Adventures

I have been in a bit of a funk lately, so I decided that a full on pony weekend was necessary.  I have been wanting to go on a relaxing trail ride, but the relaxing part can be pretty hit or miss with Stinker.  Saturday, I did our normal walk warm up then lunged him and since he was being really relaxed decided to give the trail ride a go.

Best ears!

I was taunting friends about riding in a tank top because I am mean like that.  There were also selfie attempts.  Not to mention the creating of a hole.  He had the dumb luck of stepping where there was a tunnel under the ground and it didn't hold.  It was a deep hole, but we were at the walk and he wasn't any worse for the wear.

We made a hole.

I decided to brave the path that I always get lost on because it is the longest (and also the least used hence the getting lost part).  It wraps around the edge of the property where the neighborhoods back up to the wooded land.  There is a nice strip of grass along a ditch and a small pond, which I always like.  I thought I was so clever and broke some branches where I typically get lost.

Ditch plus pond

I made it past that part just fine, but then I got to the area that has quite a bit of erosion and missed the path.  Once I realized my mistake, me were in a fair amount of small trees and under brush.  I tried turning us around, but didn't retrace my steps exactly and got into some soft ground.  As soon as I felt him start sinking I gave him the reins and ducked for cover.

Unfortunately, he didn't pick the most human friendly path and I caught a branch in the face.  It cut my lip and gave me a scratch that runs from the corner of my mouth down my chin (I'm going to look super classy at work).  We also went through some rather dense branches and his brow band came unsnapped on one side.  Luckily I noticed it and pulled it off before it became a trail ride casualty.\

Ear bonnet wonky, sans brow band, that is how we roll

After I gave him his head he plowed straight back to the path and was snuffling his way along.  Obviously my horse is better at directions than me, whoops.  Should have thought about that earlier.  We both came out just fine, well I had a few scratches and a sunburn.  Redhead problems.

Awkward selfie, cute pony, and mishaps sounds like a good day

It was a fantastic day even with the mishaps.  Plus he was stellar for the trail ride and only got a little nervous back by the houses.  Typically there is lots of prancing and multiple spooks, so this was a huge improvement.  He also was rideable and let me do some shoulder ins to break up the tension when he did get nervous.  Afterwards he got a bath (he did not appreciate it), but he was nice and clean for about 30 seconds.