First Trail Ride in about a month

Last Saturday I went out for a ride with another boarder.  It was scheduled to be about 1.5 hour ride. We went across the field to the bridge over Appleton rd.  We came across our first bikers before hitting the bridge.  We stopped and let them go by. Mona didn't even flinch.  She did well over the bridge.  We took a new trail across from the park's parking lot.  We came across bikers.  As long a Mona could see them come and go she was good.  One time we rode away as the biker was riding away and Mona spooked up to Taj. He took it like a champ.  The next time we tried this Mona practically spooked into a tree.  It's then I realized that, duh, I needed to stop and let her watch the bike drive away.  It was a beautiful day and this trail is a great trail for bikers.  (Also a great trail for shoeless horses with sensitive feet - Taj was shoeless and didn't take one bad step) Our goal was to go to the covered bridge.  We came to a spot where we were pretty sure we had missed the trail that went to the bridge.  We decided to turn around and try to find it.  We must have turned the horses around at least 3 times before we located it!  They were both troopers and took it all in stride.  When we went to turn on the trail, Mona and I stopped and Taj stopped right behind Mona.  She kicked a warning shot at him that he was too close.  She never did that to him.  I was worried that she and Taj wouldn't be able to walk side by side any more.  No worries. They did just fine. When going down the upper trail that goes along the river, I remembered the last time I rode that trail.  I was on Gene and there were dogs and he ended up moving backwards.  Not cool as there is a pretty sharp drop there.  Thankfully Sara was able to walk up to us and coax Gene forward by taking the lead.  YAY Sara and Peanut! : D  (That was the first time Sara and Peanut led on trail.  That was a few years ago.  Now Sara and Peanut ride solo.) Mona still spooks going through the covered bridge.  The echoing sound of their feet has her trotting.  Once she comes out she is good.  This time there was a car coming into the parking area. She must have thought it was chasing her as she gave a little trot.  She calmed down.  Then a park ranger was coming down the road in a pickup truck.  Mona was trotty.  I was trying to stop her and get her to look at the truck.  The woman driving came up slowly and talked to me.  Once Mona saw the truck she calmed down.  The driver said she saw Mona's ears go back and realized she was worried.  So nice :)  Then walking over the other bridge - Mona trotted a bit here as well.  Nothing big.  We ventured out on another trail and ended up in a field.  We trotted through the field Mona easily pulling ahead.  We missed the entrance of the trail and had to turn around.  I still need work on being comfortable trotting in open fields.  Now that Mona has gotten some speed she was all ready to keep trotting.  Over all though she stayed at a walk really well.  We ended up on part of the green trail and came to the field.  This time we agreed to keep it at a walk.  Mona listened very well.  As we came up to the Appleton bridge we came upon riders Taj's rider knew and she asked if it was OK if we went down to say hi.  I'm game!  Mona on the other hand took forever to get down to the trailers.  We did make it though.  I'm just as stubborn as she.  LOL Then we went back up to go over the Appleton bridge.  She walked over no problems.  We walked back through the field.    Somewhere in there we took over the lead.  Even though I haven't ridden Mona on trail in about a month, she did really well.  We ended up out for about 2.5 hours.  I'm really glad I had been lunging her almost every weekend.  She was just starting to act tired near the end.  Good to know she has the stamina for a 3 hour ride not a problem if I chose. : )  I love my girl!

Winter

Yesterday I went out to see Mona.  I think I heard it was a whopping 8 degrees with the wind chill factor.  Plan was to condition and brush her mane and tail then take her for a hike in Fair Hill.  Shortly after I arrived Sara text me they were on their way as well.  It turned out we took both Peanut and Mona out on a hike.  I wanted to work with Mona on the hill where apparently all the evil in Fair Hill lives.  Mona went up the hill with me lunging her in cirlces and slowly working our way up.  At one point I just stopped and had her walk/trot in cirlces hoping she would want to walk in a straight line.  I couldn't get her to take more than a couple steps then she would spook and I'd have to pull her back into a cirlce.  I have some ideas on how to work with her including to just spend a lot of time on the hill.  Walking down the hill I was able to get her to walk a few steps then ask her to stop and drop her head. I let her eat a few bites of grass then repeated.  She didn't give one stride of trot on the way down.  Progress!

