Monday, November 26, 2012

Trail Mix

I hope my U.S. blogger friends enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving!

Well, Gem and I are back in weekly lessons.  So far, so good!  I think we both needed a break from the running around in circles routine.   I feel so much better about my riding!  I think this year is going to be our year.  :-)

The weird weather of late has made the terrain for our trail rides interesting....lots of mud one day and completely dry the next.   High winds have ripped all remaining leaves from the trees, changing how everything looks.  Some large branches and a tree have fallen in the forest, forcing a change in the route we normally would take.  Gem and I now regularly lead the trail rides.  His strides are so much larger than the other horses, I would always be adjusting his speed and in spite of that, he would end up with his nose where it shouldn't be.  :-)  It's more relaxed with him leading.

The Sunday before last was a gorgeous day.   A few others joined DH's Mom and I out on the trails.  It was muddy!  I will say that my anxiety level raised a bit when I saw just how muddy it was in places.  But, I took deep breaths and focused on where we were going.  Gem was great.  I am not going to say that he didn't try to go into the shrubs to avoid the mud, but I did gently restrict him from going too wide around the mud. :-)  He and I have got to learn to deal with the dreaded mud, right?

DH's Mom and I were leading the group, with DH in front of Gem and the others quite a ways back, gabbing.  Gem, DH and I saw the mature buck at the same time - if my ears could have stood forward and erect, they would have!  :-)  The buck bounded across the trail in front of us.   As he did, DH and Gem did a little tuck of their butts and stopped; equivalent to a little teensy tiny sliding stop kind of motion, I'd say.   DH's Mom, who did not see the buck, turned around and asked me what DH slipped on!   The buck stood a little ways away from us, watching.  He was so well camouflaged, that only one of the others in our group could see him!  I was very thankful that neither DH, Gem or I freaked out.  :-)

That same ride, we met up with a few of the young ladies on their horses playing tag in the field.  Gem and I were leading and coming up to the opening of another field when all of a sudden I heard thundering hooves coming up from behind me.  One of the young ladies horses appeared to my right about 30 feet away at a gallop and jumped over a crumpled portion of the rock wall to join the herd at the feeding station.  I could feel Gem start to power up.  You know what I did??  I actually sat back in my seat, created a slight tension on the reins and told him "easy".  I then turned him towards the wall bordering the golf course, did a 1/2 circle and walked back to my group.  I was so pleased with myself!!  Apparently, one of the young ladies was riding bareback and decided she had had enough; she dismounted, pulled the headstall off and then smacked her horse's butt with one of the reins to get her to move.  WTH?!  Geez.  Apparently, Gem wasn't the only horse that reacted to the crazy galloping.  DH's Mom explained to me later that when a horse takes off like that, other horses interpret it as danger and that they should run, too.  I am glad that Gem didn't.  :-)


Gem eating my helmet after our ride.
Yesterday was windy and bitter cold. I wore my winter jacket and tights for the first time.  We decided to go through the "swamp" for something different because it appeared frozen.  Well a lot of it was, but there were big patches that had frozen mud on top, but mush underneath. Gulp.  Again, I took deep breaths...and, at DH's Mom's suggestion, I hummed....a lot!  Gem led us, cracking through ice and sinking up over his hooves.  I tried hard to concentrate on what trail we would take next and not the sucking noises as hooves were pulled out of the black goo.  While the other horses were having issues with the ice and mud and had to be kept calm, Gem was pretty darn good!   And, frankly, so was I!  In fact, we stopped to give the others a chance to get it together and he stood in mud eating some remnant leaves off of trees!  Yay!  DH's Mom congratulated Gem on being the only horse that remained fairly calm during this episode and me for not screaming like a girl.  :-)  A little further on the trails, Gem stopped, ears forward.  Two Bambi deer bounded out of the bushes in front of us, white tails flashing.   Gem watched them for a few seconds as they made their way deeper into the bush and then he walked on.  No fuss.  Whew!

