Equine Explorer

Butterfield Stage Coach

As I had mentioned before, the Butterfield Stage rode right though Fayetteville and by the barn where Smoke and Phlame are staying. One rainy day for lack of anything else to do we followed the route of the Stage from Pea Ridge Military Park, to south of Fayetteville. I had seen a video of a reenactment that showed the stage going though a large barn it was mentioned as the Fitzgerald's Station stop. By carefully following the Heritage Trail signs and our directions we were able to locate the barn ( a few photos are posted below)

 

 

Finding new Trails

I have been looking for new trails to ride here in the Fayetteville area. I never just load up the horses and head out , but that might be an adventure in it's self.

First I look at maps, lots of maps. I look for National Parks , State Parks and wildlife areas. Next I ask, horse people I come across. Where do they ride, what are their favorite trails etc. The internet is my primary tool , I search all info I can find on an area. I also check local mountain bike sites and blogs as they have led me to a lot of great places. Most of the horseback riding sites here have to do with private horse camps. These are great places and have many of their own trails. But I am looking mainly for public trails ones near and far. Right now I am looking for trails close by that I can feel safe taking both horses to, so I can pony one and ride the other. Next I drive to the trail head to check it out. I will not take my trailer to a location site unseen unless the info I have is very reliable as to trailer parking and trail conditions. You would be surprised how many Park Rangers have no clue whether a trail is good for horses or not, or if you can park a trailer and then get it back out. Finding a person who rides trails, I mean really rides is harder than you think. Most people ride their horses round and round an arena. The real trail riders here seem to be mule riders. I love the mules riders, they know their stuff!

I checked out a trail head a few days ago for Wedington lake hiking trail about 13 mile east of where I keep the horses. It looks promising , but of course when I called the Forest Service to see if horses where allowed, the ranger did not know. Some locals say they have ridden there...but they did not seem to know exactly where I was describing. A local bikers blog rates it high and says the trail is in good condition, but no info about horses. Most people ride in the National Forest here, but are unsure about specific trails. The parking area is made for cars but has two good spots for trailers. It is close enough that I might chance it . Well I'll keep you posted. 

Hiking

Backpacking Trail

Lake Wedington Trail (B-1)

Park/Rec Area: Lake Wedington Recreation Area
Region: Ozarks
Length: 15.4 miles round trip
Time: 12 hours-overnight
Difficulty: Moderate - Strenuous

Location: 13 miles west of Fayetteville on Hwy. 16

Description: This trail through the heart of the Ozarks leads past Twin Knobs, a unique rock formation, and terminates on the banks of the Illinois Bayou. Camping is permitted along the trail. To return, it is necessary to retrace the same route. This trail is often used for overnight hiking trips.

For Information: Boston Mountain Ranger District, 1803 North 18th Street, Ozark, AR, 72949, (479) 667-2191

www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark

What to do with wet hooves and ticks?

Well as you know it has been raining a lot in Arkansas. Today was cool and dry, a good breeze to dry things out. I thought I had better scrub up the horses feet and make sure there wasn't any thrush going on. Well they have some sort of black in the crease of the frog, they don't smell bad but I soaked and scrubbed them up as well as I could.Soaked them with some bleach and water solution and hope for the best. Smoke also has some sort of rain rot, but not from the rain. Even in Colorado when the horses coats are long and the weather turns warm, they will get some fungus growing under their coats from sweat. Smoke has such a short coat in the summer but he sure gets woolly in the winter. Scrubbed all those scabs and soaked them with apple cider vinegar. Then to top it all off I have to check them both all over for ticks! Yes the ticks are still going strong here. Smoke and Phlame love going down into the trees and shrubs in the pasture, that is where the ticks are.  I know there are plenty of ticks in Colorado, but for all my horse owning days there, not one tick! Well yesterday I pulled (or should I say twisted ) no less than 5 ticks off of smoke. One off of Phlame. They don"t seem to cause any problems for the horses, it just makes me feel like they are crawling all over me.

