river walking

For a number of years when our children were young and we didn't have horses, we rented a lovely cabin in the mountains for the week of Thanksgiving. Over time, we accumulated a series of day trips we loved so much we did them year after year, until we had a very full week awaiting us each November when we packed the car and headed west.

There were always at least two days devoted to staying at the cabin and hiking the surrounding 50 acres. One day we went to a small college town nearby and window-shopped, then lunching at a little vegetarian cafe where we had chili served in pumpkin bread bowls.

We usually went to another little resort town one of the days, where we played in the big park and ate lunch from the hot dog stand, ending with homemade peppermint ice cream from the candy shop.

Another day we usually played by ear, and explored places we wanted to go back to or found new things to do.

The day after Thanksgiving was almost always devoted to a trip to a waterfall, which had hiking trails that were easy, moderate, and difficult. I remember one year taking all the time we needed so that my not-yet-two-year old daughter could hike the entire way on her own feet, which she insisted on doing. And I recall many anxious mother moments when my son went darting ahead of us, or scaled something I felt needed spotting to climb.

At the end of the hike we had a favorite restaurant we ate in, always ending the meal with strawberry-rhubarb pie.

I think those years cemented all of our love of the mountains and walking by rushing water.

But then we got horses and it was difficult to leave for that long.

Today we drove the few minutes from our home to a favorite river walk. The water was rushing after all the rain we've had, and it was chilly today so it feels like we're actually in November.

Kyra the Corgi scampered along on her purple leash, game to climb anything, including the huge rock outcroppings that in some places required careful footwork and holding on to tree trunks and branches to get up and over.

There was no one else on the trail, and after a few minutes, it was as though we were far out into the wilderness. I discovered some years back that the secret to being rejuvenated by these hikes is to go far enough to experience remoteness.

And now we're back home, and it occurs to me that part of why we went to the mountains those years was to gain what we have right here in our own backyard now.

It's one of the things I'm most thankful for - the haven we've created here, and the access to remote places without having to take a trip to get there.

I hope everyone is having a nice day today. Whether you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday or not, it's a good time of year for reflection and gratitude, moving toward the winter solstice and the new year.

princess haya and rollkur

What is the current FEI president's stance on rollkur? Here's one shot of her riding, and unfortunately, it doesn't look good to me.

andreas helgstrand - take a look at his training techniques

This video is on his website (for the moment) and although this one showcases the horse Donna Silver, look at the other horses. At times you can only see them in the mirrors, and if you use the pause button, you'll see even more.

Sadly I don't think I can ever watch his rides on Blue Hors Matine again.

http://www.helgstranddressage.com/donna_silver.html

I didn't post this last night but instead saved it, figuring to put it up tomorrow. Already, just 12 hours later, the video has been removed. Isn't it interesting that the trainers and riders doing these methods argue that there is nothing wrong with them, that they are actually good for the horses, and yet they take down the "evidence" when it's pointed out online?

Enjoy the day, give thanks for your blessings, and go hug your horses.

ADDENDUM:

There is actually another video where several horses are being rollkured in the background. Let's see if he takes THIS one down too...

http://helgstranddressage.com/uk/heste_carneval_uk.html

And look at this one:

http://www.helgstranddressage.com/uk/heste_nobel_uk.html

Behind the vertical, rider leaning way back, horse trying to get its head up to breathe, I presume, or relieve the pressure on the mouth, but if you watch you'll see that this is NOT harmonious riding, not a happy horse at all.

leaking turkeys and pumpkin dog biscuits

My night owl son woke me in the wee hours to inform me that the turkey was leaking. I asked how much, hoping that in fact he was mistaken, and the double-bagged fresh turkey was doing nothing of the kind.

But he said "a lot" and I sighed and got up, knowing that my warm spot in the bed would soon be taken over by whichever cat bodies could make it there first.

Indeed, the turkey was leaking. I spent about a minute fussing at self for not putting the turkey in the roasting pan so at least if it leaked it would be contained. And then the next hour and a half cleaning the entire lower half of the refrigerator, to a degree Martha Stewart and my mother would smile upon.

I woke up expecting sunshine but it's not here yet. Today I'm making the afore-mentioned cheesecake, the cranberry sauce, the mashed potatoes, (which shockingly can be made ahead without losing one bit of goodness) and getting the dinner rolls made up and put in the pan.

And meanwhile, here is the pumpkin dog biscuit recipe just for Dougie Donk, who I believe not only races ex-racing horses and wears kilts, but does a bit of baking on the side:

Cleo's Pumpkin Dog Biscuits:

2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (I'm using freshly made puree)
2 tbsp. dry milk
1/4 tsp. sea salt
2 1/2 cups brown rice flour (gives the biscuits crunch and offers better dog digestion than wheat)
1 tsp. dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin 'til smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and parsley if using. Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead if still rough, then roll out to desired thickness. (1/4 - 1/2 inch)

Use cookie cutters to punch out shapes, and rework leftover dough until it's gone. Place on baking sheet - no greasing necessary. Bake 20 minutes, remove from oven, turn, and bake 20 more minutes. Let cool completely before serving!

Enjoy feeding these healthy, yummy treats to the resident canines!

And let me know as the day progresses what you're baking and cooking - we can all share in the feasting today!

thanks giving in advance of the day

I meant to take the camera out and get a picture or two, but have been so relieved that I don't actually have to GO anywhere today, tomorrow, or Thursday, I've been sort of floating from one place to the next all day long.

This morning I was thankful to see Salina marching around the barnyard, lining up at the feed room door, and generally being her usual self.

When I took the first wheelbarrow load of muck down the path, Redford wanted to join me, so I let him. He walked beside me until I turned onto the woodland path, at which point the labyrinth path was clear top to bottom, and that wild expanse of freedom was like passing a candle wick through flame.

His little face lit up and down he went, with a donkey buck and gallop, down to the edge of the labyrinth itself. I called out to him and he whirled and raced back up, pausing and then galloping all the way up to the barnyard. He was so excited he wanted them all to know where he was and that he had full access to the back.

He flew back down the path, past me, this time all the way into the labyrinth, where he made a complete circuit and then ran back up to the barnyard gate. He turned around and did it all again.

By this time I had dumped my load of manure and had the wheelbarrow pointed back up the hill, so he ran up ahead of me and when I got to the top, he had lured Rafer Johnson into the arena, where they were having another race.

Mid-morning, Keil Bay asked very nicely (with a quiet tap tap tap of his knee against the stall door) to come into the barnyard with Salina, the donkeys, and me.

I opened his door and he sauntered out, immediately taking over the round bale, which is getting low and had been turned over on its side on top of the two pallets. I rearranged the hay so the pallets were obvious - and proceeded with chores.

A little while later I heard a sound (one of those sounds just loud enough and unusual enough to make you go check it out) and Keil had dragged the pallets out from under the hay and shoved them against the barn.

I'm thankful that he's strong enough to move heavy pallets, and also that he didn't do any damage to himself OR the barn in the process.

This afternoon I have two pumpkin pies in the oven, made with the gorgeous puree I mixed up the other night using the organic pumpkin that came from our hay grower's garden. The pumpkin has been decorating our table for several weeks and now will grace our table in a different way.

I should get two pumpkin pies, a batch of pumpkin dog biscuits, and a caramel pumpkin gingersnap cheesecake out of this one pumpkin. If there is puree left, I'll make a pumpkin cake next week.

It's a grey day, good for baking and listening to music, watching a Corgi nap, monitoring the nap cycles of five felines who move and shift from room to room, new spot to new spot, and heading out to the barn every hour or so to visit and continue the chores out there.