Trail ride #2

It's Friday and I needed to take a day off from work. The past two weeks have been very intense bringing up a new project. All seems to be good now so I made my escape.

Since Banjo and Gilly didn't trail ride well together on Wednesday, Bob and I decided to try Sparkler and Banjo. Art called around 9:30 and said they were headed out. We got the two brushed and saddled in the arena. Bob rode Banjo for a bit so we could recheck the saddle fit. Sure enough, we needed to tighten a lot. I rode Sparkler to see how she was acting and all went well.

I had Sparkler in her sidepull and English saddle. I'm still trying to find out why she's been kicking. The sidepull should eliminate problems with the teeth since there's no bit. Using the English saddle should eliminate problems there. There was no kicking or acting up. So we walked them out and since this was Sparkler's first ride on the trail, we walked halfway up the first hill again and then mounted. By then Art, Vicki and Alexis had met up with us. They turned and we headed out. Banjo had to be in the lead, being a fast walker, but this time Sparkler kept up and it was the two of us in the lead. Soon Art and Vicki were way behind. Alexis kept Thunder at a faster pace and was always just behind us.

Trying to stop Banjo was better because Sparkler stopped easily. Sparkler was acting like a veteran trail horse. Smooth as can be, easy to start. Easy to stop. Responsive to every cue. No kicking or resisting. I think the training in Baraboo was the best thing we could have done for them.

We paused when we got to Art and Vicki's gate and they caught up. We decided to go past their pond and around. On the lower slope of the pond, however, there was a marshy spot. Their horses didn't hesitate. Banjo and Sparkler didn't like it one bit. Sparkler jumped up to higher ground. If she spooked to the right, we'd be swimming, but she stayed on top. Banjo found a spot half way and we were past the wet spot. That was enough for a day, so we said our goodbyes and went around the other side of the pond, a much dryer pathway.

The way back was beautiful. We stopped often. Banjo still only stands for a few seconds, but it's getting better. No craziness when we neared home. Just a calm ride back.