I have to respond to query about -
'horses sense of direction' with a definite - YES. I have one such horse
that I have taken out a 'few' times to trails I was not really familair
with and rode for miles, and in the end, after wondering around,
decided to give him his head and he will get us back to the trailer every time.
Also,I had trails I used to ride that I had to give up for conditioning
and speed work because seemed he know ways back better that me, not that we ever
parted company -I just got tired of argueing with him there. Now
before anyone goes 'off' about riding in unfamilair areas, dangers, etc...relax.
At no time time were we in danger of being "lost for days", etc,. Just
horses and other animals have an amazing directional capabilities, that we
humans will never figure out. However,as was said, they may not pick the way you
would prefer to go. I especially have to be attentive when
doing rides we have done before, even if a couple of years have elapsed
between attending the ride, as it seems he remembers all to well where the
trail was, and if the trail has changed and I 'm not especially paying
close attention; ie, being a passenger, instead of riding, he will
take the old trail. More that once I have had to yell at the time,
that ,,, "yes, I know this isn't the right way!, but he insist it
is........... I'll be right back." Also, I found out the hard way, years
ago, that when I can't "find"the trail.. lack of markers, fatigue, poor
marking, vandalism... as long as am not a front runner, I can more
often as not allow him to find the trail......I'm sure they do this by scent, as
when you ride along and think your horse is following ribbons; probably
following the scent of other horses. Now after saying that I have to
admit that I have another horse that I have not tested with the 'finding his way
home theory' and sometime wonder about his "smarts", hmm, interesting test
if weather ever breaks.
For anyone looking for colored
buckets........... do search .... Fortex Buckets, they have most colors (
yellow. pink, purple and standard red, black, teal etc.) and can refer to dealer
near you. or have you considered painting the buckets? Stephanie
