FALLove

 This past weekend was such a gorgeous Fall treat.

High 60's, low 70's-nice breeze and SUNNY

Just perfect riding weather and NO bugs

I rode Laz around the pasture for ooooh about 20 minutes barefoot and then we decided today, we would go on an adventure.

As in, a hand walk down the road ('trail riding') and check it out for his first time

He has adjusted so beautifully, that I figured he would enjoy getting out too

 Per my trimmer's advice, I posted on a yahoo group for used horse boots and got a great deal (what I could afford), from a very kind stranger, for an almost brand new Easy Boot Epics.

I needed a smaller size for his back hooves and they fit perfectly.

In her email back to me she simply stated "I want to help you" so she was willing to meet my price range.  So sweet.  So many great horse people out there! I thanked her again and again...and here's another virtual THANK YOU!!!!!!! 

 Rear boots on, we were ready to GO

 Walking out, we passed our neighbor.
I'm not sure if it's a gelding or a mare (I feel like it's a Mare) but she knickered soooo sweetly to Laz as we passed by.  

 Mason was ready for an adventure walk!

"LETS Goooooooooo come on come on comeONcomeOOOOON!"

 As suspected, Laz really enjoyed it

 Calmly ambled down the one way street

(our barn is 2nd to last of a dead end) which is so great for riding reasons

 It was quiet and peaceful and I allowed him to graze at certain spots to get rewarded

 "Laaa la laaa laaa laaaa, I lovs walkz"

 About a mile down is a fork in the road, to many more dirt roads but we didn't venture down there.

I won't with Mason, it's too risky being the roads are curvy and you can't always see the cars until they are THERE.  So, we stopped (SIT!) and turned around

 There is one section with a slight incline which is great for walking or trotting (but we just ambled)

Laz seemed foot sore on his front (club) foot. I'm treating it for maybe thrush, but it could be because his feet have been only on soft grass now for two weeks.  Hopefully walking on these roads weekly will help slowly toughen up his hooves.  **He's not foot sore due to eating grass, just on soft footing**

 Admiring the landscaping

 Something peeked his interest.

There are deer everywhere but we haven't come across any yet together

 Heading back into our barn

 Stopping along the way to graze

I want to encourage him to be slow and with me, upon our return and not rushing to get back to his herd, which he wasn't at all.

 Mason thinks this stick can act as a crop for his big brother Laz

 On our drive home, we passed by SO many riders heading to the state park to ride

Yea!!!

 So Sunday, we decided to RIDE the road in which we walked the day before

I strapped on all four boots (side note; they are SOOO annoyingly hard to put on!!!) and headed out for our walk.

Just lovely

 Cars passed us, no problem.

Mason was good to listen to me and sit and wait until the car passed and Laz was great and stood still while I talked to Mason. It's funny, but he totally distinguishes when I talk to Mason and when I talk to him.

A couple times I had to yell at Mason who dawdled ahead too far for my comfort and Laz just sighed like "Come ON dogggg"

 There are so many meadows that we pass along our walk, that come winter may make for fun play areas.....I'm not sure if they are privately owned or not though.

Overall, on our ride, Laz did awesome. He was a little 'flinchy' when he thought something bothered him (ie barking chihuahua, a distant riding mower, a fence post lol!) but he never fully spooked and walked on and braved it out.  He's giving me A LOT, because I'm  not the bravest rider and I know I must translate some worry down to him. I can tell, he is braver and more comfortable when I hand walk him vs riding, so it's ME..I need to work on MY bravery.

 This is my new phone wall paper below, I love this picture!!!

 Happy campers return home

I want to walk the dirt roads as much as possible in this good weather...to prepare for THIS below:

This is Kensington Metro Park that I've been talking so much. It's for runners/walkers/bikers/canoeing/kayaking/HORSEback riding, all separated out on different trails, for all to enjoy. We are SO close to there, I want to be able to enjoy this. There are 19 miles of horse trails!  I don't know about going at it alone, it's always best to ride with someone for long trails like that...but I'm sure in our future, we can conquer it alone. Just not quite yet.

But HOW FRICKEN AWESOME!!!!!!! 

Maybe one day, the Michigan horse blogger girls can all meet up for a trail ride!! :)

I mapquested it and it shows we are about 1.5 miles away from park. 

 A typical thing for Laz. After our 'workout' he pees, almost every time.

I think this is a race horse thing?

Forest Gump shoes on all four hooves.

Hopefully I can figure out a way for them to become harder rock crunchers to be totally bare in the future.

I'm not sure living on sand, dirt or grass will create a hoof like that though.

I was very pleased with my boy.

He is my dream horse!