Gutierrez Canyon Ride

Several of my friends asked me to lead a ride at the Gutierrez Canyon/ John A. Milne Open Space on a beautiful, sunny day. This area is one of my favorite local rides as I have hiked and ridden here for over 8 years, and I've seen the trail system grow and change exponentially during this time.

And of course, I am in love with the expansive vistas from many of the trails.

The trails are varied and interesting, too. Not just flat, boring dirt paths. Lots of hills and narrow trails with some drop-offs.

We may have guided the ride but we weren't out in front leading because several of the horses in our group were very forward, fast walkers, like this Thoroughbred in front of us.

But Apache and I weren't last, either. My friend Yvonne and her mare Etta Bay are similar in energy, speed and pace as Apache and I.

Apache loves the views as much as I do!

I am always so thankful to have the opportunities to enjoy such beautiful trails and vistas like these!

Views towards the west....

Views towards the east....

And lots of trees, too.

Always interesting trails.

My friend Yvonne, loving life!

Ginny playing peek-a-boo over her Friesian/Andalusian mare.

Yvonne, glamming it up during our trail lunch.

Apache, my One-Eyed Wonder Horse, enjoying a rest during lunch.

Gin, giving her Arab mare a few treats.

The two Thoroughbreds, with Linda and Gayle.

 

Back in the saddle after lunch.

Always enjoying these ruggedly beautiful trails.

Pretty views peeking out through the trees.

After the ride, and untacking our horses, we all gathered together beside my trailer for conversation.

Linda and Gayle decided to walk over to a local brewery near the trailhead and try some of their brews. They said it was delicious. Sounds like we'll be going there next time we ride at Gutierrez Canyon.

Pine Flats Ride

For Apache's third trail ride post-eye removal surgery, I chose the Pine Flats trails to ride and I invited two of my riding partners to join us.
While waiting for my friends to arrive at my house, I got Apache saddled up beside my truck.

My riding friend Yvonne kindly offered to give Apache a ride to the trailhead that day, so I wouldn't have to hook up my trailer and then unhitch that night, as I had a doctor appointment the next day. But I still drove my truck to the trailhead with the rest of my gear.

After I finished tacking up Apache beside my truck at the trailhead, I made a stop at the restroom, while Apache waited patiently outside for me.

Since this was only Apache's third time being ridden in 2 months, she was energetic and eager, and we led for the entire ride.

And I was eager and happy to be out on the trails with my special equine partner again, too!

I feel so blessed to live so close to these beautiful trails and have the opportunity to ride beneath the tall pines in our lovely mountains.

Like I said...Apache and I led the way!

After about an hour of riding, we decided to stop for lunch at the Deadman Campground.

There were tents set up all around in the meadow and beneath the trees and a camp kitchen was set up on one of the picnic tables. There was also a tarp on the one of the picnic tables. No one was around, so, we sat down at the tarp covered table after tying up our horses.

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch, while our horses enjoyed a rest, and we never saw the campers or anyone else.

After lunch, we climbed back into our saddles and head uphill.

It was a bit of a climb uphill.

And there were rocks on the trail to maneuver around and over. Apache took it all in stride and kept her forward pace.

We also saw many pretty wildflowers, including these Indian Paintbrushes.

This section of trail on Pine Loop is one of my favorite because of the dense tree cover and the way the trail twists and turns through the forest.

My happy to be out on the trail riding my Apache mare, selfie!

My riding companions were enjoying our ride, too.

We rode for several hours and just took our time. Apache was much more eager, though and stayed out in front...far out in front.

Apache had no interest in waiting for the other horses. She wanted to go, go go!

Considering that Apache only has one eye, she sure is brave and bold.

I could feel her joy and happiness to be out exploring our favorite trails together again.

And the day was gorgeous! The weather could not have been more perfect!

Near the end of our ride is a meadow that we invited our horses to stop and graze. They were all very happy to enjoy the delicious, green grass. They stuffed their mouths full!

And they buried their noses into that tall grass. It must have been pony nirvana for them!

We humans just relaxed and chatted while our ponies gorged themselves on the succulent green grass.

This is one of the reasons that I know Apache loves trail riding so much!

What a wonderful ride we had!
Apache, my One-Eyed Wonder Horse was absolutely awesome, as usual!

First Trail Ride Post-Eye Removal Surgery

I was very excited, yet also concerned about Apache's first trail ride post-eye removal surgery. The first Vet that treated Apache, not the Vet that did her surgery, almost caused me to reconsider ever riding my sweet mare again. He was full of gloom and doom and told me that a one-eyed horse could never be fully trusted, would be spooky, was not safe, should be retired and should not be ridden. I almost allowed his words to sway my decision to ride Apache on the trails again.

