Snow Ride!

Well not really a snow ride but we did go for a ride yesterday. The temps were in the 40’s and the sun is staying out later so I decided to take Lu for a ride down the road. I got to the barn, saddled her up and away we went down the road.

I might not be able to get Lu to move out in an arena but get her out on the road and her ears are forward and she moves right out. I knew I wasn’t going to get far since it was 5 o’clock and it typically gets dark just a little before 6 so I decided to head north of the house.

Since this was our first ride out I wasn’t too worried about actually training her. We both just wanted to ride. She was moving out at a pretty good clip but I could feel her starting to tense up as we headed past the neighbors. There were lots of deer in the field behind their house so just about every noise or movement made Lucy finch. I kept razzing her and taping her with my legs to try to get the spook out of her. I found myself clutching the reins and told myself to “just let go”.

On the way home I noticed myself holding her on the side of the road so again I had to remind myself to just let go. I honestly think Lucy would have walked straighter had I gotten her drunk before our ride. She refuses to go in a straight line. When I pull her to the side of the road she heads back to the center just as quickly as I drop the rein. If I don’t drop the rein I end up holding her there which I don’t want to do.

All in all we had a pretty nice ride and we got home right as it got dark. Char this picture is for you. I know it isn’t the best but I knew you’d appreciate it. She flinched when my phone made the “click” noise.



DH had tried to ride earlier in the day but said that Black was sore and Max’s hock was abscessing so he only managed to ride Black a short distance. When I got there Max’s abscess appeared more like a simple cut to me but DH is still worried and is taking him to the vet on Monday just to be safe. Black was a bit sore but I think the change in temps plus the fact that we are actually riding her are playing a role in that. I took her out and hand walked her a bit. She’ll be going with me to drill practice on Sunday.