Manzanita Mountains Ride

Come along with me and enjoy a trail ride in the beautiful Manzanita Mountains of New Mexico!

This is one of my most favorite areas to ride because of the varied, yet easy to ride terrain, beautiful scenery, groves of scrub oak and tall pine trees. I'm blessed to live only a few minutes away and it's lovely all year round!

I invited my new riding companion, Loretta and her gaited gelding, to join me. She had never ridden there before and was instantly in love.

Loretta and her boy Duke.

Loretta enjoys taking photos on the trail, like I do. I was grateful for the photos she took of Apache and I.
Apache and I love to ride up to this view spot and take in the incredible vistas!

Loretta and her handsome Duke.

The grass has grown tall and lush and green. We were glad to let our horses enjoy some grazing.

My happy trail selfie!

Loretta and I took turns leading, but she and Duke were mostly out in front as he is gaited and a bit faster than Apache.

Duke never minded stopping to wait for Apache and I to catch up. He got to enjoy a few munches of grass while waiting.

In some places, the grass was as tall as Apache's belly!

Beautiful meadows filled with green grass!

I love how the trail twists and winds through the tall ponderosa pines.

And the scrub oaks are so thick and lush, it's like riding through a wall of green, and in some areas it's like riding through a tunnel.

"One Can Never Be Unhappy Riding A Horse"

Lots of shade on the trail. Apache and I always enjoy being out in nature together.

I did get a huge surprise at one point along the ride. Two old friends came riding towards us on their horses. Dave and Cheryl have been my riding companions on some pretty epic adventures, including Canyon de Chelley in Chinle, AZ, Catalina State Park in Tucson, AZ and in the Gila Wilderness at Valle Tio Vinces. Cheryl and I also camped and rode together at Fort Stanton, New Mexico years ago. 

And I've even ridden the grey horse on the left. Utah is a Percheron gelding and is as gentle as they come. I rode him in Tucson, AZ one afternoon. What a great time! 

What a wonderful surprise to run into these two old friends and riding companions out on the trails.

My "Riding Makes Me Happy" Trail Selfie!

Of course, I also showed Loretta one of my most favorite New Mexico trees, the Alligator Juniper. This is a very special specimen near the trail. Every time I see it, it's like seeing an old friend.

We rode back to the trailers and water our horses and removed all their tack.

Apache was tired. We typically stop for a lunch break during our ride, but Loretta and I had decided to have our lunch and ice cold beers after our ride on this day.

And a close up photo of how Apache's eye socket looks now that it has sunk in 5 months after her enucleation surgery. (This ride was in August)

Apache my One Eyed Wonder Horse!

Post ride lunch selfies! 

We tucked our ponies in the shade of the trees while we gnoshed and chatted.

Oh yeah!
Life is Good!