Thursday, July 10, 2008

Jet Hits the Trail!

Oh, how envious I've been of those who could take shots like this from the backs of their horses! To have those two little ears at the bottom...sheer bliss!

The other day I hauled Jet down to the tree farm. It's a mere 1/2 mile from the house, and I used to lead Sunny along the road. But Jet is a different creature and just a little bit silly from time to time while being led. I never felt comfortable walking down to the trail head with her, so up until now had avoided it.

I'm also not a big advocate of riding alone...especially on a first trail ride! But there's something special about my Jet girl, and after a week of riding around the house I felt confident she could handle the outing so I loaded her up and away we went.

Our first trip down was in the evening, and I led her on a short, 20 minute loop so she could get her bearings. She cared more about the long grass than the change in scenery, so the following morning I hauled her down again and climbed on board. She was everything I'd hoped. Moved out willingly, wasn't all silly and crazy, and we had an enjoyable 30 minute ride.

So happy was I that I loaded her back up in the evening and went again! And just like the morning, she stepped out nice and relaxed. We even did a fair amount of trotting this time. I'm beginning to think I may have to take up endurance riding with this girl. I'd suspected so earlier, but now I'm kind of getting hungry for it. She's full of so much joy when she gets out there!

6 comments:

Pony Girl said...

Yeah! That is so great. Isn't it lovely?
I wish I had the guts to ride on the trails alone. I just don't. It's not that I'm afraid something would go wrong with my horse, although that is a possibility. I guess I'm just afraid of creepy people. :( I always believe safety in numbers.

City Boy said...

I thought Jet was my new horse?

Tracey said...

Pony Girl, you're absolutely right. I think part of the reason I tend to be a bit more relaxed is that I rode up that hill as a kid alone nearly every day. I grew up just down the road from the trail head, and we've lived just up the road from it now for 14 years. Not that it makes it any safer!

City Boy, of course she's your new horse!

Gecko said...

Yay, horsey ears!!! So good to hear she's going well for you, you can never tell how they're going to act can we! When we think they'll freak they prove us wrong...then when we know they've seen it a hundred times and will be fine...they prove us wrong!

I'm getting sooo horse-sick (ya know...like home-sick!) at the moment. Our rats are turned out to the mountains in winter, spring won't come quick enough as far as I'm concerned!

Katee said...

full of joy...I understand that! Carl loves to cruise down a trail, especially a new one. I smile just thinking about it!

Rising Rainbow said...

Wow! that's really great that Jet is taking to the trails like that. Good for you..........and Jet!