 

Riding on the Buffalo National River

Well even though we had lots of rain we did have one good day in which we rode at Erbie Horse Camp on the Buffalo National River

The river was very high so we could not cross the river, well maybe we could have but we could not see the bottom and not having been there before we choose not to. We were able to ride on the trail what they call the old horse trail for 5 miles or so and return on the road to the camp. We saw several old cemeteries and homesteads along the way. Rode a total of 10 miles.

Rainy week in Arkansas

Even if the rain is falling a good friend can make it fun. My good buddy Debbie flew in from Boston and we went exploring Arkansas. We started in Little Rock at Central High School, moved on to Hot Springs and then to Fort Smith, National Park Stamps at everyone for our passport books. Later we hit the Buffalo National River and Pea Ridge National Military Park, I'll 
fill you in on each one as I edit video.

Today I made the trip back to Little Rock and took Hwy 71 back though the Boston Mountain (yes they are in Ark) WOW great colors!

Day at Devils Den State Park AR

5 more Freedom miles

Smoke and Phlames Arkansas Home

Here are Smoke and Phlame out grazing by the pond at their new location in Fayetteville. I was lucky that I stopped and asked these good folks if they would consider boarding my horses. The first place I had lined up was beautiful! Two great pastures and a lovely lake , but the barn was not set up to accommodate the  grey geldings. Sarah and Shawn , at the new place are both horse trainers and have several horses of their own. They have been very helpful and I think this local will work well...the other plus is it is only a block away from the apartment where we are staying! I really loved Twin Springs Equestrian Center where I kept the horses last year, but I felt it was just too far away, but I am sure I will be paying them a visit soon. Now just looking forward to riding some trails!

The location that the horses are at is along the old Missouri Rd . This was the location of the old Butterfield Stage Coach line. This is a National Heritage Trail  that is also the Trail of Tears Trail and the same road Civil War Soldiers traveled on during the war.

Click here for more info

Dome Rock Birthday Ride

Nancy's Birthday Ride!!

All the Riding Colorado Ladies celebrate our birthdays right, with a trail ride. The Aspen were changing ,the sun was shinning ,snow on Pikes Peak,and we all wore Bling in honor of the Bling lady herself.

14 miles at Dome Rock Wilderness area. What a great ride great day. Had to look at these pictures to pick up my spirits during all the rainy weather here in Arkansas.  Total Freedom miles 206

Here is a video I made a few years back of the fun place.

Rain Rain more Rain

We are now in Fayetteville Arkansas. Since we have been here it has rained and rained again. Sooo no riding yet. Phlame and Smoke are trying out a few places to stay. They are very adaptable, but I worry so much about their new lodgings. Not sure about the hay and how much to feed or what the quality and content are. Larry and I have the apartment to ourselves (wow long time since we have been alone.) Of course the grandkids are around but they kind of like their own place...we have no toys. Oh what just saw the sun poke out....

Rescue at Garden of the Gods

My Mom Roxy,  my Daughter Amber, and I rode today at Garden of the Gods. It was very windy and I almost called it off. I am so glad that I didn't. The horses were very calm and steady even with the huge gust of wind. We met some school children on the trail all hiding in the rock formations, most horses would see these as just so many cougars and bears, but Phlame and Smoke walked by relaxed. Towards the end of our ride we came across a large group of people working on the trails. Most people had shovels and rakes in hand and still the horses thought it no big deal.  We then saw one of these groups with looks of concern on their faces, and they where flagging us down. "Could one of your horses carry a hurt woman?" they asked. There surrounded by four very weary men was a teary eyed ,rather large young woman with a splint on her ankle. I thought for just a moment and said sure, Phlame would fill the bill. All the men together lifted her on to Phlame and we headed to the nearest road where a car ran her to the hospital. Phlame was quiet and careful with his unsteady rider, and I was proud and very happy that we where able to help! Everyone was very grateful and were sure with out our help they would have been struggling on the trail for many hours.

Garden of the Gods rode 5 miles total Freedom miles: 192.5