Out in the World

Tacoda got to take his first ride out in the big world. We trailered to RV Griffin Park, which is a SWFWMD conservation area that allows horseback riding. He was more excited than nervous and was just in wonder at seeing other horses that he didn't know out on the trail. It was very busy there with lots of other horses. I used the sidepull with a hard rope nose so it had a little more bite if he got out of hand but I didn't need it. He stayed in line. I need to break out the snaffle bit though so I can keep soft contact on him. I'm trying to keep him in a nice 4 beat walk.

We kept it brief.. only an hour. And on the way back he got to ride alongside another group of horses which was really good for him. By the time we got to the final gate, he wasn't prancing and trying to rub all over the other horses. He was minding his own business and doing what he was supposed to... though he did keep peeking at them. He was very animated out there.

Here's a pic after I hosed him off after the ride. You can see other trailers and people in the background.

Here is a pic of Sweetpea and Peg. She's doing great. A very steady and bold trail horse. Great Paso gaits. She gets a little fiesty on the way back but listens well. She's very repsonsive. Her weight is fluctuating. She seems to gain a couple of pounds then lose one. The weight going across her topline is slow. But she looks a world better than she did when we got her.