle for me, since that was what Cyd planned on upgrading me too (just not so soon). We are keeping the saddle I currently do pony riding in, and it's not so bad that I can't do any pony riding, we just have to be super careful with me and Cyd is going to check my back all the time. Hopefully we get me a new one soon. Maybe that's why I like to do my bucking practice now? I never did that before! Hey, if you have an English or a 'hybrid' type of treeless saddle for sale would you let Cyd know? I'd super-preciate it!! She doesn't like Western-y fenders cos for hurting her knees on them, and no horns cos I don't do cow things and she is a bit clumsy and not space aware and will probably poke her belly!

Don't Make Me Into Glue!

Hi everybodies, how are you? I am not totally fabulous. Cyd called me all kinds of names today, like ar***ole, and little b***ard. And she threatened to turn me into dog food, or send me to the glue factory. These don't sound like very much fun things for me to do at all. We adjusted my saddle, and I was trying to help, and totally wanted kisses but then I bumped my head on the door then bumped my head into Cyd's head and her bloods fell out her lip and it got lumpy. Then on my pony ride I did my stopping, but got fixed in a relatively okay amount of time.

Then I did amazing when we saw three dogs not on leashes and I didn't stomp them or kick them or be scared of them even when one tried to herd me! Then I wanted to trot everywhere. Cyd said no which made me sad. So I did stopping. That wasn't okay either. She's so needy always wanting to get her own way! We figured out our issues and went on our way. I crossed my ditch pretty good (Cyd hid behind a tree for the jumping bit so I couldn't tromple her) and we had snacks in the field.

She got back on and we only made it a very little way before I had a little strop, and Cyd got a bit stroppy back, so you know what I did? Had a full on tantrum, nearly bucked Cyd off, and she smacked her face on my neck during a buck-rear combo move. Totally split her other lip and bloods came out again. She stuck on for my tantrum, but when I was done she got off to do some breathing. She said all kinds of horrible things to me but in a nice voice, not yelling. We took a minute to collect our thoughts, and slowly slowly worked through my trouble spot with neither of us getting mad. Mostly I was good the rest of the way home, and we went the short way even though we were going to do a longer ride today. We wasted all our times being mad at each other. On the good side, I moved much better in my saddle adjustment and wasn't sore at home. Cyd will check me again tomorrow to be extra sure. I can't always be good, then there wouldn't be any challenge for Cyd and I'm still learning even though I'm growing up! And I made it all the way up the big hill without taking a break. It's gross and long and rocky but my booties keep my feet safe!

P.S. I'm not going to be glue or in a dog food can, fortunately I have many redeeming qualities to make up for our misadventures!

Now I'm Five!

HEY EVERYBODIES!! IT'S MY BIRTHDAAAAAAY!! And Cyd remembered this time and we had a mini party with Rocko T Dog and Aunt-T but Cyd forgot the carrots :( I am just like a grown up now cos for being five years old, even though I'm not even totally done with my growing (though Cyd hopes I am, I can't have that far Up to go, surely...) There were some silly goings on at my party and I'm not quite sure I loved all of it, but I totes got my bedazzlement without a fuss. There should have been glitter though. And it's apparently hard to find a birthday hat where we live that doesn't say 'Princess' or 'Birthday Girl'. Don't they know boys have birthdays too? The only one was ten whole dollars and Cyd says pony ridiculousness has a limit and that since I'm a pony I can't have a ten dollar hat :( There's loads of pictures cos for Aunt-T being my personal photographer. I also got my feet measured ready for more booties, cos right now I just have two, but I have four hoofies and grown ups need all their hoofies to have boots. I was much better behaved for my foot trimming lady at the weekend, cos for being five minus two days. Still not perfect, but not a complete scallywag eithers. Anyways, here's all my pictures!

Pretty proud of myself for being FIVE!

Watcha doin' Aunt-T?

Wait, what?!

What is THAT?

Ummmmm

Really, my butt too?

I got streamer-ed

Really, Cyd? REALLY?

Oh, I can't look...

But I'll take birfday smoochies

Totally rocking my birthday outfit

Rocko T got to wear my birthday crown too!

Just missing Uncle J

Miniature Birthday ride in my field

Thumbs are for eating?

Done with these shenanigans now

Cyd is not quite 13.2hh at her 'wither'

I am just more than 15hh at my wither

It's exhausting being a grown up!

But We Already Did Pony Riding?

Hey everybodies? How are you? I am fabulous, but got a bit tired this week. Cyd and Aunty V must have got confused and forgotten something Very Important on Friday. 