Ring Work

For the last few weeks I have been working with Mona in the ring.  I am working on training Mona to learn a canter cue in the saddle.  The last 2 weeks she has responded wonderfuly on the lunge line.  I'm trying to let the height of the whip tell her how fast her stride should be.  I'd have to say she is responding very nicely.  I just wish I had a better seat to ride her.  I really need many more long rides on her to help.  Last weekend I did ride her in the ring a bit after lunging.  Trying to get her to stay in frame at the walk...  We need so much work.  Hoping to get out this weekend to work with her again.  Snow in the forcast and my mother in law visiting may interfere.  I'm looking forward to longer days...

Slacking

Well, Mona and I have been on a few adventures since I last stopped in here.  One that I remember the most is where we were riding with some peeps from the barn.  We were coming out of the woods on top of the hill where Mona has been spooking.  Just as we pop out a big gust of wind came out of nowhere.  Mona freaked out and took off a few strides with me before I was able to stop her.  One of the other mares had already completely lost her marbles.  I worked Mona down the hill slowly, turning her a few times.  When we reached the bottom I took a deep breath and realized I was shaking.  I can't ever remember feeling like that on any horse.  I continued to ride and breath and Mona relaxed a bit as well.  The other mare not so much.  The other rider ended up positioning her horse right behind Mona.  Mona and I were now leading back to the barn.  Mona was still worried but able to work through it.  I really need to give Mona more credit and trust than I do.  I'm learning so much with each ride.

Another successful ride!

Sunday Mona and I rode out with another boarder for another 2 hour ride.  We did the same ride to the covered bridge in reverse.  Mona was exposed to all kinds of things. Open fields with some wind - she didn't care.  Crossed the low sided bridge with cars traveling under - all in stride.  Across the bridge we came on 2 riders and 2 bikers sitting at an intersection.  We rode between no problem.  We did some trot across the field.  Mona stayed in trot and didn't try to race.  We crossed the bridge heading to the covered bridge.  Coming across there was a pickup truck and a biker who passed us. Mona was a little concerned but walked on.  Then here comes a car and some people and a stroller.  Just a little more than she could handle.  She spooked a foot or so to the left.  Amazingly I stayed with her.  I coaxed her to walk and she did.  We come to the bridge there is a Mom and her son carrying fishing poles with bobbers.  Not so sure of those things.  On the other side of the bridge we see there are a few kids.  We are ready for them to just all of a sudden appear and inadvertently spook the horses.  We walked through side by side and both horses did great and no spooking when they saw the kids on the other side. Yay!  Next we rode though a small farm.  Mona is a little worried through that area but does well.  We come to the field and Mona starts to trot.  I turn her and get her back at a walk.  There are bikers and joggers and riders.  Lots of input.  Over all she does really well.  We get on trail and head back to the barn.  Mona gave me a few trots down some hills but over all was a good horse.  Each ride I can see improvement.  I just need to keep consistent with her.

I had one of the best trail rides today!

Started out with Antoinette/Taj and Craig/Cheyenne.  I had issues getting Mona across the street.  With a little motivation from a lunge whip used as a dressage whip we got across.  

As we crossed the stream Mona was a little anxious.  I looked behind us and saw a couple riders coming up slowly behind us.  As we went up the trail a little further, we took a right and we all tucked in so the the riders could pass. 

Craig was leading and after the horses went by Cheyenne started to act up.  Craig thought it was because Mona upset her.  He rode back to the barn solo.

With Cheyenne heading back to the barn, Mona wanted to as well.  I told her no we were continuing on.  After a couple minutes we were following patient Taj.

Mona was worried and curious about things and noises around us.  Over all though she was doing well.  We went up the hill that she would really like to canter up but I put her behind Taj and she walked.  HeHe

Then we took the first right on top of the hill and then went left.  There is a dip there and is a load of fun.  Mona went first and sorta spooked at the fallen tree at the bottom then mosied up the other side.  Awesome horsie!  HeHe

Then Antoinette asked if I would like to ride to the covered bridge.  We had to go up to the field where the last time we went through, there was some guys shooting guns target practicing.  Mona I think remembered as it took some encouraging her to move forward.  As she did!  HeHe

We went through the tunnel and headed to a trail I love.  As we were getting to the field to get to trail there was a group of about 10 people walking up the road.  Mona was unsure about them.  It took a bit of coaxing to get her going in the right direction.  As she did! HeHe

Antionette and I both thought getting a branch of some sort for the bridge, just in case, would be a good idea.  Antionette located a nice branch and handed it to me for modification.  I must have snapped pieces off the branch at least 3 times.  Mona just stood still.  HeHe

On we go.   We get to a field and on the other side of a building  there were horses coming up towards us and other horses cantering on the bottom of the hill away from us.  Mona just walked next to Taj.  HeHe

