I've mentioned the Salt River before, and the numerous trails around it. It's becoming one of my favorite places to ride, not only for the abundance of different trail options, but also for the fact that the river is so accessible. In the summer, it actually makes riding in the heat feasible, even bordering on pleasant. (If you're  a heat-conditioned desert rat who thinks anything below 70* is cold.)

I got to take Khan out yesterday on the Stewart Mountain loop. Decently early start, lots of water, semi-cloud cover, breezes on the ridgeline, and artificial breezes from trotting and cantering the washes made for a pleasant ride.

Wading in the river with the horses when we were almost finished made for a great cool-down, and the chance to just have some fun and enjoyment.

looking down at the Salt River

such a good, fun boy to ride

on the ridgeline, looking out to Saguaro Lake

This was my first time really going into water with a horse. Mimi and I have done stream crossings, and she's gone maybe mid-cannon-deep into the river when I've taken her there, but she's never been what I would consider fond of water.

the equine equivalent of whispering sweet nothings

which way?

The Usery trails tend to be shorter mileage, but they interconnect in such a way that its easy to end up with a decent mileage ride. In our case, we pretty much did a loop around the southern perimeter for a total of about 10 miles.

twin cactus

And the footing tends to be a mixed bag. Parts of the trails are super-smooth and very barefoot-friendly.

leaving cool hoof boot tread impressions

And then other sections are quite rough and rocky, necessitating a slow-down in pace, and hoof-protection for the more tender-footed.

enough rocks to make them watch their feet

By the time we were done, Mimi was revved up and ready for more. Her oncoming winter coat had her rather sweaty, but she was bright-eyed and bouncing back at the trailer, including completely forgetting all of her ground manners and trying to run off with me when I did a post-ride in-hand trout out. Gold star for enthusiasm, minus ten gold stars for demonstrating complete lack of grey matter between the ears.

Today involved a fantastic, 18-mile ride on Khan again with Lancette. Parts of it were entirely new-to-me trail, as well as reinforcement of some trails previously ridden. (It's an area of criss-crossing and intersecting trails, sand washes, and service roads -- keep heading in the general direction of your intended destination and you'll probably get there in some form or fashion.)

It was good timing, too -- one last big ride before next weekend's Man Against Horse ride. I've stayed in good riding shape all summer, so I wasn't concerned about that part. But I did have some new gear I wanted to thoroughly test out before going into a ride environment, including new stirrup leathers.

new stirrup leathers passed the mileage test

I've been riding in Zilco leathers, but the stirrup bars on my saddle make it impossible to ride with the buckle at the bar -- the pressure point it creates on my thighs is pretty uncomfortable after a short while. I can get around that by rotating the leathers so that the buckle is at the bottom, on the stirrup top bar. The downside to this is the flopping tail of stirrup leather, solved by covering the whole apparatus with fleece stirrup leather covers. The problems with this set-up: It's harder to adjust the stirrup length, which I frequently need to do depending on the horse I'm riding, and the fleece adds extra bulk under my leg.

wild horses at the trailhead

Miss Mimi is as happy as a clam after getting to go out two weekends in a row. Gotta say, I understand the feeling. There is nothing quite like one's own pony. :)

A came down and chauffeured us again, which I am so, so grateful for.

heading out from the trailhead

 The weather cooperated in that there was a nice breeze most of the time, and the sun would duck behind some clouds every so often, so it never got too unbearable out.

doing the "big wash"

 The worst part was probably in the wash, which doesn't get much breeze...but fortunately there were treese and high rock walls, which meant we weren't baking in full sun.

mountain range overlooking the wash

 Mimi was "on" today. I rode in my Duett again, and the way she was acting, I don't think saddle fit is an issue. If anything, I think her reluctance in the arena has been sheer boredom and being fed up with circles. Not that I blame her. It does us both good to get out again.

trail signage

 I also took her out in her Myler kimberwick today, after she demonstrated last weekend that she was being a bit strong in her s-hack. Every so often she needs a reminder about giving and softening, and apparently she's on one of those reminder cycles now.

