Followers

About

My photo
I'm a children's author. Animals are a constant source of writing material for me. They are also my heart!

At Last...

>> Monday, March 22, 2010

It's been a very long time since I've been on a trail ride. If you've been following my blog for awhile you know that I got Tango when he was very young. He had never had a saddle on and I thought I was a better rider than I was. The long and short of it is that I was walking Tango around a bean field and a dog came out of nowhere and started to chase my boy. He ran right out from underneath me. I didn't think I was hurt but I was wrong. I ruptured my spleen. My husband insisted that I move Tango to a barn with an indoor arena. I can ride around the farm where Tango is boarded (and it's beautiful there) but I have been terrified of wooded trails since then.
Kathy made me feel at ease from the get-go. She took photos of everything from start to finish. Just above is her "butt" shot of Princess (Kathy's seasoned trail horse) and Tango. Once the horses were on Kathy's trailer I began to get excited. I had a dry mouth, but I was excited nonetheless!

And when we reached our destination in Mt. Vernon, Ohio and began our treck through the woods, I was like a kid in a candy shop. Over the years Tango's grown up. He was amazing. I couldn't quit smiling. Tango handled downed branches and vines like a pro. At one point he got tangled up in a vine. I felt momentary panic and then I asked my boy to back up...which he did. That didn't help. He was still stuck. Then an idea came to me like a bolt of lightening. This horse can break out of anything, I thought. He gets out of stalls and fences like they are made of paper...he can surely break through this vine. I asked Tango to move forward and he did. That was icing on the cake. My smile turned into a brilliant beam!


And if the trail ride wasn't enough joy for the day, guess what? There was an obstacle course on the property for the horses. Here you see Tango and Princess pondering the ropes that were hanging like a shower curtain.




Did they go through?








Yes they did! Here's Kathy on Princess!
















And here's me on Tango pony!










We rode for over two hours and then went back to the trailers where the horses got hay and water. We ate our packed lunches. This picture doesn't look amazing but it is. Why you ask? Because the last time that Tango was tied to a trailer my boy rocked it back and forth until we thought it was going to fall down. Yes, my boy has grown up. Or maybe I've grown up.
Skip all that. I think Kathy just worked magic on a beautiful sunny day.




16 comments:

Kas March 23, 2010 at 2:53 AM  

Jan, that sounds like a wonderful experience, so glad it was so positive.

Sally March 23, 2010 at 3:43 AM  

Well done! We are so pleased you faced that fear - with the help of a lovely friend - hope to see more trail rides in the future. Lots of licks
Sally and Paddy

CATachresis March 23, 2010 at 5:26 AM  

What a terrific breakthrough. You must feel like you're dancing on clouds Jan x

Anonymous March 23, 2010 at 7:24 AM  

Jan,

I had a great time too! Thanks for going and I can't wait until we get to do it again :)

Kathy

Unknown March 23, 2010 at 9:03 AM  

High five to you!!!!! That is just wonderful!

DJan March 23, 2010 at 9:22 AM  

What a great story! I rode a horse once in my teens and had a wonderful time, but it wasn't something I did again, because I got distracted by being a teenager interested in boys.

Oklahoma Granny March 23, 2010 at 11:14 AM  

So happy everything went well for you and Tango.

Kim March 23, 2010 at 4:53 PM  

I am so happy for you & Tango! NOTHING beats the smell & feel of a horse! Congrats to you both! :) God bless...

2cats March 23, 2010 at 8:07 PM  

What a great way to spend a spring day. I think maybe you and Tango have grown into each other with love and respect.

Honeygo Beasley March 23, 2010 at 9:47 PM  

Wow, how nice ... I agree with previous commenters. What a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing!

Tweedles -- that's me March 23, 2010 at 11:14 PM  

How fun was that!
It looked like a ride that made in paradise to me.
Tango is comfortable now.
He is brave,
and so are you.
xoxoxox

Suzanne Ross Jones March 24, 2010 at 5:01 PM  

Fantastic. Well done.

XX

Melinda March 24, 2010 at 5:08 PM  

That is terrific!!! Isnt it just wonderful when a plan comes together?....
I can see your pride glowing from here for Tango...!

Soggibottom March 25, 2010 at 7:49 AM  

Brave you. Really great to hear a feel good factor story. X X X

Sandy March 25, 2010 at 10:30 AM  

YIPPEE for it was indeed a good day. Nice pictures!

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life March 25, 2010 at 10:26 PM  

Came for a visit... haven't been in a little while. Enjoyed seeing all your beautiful pet photos....

We'd Love to See Who You Are - We Know You're Adorable for Sure!

Blogger templates made by AllBlogTools.com

Back to TOP