The Turkey Trot
We did the Turkey Trot trail ride yesterday. It was Sarge's first trail, and I had no idea how he'd respond to that kind of thing-- not to mention that there would be a lot of other horses there.
Well... he was a total rockstar. Wanted to GO at the beginning, and make new friends, and trot nonstop, but settled down once we got away from other horses/this mare that was probably in heat. Kate and I found a few places to let them loose... turns out Sarge can keep up with War, though Kate also wasn't letting War all out. There was this slight incident when we were galloping and I went into two point and Sarge was like "WHAT" *buck* but hey, we'll work on that, haha.
We will also work on water crossings. I was dumb and wore my tall boots. Let's just say they got washed in a creek and my feet got squishy because I had to lead him through. Also, some idiot old cowboy was all "ZOMG that is SO unsafe, leading a horse, omg, if he spooks he'll jump on you and then if he gets away your horse will be gone." Yes, because if he spooks with me on him and bucks me off and I end up concussed in the middle of the woods, and then he runs away and I have no horse, that's so much better. After the fact, we realized we should have told the guy, "Sir, it is SO unsafe to ride alone. Where is your buddy? If something happens, NO ONE will know that you're lying in a ditch in the woods!" (He was, however, counterbalanced by the crazy old friendly cowboy with a lip piercing that we met after the ride.)
Also, we were totally recognized by a girl from Rutgers. :D Coming down the path to a street crossing, where she was stationed, and I hear, "omg, is that SARGE?!" haha. Granted, I was in a Rutgers polo, which helped, but still.
I think, because he's a fast learner, next time water won't be quite as much of an issue. Unfortunately, there's not a great way to work on that except by trail riding more. But, now that we know that he's fine on trails, Kate and I are planning to go a lot more. YAYYYYY!
Here, have a photo from afterwards!
I love this ponyface.