DAY 44, 45 & 46 - Trail Rides

I am repeating "day 44" so I can add a little about our first ride out with Big Mack and Possum together. I got Possum ready and I rode him up to the Dodge barn, where Big Mack was on the cross ties in the barn and Donna was finishing up putting on his tack. I rode out to the field and walked and trotted Possum around for a few minutes. Then Donna came out and mounted him from the big blue bucket. She had lunged Mack earlier, and he was looking very calm and agreeable. Before we set off for the road, I suggested to Donna that she walk Mack around the field a little bit, and he appeared to be listening to her, so we were pleased. Then, we said goodbye to Donna's husband and baby and we walked off towards my place.

Just before getting on the road.

As when we are hand walking the boys on our walks, Big Mack did stall a few times, knowing that the big hill was coming. He continued stopping and walking until we passed Dad's driveway, then he gave up and walked on down. We walked down to Dr. Doyle's, then I suggested we try trotting a bit on the way back to the pipe on the side of the road. Then, I told her turn around and trot back, while Possum and I stood at the pipe. Mack was a bit unsure, but she got to the telephone pole, turned around and trotted back. Then Possum and I trotted down to the telephone and trotted back, with Donna and Mack behind us.

Tuesday's ride with Big Mack

After that, we continued on down New Road for a bit, I think just past the first driveway, then turned back. On the way back up the hill, I suggested we take the path on Dad's land towards his backyard. Mack went ahead, then Possum and I went first down the big dip and back up, then Mack passed us again, and they trotted all the way up to Dad's back yard. Then we walked back up to the road. We could see that Mack was getting anxious, and his neck was coated in sweat. Instead of going straight back to the barn, we walked past the barn and as far as the graveyard, then turned back to the barn. It was a big day for Mack, but he did well. Possum and I headed back home and he got the rest of the day off.

Wednesday, day 45, I had an appointment at the dentist at 11, and after that I stopped at the animal shelter to pick up an application for adoption (we want to adopt two kittens.. soon!!!) It was heartbreaking seeing all of the cats and kittens and dogs in their cages, but there were a lot of volunteers, staff members and people like me, just checking them all out. I fell in love with every single one and took a few pics. Then I went to market and got back around 1:30, and after a quick lunch, I went out and got Possum ready for a spin around the neighborhood.

Some of the cats & kittens at the shelter. :( I want them all!

We went down the hill and skipped going to the end, but instead took a left and meandered down New Road for a bit. Possum was a bit sluggish.. he really didn't seem to want to go all the way to the end like he usually does. So, after a certain point and a little bit of trotting back and forth on the sandiest part of the road, we turned back and marched back up the hill. We had taken the path down the hill, then took it back up, where I let him trot for a bit. Then we walked up past Donna's and said hello to Big Mack, who was grazing in the temporary grazing paddock. He actually nickered when he saw us approaching! After that, we walked down the road and behind Lenny's. It was very windy, and I was impressed with how little Possum was spooking at everything blowing around. We stood in the sun and soaked up the views, then got back to the road where I asked him to canter a bit, then down to a trot and a walk. We walked back home and went over the little cross rail jump a couple of times, then I called it a day. We had been out a little under an hour.

Wednesday's ride.

Thursday, day 46, was the big day! Donna and I hand walked the boys down the hill and down Hancock Pond Road, to meet up with Luanne and her boy Cooper, a 9 year chestnut American Saddlebred, who she, like Donna and Big Mack, rescued from the slaughter pipeline. He's a handsome boy, and Luanne has done wonders with him.

Ready to head down to Luanne's!

As we approached Lunanne's driveway, where she was standing holding Cooper, our two boys got all high headed and bug eyed.. and their was a sweet reunion between Cooper and Big Mack, who spent many months living together up at Donna's. Possum was all excited to see Cooper and Luanne's other three - Duke, Sassy & Veronica the Shetland pony. It was a little chaotic getting ready, but we all managed to mount up and off we went.

We went down the road a bit more, then took a left on to a big fat trail. It went down a steep hill, then took a left towards a house. Our first obstacle was an old tractor.. then, as we approached the house, a black lab came out to bark, then a yellow mix dog came out to bark, too. Soon enough, the owners called them in, and the horses survived. We walked down the path for a while and explored the many little off shoots. It was a lot of fun.

Pics from our big trail ride on Thursday!

On the way back, Big Mack led, and a few times he began to trot and canter going up hills. Then, he'd stop and wait for us. After about an hour of being out, we got to the last part of the trail that led to the road, and it was a steep climb back up. Big Mack trotted, then Cooper, and I had a hell of a time holding Possum back from galloping! I had to keep his head turned to the left so he wouldn't take off on me!

Trail from Donna's P.O.V.

Trail from Luanne's P.O.V.

Everybody relaxed again, though, when we got back to the road. Then the excitement picked up again when we got back to Luanne's house and there was another loud greeting from Duke & Sassy (Veronica wasn't too phased by any of it, though.)

Donna took off Mack's saddle, and he was covered in sweat, so Luanne's loaned her a cooler for the walk home. I dismounted Possum and clipped the lead line I had brought with me on to the halter I had over his bridle, and just before leaving, I decided to put the chain over his nose.. just a bit too much excitement and he was prancing around a bit. Once we got back on the road and away from the horses and past the house with two barking German Shepards, everybody settled down. At the bottom of our hill, once again, Possum stopped and said, UM NO WAY! With many little stopping breaks, we finally all got to the top of the hill, and we said goodbye to Donna and Big Mack and got back home around 1:30 in the afternoon. Lot's of fun!