Today two friends and I decided to go on a short trail ride instead of the normal drill practice (nobody else showed up). A storm front has rolled in during the night so the day started with showers. As I saddled Max and for a moment I considered aborting but the rain let up so I finished saddling and rode Max over to my friends' house to meet up with my two trail companions.
By this point, the wind had blown out the storm clouds and it was actually cleaer and sunny with a few scattered white clouds. We proceeded to ride down Orcas Ave towards the arena at Gabriellano Park. Max and his two equine companions were all animated and buzzed up by the cool breezy weather so it made riding more difficult than usual. What also didn't help was that one of my friends would allow his horse to trot up whenever the horse felt he was falling behind. Since Max and I were bringing up the rear, Max would get excited about being left behind and he'd want to trot out.
The weather was beautiful but I really couldn't enjoy it since I was having to monitor Max's behavior. We made our way east on the Haul Road, crossing the river that empties out of Big Tujunga Canyon, and headed towards the ponds. We then made our way through the woods along a narrow single-track. I haven't been this way an awhile and in some areas there were low-lying branches that I had to duck, while having to keep Max under control. Not like when Chenault and Max used to ride through here on a regular basis.
I also think one of the basic problems was that I hadn't ridden Max for about four days and the weather was such that Max was acting fresh. Then combine with two other very active horses. I propbably should have lunged Max first- that will teach me.
After working our way down the forest trails leading away from the ponds, we decided to lead towards home since one of my friends wasn't feeling well. As we made our way down the Haul Road, the weather had rapidly changed and there was now another storm front heading our way. What was especially challenging was that one of my friends wanted to run his horse out. This probably should have been done in the arena but in the interest of time, we stopped and let him run his horse out about 500 yards down the Haul Road. Naturally, I was expecting a rodeo with Max, given his overall attitude. Fortunately, I was able to keep him in place by relaxing my seat (not easy!) and not using the bit to hold Max in check.
Shortly after, the storm hit in force- hail and driving rain. Unfortunately, while I did have a rain jacket with me, the circumstances didn't allow me to get it on so I was soaked completely through my shirt layers to my skin. Not fun.
We made our way back towards home and finally we got into a trot and decided to take refuse under the freeway bridge that crosses Orcas Ave. as it leads into Gabriellano Park. After more misery, we finaly made it to the underpass and we took refuge until the rain and hail stopped. For the most part I was able to able to calm Max down so he'd stand still but he was still anxious to get home and it showed in his demeanor.
Finally, we started up again and Max only relaxed once we turned the corner at the intersection of Orcas Ave. and Longford Street. Afterwar gettng back to the stables, I decided to run Max since he seemed so eager to move out quickly. I made Max run a number of laps around the track along with some other manuevers. Max wasn't happy with this but he needs to learn not to be barn sour.
Overall, it was a real challenging day and not a lot of fun when Max is buzzed up. In retrospect, I should have lunged Max first before simply riding off, since I hadn't ridden in four days. I also need to ramp up the riding schedule- thiswill change once my WWI event is finally DONE.
Fortunately, my riding skills are better than what they used to be and thus I was able to keep things under control. I spent the rest of the day drying off and recovering from a very wet ride- the hail wasn't so bad, the driving rain was.
Wheew!
By this point, the wind had blown out the storm clouds and it was actually cleaer and sunny with a few scattered white clouds. We proceeded to ride down Orcas Ave towards the arena at Gabriellano Park. Max and his two equine companions were all animated and buzzed up by the cool breezy weather so it made riding more difficult than usual. What also didn't help was that one of my friends would allow his horse to trot up whenever the horse felt he was falling behind. Since Max and I were bringing up the rear, Max would get excited about being left behind and he'd want to trot out.
The weather was beautiful but I really couldn't enjoy it since I was having to monitor Max's behavior. We made our way east on the Haul Road, crossing the river that empties out of Big Tujunga Canyon, and headed towards the ponds. We then made our way through the woods along a narrow single-track. I haven't been this way an awhile and in some areas there were low-lying branches that I had to duck, while having to keep Max under control. Not like when Chenault and Max used to ride through here on a regular basis.
I also think one of the basic problems was that I hadn't ridden Max for about four days and the weather was such that Max was acting fresh. Then combine with two other very active horses. I propbably should have lunged Max first- that will teach me.
After working our way down the forest trails leading away from the ponds, we decided to lead towards home since one of my friends wasn't feeling well. As we made our way down the Haul Road, the weather had rapidly changed and there was now another storm front heading our way. What was especially challenging was that one of my friends wanted to run his horse out. This probably should have been done in the arena but in the interest of time, we stopped and let him run his horse out about 500 yards down the Haul Road. Naturally, I was expecting a rodeo with Max, given his overall attitude. Fortunately, I was able to keep him in place by relaxing my seat (not easy!) and not using the bit to hold Max in check.
Shortly after, the storm hit in force- hail and driving rain. Unfortunately, while I did have a rain jacket with me, the circumstances didn't allow me to get it on so I was soaked completely through my shirt layers to my skin. Not fun.
We made our way back towards home and finally we got into a trot and decided to take refuse under the freeway bridge that crosses Orcas Ave. as it leads into Gabriellano Park. After more misery, we finaly made it to the underpass and we took refuge until the rain and hail stopped. For the most part I was able to able to calm Max down so he'd stand still but he was still anxious to get home and it showed in his demeanor.
Finally, we started up again and Max only relaxed once we turned the corner at the intersection of Orcas Ave. and Longford Street. Afterwar gettng back to the stables, I decided to run Max since he seemed so eager to move out quickly. I made Max run a number of laps around the track along with some other manuevers. Max wasn't happy with this but he needs to learn not to be barn sour.
Overall, it was a real challenging day and not a lot of fun when Max is buzzed up. In retrospect, I should have lunged Max first before simply riding off, since I hadn't ridden in four days. I also need to ramp up the riding schedule- thiswill change once my WWI event is finally DONE.
Fortunately, my riding skills are better than what they used to be and thus I was able to keep things under control. I spent the rest of the day drying off and recovering from a very wet ride- the hail wasn't so bad, the driving rain was.
Wheew!
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