These experiences over the last couple of weeks have helped me realize how trustworthy Gem is.   Instead of approaching trail riding as an accident waiting to happen, I have started to relax.   Each time he reacts in a sane way to a "different" situation, my confidence grows in him....and in me.  I like it!!  My goal of loping in the small field and perhaps going out on my own is within reach....I can feel it!  :-)

 

26 comments:

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    1. Hello! He loves the snow....we both do. There's nothing like crunching through deep new snow. :-)

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  2. You've got a nice horse there :) Fortunately my old arab showed me that deer don't have to be a big deal for horses and I was able to get Coriander over his fear of them pretty quick. He still gets surprised but doesn't try to run away anymore. A sensible horse is a wonderful thing.

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    1. Thanks! Now I am curious as to how you got Coriander over his fear..... calming talk when he saw one??

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  3. sounds like youve got a really good horse :) hope your having a good time

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    1. Yes, I am having a blast! Looks like you and Gatsby are, too. :-)

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  4. You and Gem are doing great out on the trail! Yay! I'm cautious in mud (all bad footing, really) so that my delicate tropical flower doesn't get a tendon or ligament injury. Lucky you having sturdy Gem.

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    1. I have to admit that the only surfaces I truly feel comfortable on are sand (arena or paddock) and snow. Gem is sturdy for sure...I like his solid feel. :-)

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  5. I hope that Val and I can have good trail experiences like you and Gem - true to his name he is!! Well done!

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    1. Thanks! I was quite please with myself for not over-reacting. :-) He is true to his name....

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  6. Awesome! You and Gem have come so far and are doing amazing! That is my dream for me and Shy!
    Keep up the great work! Gem is a good boy :)

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    1. Shy cracks me up. Such a cutie. You two will get there! :-)

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  7. Gem is a gem, and very confident. I'm glad you're both working together so well. Glad to see this post; hadn't heard from you in a while.

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    1. Nice to be missed, DD! He has always been the more confident one of the two.....and the smarter. :-) I think it's now starting to even out.

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  8. I wanna go trail riding with you guys! I can hum a decent tune and have been known to talk/chant to myself when I need to breathe. Especially when out of the ring or jumping. It sounds like you guys had a great ride!

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    1. You can hum a decent tune?? Come ride with us! :-) There is no way I would have the confidence that I have without the support of my trail riding buddies. Perhaps you and I could hum a duet? :-)

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  9. What a great couple of rides you and Gem had. If I were you I'd be so pleased and confident in myself for not panicking and staying calm. Gem is a wonderful horse and he's really listening to your lead or maybe it's the humming :) Whatever it is you two are really doing so well on the trail and in lessons too. This is definitely your year!

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    1. I amazed myself. ;-) And, I actually loped over some poles last night in lesson! Giddy up!

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  10. Doesn't trail riding just build such great levels of confidence for both!? I love our trail rides and we learn something new each time.
    Loping in a field-yes yes yes :)

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    1. Trail riding really does! I have a bit of anxiety each time I go out, but it's no where near what it was even 6 months ago. It's better and better each time. I said that I would like to try loping in the small field out loud, in front of witnesses, so I guess I will be loping! :-)

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  11. Go you!! And Gem!!! You 2 are sounding like real pros out there, leading AND not panicking :D Soooo pleased for you, that the 'break' has worked out a treat and you're really enjoying being out and about with that super-fab horse of yours!
    Can't wait to read about the 'loping in a field' and going out on your own ... not long now, I'm sure of it! xx

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    1. Thanks! Well, I wouldn't call us "pros", but I appreciate your enthusiasm! :-) I do think taking a break and then having Gem in boot camp has helped both of us tremendously. Believe it or not, I am wishing for snow! That will be my base for loping in the field. :-) xo

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  12. Aw... awesome post! Sounds like you guys are having an absolute blast together, and improved heaps :)

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  13. Great successful trust building rides, kudos to you & Gem! I've never ridden a horse in the snow, looking forward to giving it a try.

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    1. Well, thank you! :-) You are going to love riding in the snow, particularly if it is fresh. It feels like you are riding on cotton balls!

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