She was forward and eager enough today that I was glad for the bit, since it meant all I had to do was give finger taps on the reins when she would try for yet another sneaky trot opportunity. She really wanted to go today.

lunch break!

We did two loops: the first was a 9-mile, all walking (except for the sneaky trot opportunities), then came back in for a drink and snack, then went back out on a 4-mile loop that was more trotting.

As if Saturday wasn't enough fun, I got a message from A Saturday night asking if I wanted to come ride with her on one of her horses on Sunday. Of course!!!

Bonus points for the fact we were going to somewhat new-to-me trailhead: the newly-opened Brown's Trailhead in the newest part of the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve. Now, Dad and I used to ride the trails around Granite Mountain years ago back when he first got his mare Kelly. So I was somewhat familiar with the east side of what is now preserve land, but we'd never gotten as far west as the new trailhead.

I was distracted (fitting and booting horses, tacking up, trying to beat the heat), so didn't think to get pics of the trailhead...so I will the next time. But until then, just take my word for it: It's cool. They even have a concrete horse trough with a drain in it, so you turn it on and get nice, fresh, (somewhat) cool water when you want to water your horse, versus a slimy, overheated, nasty trough.

And it looks like there are a ton of trails there too. We did what was I think about a 9-mile loop and barely put a dent in the trail availability. Definitely want to come back here again.

A offered me her very experienced endurance gelding Majik to ride. Fun, fun horse! He's bold, dominant, and forward, the kind that, as long as he knows you know how to sit up and ride, he's wonderful. Those are my favorite kind of horses to ride, so we had a great time together.

Bringing up the rear of the Endurance Parade. (Yes, riding yet another Grey Arabian Gelding.)

 I also got to try A's Lovatt & Ricketts (Arabian Saddle Company) Sylvan, which is their all-purpose, fewer-rings-than-endurance-saddles model. An ASC has also been on my "want to test" list after sitting on a Rubicon in a store...I like these saddles. Will definitely consider one of them in the future.

Balancing Rock

 It was a small group of four of us riding, and we took turns swapping positions, trading off who was leading, or in the back. Great group that all got along well and had a really fun time.

desert in bloom

I love this north Scottsdale/Rio Verde area. I've been coming up here to ride, off-and-on, for the past 13 years, and I'm still not tired of it. The only reason it doesn't qualify as my favorite spot to ride is it is a little more out of the way than the San Tans. But in terms of overall views and amount of trails available, I have to give this area the nod.

Trail obstacle. We had to go between the rock and the tree.

So, a very horsey-filled weekend that left me with a smile on my face and some muscles that are in that much better shape for the fast-approaching fall ride season.

Well, it's been a while since I've done back-to-back days...last time was at the Prescott Chaparral ride in April.

To start, Mimi got to go out on trail on Saturday for her idea of a "proper" ride. (We were supposed to be babysitting, but the "baby" in question was so solid, we didn't have much "sitting" to do.)

A and Patrick, featuring Rearguard Pony Ears

 A is a fellow endurance rider, and always game to try a new place to ride, so when I offered Mimi's babysitting services if she wanted to take her young horse out and explore a new-to-her place, she was thrilled with the idea.

(And I'm grateful she was willing to come all the way down from the north Phoenix area and chauffeur us around as well.)

Taking blatant advantage of Mimi's ability to keep trucking down the trail while I do stupid stuff, including taking pics on a more interesting section of downhill.

 A also brought along her FreeForm saddle for me to try. (Networking. It's a beautiful thing. I've managed to check off three of the four saddles on my "would like to try" list...and really don't have major complaints about any of them. That's helpful. *eyeroll*)

Hard to compare apples-to-apples, as I've only tried the Sensation on Mimi on the flat, versus doing trail work and then coming back and doing "flat work" in the trailhead parking lot. Would like to try the Sensation out on trail on her, since the other times I've ridden the Sensation have been on Other People's Horses. (Nothing like trying something on the horse whose every step I know.)

beautiful San Tans

 It's also been at least a few months since we'd been down to the San Tans. It's pretty much my favorite place to ride around the Valley and the pony seems to be pretty partial to it too. I wonder why...how many hours and miles have we logged down here at this park?

