The Loop, the Loop and More Loop

The Loop, the Loop and More Loop

Unable to use our trail, (which is killing us--the weather has been so nice--the river usually low--and the winter seemed so long...) that leaves us only with the arena, riding on the loop or taking the street to get to the trails.  It is about a 15-minute trip, one way, on the road.  There isn't much room for the horses, there are bends and dips in the road and the cars go awfully fast.  Some people have been doing it, but we decided it wasn't worth the risk.

I really just don't feel like riding in the arena, anymore.  It is so hard to ride in there when it is a nice day, outside.  That leaves the loop for me.

The loop a a quarter mile track--half of it is so muddy in the spring that we seldom use it.  We go halfway, turn around and go back to the start.  Some days are dry enough that we can do full laps, but Cole complains so much about the mud, I don't like to do it unless it is fairly dry.  March means rain and snow.  There were only a few days I could make it all the way around.

It sounds like it would be easy, just going around the loop, but I have more trouble there, then in the park. I think it is because half of the time, we are heading towards home.  Some days, Cole is perfect.  Other days, not so much.

Starry does well by himself, most of the time, but it seems like if there is another horse with him, he transforms into a maniac.

I'm not kidding.  Of course, there is the thing about how he doesn't like to be in the lead, but Kevin just circles him until he listens.  That isn't so bad.  The problem is that sometimes he just gets a strange attitude--trying to buck and bounce--tail swishing.  All of this terrifies Cole.  Maybe that is what Starry wants to do?  He is the worst if there is a horse off in the distance that is on the loop or turned loose in the outdoor arena. 

The other night, he was the worst, yet.  He started fighting and bouncing.  Kevin hopped off and tried to settle him down.  He then began to rear.  Poor Cole--it was too much for him.  He went flying backwards.  I tried to spin him to get him back under control, and he reared, too.

That was enough for me--and I dismounted.  We struggled to get the horses back to the barn.  Cole settled down quicker that Starry.  I really felt bad for Kevin.  He took Starry in and lounged him.  I got back on Cole and did some quiet riding until he calmed down.  All of this started because Starry saw another horse out on the loop that horse passed us.

That wasn't the first time that Starry had a meltdown on the loop in March, but it was the worst one.

Then, there is the unexpected things that can happen.  Since we are so close to home--guess where they want to run if they spook.  Poor Ellen got it the worst when she was out by herself, this week.  She was riding at a walk towards the barn, and at the barn next door, a dozen wild turkeys took off and flew!

Poor Dante!  He dashed towards the barn.  His first thought was to run into the barn.  Ellen was able to swerve him away from that.  A few seconds later, she got him stopped.  She lost both stirrups, but she didn't lose her balance.  (It is always better to lose both stirrups than one.  That way, you don't put all your weight on one side.)

She had Dante stand until he quieted down, and then they did a little more riding before quitting.

There is always the risk of being back there when they decide to use the tractor.  The horses aren't too bad for that, but it isn't fun.  The other night, I was out there alone when, 2 doors down, the kid decided to ride his dirt bike all around.  That ruined that ride.  I stayed out there, but I only walked.  It's things like that.

We do do some trotting when the footing is good.  That make it a bit more interesting--and helps keep us warmer on the chilly days.  When riding on the loop isn't scary, for whatever reason, it gets a bit boring.

We are really, really looking forward to the trail being finished.