I love camping.
And I love camping with my horse.
There is something un-explainable that happens when it's just you and your horse out in the forest relying only upon one another with only the items that you have brought with you. It's you and your horse and only your very basic needs out in nature surviving. There aren't any other distractions. Add in, being able to explore an all new environment with all new trails and terrain together, and all this combined helps create a very special bond.
I love creating my very own perfect campsite for just me and my horse.
I love how my mare watches everything I do, and how she nickers to me when she needs or wants anything. I love being close enough to hear my horse breathe and munch hay.
Yes. I love camping with my horse.
Over the summer I joined my local riding club for a horse camping trip in the Zuni Mountains, in western New Mexico. A group of us convoyed together for the 2 hour drive.
The drive was pretty easy as it was all Interstate. And once we arrived at the PO Flats campground, we set up our individual campsites, ate some lunch, and then saddled up to do on an afternoon ride.
Even though the drive was easy, we did leave pretty early in the morning and my face looked tired. But I still took a trail selfie anyway!
I love my Apache's mare's double mane.
We rode past an old settlement and an abandoned cabin.
My favorite part of the ride was traveling through the aspens. I love aspens!
There is something about their white textured bark with the black details. And the way their leaves quake and whisper when the wind blows through them. And the way that the sun creates dappled glowing light as it shines through their leaves. Aspens just make me very happy.
It was so relaxing just meandering through the low meadows.
The meadows were filled with tall, lush, green grass.
We all rode out to see an old cabin up on a hillside.
If only it's walls could talk.
Nice group photo in front of the old cabin. Apache and I are on the far right.
After we rode out to the cabin, we turned around and took a different route back to the campground.
Hmm...is that the Loch Ness Monster in that pond?
Nah....just a fellow rider's dog taking a swim.
Our afternoon ride was only 2 hours long, but it was a perfect way to begin a 4 day weekend of camping and riding.
We got back to the campsite just in time to prepare for dinner.
Some of the folks in our group set up their rigs to create a cozy, protected eating and visiting area right in the middle. So, that's where we gathered for most of our meals.
And we sure did eat well!
More to come!
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