Trail Ride #4

With no turnout or riding on Monday, I was a wee bit worried about what kind of wild child I might have in Sydney for Tuesday's ride. It was still hot, 101℉, but the humidity had fallen, there was a breeze (like a blow dryer), and the sky was clear. I can ride in that kind kind of heat.

Sydney seemed pleased to see me which was encouraging. I gave him 15 minutes to eat dinner while I cleaned stalls. Since it was so hot, I gave him a quick shower and saddled him while he was still wet. He had done a great job riding the loop to the left, so I knew it was time to challenge him again by riding the loop in the opposite direction. You know, the whole right eye, left eye thing.

We walked out of the driveway and turned left. Sydney immediately yanked the reins out of my hands to graze. Booyah! Normally, that would be considered somewhat rude, but when you're riding a horse who has shown an exceptional ability at bolting and rearing, that low level rudeness is tolerated, and maybe even welcomed.

I asked him to pick up his head and we continued on. To the next patch of grass where he again insisted on grazing. Okay, now. This is a horse of a different color!

A Horse of a Different Color

I let him graze a few more times, like 20, but then I told him that this was serious business and we had a schedule to keep. Move it, Dude! When we made the turn to Dog Alley, that's what I am now calling that section with six dogs on one side and two on the other, he did get a little bit high, but I just pulsed my ring fingers while adding leg and just repeated, put your head down, put your head down, put your head down. And he did.

When we got to the back side of the barn, I was expecting some resistance when I asked him to continue on to the dirt road. There wasn't any. And Speedy wasn't helping as he whinnied his head off for us. Sydney just motored on by. The dirt road, the Field of Dreams (I do have a sense of humor), was now on Sydney's left. We never even stepped into the grass. There was no circling. He simply marched down the middle of the road, strolled by the neighbor's two labs, and made the final turn to home where he of course tried to graze his way into his stall.

The whole thing took about 20 minutes. I was quite pleased with his effort, especially since doing things in the opposite directions is usually like starting brand new. Not this boy; he seems to be ambidextrous, or at least able to use his right and left brain equally!

A new challenge tomorrow!