Goin' Muddin'

So, today a friend of mine asked if I wanted to go out and go trail riding. Since I haven't been able to get to the barn when everyone else has gone trail riding, I figured why not as I know Pepper favors the trails vs arena work.

When we got there, found out one of the trainers and another gal were going out for a ride in an hour. So we decided to wait around just so we had more company. What was supposed to be an hour wait turned into a two hour wait with the one gal having her sister there to ride (but unable to go on the trail ride) first and the trainer was celebrating her birthday.

So first Pepper and I worked in the arena just to get her warmed up. She (at least right now) has to have about 10-15 minutes of riding to finally start actually thinking and using her brain. We lunged first as we always do and then did some walk/trot work.

After she decided that the end of the arena WASN'T going to eat her (we've been having bolting problems that we've slowly been overcoming) I figured it was as good of a time as any to lope her. Apparently, that was a bad decision. Right as I pushed her into the lope, my stirrup came undone. Thankfully she stopped right away and we managed to fix my stirrup (some how it came loose and un-adjusted itself ... guess we'll be checking that from now on...).

Then we waited until the trainer finished her cupcake (which I swear took like an hour in itself) and off we went. My friend and I thought we were going to be going the usual trail ride way, but because the trainer had to work a horse through going through water (we've got a stream we cross but it's relatively easy for them to avoid it at all costs if they absolutely want to freak), we went "swamp" riding.

So of course, when we got to the mud, the training horse decided it was the end of the world and was going to freak out. After a few minutes he finally went through. Pepper on the other hand? Plowed right through it. Honestly she's the type that today with the rough footing for the most part I just let her go where she thought it was best footing. ... Minus when she thought going through a tree would be ideal.

We also ended up plowing through some thick brush as it was too tight to squeeze between some trees and the fencing. For the horse that is terrified of something at the end of the arena, nothing seems to phase her too much on the trails. Minus she did spook near the end when we were getting home ... because of who knows what. Lol. Thankfully though it was just a "startled stop" vs the bolting I've had to deal with in the arena.

She also outgrew her saddle I just bought (little brat, lol) so we're currently borrowing one of the trainer's Corriente saddle. I'm pretty much in love with it. Minus today it's been a super comfy ride. I think today was just because I haven't ridden much lately and then went for a 3ish mile trail ride. Lol.

Anyways, kudos to you if you read all that. Lol Here's the spunky little trail horse with her new dirt socks. You like? Maybe we should market something ;)



And she's officially a grey. You can really see it in her face and ears (except in this photo where her long as can be forelock is in the way).