Snowy Forest Road
I took Trooper and Abe out for a trail ride yesterday to Pack Forest. Pack Forest is an experimental forest run by Washington State University. There are hiking, biking, and horse riding trails there, really nice. Pack Forest is on Highway 7, past the junction with Highway 161, on the way to Mount Rainier after the cut-off to Eatonville, but before you get to Elbe.
There was snow along the way, but we were fortunate to have bare dry roads to travel on. This was the first time I had both the fellas out together by myself. I was hoping to ride Trooper and pony (lead)Abe.
The trainer taught them how to nicely pony last year, and the fellas want to be near each other, so I wasn't worried about it. I had to find a boulder to mount Trooper though. The saddle tends to slip over to the side. That happened twice. Finally, I got on with the saddle in the right place!
We were able to ride close enough to Abe to pick up his lead and get going. Believe you me, I didn't think that was a given! Part of the point of this trip was to get more comfortable about what we can do and handling what may come up.
I wish you could have seen the forest, the snow, and the beautiful views. The sun started to set, the clouds turned pink and we headed back to the trailer.
One word of advice, don't let your glasses fly off into the snow when it is starting to get dark! Must've had an angel on my shoulder, because I picked them out, just a thin line where the wire frame had sunk into the snow. Whew!
The fellas are so good, it's a pleasure riding out with them. They sure don't like water across the trail though! Note to self: Find a water crossing we can practice on when we are NOT in a hurry!
Trooper likes to eat snow, and so does Abe.
Tomorrow: More trail riding with friends, now how do you like that?
Happy Trails!
Auriel, Donkey Rider
There was snow along the way, but we were fortunate to have bare dry roads to travel on. This was the first time I had both the fellas out together by myself. I was hoping to ride Trooper and pony (lead)Abe.
The trainer taught them how to nicely pony last year, and the fellas want to be near each other, so I wasn't worried about it. I had to find a boulder to mount Trooper though. The saddle tends to slip over to the side. That happened twice. Finally, I got on with the saddle in the right place!
We were able to ride close enough to Abe to pick up his lead and get going. Believe you me, I didn't think that was a given! Part of the point of this trip was to get more comfortable about what we can do and handling what may come up.
I wish you could have seen the forest, the snow, and the beautiful views. The sun started to set, the clouds turned pink and we headed back to the trailer.
One word of advice, don't let your glasses fly off into the snow when it is starting to get dark! Must've had an angel on my shoulder, because I picked them out, just a thin line where the wire frame had sunk into the snow. Whew!
The fellas are so good, it's a pleasure riding out with them. They sure don't like water across the trail though! Note to self: Find a water crossing we can practice on when we are NOT in a hurry!
Trooper likes to eat snow, and so does Abe.
Tomorrow: More trail riding with friends, now how do you like that?
Happy Trails!
Auriel, Donkey Rider
posted by Auriel Ragmon | 1:49 PM
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