Just a Little Trail Ride

 

Recently I invited a new friend of mine to come ride with me at my friend Colleen’s ranch, 4 Winds Equestrian Center, where I am a member.

My new friend Leiah has a young gelding that she is wanting to expose to new experiences and places, but without traumatizing or overwhelming him.

And since Apache is so calm, sensible and solid on a trail ride, and 4 Winds is the safest place around to trail ride with some fun trails on varying terrain, I invited Leiah to bring her gelding Atsili so we could ride together.

 

4 Winds Equestrian Center is a special place for both me and Apache. It was the very first place I ever trail rode her before I finally bought her, over 4 years ago. Back then it was called Cedar Hills.

Apache and I with the Manzano Mountains as our backdrop.

Apache and I started off leading, which is so good for both of us, as she tends to be such a slowpoke, that we usually are always way in the back of any trail ride with friends.

Since I am familiar with the trails, it also made sense that I lead, even though it would be pretty much impossible to get lost at 4 Winds. The property is only 400 acres and is completely equine fenced.

But about halfway through, Leiah wanted to give Atsili a chance to lead, too. And Apache didn’t mind at all.

Apache is happy to follow along, ride in the middle, or lead. Although she tends to enjoy leading more, if there is an actual trail to follow. If we are just ambling around or bushwhacking, Apache seems to believe that we must be lost and we should stop and look around to get our bearings….about every 5 feet. (Something we’re working on…..)

As we rode, we could see storm clouds building and could hear thunder in the distance.

We only rode the trails for about an hour because it started to rain and Leiah wanted to ride Atsili in the indoor arena so they could work on trotting and cantering.

So we left the trails behind and rode over to the indoor arena.

Apache is not a fan of arena riding and neither am I. But it can be fun to trot and canter and just play indoors in some nice soft, deep sand on occasion.

 

Leiah and Atsili played with few “horsie toys”, like this platform.

And this “Cowboy Curtain”

And they worked on their trot and canter, too.

There had been a riding clinic held in the arena that weekend, and we were invited to come to a potluck dinner in the main house, with some of my friends and the clinician, that evening.

So after we were done playing inside the indoor arena, we tucked our ponies into a paddock with some hay and water, and Leiah and I mosied over to the main house to enjoy some good food and fun.

This was the clinician, Loal Tucker and his wife and business manager.

My riding buddy Linda. Her husband is my main egg purchaser and buys 4-6 dozen eggs every 3 weeks!

My riding buddy Karen, and new friend Shannon.

Colleen’s hubby John….”The Most Interesting Man in the World”

My friend Denise and my dear, longtime friend Colleen. In case y’all don’t remember, it was Colleen that helped me get my confidence back after I was injured by my first horse, Baby Doll. And it was Colleen who helped me find Apache and make my final decision to buy her.  

And finally, me and my new friend Leiah.

We had a lot of fun and it was a great way to spend an afternoon and evening: Riding our wonderful horses and visiting with friends.