And so it begins

I have a good start on my winter riding goal, with one trail ride on Ginger and one short bareback ride on Ollie.

Today was the first snow of the season to stick in my town, so naturally I wanted to take a trail ride.

Ginger had her first trail ride last week. We rode in the pine woods, which is just a couple of short trails. She did good for her first trail ride ever. She tried to shoot backwards a couple of times, and spooked at a water puddle in the distance (she walked through water before this just fine). When she saw it, she did a dead stop, then tried to go backwards. I insisted she keep facing the puddle, and stop going backwards. We did a lot of walking forward, she realized she didn't want to go passed it, back up, forward, refuse, back up, etc etc. In the mean time she let out a few SUPER loud, echoing snorts. We eventually got passed it, and I made her walk back and forth the puddle a few times (and through it). 

Anyways, back to today... I chose to take Ginger out instead of Ollie because I want to get a few more arena rides on Ollie before taking her out (especially alone). It had been snowing all day, but just lightly so there wasn't very much on the ground, just enough to coat it. We rode in the pine woods again but, went on a couple more trails than last week. She seemed overall more relaxed and comfortable out there, but still has a ways to go. I rode mostly with little to no contact. I wanted her to really find her balance going up and down small hills, and not rely on the contact. We did some trotting and a tiny bit of cantering. At one point, Ginger slid downhill and got kind of freaked out. She tried to turn around, but I corrected her and she moved forward. 

Overall, it was a nice little trail ride. In just one ride, I saw a huge improvement in Ginger's willingness. It was fun to ride in the snow, I think winter trail riding is my favorite. 

When we got back to the barn, I untacked Ginger and fed her. I brought Ollie in to feed, but decided to get on her bareback for a few minutes. She seemed nervous, but didn't do anything bad. We only rode for like 5 minutes because her hooves are ouchy on the arena footing. (it's pea gravel, and most horses have to get acclimated to it)

I need to get a new camera since mine was practically ruined when Rio jumped in the pond this fall. =P