Continuation of Sunday, January 5, 2014

Now, where was I?   Oh yes!  The "Sassy" experiences.  LOL

Sassy and I have ridden all over the desert at the Salt River, even blazing a trail going from Phon D all the way to Stewart Mountain Dam Road, which is north of Water Users!!  We've had to turn around and find alternative ways sometimes when an area we got into was too dense, etc.  Somehow we've always been able to find that alternate route ..... until yesterday.  She and I got into an area way back in behind Phon D, that was so dense, there absolutely was no way out.  Hard for me to admit, but we couldn't even turn around and go back out the way we came in.  LOL  I'm sure Sassy could have gotten herself out, but not with a rider on her back.  :)

So, I got down, and told her we had to weave our way out of the maze.  There was one area where she and I both had to duck our heads to get under to get to an opening.  I stood and contemplated about whether to take her saddle off or not, knowing that the saddle horn would probably scrape the branch.  Well, my girl surprised me again!  As I started to slowly walk forward, I ducked down and reached up with one hand to show her the branch ~ actually to bring it to her attention just in case.  LOL  Silly me!  She automatically ducked her head as she followed me!???

Then it happened.....I heard branches breaking, twigs snapping, leaves rustling.  I expected Sassy to spook and run out from where she was probably getting stuck, so I moved aside to get out of her way.  When I turned to look, I burst out laughing!  This horse must've seen it all when she spent those 5 years alone in Tucson before being rescued because nothing seems to bother her (except when we go slow!!!)  LOL

She slowly, carefully emerged from the vegetation, and there was a huge branch draped across the saddle, and it stayed there as she took a couple steps!  What was Sassy doing?  Nothing.  That's right, absolutely nothing.  OMGosh, if that had been Maverick or Chase, look out!!!   :)  Not Sassy; she just looked at me as if to ask when I was going to remove the forest from her back.  I walked over and took the branch off and tossed it on the ground.  Photos below.  :)

The second picture shows part of the area we were stuck in.  We did find our way out of there, obviously, and I don't think either of us will forget our way in that area the next time.   LOL  Although, the truth be told, it wasn't Sassy's fault, but I haven't admitted that to her just yet.

About an hour or so after the "uprooting of the tree," Sassy and I had a little fun chasing a coyote!  Obviously, she'd never hurt one, but for some reason, she gets a kick out of chasing them.  The chase is very short-lived, usually only about 20-30 seconds or so; not because she's not fast enough, but because there's too much cactus, etc.  I just let her think she's giving him a run for his money.  LOL

Anyway, we thought this particular coyote had taken off and was long gone.  Maybe about 30 minutes later, though, here's what we saw:

Same coyote?  Who knows?!  Sassy kinda thought so because of how he was glaring at her.   LOL

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Today was a great day!  Sassy and I managed to blaze another new trail; we went across  the river near Coon Bluff and rode a trail that had already been established.  After getting to the top of a very challenging climb, we had two choices:  go back the way we got there, or find a new way down.  Since Sassy and I are very much alike when it comes to challenges and avoiding "boredom," we agreed to find a new way down.

As we were making our way to the bottom and toward the river, we heard voices behind us.  It was another group of riders who rode the established trail up, and usually take that same trail back down.  They asked if we minded them following; of course, we said no problem!  LOL  A couple times two of the riders' horses wanted to take the lead, but Sassy would have NONE of that!  She's a lead mare and was certainly not about to give that up to other horses, especially horses she didn't know.  I love her self-confidence!

Before we parted ways, one of the women told me they've ridden several of the trails Sassy and I have blazed!  I asked how she knew we'd done that, and she told me that "some riders" have mentioned how Sassy and I have no fear riding without someone with us.  They told me I am brave for riding alone (I don't always have someone to ride with, so I'll ride Sassy and then ride whichever other horse we trailer out that day while David un-tacks Sassy, etc.)  She also said Sassy has a very smooth gait, and people notice that.  I smiled from ear to ear when she told me they see very few black horses and Sassy stands out.  The riders thanked us for blazing another trail and they enjoyed the new route down the mountain.  How nice was that?    :)

Just as we were arriving back at Coon Bluff, we ran into a band of horses ~ finally!!!  It was a band of 3 sorrel stallions; I call these guys WYATT, VIRGIL and MORGAN ~ after the infamous Earp brothers!  I was so glad to see them for many reasons, the main one being they enabled our record to stand.  The record I'm referring to is the one of seeing wild horses each and every time we've ridden there since November 4, 2012!!  My birthday present that day was riding in the desert for the first time!  For the first time without being in a group that is.  Each and every time we've gone out there, we've (thankfully!) seen wild horses.

Here are a few pics of the guys we saw today:

I still have lots to catch up sharing, and I hope to get that done this week.  Sassy and I are riding the desert again tomorrow; wish us luck!!  We'll be sure to tell of anything exciting and/or unusual that may happen.  Until tomorrow.......happy trails!