Cookie Monsters

Our horses delight in being able to change scenery. Several times per week we let out to the back pasture where they can bond with the neighboring cattle and quarter horses. With the days so short lately, this means that we are often out back with flashlights bringing them back to the barn.

This is an adventure as the skies are constantly changing and sometimes in the distance I hear the calls of an owl while it waits for the opportunity to thin the bunny population. We gingerly step among potholes made by fleeing hooves, and the unexpected bleat of the neighbor's sheep makes me startle.

I often wonder what the neighbors think as we stand there shouting "cookies", clutching our flashlights and sometimes wearing pajama bottoms. The routine is the same, our horses meander towards us while we catch the first glimpse of our Haflinger's flaxen mane. Thank goodness one of them is a blond, otherwise they would be difficult to spot.

The routine ends with the horses tired and happy to be back home, the source of all "cookies"

Riding and Driving Haflingers

My Haflinger looks as if he is indifferent to the complexities of life, but looks can be deceiving. He's always thinking even when he appears to be inattentive. Possibly gating back to prehistoric equine roots, the Haflinger draft "pony"hails from the Austria ,Italian border, and is a "sturdy" mount that makes it versatile enough for many under saddle disciplines as well as driving and work disciplines. Haflinger owners have told me that they hook up their steeds for manure spreading which serves two purposes, exercise and manure management.

We love our Haflinger because he has a great work ethic, loves to haul our cart across the countryside, and has been a patient teacher to my husband who was new to trail riding. He's an "easy keeper" considering that his ancestors lived on alpine shrubs His flaxen double mane and volumous tail are his crowning glory. He can boast having more hair products than most women.

Haflinger owners are loyal to the breed for good reason. They own horses that the whole family can enjoy. They own horses with a big heart and with good sense.

Today's Autumn Trail Ride

We were three women looking to escape everyday life. We were heading to the historic Boston Store trailhead in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The sky was cloudless, quite unusual this time of year. As we parked out horse trailers, we could hear the vintage Cuyahoga Valley Railway chugging toward it's station at Boston Store. Everything looked so different with the leaves gone from the trees, and we could see the train pass in the distance, ghostlike in its greyness.

The temperature was about 50 degrees and the wind was brisk at times. The horses were ready to burn off some energy, but with reminders from me my Fox Totter was willing to follow her buddies. Deer were on the move as this is mating season, but no wild turkey which was a surprise. Guess the word is out about what happens to turkeys in November.

The trail is a nice variety of meadow, wooded areas, hills, some road. We crossed the Cuyahoga River, alias the "crooked river". There's a railraod crossing of course, a few steep inclines, a few small wood bridges, and an everchanging landscape that is a feast for the eyes. The out and back trip is about a two hour ride. With furry winter coats wet with sweat, the horses had that distinctive earthy odor only horse lovers can appreciate.

We talked a little and caught up on saddle problems, , barn politics, family news, horse event news, camping strategies. We shared in the sisterhood of horse lovers and it was wonderful.