Real trail practice

We had a great weekend horse-camping trip last weekend! Three families from our Christian trail-riding club stayed at Santiam Horse Camp outside of Gates, OR, enjoying its great trails and top-notch facilities (I call this "Cadillac camping").

Lance took to horse-camping like an old pro. When we got there Friday evening, a couple people were preparing to go on a ride, so as soon as we set up camp, I tacked up Lance and off we went with them. Lance was interested and willing, even leading our small group of three fearlessly much of the way, careful with his feet and not once calling for his buddies from home.

The next day five of us went for a ride together, including my son and husband on Lance's pasture buddies from home. Again Lance was stellar no matter where in the line-up he was; but with the longest legs in the group he worked best as leader. He did stop and stare at the first bridge he'd ever seen (the one the dogs are crossing, above), and although I think he would have crossed it on his own eventually, I let Brian lead on his been-there, done-that pony so we didn't hold everyone else up. (On our last ride Sunday morning, Lance and I did lead our group across it; what a boy!) He also crossed various wet spots, and waded into a small pool to get a drink.

Towards the end of our Sabbath ride we were climbing, climbing, climbing. Not only was the riding there the most hill work Lance has ever done, this was at the end of the longest ride we've ever done. He started breaking into a trot and when I checked him back to a walk, He Just. Stopped. After it happened the second time I got the hint that my youngster was tired, and led him the rest of the way back to camp. He had earned a break. :-)  (A note here on equipment: Lance wore his Cavallo Simple Boots both Friday and Saturday. At the end of the long Saturday ride, there was considerable rubbing on his hoof walls, so I didn't use the boots again. I've been very happy with them for shorter rides; was disappointed that they wore on the hoof walls so much on the longer ride.)

The only other trouble we had was standing still; as here at home, Lance needs something to do. On Sunday morning while we were waiting for everyone to mount up, he started fidgeting and sashaying about and managed to get hung up on the campsite marker post cutting his inner left thigh. It is a superficial wound, but still ugly and hurts me to see it. :-(

There is a facility not terribly far away set up with three levels of trail obstacles. I'm going to see about hauling Lance over there for some schooling. It would be a good training opportunity, and would also be good preparation for the trail class at the State Fair!