Well, since the last post, we have returned from our camping trip in Hocking Hills, Ohio area. The camping trip was fun although it was way more challenging then we ever had before. We setup up camp on Friday afternoon, then took a 30 minute ride to explore the property at the Spotted Ranch. We entered the woods slightly then darkness was falling fast so we returned to camp. The next morning, after breakfast, we saddled up Laura, John and myself and ventured out to a trail ride to remember. We began on a trail that came to a fork. Should we take left, which was downhill and looked a bit muddy, or right which went uphill but dry. We chose right. The start of the hill was not so bad, but then it kept going up and the angle was getting higher and higher. The trail name we took was called Dead Horse Drop...ooops, maybe we should have gone right. But to late to turn around. At this point we let the horses tackle this hills at their own speed, which was a hop and a hop and a hop canter style. Their noses were almost touching the ground. At mid point Annie decided to take a break by veering quick right and stopping. John almost kissed her butt. I put her right back on the track uphill and up we went. Atop the Mount Everest, we had a section of flat. We just went slow to give the horses a moment to catch their breath. There was a trail to the right so we took it. Good thing because the trail straight ahead was the Drop!. But even the trail we chose was getting steeper and not being to experienced with rugged terrain like this one, we decided to get off and walk it down. Good thing we did. At an opening we were able to get back on and continue on. We went back to home base, and rested a while. I think we scared off the others a bit. A couple of riders went on their own and I am not sure which trail they took but it was a muddy one and one of the girl's horse fell on her leg. She was ok but dirty and shaken up. They ran a riding ranch there. So they must take beginners on good trails right? So we asked and they told us which trail to take the next time around. It was better. Still steep hills up and down but good to work the butts. We also went hiking and did foot trails and site seeing. It is a beautiful part of the country.
Since we got back from our camping trip, we have not done much, but worked on collection in the arena. She had been an angel throughout, working hard with me and giving me what she could. We still have a long way to go as these things don't happen quickly. Especially when I am also learning how to do it to. I have been taking a few lessons with Laura and it helps quite a bit with someone looking at things from the ground and giving directions.
Last Sunday, December 9th, we went trail riding at Maybury. The weather was
crappy, the trails were a bit muddy and we met up with four horse and riders
from a different barn. Annie was , well some say excited, and I say a butthead.
She has never been this bad. At the walk she was fine. At the trot she would
want to take off and if the horse in front cantered, she would buck; cow hop
and neigh, then want to sprint off. I would try to hold her off to gain
control. Then she would hear canter behind us and buck and want to take off
again. I stayed on, gladly because I did not want to fall on the muddy ground.
We finally made it through and back to the trailer. When we left the barn she
had loaded herself (yeah!), and on the way back too but needed a little
persuasion. At least she can do it. Now the next few times I go see her, we
will have to do ground work to give her a refresher of who is the boss. She
normally is the best trail horse. I am not sure if it is because there were
strange horses with us or if she did feel excited to be out and about in this
crummy weather.
I’ll have to look at the
saddle again, to make sure no bur or woodchip was under the saddle…you never
know. Horses are hard to understand.
for now, Happy Holidays!
No comments:
Post a Comment