Never knew how smart this pre-ride nap was

Cyd got to not do workings on Friday, and she asked Aunty V if maybe there were some pony rides going to the woods with guest peoples that we could ask nicely to tag along with for companies. There was one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. We picked the morning one, and got me all brushed and ready and went to meet my friends in time to get on the pony trailer. This day I went with my bestie, and Poncho (huge!), Cowboy (also huge!), and Virshima (bigger than me). 

Aunty V says I look like a QH in this photo cos for my strongness and to mess with Cyd

Everybody snacking

We got to park in the field, and I tried to be a fearless leader pony but I didn't like the dark trail from the field to the woods so I had to go in the back. We did much fun at pony riding, Aunty V was teaching one of the peoples how to do pony riding on Cowboy. He learned fast, so we did some trottings practice and a little bit of cantering practice, though mostly I did trotting even when my friends went faster cos for it being a big hill. About half way time, I went back to being a fearless leader pony, with Aunty V and my bestie right behind me so in case I get stuck. Also cos for me not liking the really big horses right behind me, it makes me a bit nervous.

We were doing trotting with me in the front when something startled one of the big ponies and they sped up right towards me. The learning-to-ride person took a minute to make Cowboy do stopping and there was a bit of shouting from one of the peoples but you know what I did? I pulled up right away, and turned myself sideways like Cyd asked to block the way and I totally was brave. Cowboy stopped before he got to me, but we would totally have made him stop if he made it as far as me! Everyone said how brave I was, and a good fearless leader pony for acting like a grown up guiding pony. I did have a bit of a sticky moment when we ran into a different group of pony riders, and I thought I might like to go with them for a bit. Me and Cyd had a disagreement, and I had quite the little tantrum, but my bestie came next to me and told me to go the right way like Cyd and Aunty V wanted. Everyone laughed at my antics but I wasn't trying to be funny :( Cyd got off and led me down the hill cos for not wearing my booties and it making me feet not feel too great. We got back to our field uneventfully, all hopped in the pony trailer, and headed for home.

Nom Nom, I love daisies the most!

At my friends' house, Cyd did something weird. Usually she takes off my saddle, rinses my sweaty spots, then leaves me to dry in the sun while she helps put my friends away. Today, she left my saddle on, and gave me some mash food, and left me tied up. It was just a short while before she came to get me though. Then she did something weirder. She tried to put me back on the pony trailer. Um... Cyd? Are you forgetting something? We already went pony riding, silly! With Aunty V's help I got on the pony trailer, shortly joined by my bestie, and Whisper, and Poncho. When we got out, we were back in the field. What?! The peoples have lost their brains. We had two new guest peoples with us, and off we went again. D'oh. 

Snacks

We went to the stream first for drinking, and I had a silly moment when a stick got caught between my front legs so I leaped in the sky, and Cyd flew out my saddle, but I landed right back underneath so didn't actually jump her off. She thought she was going swimming! I calmed down right away and had a good drink, and a little snorkel. Then we had to go back up the hill and I went at the back so I could have rest breaks if I needed, even though we were just walking on this pony ride. I was grabbing snacks on the move, and pulled one and it turned out to be really long and dragged behind me. It was stuck in my mouth cos for me not letting go, but it was chasing me. The faster I went or sideways I went it still followed me. Cyd was trying to make me calm down and do stopping but she was laughing so much at me. When I stopped she was able to pull it out my mouth. I was sad to lose my snack, but glad it wasn't chasing me anymore. We went on different trails this pony riding time, but I didn't do any leading. On our way back, I got confused, so did my stopping. Aunty V asked Cyd how to help and you know what she said? "Just leave us, he'll figure it out." What?! Don't leave me. I kept stopping for a few minutes, but then decided I wanted to go with my friends after all, so off we went. I didn't even race to catch up. Once we met them again, Cyd hopped off to walk down the gravelly road again. She said she couldn't get off before so I don't learn that doing stopping always means she gets off. We got back to the field with no more adventuring, and it was really pretty and there were flowers called 'Naked Ladies' so we took pictures. Don't I look pretty?

Me and the naked ladies

I just want you to love me, wearing my best flowers for you!

I can't believe Cyd made me do two pony rides in one day. She says I shouldn't complain cos one was mostly walking, and the other was all walking, and my total miles was only twelve. But mentally I got very tired cos for being confused! I did really good overall, my main silly things were not bad misbehavings, so Cyd was really proud of me :)

We are so lucky!