So in my roomies true fashion after riding in the am and cleaning stalls she said "lets head out with two of the other boarders for a trail ride we won't be gone long hop on bareback." So since the sun was peaking through and it was finally above 40 degrees, I hopped up on Scout and off we went. Keep in mind this is the horse who was bolting with me on the trails last summer to do poor handling by the girl that had leased him prior and painful tack. The bolting is no longer and issue, but confidence in riding out in the open was definitely hacked down. Granted I have been riding bareback since May, but I just finally achieved mastery in trotting bareback and haven't come close to trying cantering yet.
Once we get done with our loop around the pond the boarders are like, "lets go across the creek and into the empty field." So Scout and I follow suite and cross the swift running creek that went up to his belly, after he drifted downstream a bit, and then head up a muddy hill at a trot. The riders with saddles started cantering, but Scout kept his brain in check a maintained a walk. Then while crossing a field one of the boarders horse just instantly dropped to the ground and proceeded to roll with his saddle. Thankfully, his rider was injured, it happened so fast she didn't really have time to react. Scout was steady and unphased by such nonsense. Once she got back on her horse he started bucking and cantering off and Scout picked up a jog, but held onto his marbles once again.
In all it was a fun ride that definitely helped to bring my confidence back up. I may get to board at roomies fancy barn for another month or so which would be great for both of us. We've improved so much in a few weeks.
No photos of the actual trail ride because we didn't want to lose our phones and we were trying to hang on, but here are some repeats of the property.




Once we get done with our loop around the pond the boarders are like, "lets go across the creek and into the empty field." So Scout and I follow suite and cross the swift running creek that went up to his belly, after he drifted downstream a bit, and then head up a muddy hill at a trot. The riders with saddles started cantering, but Scout kept his brain in check a maintained a walk. Then while crossing a field one of the boarders horse just instantly dropped to the ground and proceeded to roll with his saddle. Thankfully, his rider was injured, it happened so fast she didn't really have time to react. Scout was steady and unphased by such nonsense. Once she got back on her horse he started bucking and cantering off and Scout picked up a jog, but held onto his marbles once again.
In all it was a fun ride that definitely helped to bring my confidence back up. I may get to board at roomies fancy barn for another month or so which would be great for both of us. We've improved so much in a few weeks.
No photos of the actual trail ride because we didn't want to lose our phones and we were trying to hang on, but here are some repeats of the property.




