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!

First Ride Post Eye-Removal Surgery

Seventeen days after Apache's eye was surgically removed, I hauled her over to the Edgewood Equestrian Park on a windy day, to ride her for the first time.

She was a little amped up due to the wind and the group of people in the distance working on an old barn shed in the Wildlife West Nature Park.

 



My first view of Apache's missing right eye as seen from her back.

My friend Ginny was actually the first person to sit on Apache's back post-eye removal surgery because I thought it would be a good idea for me to be on the ground walking beside Apache the first time she carried someone because she trusts me and feels safe with me, and I could gauge her comfort level as I led Ginny around and through the obstacle course.

It was Ginny's first time riding a one-eyed horse, which she thought was pretty cool. And it was her first time riding Apache, which she said she loved. She rides high energy warm-bloods who like to go, go! And Apache is very relaxing to ride and so calm and gentle.

But I was eager to get back on my Apache's comfy back again, so after about 15 minutes, I climbed up and it. felt. like. home. 

Apache and I, along with my tribe of dear friends, making our way over to the obstacle course.

Apache surprised me because she felt the same to me. She maneuvered over all of the obstacles as if she had two eyes still.

While Apache and I made our way through and over the obstacles, my friends worked with their horses on the obstacles, too.

Ginny had a heck of a time trying to convince her mare, Mimi, to walk through the pool noodles.

At one point, Mimi burst through the pool noodles and ran right into Apache's back side...hard! (You can see Apache's tail in the photo below)

Apache was so brave and solid under that assault. She barely even moved...just a few steps forward to move us out of the way.

Afterwards, Apache and I offered to try and help Mimi get through the pool noodles calmly and with a bit of humor......

Mimi was watching, so we had hope!

Of course, we went through both sides. And we did manage to encourage Mimi to walk through a little bit slower, but she didn't really like it.

Unlike my Apache, the One-Eyed-Wonder-Horse! Not much bothers her. And definitely not a bunch of silly pool noodles. haha!

My friends, Yvonne and Roxanne were working with Roxanne's horse, Shadow, who'd not fond of crossing wooden bridges. Yvonne's mare, Etta Bay is like Apache and not bothered by much at all.

Awww! Look at my beautiful Apache mare up on top! I love this photo also because my friend Yvonne was smiling and so happy for Apache and I that day.

My pretty Apache mare and I standing on the wooden bridge.

This obstacle was just a little tougher. We had to climb into the center, and do a tight circle without stepping out of that circle.

But we did it! And then stepped down gracefully...at least Apache did anyway! lol!

Meanwhile Ginny tried to convince Mimi that crossing bridges was fun. Mimi said, "No thank you".

Yvonne and Etta Bay

Apache totally surpassed all of my expectations and erased any doubts or trepidation I had about riding her again, after I had her eye removed.

I was over-the-moon happy! And so deeply proud of my beautiful, brave mare!

Apache is truly my heart horse and I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

Love! Love! Love!

Well, one thing is for sure. Having only one eye is not going to hold back my amazing Apache mare. No way!
I tell her every day that she is the best horse in the entire world. And I mean it, too! 

Onward and Upward on this new journey together!