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Do not attempt this
at home!
Rosie, Alakaset with Birgit,
and Windy climb up the trail
This trailride was closely
monitored by a professional -- that would be me, Rena. Birgit,
who describes herself as a beginner, is riding Alakaset, our stallion,
on trail. Our herd follows loose. Alakaset's daughter
Windy is here, and so is Rosie, a mare he bred and has a filly with.
Basek, gelding, 27, has had rivalry issues with Alakaset in the past. |
Safety considerations:
Birgit on Alakaset,
followed by Rosie
What was everyday life for
old-time ranchers has become rare, unknown, and therefore dangerous: riding
in a herd of loose horses. Riding with loose horses increases the danger
of trailrides. All parties, the ride manager/trainer, the student rider,
as well as the horses themselves, need to have practiced certain procedures.
This lifestyle not usually possible in a typical riding school environment. |
Riding in the sunset
Birgit's is confident that
the horses will behave in part because we tested this horse group the day
before. Birgit and I led Alakaset and Gal from the ground, and this same
combination of loose horses folowed us on the first section of this trail.
One of my basic safety requirements is that a student doesn't simply believe
me because I say so, but tests for themselves to actually see if something's
safe and if it feels right for them. |
Birgit practices turns and
transitions, walk -stop, and walk -trot, on a meadow, while the other horses
graze.
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Pampas-grass is just coming
up. It is generally considered an invasive, non-native weed ... but I can't
pass up a pretty picture.
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Dismounting
is a safety measure when
going back home, and on a steep downhill.
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I was thinking, the loose
horses might run home, or at least squirt past us. They did not. They stoped
when we stopped, and walked when we walked.
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Rosie, Windy and Basek are
headed home, ahead of us. But, notice Rosie looking back. They waited for
us to catch up.
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