solo

Many of my rides are solo rides. I like being able to choose where I'm going, speed, distance, etc. But I like riding with friends too, just a different kind of ride. I had a great ride earlier in the week with friends, and then headed out, just me and Major.

Tried to head out. As I dragged my horse up the lane, I wondered how slow he could possibly walk. Longingly looking at grass, stubbornly just stopping, the "I want to stay home" attitude was just like a sullen teenager (Yes, I remember those years. Sorry parents, I now apologize). Anyone else have solo ride issues?

Once on the actual trail he was a bit better, though needed far more encouragement as we headed away from home. I wanted to do a few hills, and we found a good one that goes up to a fancy housing development. We've done it before, but Major did not quite remember. When I pointed him away from the main trail and up the "new" trail, he took off. He either thought it was heading towards home, or just wanted to explore, but we bombed up that trail. Which unfortunately dead-ends at aforementioned fancy neighborhood. So down we went, prance prance prance.

riding solo, taking time to stop and walk down the hill

And up again. And down, and up. Repeat. I got off on some of the downs. I honestly thought he'd figure it out, as I tried to get him to just slow trot. No such luck, just a pulling contest. OK, onto the next hill. In disappointment to Major, we did not turn for home yet, but down the trail, till we got to another good hill. Up, up the old road, now it ends in a neat house with crap all over the yard. Too bad, neat place, awesome trail access.

And back down. This one we didn't repeat, I don't like the footing of mostly cracked asphalt covered in old leaves. But a nice view from higher than usual above the lake.

green glowing grass

solo view

We headed towards home, but not TO home. Major, of course, does not know the difference. No dragging this horse now! We're going home! Except we passed the turnoff. That's OK, there's another. Oh, we passed that too!

By this time I was just about DONE with my horse. But I knew I couldn't be until I got some better behavior. So down to the lake we went. As long as he just trotted, I left him alone. And finally about 9 miles into the ride he figured it out. Something clicked (or he got a tiny bit tired) and we were able to take it down a notch, and actually do some nice normal trotting, a few collected canters, and even walked without jigging.

solo tree

quiet, with vultures

That was when I was actually able to notice how lovely out it was. Birds were chirping. A slight breeze ruffled the still waters of the lake. Vultures drifted on unseen air currents. I took a deep breath, realizing how tense I'd been. Person feeds off of horse, horse feeds off of person, vicious circle.

solo idiot truck on state property

Going home we encountered another solo, this time a true idiot. Who drove his truck onto state property where no motorized vehicles are allowed, hoping to play in the mud or destroy something. Just lovely. And reported. (The problem is these trails are far from anywhere a ranger can easily access, and the parks have so little staff. But I always report, just so they know what is going on. There is a burned truck on the upper park trail. Seriously people, why live in this gorgeous area if you're going to ruin it?! Please go somewhere else. OK, rant over.)

Back through the forest was a nice cool down. I usually turn and go by Bread Rock, but this time went with Major's wishes, and took the Elephant Rock trail.

Elephant Rock: what, you can't see it?

Here it is.

Right after Elephant Rock is a tree branch that tries to kill you. I think it is worse that someone trimmed it off. It isn't trimmed short enough, and juts onto the trail to jab you in the ribs, or knock you down like a lance (idea courtesy of C, who mentioned it on a ride other day). Many obstacles on our trails!

Lance tree will try and get you, pay attention!

Back home it was warm enough for hosing, which was good because Major had the David Hasslehoff hairy chest thing going on. Long winter fur + sweaty = one non-sexy horse! In the end a good ride, while we continue to work on just about everything…