Therapeutic Riding with Icelandic Horses!
Sorry we have no pictures to share this time. Our Lumanix camera went missing on Day Two (Tue, June 2) of the walk, somewhere between the Bay Rd/Rte 9 intersection and the end of our route. If you find it, please contact mark@walkingwithwinnie.com and he will arrange to have it returned to us. Thanks in advance for your help with this!
After the 13 miler we walked that day, I had to rest Winnie, due to a developing saddle sore, and Winnie had to rest me because I "came up lame." Winnie got bag balm and saddle adjusting; I got cortisone shots in both feet. Because of our lack of fitness, we stayed in Southampton from Tuesday night until Saturday afternoon. Barb surprised me with an offer to trail ride with her on our last morning there, she on her Tenn Walker, Sterling, and me on her husband's Appaloosa, Stetson. On Saturday evening, I accepted Barb's offer to trailer us beyond the Blanford ski slopes to the home of our next gracious host.
We enjoyed a party at our new location in Monterey, MA, courtesy of the vivacious Esther and her accommodating husband, John. Winnie settled into a little "guest paddock" in the backyard while neighbors and friends helped John and Esther put out a fabulous feast. We met Katheryn and Mark, who own the Icelandic horse farm on Art School Road, and next door neighbor, Beth, who teaches therapeutic riding there. We also met Johnny, Beth's nephew (quite the young horseman and a gentleman, too), who proves his worth daily by helping around the farm.
This morning I hopped on Winnie's bare back and rode her the 3 mile distance to the Roberts Woods Farm. Winnie did not over-react to the pet pigs near the entrance, and soon became a bit of a pig herself--she got to gorge on pasture grass all day while I learned about the riding program. Beth introduced me to Robin, the assistant, and I studied their patient and positive way with young riders. Later I got to ride with T.J., a student who was ready to tackle the track. What a thrill! I soon figured out how to put my mare into the tolt, and wished my mom, Winnie, could see me riding an Icelandic horse like the one she rode during the years my father was posted in Reykjavik.
Tomorrow Winnie and I plan to hit the road again, where we will look for a host in Great Barrington or Egremont near to Highway 23, as we move closer to the New York border. Thanks go out again to all the kind people who are helping us along the way!
After the 13 miler we walked that day, I had to rest Winnie, due to a developing saddle sore, and Winnie had to rest me because I "came up lame." Winnie got bag balm and saddle adjusting; I got cortisone shots in both feet. Because of our lack of fitness, we stayed in Southampton from Tuesday night until Saturday afternoon. Barb surprised me with an offer to trail ride with her on our last morning there, she on her Tenn Walker, Sterling, and me on her husband's Appaloosa, Stetson. On Saturday evening, I accepted Barb's offer to trailer us beyond the Blanford ski slopes to the home of our next gracious host.
We enjoyed a party at our new location in Monterey, MA, courtesy of the vivacious Esther and her accommodating husband, John. Winnie settled into a little "guest paddock" in the backyard while neighbors and friends helped John and Esther put out a fabulous feast. We met Katheryn and Mark, who own the Icelandic horse farm on Art School Road, and next door neighbor, Beth, who teaches therapeutic riding there. We also met Johnny, Beth's nephew (quite the young horseman and a gentleman, too), who proves his worth daily by helping around the farm.
This morning I hopped on Winnie's bare back and rode her the 3 mile distance to the Roberts Woods Farm. Winnie did not over-react to the pet pigs near the entrance, and soon became a bit of a pig herself--she got to gorge on pasture grass all day while I learned about the riding program. Beth introduced me to Robin, the assistant, and I studied their patient and positive way with young riders. Later I got to ride with T.J., a student who was ready to tackle the track. What a thrill! I soon figured out how to put my mare into the tolt, and wished my mom, Winnie, could see me riding an Icelandic horse like the one she rode during the years my father was posted in Reykjavik.
Tomorrow Winnie and I plan to hit the road again, where we will look for a host in Great Barrington or Egremont near to Highway 23, as we move closer to the New York border. Thanks go out again to all the kind people who are helping us along the way!
posted by Ann S. Byrns
5 Comments:
Good Luck on you trip Winnie. I hope you brought a lot of Stud Muffins to keep you company!
A great adventure in the making, I hope it all works out for a successful trip. David O'Connor (of the olympic team) rode across America with is mom and sister when he was a young boy. He said by the Mississippi river the horses spooked at nothing! Enjoy every memory.
Jockyrdge
I hear you guys located the camera. That's great! We wouldn't want to miss out on all of the fabulous picture updates as well.
Godspeed!
Hi Ann and Winnie, This is Chiquita and Cyd saying "HI' from Pelham. Chiquita wants you to know tolting is not too much different from her Paso Fino gait. She hopes you liked it. We will continue to "follow" you. Stay safe..
Dear Ann and Winnie, it was such a pleasure to meet you guys and learn about this fantastic journey. (That saturday night was fun...and great food)! I wish you guys the best and I will be keeping up with your trek.
Sincerely,
Johnny
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