Born to Be a Trail Horse

(A few minutes after coming across deer)

As our trail riding and lessons with Katie have progressed, my daughter and Katie will usually take Tumbleweed’s hour as an opportunity to ride together. Daughter on Epona. Katie on Tweed. 

Yesterday, however, my daughter couldn’t come to the lesson, so we spent the entire two plus hours on a trail ride, me on Tweed, and Katie on Epona. I was super excited to see Epona in action on the trails, and since she has, apparently, been good, so far, at following, we wanted to shake it up a bit and have her take the lead.

We got an early start, as it was going to be a hot day and, since it was hot, decided to ride to the river and play in the water.

You’ll remember from one of my last posts that we came across a herd of deer crashing through the trees on one ride. Well, in that same area we ascended a heavily wooded hill to get to the bluff and, as we cleared the trees, came smack dab onto a doe nursing her fawn. 

It was the prettiest sight I’ve ever seen, and mama and baby did not seem fazed by us. Baby continued to nurse. 

The horses, however, were unsure, and Epona, who was in the lead, gave them a wide berth. Tumbleweed was snorting and looking for an exit route, probably thinking they could come crashing at us again, but he stayed with me. 

That area is, indeed, a deer sanctuary. For whatever reason, probably the density of trees there, they have chosen that spot. Good to know for future rides.

It took two hands to guide him, so no photos of mama and baby. 

The horses calmed right down and I was able to get the photo above. 

Our next “obstacle” on the way to the river was a group of kids, about 10 of them, who were on a hike and running free, chasing each other, through the trees we had to also go through. I called out to them to please stop and when they finally heard me, they did.

As we rode by we rested the horses and talked to the kids. We explained why we had asked them to stop. Thanked them. Then moved on.

Finally, we got to the river after a number of descents and more people, bikes, and scary graffiti. A lot is thrown at them at Riverside State Park. It is a mix of wildlife, water, campers, fishermen (the casting of the lines also scared the horses), hikers, bikers, and fill in the blank.

This would be the first time Epona was introduced to the river. Tweed was there last fall. Both were very unsure. 

We dismounted and brought them up to the edge. 

Tweed pawed around and took a drink. Epona did the same. 

Then Katie remounted and asked Epona to walk into the water forward. She didn’t want to at first and Katie didn’t push her.

Instead, Katie turned her around and backed her in slowly.

Once she got used to the water, she backed in much further, stood, then walked out forward. 

And voila—we got this! (That’s Tumbleweed snorting in the video as water was splashing him.)

As we were riding back we talked about Epona and how she doesn’t like round pen or arena work, but loves the trails. She is smart, level-headed, and when the trail is unsure, she walks slowly and takes very careful steps. She has great foot awareness, and I’ve always known that about her. She has her mother’s fearlessness. 

In other words, she was born to be a trail horse. 

We also talked about what a good trail match these two horses are. Tweed went into the water after Epona splashed him enough times. I was able to ride him along the shallow end and reward him by leaving. 

Later, there was a burnt log he refused to go over, but followed Epona when she did. 

The two of them really love each other and gather courage from each other, too. It works both ways. There are many things that Tweed does more confidently and Epona follows. 

At only five years old, though, Epona is shaping up to be the kind of horse you can put anyone on and head down the trail. Which is a good thing. 

Because someday she is slotted to be grandson’s horse. 

Cowgirl and my daughter were pregnant at the same time and gave birth a few months apart. They even have pregnancy photos together. We always felt that Epona and grandson were destined to have an intertwined journey. 

It’s looking like that may happen. Time will tell.