Riding out at Tarrant's Ranch!

Today I went riding with my daughter Hillary and niece Briana out at the Tarrant's Ranch. It was a landmark day, because I took Claire out riding on a trail ride for the first time! She had been ponied out there about a month ago, but this was the first time to ever ride her off of our property. She did great. I was a little worried because when we first got there, she was snorting and blowing a little. I walked her around and showed her the gigantic wood pile and the scary green tractor. She was most interested in the cows grazing by the pond several hundred feet away, but she calmed down somewhat after I let her look at them. I walked her around and let her graze while the girls saddled their horses.

I forgot to mention that I used my clicker training earlier when Claire got in the trailer. She usually stomps and paws in the trailer, and in fact had a little resistance going in the trailer. You can tell she really doesn't like being in the trailer. Anyways, she was standing quiet in the trailer, (she was tied and the door was shut) I 'clicked' and then gave her treat. I did it several times after that, as she did not move a muscle after I rewarded her for standing still. It really worked wonderfully, as she was a perfect angel the entire time she was in the trailer and after the trail ride, I put her and then clicked once she was standing still. Yeah, it was really neat to use the clicker to 'talk' to and reward my horse.

Okay, so we got saddled up and everyone got on their horses. Claire was a little nervous and was at first bothered by the flying up moths that were in the grass as we walked through it. She had her head high and wanted to trot, but I kept her at a walk.

We walked in the open pastures for awhile and then went into the woods taking a marked trail. Claire was second and kept walking up on Poco's rear, till finally I pulled aside and let Claire lead. She walked alot more gingerly while she was the lead horse, but it was good for her to lead and to look at all the 'boogers' in the woods.

We had two creek crossings-- she was scared but the the second time we kept the horses down in the creek and and just sat on them so Claire could see that it was okay to be in the creek. I used my clicker while she was standing calmly in the creek, and then rewarded her with a treat.

We rode for about 2 hours and 15 minutes and I was very proud of Claire and I think she enjoyed it. My confidence has grown tremendously and I pretty much no longer afraid that she will run off with me or buck me off. I am appreciative that she is such a kind horse and wants to please.

I am giving her the day off tomorrow, and will work with Miss Annie tomorrow!