But, my Apache mare told me that she was ready and was very eager to get out on the trails with me. So, I took a leap of faith and trusted my mare.

And I was so very glad that I did.

My friend Yvonne and her wonderful mare, Etta Bay joined us on our maiden voyage. She came to my house and we loaded up her mare into my trailer and I drove us to the trail head in the Manzanita Mountains, not far from my house.

But I really should have never worried about riding my one-eyed mare, because Apache acted no different than she had behaved during the previous 7 years during which Apache and I traveled thousands of miles of trails all over New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. She was rock solid on our maiden voyage together and she did everything she could to put my mind at ease telling me that this was where she wanted to be...out on the trails with me, doing what we both have always enjoyed.

In fact, on our first ride out on the trails, Apache was so eager that she insisted on leading the entire day, and she was very forward and really stepped out. I could feel her joy at being out in nature enjoying the beauty all around us. Her joy was contagious and I pretty much smiled all day long!

I always enjoy riding with my friend Yvonne because her mare and my mare are also friends and we ride at the same pace. She also enjoys the peace and quiet and doesn't jibber jabber during the entire ride like many people do. And she and Etta Bay are not tailgaters, which I appreciate.

The day could not have been more beautiful. Blue skies, cool breezes, abundant sunshine and the trails all to ourselves. Pure happiness!

I chose the route we took that day, which included two secret, un-marked trails that I recently discovered over the past 6 months.

The trails are very diverse, with sections of meadow, a few views of the Sandia Mountains and South Mountain, heavily treed sections with lots of shade, but all very nice trails with only gently rolling hills.

My friend Yvonne was so thrilled with how well Apache was doing that she offered to take a photo of us. I, of course, was happy that she had asked!

I love my amazing One Eyed Wonder Horse Apache mare!!

We stopped in a meadow and invited our horses to graze on the green grass. And I took a photo of Yvonne and Etta Bay.

I think one of the reasons that Apache enjoys trail rides so much is that I always offer opportunities to graze on grass during a ride. At home, she is basically on a dry lot, with no fresh green grass, and she only has access to dry grass hay.

And then there is all this beautiful nature to enjoy, it's no wonder that Apache enjoys leaving her paddock and barn behind.

Me, too! And I am so thankful to have my wonderful Apache mare carry me while we share these special moments together.

Yvonne feels the same way about her mare, too.

Apache was so funny at one point during our ride. Etta Bay had gotten in front of us and Apache nickered her disapproval because she very much wanted to lead. It was the first time during a ride that Apache had ever done that before, and I found it endearing.

A photo of Yvonne and Etta Bay showing the beauty and majesty of the forest trails.

Etta Bay let Apache lead again and Apache was very happy about that. Etta Bay seemed to enjoy mosying along behind us, too.

The trails were just so lovely and Apache and I were both so happy to be able to get back out and ride them again.

I was also very grateful that the entire ordeal with Apache's eye only lasted for just under a month. Our first Vet had led me to believe that her eye treatments could last for many months. So, I figured that riding was out for me all summer. My friends even offered me their extra horses to ride.

But I never got the opportunity to ride them, because nature took it's course quickly and I made the decision to end Apache's suffering and pain and have her eye removed.

Truly, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. And knowing what I know now, I wish I would have done it sooner.

Even riding between knee-knocker trees on narrow sections wasn't any problem for Apache. It was like she was on auto-pilot and everything she had learned from our many miles of trail riding together just took over. She was absolutely perfect and she exceeded any lesser expectations and limitations I had set for her in my mind.

I had my best friend and trail partner back again!

I take these between-the-ears photos all the time because I like to go back and look at them and remember what it was like to ride my mare that day, and the scenes we saw together, my views as seen from between my mare's lovely ears.

And this day, these between the ears photos were extra special!

And I was so glad to have my dear friend Yvonne and her mare to share this day with us.

Apache had one spooky moment during our ride when she saw some huge dead, branches that had been bleached white by the sun. The one bunch of branches resembled a giant clawed hand. All she did, though, was side-step off the trail a few feet and when I reassured her she eyeballed the spooky branches and we continued on our way. She was so brave and trusting.

But the rest of our ride was uneventful, fun and relaxing...and full of happiness!

Yvonne and Etta Bay bringing up the rear.

On our return back to the trailer, both of our mares walked slower and slower as if they knew our ride was almost over and they wanted it to continue.

But even good things must come to an end eventually. Back at my trailer, Apache enjoyed a cool drink of water and lots of love and appreciation from me for a job well done.

At the end of our ride, Yvonne and I were already plotting and planning our next trail ride!

And Apache and I both were looking forward to it. 

I could not be more proud of my Amazing One Eyed Wonder Horse!