Trail Ride - A new test for Smokey Part 2

TR and Woody

When I first stepped into the stirrup, Smokey began to move. Darn it!

I stepped down, relaxed my mind, and moved his feet quickly. Then I came back and asked him again to stand.

He stood still and I mounted. He took a step - but that's something we are still working on, so I turned him and he settled.

I flexed him twice, and he did so willingly. It was then I really let go of what happened in the parking lot. That was over. I was riding this horse, the one in my hands NOW.

I trust you. You can trust me.

At the start of the trail there are two poles, meant to discourage vehicular traffic. However their placement and height can discourage equine traffic as well. Smokey and I let Woody lead through (Cibolo never would go through that opening either, we always had to send Lily through first), and fell into the middle slot. Lola is a little touchy so I didn't want to take a chance getting kicked, especially since my foot is starting to finally heel (I'm still in das boot).

Don't-Sniff-My-Butt-Lola and former barrel racer, H.

The trails at the lake are not for the weak at heart. You are going to ride through all kinds of terrain. And we did. We rode through everything. Tall weeds. Open fields. We trotted. We walked.

There was even a moment when Woody, the best trail horse I know, spooked. Smokey stood calmly by, waiting for whatever the next step was. (Woody eventually got over the puma-like-bush, with a little urging from TR. In fact, it made us all laugh, Woody is so good we all figured something HAD to be in there.)

Smokey and I led in some spots with no trouble. We tried finding a trail I hadn't been on much, but I couldn't figure out where to turn off, so we doubled back. We went to the trail end and cantered in the open area.

And for a moment, we galloped. Woody's pretty fast with his lope, so it was really the only option. Then Smokey rated down nicely. Then we left the herd and cantered on our own.

Several times TR commented that he liked Smokey, liked him for me, that we fit well together, he liked his temperament, his kind eye.

Was Smokey winning over his greatest skeptic?

As we left the field and headed for the loop back, we heard someone calling. It was D, who had ridden her Arab Amigo down from the barn (along a busy street no less) in hopes of joining up with us! What great timing!

On the way back we headed for that 'off the beaten path' trail that I didn't find but that D knows, but even D missed the trail somewhere. We bushwacked through hills and rocks and fallen branches. Smokey handled the terrain well, working over rocks easily, never tenderfooted (although I did work to keep him out of the worst of it).

Here we are, backing up for our photo.
I had left Smokey's bridle on in case I needed to lead him.
Nope. He's also wearing a cambon which D has had him in,
and which I continue to ride in most of the time.

Smokey had one spook with a deer, but again, it was rideable. Not like my vulture experience, which was an "out of saddle" experience. And better yet, Smokey came right back together, as if nothing had happened. Most horses I've gone through a serious spook with will jig or dance for a mile until they recover their brain...

D and I talked about what happened in the parking lot and she reminded me that as good as Smokey is, he's still a young horse. He's going to get worried. It's okay. As our bond grows, he will be more comfortable facing such situations with me and won't get as worried. He'll gain confidence in my leadership - over time.

I asked if there was anything else I should have done, but she didn't have any other suggestions (anyone? anyone? Bueller?).

Then it was time for swimming in the lake, which felt exactly like you'd imagine it would feel to be riding in 95 degree heat then swimming with your horse in a beautiful lake, the water cooling you off until you don't feel the heat anymore and your horse is groaning with pleasure and blowing bubbles in the water.

Heaven.

At the end of the swim and as we were loading up I asked TR what he thought, and if I could "keep" Smokey.

He said no, HE wanted to buy him.

We laughed and he asked for "right of first refusal" our little joke I used to have about Woody - if he was ever for sale, he'd have to offer him to me first.

I'd say that Smokey won him over - with fair caution about the nervousness without other horses. We'll work on that. I'm not worried.

Smokey and I have nothing but time ahead of us.