Trail ride at Seven Springs

Weekend before last, we went on a camping trip to Seven Springs in Tuscumbia, Alabama, about a 3 hour trip from our house.

We had a great time riding, with a couple of bad experiences. Bees and tying up.

Got there on Friday night about 6:00, after working 1/2 day and packing up.

Started setting up camp, and took Jag and Chance to their designated stalls.....as soon as I put Jag in there, he started going nuts-o-la....I noticed that wasps were stinging the crap out of him. I grabbed the gate and just let him loose. He ran around camp for a minute, then came right to me. Bless his heart.

Got the owner and he sprayed where they were and all was fine.

Got finished setting up and Janet had already cooked a big crock pot of Sloppy Joe's for everyone. Ate, and then walked and listened to some kareoke....(oh my....those poor people that think they can sing....LOL.....no really some were pretty good)

Went to bed, woke up early, fed the horses and cooked a huge breakfast.

Got tacked up, and off we went.

It was gorgeous. Had lots of rock formations, some indian burial grounds, etc. (I forgot my camera, but the pictures are what Valarie took - I hate it when I forget my camera)

Very pretty yellow flowered covered fields....

This is Bear and I coming across the field.

Very nice ride, until...........we found the yellow jackets....or they found us.....I only got stung once, Janice got 10 stings, Bear, Chase got stung once, and Janet got it about 3 times. I am sure the horses got stung as well, but could not really see any bad places on them.

Ran into some great people on the trails, from 4 year olds to 60 year olds. Everyone was enjoying themselves, but almost everyone talked about the bees, so I think they were in more places than just where we were.

We rode for about 5 hours, and it was very very hot, nicer in the woods, but still humid and all the horses were very tired and sweaty.

Got back to camp, and everyone but a couple of us decided to nap. (no me - I am not a napper)

I went in after a little bit to change into some shorts, and there was a hard knock on my camper door.....I opened it and someone was saying "your horse is down"......scared the poop out of me.

I ran to Janet's camper (she is a vet-tech) freaked her out - she almost came out in her panties, grabbed a couple more friends from their sleep.

Jag was down in his stall. It took about 6 of us to get him up....he was almost cast in there, he had cut his nose and was bleeding a little bit. I just thought he had tried to lay down and got caught. But as soon as I got him up and out....he started going down again.

We listened to his gut and he had great gut sounds. He was very tight in his belly and chest. He was tying up (well heck - with all the bee stings and the hot and hard ride - I felt horrible). We gave him 10cc of banamine and then gave him some JC's X Ty-Up. Girls, buy some of this now !!! He was so much better in about 30 minutes. I continued to walk him for about 45 minutes to an hour, but he started trying to eat grass, and wanted to be back with his buddies.

I have never been so scared in my life (except one time when I had a horse choke for about 3-4 hours - even with the vet there working on him)....I check on him all night long, but he was fine.

We did enjoy some more kareoke and heard it got a little wild after we left....glad we did. I would hate to break out my booty shaking and pole dancing for strangers...but I would !!

Needless to say - we did not ride the next day as planned - we just packed up and came on home.

I did have a great, relaxing time.....except for the moments of craziness.

Resting on the trail

I am the one in front of the girl in blue.

We found this on the trail, and Chase just had to get off and get a picture made with it.

It is amazing what people will just throw away on our horse trails. Although it is good for desensitizing. LOL

We really had a nice time......just hanging out with my friends. I hate that Jag got sick, but was so thankful for Janet taking care of him. I wish she would go to vet school....she is so good and smart.

Going at the end of the month to KC Ranch in Double Springs, Alabama. One of my most favorite places to go and pretty much where "Seatbelt for my Saddle" originated - the name that is. I have had about 3 accidents there....hopefully not one this time.....and I will not forget my camera.

One last thing.......Tonya at There is a Season sent me an award......and it was so very sweet of her. I am glad to know that I can make her smile.....She has been going through some tough times with horrible people making terrible comments on her blog. She thinks she knows these people and Tonya is such a sweet Christian woman - I cannot believe anyone could be so mean. Thanks T....you make me smile too - especially that Baby Bird over there - who is one gorgeous baby !! And I "got-yo-back" anytime someone wants to rumble with you !!!!

I am supposed to tag five people.....now how can I do that. I smile at each and every blog that I read. So you are all tagged !!!!!!!!!!!! If you read this - copy this and put it on your blog....I will be looking !!!!! And know you are making me smile !!!!!!

Happy Trails...

Jamie