Ride Date - 15 December, 1999Ride Date - 15 December, 1999We did our 20 minutes of round pen, then did a one hour private lesson with Corinne. We focussed on shoulder forward and a touch of shoulder in after working on some trot/walk/halt down transitions. Then we hit the trail.
Marin Stables
We left down Canyon Trail (0.1 mi) and then turned off on Moore Trail (0.4 mi). We had to "bite" a couple of downed trees, but then did a nice walk up to Boy Scout Junction in a two point.
Boy Scout Junction (0.5 mi)
We headed up Bald Hill Trail (0.7 mi), taking time to step over the roots etc. We did have a successful "decaffination" in the dry grass. Guess it must be the hour lesson that makes the difference!
At Six Points we stopped to look and listen to the
birds, in particular a Plain Titmouse. They are really cool little gray guys with a
topknot. You have to look carefully to see them since they disappear in the
oaks against the sky.
Then we dropped down to Six Points Trail (0.3 mi) aka Redwood Trail at the barn. We did a lot of careful stepping over tree roots. It seemed to help to use both my seat and vocal breathing to slooow it down to just one step at a time.
When we got to Deer Park Fireroad (0.7 mi) we looked left and right for bikers and then hung a left. After a minute or so of walking, I asked Taylor for a canter and got it. We slowed to a trot to change leads at major changes in bend in the road. At the top, just before the junction, we dropped to a walk. No sweat.
Rather than go right home, I continued on Deer Park Fireroad (0.4 mi). We took this at a mix of sitting and collected and extended rising trots. We hung a right on Canyon Trail (0.7 mi). The upper part is lots of roots and switchbacks so our "Lamaze" breathing to go step-by-step got a lot of exercise. The good news was that for most of the way back I was able to ride on the buckle and not get jigged to death! Not true by the time we passed Moore Trail. But hey, that's a big improvement!
When we got back, another Morgan, Josephine, was working out so we threw on the cooler. Then minutes later, we went in and Taylor rolled his *ss off. But since Josephine was tied up outside, he was playing stallion and rearing up as if to say "hey, I don't take any **** off of my owner!" A big bubble with the lead line kept his play safe for me.
All in all a fun ride. It probably won't be possible much longer when the rains finally come.
I even risked petting him on the face. I don't think he's far enough along on the respect curve to make this a habit yet.