Follow the Leader

["Andrea Faustina / Greg Griffin" <griffin@wizard.com>]

Well, I just got back from helping at the Mt. Charleston Challenge.  Thanks
Claire and Peggie for showing my husband and I a great time.  We volunteered
to pull ribbons on Sunday and the trail was great!  But riding it brought up
many questions for me to put to you experienced ridecampers.  I was riding
my new TB.  She is a just turned 5 yo, off-the-track TB.  She did pretty
good for our first ever trail ride.  She tried to unseat me a couple times
and each time was when I tried to have her lead the way.  We were riding
with my husband who was on a calm QH paint gelding.  Anyhow, what can I do
to teach her to take the lead and not worry about her horse buddy?  Also,
when following my husband's mount she would want to stay right on his flank.
Needless, to say he got tired of this and threatened to kick.  I know it was
all my fault for letting her stay so close and we got better and better
towards the end of the ride about staying out of his comfort zone but I
never did get her to take the lead for any great stretch of distance.  I
guess this is why she didn't make it as a race horse?!?  She shows virtually
no confidence in herself (is this an accurate assessment of her personality
at this stage??) and doesn't seem to trust me yet to believe that she should
go where I tell her instead of where the other horses are.

Thanks for any advice.  I think I have definately been bitten by the
endurance bug and want to finally enter a ride officially but I know I am
not ready yet but this was wonderful training!!

Andrea