When we got to the bridge I just looked at the other side and me and Antoinette were talking and Mona was worried but never stopped.  The last couple of strides coming out of the bridge she trotted but over all she did awesome!  Branch not needed.  HeHe

We walked by people and dogs and trailers and picnic tables.  And I led her through puddles of water. A car was following us slowly.  Again, awesome!  HeHe

Next is a bridge with high sides over running water.  Again, no branch needed.  As we came to the other side there were a couple horses.  As we went on the trail to the left we could hear them going over the bridge. Mona was a little worried but handle it all in stride.  I ditched the branch.  HeHe

We walked along a fairly narrow trail and up ahead down on the gravel road there was a tractor.  Mona couldn't care less.  HeHe

We took a left turn into a field that eventually led us to Appleton Rd and we took the bridge with low sides.  There was a lot of traffic going by.  Taj and Mona did a little spook but we think it was probably the horses in the field on the other side of the bridge.  Both walked over the bridge with traffic going under with no issues.  Mona actually put her head down to the bridge to smell it.  Have I said how much I love my horse!  HeHe

Next we took the fields back to the trail by the barn.  Mona did awesome!  She stayed at a walk even though there were a couple times she really did want to trot/canter off.  One of these days she will have that opportunity.   I actually can't wait!  

Second Solo Ride

Yesterday, Turkey Day, I decided to go to the barn to spend some time with Mona.  I saddled her up, put her bridle on her and a helmet on my head and we went out for a hike (I was walking with her, not riding).  I walked her across the street, with some strong coaxing (she gets some bad vibe or something over there). 

We no sooner get across the street then we hear some kids running through the woods just being kids.  But to Mona I think she thought the woods were alive.  She wanted so bad to turn around and run.  Her knees were shaking and her head was up and her eyes were all bugged out. 

I stopped her and had her face the young boys.  Two of them came out of the woods and one of them called back to the other two still in the woods coming our way as well to be quiet there was a horse.  He apologized for scaring Mona.  He actually said "I'm sorry ma'am for scaring your horse".  So cute.  He asked if she was friendly and patted Mona's nose.  Then he said, "the other boys are coming and we are playing. They are after us.  I said go ahead.  You got a lead as Mona makes a good block as she was still facing the woods the trail was blocked.

Mona at this point was a little calmer but not by much.  We weren't but a few yards from the road at this point.  I'm thinking probably not going to get to ride her.  But we hiked on. 

We came to the stream and for some reason when she crossed the stream she came over to me.  So I turned her around and I was going to mount her as there is a high embankment and I could practictly step over on her.  As I prepared to do this she walked off.  Guess I wasn't ready to mount.  Probably just as well.

As we walked up the hill after the stream, Mona heared or sensed something and she was all upset again.  I'm thinking this was probably not a good idea.  We walked a bit further as up around the corner is a bike ramp that makes for a good mounting block.  I looked at Mona's eyes and her knees and her breathing and thought not yet. 

So we doubled back the way we came. I'm thinking at this point there is no way I'm going to safely ride her. 

I thought about mounting her where Sara mounted Peanut and I have mounted Cheyenne.  Again, I looked at Mona and thought - no not yet.

I kept looking at the sides of the trail looking for a downed tree/log something to mount Mona.  We came back across the stream.  At this point we are hearing the boys again.  I am talking to Mona telling her the voices are the boys she just met.

We walked across the field and I looked at Mona again.  She was still very worried and we could see the boys.  They were with their, I'm assuming Dad, who was sitting near a tree enjoying the sound of the stream and the ray of sun coming through the trees.

I decided, even though she still looked worried, she was going to work through it and I was going to ride her back to the barn.  She stood perfectly still and she got her treat for being so good.  Her head was high as we took the little turn to the left as there in full view were 4 noisey boys and a man.  I let her take it all in.  Then I talked to her and we walked up to and past the boys. 

She was still nervous but I really think she felt a little better with me on her.  It was not what I had expected at all.  Mona stopped a couple tmes and I relaxed her head and coaxed her on.  I started singing 100 bottles of beer on the wall to keep me relaxed the rest of the way back to the barn.  She did great working through her fear.  She even walked down the hills where when we are with other riders she likes to trot down.

I did not get to ride as much as I wanted to but I did get to ride.  And considering how nervous she was, I think we did ok.  When back to the barn, I groomed/moisterized her mane and tail.  She was all kinds of relaxed after her spa treatment.