Into the hollers

Soooo we are not at a horse show I see.

The barn gals loaded up last week for an adventure camping at Mammoth Cave in the boondocks of Kentucky.

We pulled in - 3 rigs, 6 horses, 4 dogs and  7 ladies (LOL ladies. that we are not) - to a lovely campground featuring a little store, sturdy stalls, plenty of shade and well groomed trails.

The guy who greeted us was named Bubba. And we were literally in the midst of hollers. The full KY experience, people.

Little creek crossing

And somehow we totally lucked out and it did not rain on us while we rode. It rained overnight, the leftovers of the hurricane, but we had great weather otherwise!

We went on a long ride Tuesday. I think we were on for about 3 hours and covered about 7 miles give or take. The trails were so well kept. There were some rocky parts which were a little hard on the barefoot horses, but everyone did ok and we only walked.

My dressage horse looking like a drunk mule.

Royale behind us being a perfect trail pony!

Once we got back and made sure the horses were hosed off and fed, we walked over to the campsites and ate dinner and drank too much. As one does. I slept in the tent all night. It's probably been 10 years since I have slept on the ground like that. Let's be real, camping pads do jack shit. I was feeling it in the morning but it's all good. I wasn't eaten by a bear so I consider that a success.

campsites

The second day we went for a shorter ride, covering maybe 5 miles.

All of the horses were foot perfect. We had 4 OTTBs, Hampton and a saddlebred - one you may know - Mr. Royale! - along. Quite the crew! Hampton at one point decided to kick the shit out of Royale and nailed him right in the chest but thankfully he was fine. I was mostly happy he did not get Liz because he fired like he meant it and it came out of nowhere. Or, at least I missed the body language that led up to that.

Hamp and Royale discuss world issues

Easy trails

But other than Hamp's murder attempt, all the ponies were just super. Long, slow walks along trails with terrain are one of the best things you can do for your horse. Trail riding is so great for mind, body and soul. I mean, maybe not for my butt bones, but still.

But now it's back to dressage land for a bit! Mammoth Cave is a great option for trail riders if you are ever in the area. Pretty sure we will be back!

A quiet moment with a porkchop

One decade

Photo by Jaclyn Fox Photography July  2019

10 years ago July 2009

July 2009.

My dear friend/mentor/second mother Susie calls me and asks if I know anyone who might want a 2 year old colt. Sort-of handled. At the time I had just sold my Morgan, and was financially destitute because I was forced to take one week furloughs every quarter at the time. #yayjournalism

I really had no business owning a horse.

So I said I would come and look at the horse.

And I did.

Just turned 2. 

He was at the end of the aisle. We made eye contact I knew immediately he was smart. He checked me out just as I checked him out. And he let me run my hands all over him, watching everything I did. I knew he wasn't handled all that well, but he was thoughtful, not over reactive and had a kind eye. I remembered him as I had foaled him out when I was working for Susie in 2007. But 52 foals were born on the farm that year and he was just another one to me then.

We let him run around a bit in the arena. His movement was nothing special. He was goose-rumped with a short neck. He bucked a few times.

First day wearing a saddle.

He cantered right back over to me and stood to be caught. Dammit.

I asked for a price, Susie said "Well, I'd like to get $500 for him."

I said I would sleep on it. And Susie cracked a smile. She knew.

First time with a rider on his back.

A few days later she and another friend dropped him off.

I knew right away I could get him started and make a well-rounded citizen out of him. And then my plan was to sell him. He was incredibly easy to start under saddle. In fact he was quite pleasant to ride straight away. Hmm, ok maybe I'll keep him another year and maybe with more training and I can ask more for him.

So I did.

First time trotting under saddle. Oh dear god look at us.

The more miles and training I put into him, the better he got. He had his green moments but rather quickly turned into a reliable solid citizen I could do just about anything with.

I kept asking a little more of him and he kept saying "Yep, ok." This continued on bit by bit until suddenly I had an FEI dressage horse with a long list of awards and accomplishments, a solid veteran trail horse that goes over, under, through anything, a smooth and adorable jumper that packs around BN novice height no problem, he will give pony rides to beginners, he packs around friends, he teaches others dressage movements, self loads in a trailer, trailers to new places and works his tail off for me without question, gives confidence to green horses, ponies other horses, rides bareback in a halter, and enjoys back scratches with the pitchfork when you clean his stall at shows. He also awkwardly loves his sheath cleaned.

In case you think he is perfect, let's not forget he needs drugs for the farrier, will NOT permit any sort of clipping of his ears or bridlepath and has picked up cribbing for fun. Also he has a weird phobia and obsession of mini horses and donkeys.

3 years old. 

Don't get me wrong, he has made me work for it and be a better rider.

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He can certainly be tricky and snarky at times.

And he LOVES to be filthy.

But he makes me happy.

TEN YEARS. A DECADE!

What a ride it's been. I've been around horses long enough to know that horses like Hampton don't come around often. I once told Susie that I wish I could clone him. I'm glad I got the chance to thank her for what she basically gave me. It was far more than a horse.

3 years old. I love this photo of him.

I know Hampton isn't fancy by dressage standards. But that's not what makes a good horse.

He is a good horse. A good riding horse, a good buddy. A heck of a teacher.

A good friend.

Happy ten years together Hampton! Way to outlast every boyfriend I've ever had. hahahaha

One of my proudest moments.

A plug for Whole Horse Equine flyspray

I don't normally plug products on this blog, unless I truly believe in them.

This is my own review of this product.

This fly spray is Porkchop approved!

Kentucky has been a humid, hot, NASTY environment for over a month now. Like relentless 90+ degree days, 80%+ humidty, a variety of flies THAT BITE ME THROUGH MY SHIRT AND MAKE ME BLEED.

Hampton is not a sensitive skin dude, he is pretty average. But after constant applications of fly spray, his skin started to flake and scurf. I will say the worst is that SmartPak brand flyspray. One application and Hampton's skin is basically falling off the next day. No bueno.

So I tried Whole Horse Equine flyspray.

Full disclosure, the owner and founder of this company is a friend. She is an awesome person, incredibly nice and hilarious to boot. Even so, if the product was crap I wouldn't use it and most certainly would not promote it on my blog.

Guys, this stuff WORKS. Not only that, but I can BOMB Hampton with it and NO SKIN SCURF. I mean I soak him in it before he goes back outside for the day.

Even better, I mist it on myself before rides so that these little F-ing flies do not bite me through my shirt. I am serious the bastards are blood thirsty.

Recent shot from schooling at Flying Cross. So much sweat,

Plus, it's all natural so I don't have to worry about inhaling weird chemicals when I am dousing myself and Hampton in it. And it smells nice. ;) And it's supporting a local company.

Whole Horse Equine offers other products, too, like a fungicide and fly spray wipes. I have not tried those yet, but plan to as soon as my MTG runs out.

Check out the Whole Horse Equine website here and she is even running a sale through July 23!

Ready to work. Small ya later you blood sucking bastard flies.

Listening to horses

I somehow came across these videos on one of my many rabbit hole adventures on YouTube.

I thought they were well done with good information, even for experienced horse people.

Worth a watch!

One Two

Just a little tenderloin in 2007

Well I deserve a public flogging because I forgot to post anything on Hampton's birthday last week!

Classic Hampton move right here.

The Porkchop is officially 12 years old. TWELVE! How did that happen??

This also means we are a week away from celebrating 10 years together. That deserves a better post than this for sure. hahahaha.

Anyway, happy birthday my main man!

Doin' a sit.