I was pulling my usual bull____ about needing to go slow and build up to it when Kimberly took things into her own hands and hopped on for a trek across the street last Friday. Earlier that evening when playing with the circling game w/her saddle on, there was quite a few bucking sprees. It was hard to judge if Beauty was saying "get that stupid saddle off me!" or, "Wahoo - I have my saddle on again!" (Which do you think it was??) Anyway, we played on-line for a half hour or so, then I turned her out with Jeffrey. Shortly later, Kimberly drove up and off we went.
On the trail, Beauty stood to be mounted, and walked off like no time had elapsed since her last ride. Such a good girl. I probably said it 85 times that night, "Such a good girl." So, with Kimberly breaking my ice bubble, Saturday, off we went to Contra Loma with Beauty, Rosie & Casi. After entering the park and climbing the fence to mount Beauty (my first time since March), I was shaking like a leaf, heart pounding. Not sure why. Beauty was super calm, standing like a good girl (there I go with the good girl again). I mounted and off we went at a nice walk. I played with a few steps of trot at the beginning and felt that she was probably going to buck a little. That was all it took to scare me off the trotting. We walked out about 1/3 of the trail, it was pitifully hot, no water or shade in sight, and I was ready to throw in the towel. As usual, when something bothers me, I begin to find things wrong that I can focus on and worry about. This time it became my knee. By the time we stopped, I was done, and hopping off, announced that I was done. Needless to say, we continued on, but with Kimberly on Beauty and I walking beside Rosie looking for a place to mount bareback. Found one shortly and we continued on with the ride. Rosie was such a pleasure to ride. Her energy level is CRAZY - but it's a safe feeling crazy to me. Even bareback, gaiting or loping, it's a pleasure. We spent quite a bit of time on the leg home from Contra Loma that day with all of us either gaiting or trotting alongside of each other, our hair and manes blowing in the wind - and the horses all being just lovely. It was a great first day back for Beauty.
The next day, Sunday, we again headed out - this time to Round Valley. I rode Beauty the first 1/2 of the trip (about an hour), and asked Kimberly if she would ride her back. Kimberly is so good at picking up on Beauty's sauciness and dealing with it immediately; whereas, I might just slow down and not really correct the problem at the time. It's so good for Beauty and me that she is willing to ride for me now and then. Really helps with Beauty's coming along, as she is still a fairly green trail horse.
And that's my story - at least for now. I'm looking forward to the weekend (and it's only Tuesday) so we can get her back out on the trail. Beauty loves her job - she is at her element when you take her off course and go jeeping up a hill, or down into a ditch or ravine. She is all focus and concentration - watching where she puts her feet, watching her surroundings. "Such a good girl!" :)
I was worried that the snake bite might make her leery out on the trail, but she is confident and curious and does not seem to have suffered any mental damage at all. (Kimberly would shake her head and laugh at me for that last comment!).
Happy trails!
