Ride Date - 20 November, 1999Ride Date - 20 November, 1999We got a late start today (about 2:30) because I had to go to Marin Tack and Feed and buy a new bit. It took me an hour to put the damn thing on because I have a headstall (sold by Dennis Reis) that is all leather thongs attaching the bit to the headstall. Same for the chin strap. But the pony loves it. And I like the mecate reins!
Taylor and I left the stables and walked down Canyon Trail (0.6 mi), and then cantered up the fire road cutoff (0.1 mi). As we reached the top, he spooked (for the first time) when heard a bike go past above him.
We took Junction Trail (0.25 mi), then looked both ways and crossed over Deer Park Fire Road to Six Points Trail (0.57 mi.). The folks at the barn call this "Redwood Trail. I was real happy to see that Taylor was able to walk over the bridge with no problem this time. In the future I think we'll try to trot up this trail. I'll have to get my two point back in shape for that!
We swung over to Yolanda Trail (0.93). Taylor was ready to boogie here and when he wasn't paying attention, slipped one rear foot down the hill. Gulp. The rest of our walk was uneventful. At Worn Spring Fire Trail we hung a left and started looking for Buckeye Trail. Rats! It's recently been signed as a No Horse trail. So we continued on down Worn Spring (0.4 mi). I didn't read the trail marker to the left and continued on. We went down some steep slopes, and then into the trees until we were stopped with a tree across the trail. Unfortunately, it was a 1.5 foot jump on one side, and dropped 3 feet on the other. I got off and tried to see if we could walk it, but it was too risky. As I got on, I caught my glasses on tree branch and crunched 'em. So until I can get to the optometrist, its Dr Dean Oddell (2.75X) for me! And Dr Dean for riding glasses.
Then we went back UP the hill with Taylor panting, and read the trail sign. Deer Park Trail (1.13 mi). This is a gorgeous trail along the hillside, a bit scary with the rocks. But I can remeber how gorgeous it is in the Spring when all the flowers are in bloom. Can't wait.
At the school we waited for a bunch of kids on bikes to whiz by, and then gently stepped over the gate. We turned right on the Deer Park Fire Road (0.7 mi). When the coast was clear I let Taylor out to trot. He can really cover a lot of ground with his extended trot. It's almost too fast to post to! We slowed to a jog when we went past the puffing bicylists, and then opened up again. After about a half a mile at Oak Tree Junction, the fire road goes up hill and I let Taylor do an easy canter. When I could see the top of the hill I asked for a trot, then a walk by "taking the hind end away" just slightly.
We went over to the Moore Trail (0.4 mi) and tap danced down the roots. Finally Taylor is getting used to slowing down and stepping down these drops rather than just booking ahead. And very little jigging this time. I think my trainer Corinne's idea of backing him up, preferably up a hill, when he jigs on the way home has been an effective retraining technique. We hung a right on Canyon Trail (0.1) and walked back to the barn.
I'd value your comments. Email me at mike@thoma.com.