My girl, Scarlet, definitely follows
ribbons. I've been in a group hauling butt down a logging road when
everyone blasted past the three ribbons at a turn - except Scarlet, who did a
sharp 90 degree turn onto the trail. Scared the crud out of me! I've
also seen her, with my Dad on board (who isn't the most accomplished rider),
follow white wooden markers across a field when there were cow paths going in
several directions - she chose the one with the marker on it to follow.
(Dad was just holding on. <g>)
I
heard a news piece today about migratory birds - they will actually follow
roads when they migrate over repeat routes, going so far as
to follow the cloverleafs on freeway overpasses, looping around before
they continue in the right direction. Really makes me wonder if some horses
don't learn to follow ribbons... I swear that mine do
sometimes.
Steph
-----Original Message----- From:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
smuncy Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 6:58 PM To:
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] horse
sense
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
