I know, I shouldn't be surprised. What I AM is a proud, proud mama, because Miles went on his first big boy trail ride today, and he was amazing.
I know, I know, another post about me gushing about my horse. But you guys? He was so, so good. We went with Amanda and her sweet mare Lady. It wasn't long, maybe 20 minutes to half an hour, but so great.
Honest to God, I was waaaay more nervous than Miles was. From the first moment he realized, "Oh, we're going this way???" his ears went up and he double-timed it. I'm talking, this horse was Power Walking through the fields...it was hilarious. He was very alert....and I wouldn't call him relaxed, but certainly brave and SO excited to get out-he was having a blast, is what I'm saying.
Not a single spook or shy, but we didn't encounter any wildlife either (I am totally OK with this). We did see some interesting things, including an outhouse that is literally on the side of a field, looking like it has no business being there, but he looked and kept right on trucking.
He doesn't like mud, no sirree, and there was lots of spongy ground we had to navigate, but he was having too much fun to let that slow him down much. I've not felt that kind of coiled power under me in a long time-not in a bad way, like he was scared (he was SO not scared) or ready to bolt, but he was definitely...just kind of vibrating with excitement. Still, he listened to me, came back when I asked him to, and all in all was pretty much perfect.
I totally brought my camera, I did. I will be the first to admit though that I was less than relaxed and the thought of taking pictures never occurred to me. Next time. Oh yes, there will be a next time. My boy is turning into a Renaissance Man:)
I can feel your happiness with him jumping off the screen :) Sounds wonderful. I love it when they are so forward, yet responsive and sane. It doesn't get any better!
ReplyDeleteYay, Miles! Yay, you! Trail riding is fun and such a welcome change from going in circles. :-) Gem doesn't like mud either...he tries to bunny hop over it, big baby. Congrats on a great ride.
ReplyDeleteYou both did great! And I had my camera phone with me, but it didn't dawn on me to snap a pic for you until after I got home! lol! Next time!
ReplyDeleteGood times! Next ride for some pictures - I'll bet it won't be long!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the trail riding walk. The horse is actually interested in what's going on and it's just amazing.
ReplyDeleteHa, we can start a club for nervous riders. Izzy fine, but being out terrifies me. Go figure.
Yeah for both of you! You are inspiring me to be brave and ride out on my girl :-) I know I will be way more nervouse than her.
ReplyDeleteYea!! Nothing better than a happy forward walk on a interested brave pony! Goood boy Miles! I totally have the nerves thing to work out too...with me! :)
ReplyDeleteYay! This sounds a lot like my first trail ride on Jag. He was snorty (snorted constantly) and alert. And he horrified by deep mud, high-stepping prissily through it - but he was really good. We got a few rides under our belts before I had to retire him. It's such a good mental refresher for them. Well done!
ReplyDeleteGood man!
ReplyDeleteThey love it, those OTTBs. The thing that has seen me through some of my darkest moments with Bar is how much he gives me on the trail. We've dealt with wildlife, yellow-jacket attacks, super-hard trails, bridges, bikes, small children, you name it.
ReplyDeleteNow I just have to get him to deal with the arena better. It would help, I think, if I were as relaxed in the arena as I am on the trail.
That's me, though. Bass-ackwards. :)