Some More Trail Workout

Taking a break at the highest point.

I stopped to get a drink and put a coat on.

The weather was clear and on the chilly side. The only thing unusual that happened was a quick riding lesson I gave.

I had gotten the horses unloaded and I was just tightening up their cinches, when a car, that I could hear coming from some distance away, stopped 15 ft. away from us. It turned out to be two middle-age ladies in the front seat and a teenage girl in the back seat. They rolled down their windows and said they just wanted to look at the horses.

Just trying to make light conversation, I said, "Anyone want to take him for a ride?" A few seconds later, to my surprise, out climbed the girl. I shortened the stirrups, and boosted her up into the saddle. I asked her a few questions in an attempt to assess her experience level, then away we went up and down the road for a few minutes. The session ended when Junior thought we were going to leave him. He pulled back until he broke the snap on his lead rope. I caught him and tied him back up. By this time she was ready to quit riding.

The car drove away with a wave. I waved back, and rode off in the opposite direction.

For me it was a sad encounter. She was Native American, rather attractive, but overweight and had bad teeth with lip piercings. She was very soft spoken with a sweet gentle smile.