"Babysitting Duties": One ear swiveled back to make sure our babysitting charge is still there.

 Young-horse Patrick's only indiscretion, it seemed, was giving "Buttcrack Rock" a major side-eye, and all it took was Mimi going up to it and touching it for him to venture up and do the same. Despite her nasty "mare-face" attitude, which I really try not to capture on camera. Really spoils the "Pretty White Princess" effect.

Mimi and Patrick discuss the scary "Buttcrack Rock"

I didn't have a GPS with me (I keep forgetting about my GPS apps on my phone...grrr), but that loop we did is just about 7 miles. Mostly walking, with a bit of trotting. A great first outing for Patrick, and a great stretcher for Mimi, who isn't in world's best shape right now...although she kind of surprised me.

We did our loop, then some trot-canter "arena" work in the parking lot for me to get a feel for the FreeForm, then came back to the trailer, got a drink, and she was down to 48 on her pulse within 5 minutes, which was about when I bothered to actually check it. Need to start riding with a HRM again for curiosity's sake. And she was moving out really well, bright and sparkly-eyed, and not acting her age. That makes me happy. :)

So, I tend to look at the entire endurance process as one big training opportunity that's all building up to my eventual go at Tevis. Today, I practiced getting up early. I was up at 3:30, dressed in my riding gear, drank my coffee and a (pre-made) breakfast smoothie, and was out the door by 4:00.

I met up to ride with my friend Lancette, and she brought her horse Khan for me to ride.

meet Khan

I realize at this point that my readers have probably given up trying to track all of the different grey horses I've been riding of late. It's okay. I can barely keep track myself.

first view of Saguaro Lake

Our destination: the Stewart Mountain Loop by the Salt River near Saguaro Lake. I'd ridden this loop years and years ago on Mimi with some friends, but to be honest, the only part I really remembered was the area that's like a sandy beach and provides easy river access for horses.

trail traverses a ridgeline with a view of Saguaro Lake

I also remembered the part that goes up to a ridgeline and gives a great view of Saguaro Lake for a bit -- this section I'd last ridden just a couple of years ago.

splish-splash

Because it's a loop, the trail can be done in either direction. We chose the way that meant getting the longer section done first and getting to the river towards the end of the ride, when we'd be hot and sweaty and the cooler riverfront section of the trail would feel really good.

me-n-Khan

The loop is just about 8 miles, and we covered it in about two and a half hours. We were out for an enjoyable ride, with only one of the four horses in our group in full competition shape, so it was a good day to take it easy and enjoy the trail. Khan was a fantastic ride -- very sweet, happy to go, cooperative, and darn near unflappable, the kind of horse who is trustworthy with the greenest of beginner, but a smart and active ride for an advanced rider.

banana yucca

first view of the lake

Barb on Junior in the lead, Clydea on Ash, me on Clydea's horse Pepe providing the ear cam shot

And I came home to find my ducklings learning to play "king of the hill" on the rock next to the pond. Now Mama is onto the game and she sits on top of the rock while they cluster at the base.

I fell in love with another grey mare. Because that's totally unexpected...

My "horses I have available to ride" got expanded by one today when I rode Stephanie's new mare Kasha on our training ride. This mare is awesome...I cannot wait to ride her at Prescott. "Kash" (pronounced more like "kosh" versus "cash") comes out of a show/arena training background, so just my kind of horse. I mean, we're blasting along up a sand wash at a fast canter, and she's offering up flying lead changes around the turns.



Love, love, love.

At least everyone else's horses have good manes. Makes it easier to ignore the pony's pitiful one.

Looks like I'll get the chance to ride her one of the days of Prescott next month.