Why did the Horses Cross the Road?

My neighbor friend, Val , and I went riding yesterday. It had been almost 2 weeks since I'd ridden Baby Doll, so she was a bit cranky. I worked her in the round pen for a little while first, on transitioning and on giving me her focus.
We ended up having to go another round, even after she 'joined up' with me, because she lost her focus and ignored my requests to back-up and disengage.
After the second join-up, though, I felt we were finally on track, so I mounted and we set off on the trails around our neighborhood.

Baby Doll was still a bit cranky and a little barn-sour as we left the neighborhood. She didn't give me any crowhops this time, but was heavy on the hand, leaning and pulling the reins in the direction towards home. I insisted that we move forward with a little leg and firm voice and she finally relented, relaxed her neck and walked on down the trail.

Val, and Scout, her appy/paint/arabian gelding, were enjoying the beautiful warm fall day with some trotting and cantering.
Don't they look great together?


We left the 'Back Forty' behind our neighborhood and decided to explore an area of about 60 acres, across the county road, from our neighborhood. This is a pretty busy road during the morning and evening, with large trucks, cars, and motorcycles all driving at least 45 mph or more. It's also a very hilly road where folks should know better than to drive so fast.

I was a little cautious about the road crossing as it was the first time for me while riding my horse, but I was also looking forward to exploring, by horseback, the open space across the road.

We crossed the asphalt county road at our gravel drive and then walked along the roadside for a little ways before we got to another gravel road that led to the open space 'entry'. Baby Doll did really well and we stayed behind Val and Scout as we maneuvered through the gopher holes and gourd brambles alongside the road.
Just as we were about to turn down that gravel road, a motorcycle roared up behind us and even surprised me. Both Scout and Baby Doll jumped forward, but quickly composed themselves as we turned off the gravel road and into the empty field.

It was fun to explore the open fields together, even though Baby Doll had picked up the pace a bit and was leaning heavily on the reins toward the direction of the barn, as if she was a car needing a front end alignment.
My shoulders and upper back are still a bit sore today and I'm wondering if using a bit, instead of my Bitless Bridle, might have been more helpful in giving some lightness to her head and neck.

After about 30 minutes of riding around the fields, it was starting to get dark, so we headed back home again. We crossed back over the road again, without episode. And for me and my horse it was another successful turning point in our riding relationship together.

After riding back to our neighborhood we rode around a little while longer, letting the horses visit another neighbor's horses, and my chickens, goats, sheep and llamas.


Scout and my female llama, Cataleya used to have a 'thing' together when our llama pasture was on the other side of our property, beside Val's arena. They would rub noses and nibble each other's necks. They were so cute together.

Just as we were ready to put our ponies away, Ranchman John, came home from work and offered to take a photo of Val and I together on our horses.


Why did the horses cross the road?
To get back to the barn for hay and cookies, of course.