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Bent forward the gust lifted our helmets, jerking our heads back sharply,
breath snatched away. Laid back almost flat we were both unprepared for the
spins, butts to the wind and a hasty retreat back down the tractor path on
icy slick going. Whooping, we laughed raucously but wisely decided not to
force Miss B and Kasey to endure gale force winds head on.
It's been that way all winter. An easy winter, surely you've had lots of
opportunities to condition? Well, no, not really. Icy mud over solid
frozen ground has been the staple for three months, the fifty degree days
only adding to the depth of that slippery goo. The kids with their
4-wheelers have been zinging around the woods all season so it's packed down
fairly well. But occasional forays up there have inevitably left us
dismounted, tiptoeing carefully up and down the steep ridge.
Kasey was exceptionally jolly one bright warm Sunday as we did our annual
woods trail survey for downed trees and trouble spots. Kasey likes to
jump...I don't know if he's any good at it....I usually fold into a fetal
position, ankles stiff and heels raised, eyes closed. Never really get to
see the process, breathing through it a major accomplishment. I was better
at this before I broke my back...now I just pretend it's not happening. As
we entered our little trail he picked up a racing trot on his own, and I
could see the smile as he turned his head slightly to the right. Mercifully
this time of year it's more open, I saw it coming...it was a big sucker, a
maple, 3 ft off the ground across the trail, the trunk huge, round, the
branches splayed everywhere. He never broke stride, the ears pricked
forward as I prepared myself for the halt to assess an alternative path.
His grin got bigger...as did my eyes. A "Whoa" here would be nice, Kasey!
Popping blood vessels I hauled on the right rein, seeing a small alley
through the underbrush and went for it. Deep goo, over icy mud, screech!
Thoughts of a reining career firmly fixed in my head as we twisted and
slid around the offending trunk and headed back onto the trail, still at a
racing trot.
A deep breath, shake those shoulders, a nice big sigh, relax stupid...looks
pretty clear now. The incline was beckoning so he cantered, politely but
strong, way more energy than I needed right now--perhaps another loop to
take off the edge? The hill is wicked steep but gravel road to the top,
then a sharp turn into the woods again. The kids were out on their dirt
bikes, the engines still, silent in the field next to the path. Kasey was
startled and fell flat on his face as he negotiated the slight bank up to
the trail. Well, Mister, maybe pay attention next time? Not smiling now
are we?
This loop rode well, not as slick as I feared and we made good time. The
trail criss-crosses everywhere, lots of little loops so you can keep this
fellow guessing and interested. But finally, the afternoon sun faded and
the chill returned so I headed back up the hill. You can see the field open
up at the top of the trail from the base of the hill, steep, a nice place to
walk and get them driving with their butts. My plan...not his. I had no
idea he could do it, was completely unprepared....but in four enormous leaps
he hit that slope at more than a full gallop. It's steep enough to grab
mane under normal circumstances...I was doing it out of sheer terror! What
the heck am I going to do when he hits the field at this speed!? Instinct I
guess...circle to slow, my circle the entire 12 acre field.
On a normal day it can take an hour to do this route....I arrived at the
barn in 25 minutes. And he was STILL smiling.
The other boarders glanced at me curiously...are you alright? Yup, just
want to do another little loop that way. Hmmm, not so much fun now, you
stinker. We finally walked another loop to cool out. Good boy.
Way more energy than I need. Rotten little devil. No way will I let him
see me with the huge grin I wore as I crawled into my warm car and headed
for some hot soup and my pile of ride entries.
Diane @ Safe Haven
Allentown, PA
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