Drafty Trail Rides

Alice's trail training continues. We went out again yesterday and she was a very good girl on our nearly two hour trail ride. We saw a lot of things ranging from dirt bikes to a military Humvee surrounded by at least twenty men in camouflage. Alice handled all of that like a seasoned pro, but there was one thing that upset her.

Other horses.

The horror! I know.

We were heading back in when we ran into a pair of riders on a gray and a pinto coming at us. They were very considerate in their approach and I informed them that Alice hasn't seen much of the world just yet.

Alice had stopped with her head up on high alert, and I could feel her heart pounding through the dressage saddle. I let her just stand and stare as the other horses approached us at the walk. I had a feeling she was going to do something dumb, and I was right.

Just as they were almost next to us, Alice decided she couldn't handle it any more and spun 180 degrees and bolted. I was prepared and got her stopped and turned back around in just a few strides. I think the other riders were horrified. I know Alice's owner was stunned.

I dismounted and let her stare some more while the other riders went on their way. She was wide-eyed, but behaved herself. Once they were past us, I climbed back on board and we carried on like nothing had ever happened. I had to laugh at the silliness of it. Loud noises, rushing traffic, barking dogs, rushing water... all of those are fine... but apparently horses carrying humans in the forest are just too much to bear. Never mind that we've had one with us the entire time!

All in all, it was a lovely ride on a beautiful spring day. I am sure that Alice is going to get better and better with more miles. She already seems to have surpassed Marcus in terms of fitness, and I think she'll be a great trail horse in no time.

Best of all, they really are a matching pair: