My Soggy Mother of a Mothers Day Ride

freedom32 · 05-11-2008, 01:06 PM

This past week has been very trying--pretty much anything that could go wrong has. All week I have been looking forward to a very rare 3 day weekend and at long last getting some riding in, I've not been since October because of truck problems.

Last night I talked to my sister, we arranged to meet earlier than she wanted, but I had to be home early to get to the hospital to visit my Grandmother (Prayers for Gram ) and we were supposed to have rain moving in. I was so excited to finally be hitting the trails again, been working on Polly in the few spare moments I could find to get her loading (she is really doing great this year)

7am the phone rings, its my sister. She was cancelling on me, it was cold and windy and gross out. So I sat down on the couch, very upset. I know the weather is crappy, but I've been looking forward to this all week. I spent 5 minutes feeling very sorry for myself and then started thinking..... I am not riding a green horse, I know those trails like the back of my hand--so just but on your big girl undies Donna and go anyway!!!!

In hindsight it wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, but I had my heart set on it so I stopped over at my parents to let them know where I was going, checked the weather--showers around noon, I planned on being done by then-- and grabbed Polly and off I went.

Polly was pretty fired up, first ride of the year, first time I've ever taken her out on a solo trail ride, plus cool windy weather. We did a fair amount of prancing, jigging, bounce bounce bouncing along, but besides her wanting to GO GO GO she was well behaved. I don't think she stopped snorting from the time I took her out of the barn until I brought her back

(well except when she was screaming looking for other horses) A couple of minor spooks, but deserved--if a flock of birds flew out of a big drain pipe at me I'd jump too!

About the time she started settling in the rain started (at 9 am!)....not too serious, just a sprinkle, and happily the leaves on the trees kept the worst off. I was starting to get a little cold, but had already decided to ride the main loop (we were almost half thru) and head back.

This is where my fool horses mare-isms start to show. She is the only horse in the universe who does not want to go home. Her trailer phobia has become managable over the past few years, and I am very very careful when I haul her to make it a good trip, but she hates the trailer, and fights me every time we turn on the trail to come back. She gave me a little don't wanna attitude, no biggie, I expected it, she always does. Then at the base of a big hill she threw a full fledged tantrum, spinning and half rearing trying to turn back and go the other way. Footing was bad and she almost went down a couple times, so I got down an we had a very vigorous come to Jesus talk (I knew it was coming)

After our 'discussion' I was warmed again, and she stopped being a snot and was going along nicely when along the narrowest part of the trail comes a bunch of mountain bikers--oh YAY! She acted the fool of course, and I dismounted again and dragged her off to the side, got pretty soaked in the brush. She normally doesn't spook at bikers, but she was all wound so...... The rain picked up and she kept stopping and looking at me to say "Hey crazy lady who rides in the rain?" and I kept telling her "I'm trying to go home you twit!"

We had a few more 'I SAID we're going THIS way!' chats, but finally got our soggy selves back to the trailer. She really didn't want to load, didn't like the noise the rain made on the trailer, but after putting on her diva Polly show she hopped on and we got ourselves home.

My soul needed a peaceful, relaxing ride in the woods today. It wasn't peaceful, it wasn't relaxing, but it was good for me anyway.

Jennie'sPassion · 05-11-2008, 01:30 PM

Well good for you Donna for going anyway. I'm sorry it wasn't as good as you hoped but hey a break is a break. To bad you couldn't drag Freedom and your daughter along for a mothers day treat. Oh well I hope the rest of your day is good too.

freedom32 · 05-11-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks Jen

It really was a good ride, I enjoyed most of it, even though it was a bit more invigorating than I was initially planning on hehe I knew I was taking my chances going out alone in this weather, especially first ride of the year, and all and all she did well, minus the giant kill Donna hissy

I'm glad I went out alone, I needed it. Lianne doesn't like to trail ride with us old *****, we're boooooooooooring! Kenya and I can ride along and talk, or just ride along and enjoy the quiet, Lianne is just to busy to sit back and soak it in. I was the same when I was her age. She'll appreciate it in 20 years.........

Chester · 05-11-2008, 02:32 PM

Donna, you're crazy.

Glad you got out but I am glad it was you and not me.

doublebarr · 05-11-2008, 02:45 PM

Good for you Donna! You guys are getting the nasty weather we had yesterday, minus the Tornados.

We've been riding in nasty wet and slogging through the muck all spring, but it is good for the soul even if it's probably not good for the health. I'm glad you made it home in the same number of pieces you left in.

05-11-2008, 01:06 PM	#1
freedom32 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital of the Steeler Nation--PITTSBURGH Posts: 8,204 Images: 459 Blog Entries: 144	My Soggy Mother of a Mothers Day Ride This past week has been very trying--pretty much anything that could go wrong has. All week I have been looking forward to a very rare 3 day weekend and at long last getting some riding in, I've not been since October because of truck problems. Last night I talked to my sister, we arranged to meet earlier than she wanted, but I had to be home early to get to the hospital to visit my Grandmother (Prayers for Gram ) and we were supposed to have rain moving in. I was so excited to finally be hitting the trails again, been working on Polly in the few spare moments I could find to get her loading (she is really doing great this year) 7am the phone rings, its my sister. She was cancelling on me, it was cold and windy and gross out. So I sat down on the couch, very upset. I know the weather is crappy, but I've been looking forward to this all week. I spent 5 minutes feeling very sorry for myself and then started thinking..... I am not riding a green horse, I know those trails like the back of my hand--so just but on your big girl undies Donna and go anyway!!!! In hindsight it wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, but I had my heart set on it so I stopped over at my parents to let them know where I was going, checked the weather--showers around noon, I planned on being done by then-- and grabbed Polly and off I went. Polly was pretty fired up, first ride of the year, first time I've ever taken her out on a solo trail ride, plus cool windy weather. We did a fair amount of prancing, jigging, bounce bounce bouncing along, but besides her wanting to GO GO GO she was well behaved. I don't think she stopped snorting from the time I took her out of the barn until I brought her back (well except when she was screaming looking for other horses) A couple of minor spooks, but deserved--if a flock of birds flew out of a big drain pipe at me I'd jump too! About the time she started settling in the rain started (at 9 am!)....not too serious, just a sprinkle, and happily the leaves on the trees kept the worst off. I was starting to get a little cold, but had already decided to ride the main loop (we were almost half thru) and head back. This is where my fool horses mare-isms start to show. She is the only horse in the universe who does not want to go home. Her trailer phobia has become managable over the past few years, and I am very very careful when I haul her to make it a good trip, but she hates the trailer, and fights me every time we turn on the trail to come back. She gave me a little don't wanna attitude, no biggie, I expected it, she always does. Then at the base of a big hill she threw a full fledged tantrum, spinning and half rearing trying to turn back and go the other way. Footing was bad and she almost went down a couple times, so I got down an we had a very vigorous come to Jesus talk (I knew it was coming) After our 'discussion' I was warmed again, and she stopped being a snot and was going along nicely when along the narrowest part of the trail comes a bunch of mountain bikers--oh YAY! She acted the fool of course, and I dismounted again and dragged her off to the side, got pretty soaked in the brush. She normally doesn't spook at bikers, but she was all wound so...... The rain picked up and she kept stopping and looking at me to say "Hey crazy lady who rides in the rain?" and I kept telling her "I'm trying to go home you twit!" We had a few more 'I SAID we're going THIS way!' chats, but finally got our soggy selves back to the trailer. She really didn't want to load, didn't like the noise the rain made on the trailer, but after putting on her diva Polly show she hopped on and we got ourselves home. My soul needed a peaceful, relaxing ride in the woods today. It wasn't peaceful, it wasn't relaxing, but it was good for me anyway. __________________ Pittsburgh gals bleed black & gold 'xxxxx makes xxxxx look like Dr. Phil' names changed to protect a peaceful enviornment

05-11-2008, 01:30 PM	#2
Jennie'sPassion Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,189 Images: 626 Blog Entries: 27	Well good for you Donna for going anyway. I'm sorry it wasn't as good as you hoped but hey a break is a break. To bad you couldn't drag Freedom and your daughter along for a mothers day treat. Oh well I hope the rest of your day is good too. __________________ Someday I will ride Cutter and Big John! I dream big huh? Current weight 132.2 lbs. Goal weight 125 lbs. 20 pound club 2008 I Rode Freedom!!!

05-11-2008, 02:28 PM	#3
freedom32 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital of the Steeler Nation--PITTSBURGH Posts: 8,204 Images: 459 Blog Entries: 144	Thanks Jen It really was a good ride, I enjoyed most of it, even though it was a bit more invigorating than I was initially planning on hehe I knew I was taking my chances going out alone in this weather, especially first ride of the year, and all and all she did well, minus the giant kill Donna hissy I'm glad I went out alone, I needed it. Lianne doesn't like to trail ride with us old ***, we're boooooooooooring! Kenya and I can ride along and talk, or just ride along and enjoy the quiet, Lianne is just to busy to sit back and soak it in. I was the same when I was her age. She'll appreciate it in 20 years......... __________________ Pittsburgh gals bleed black & gold** 'xxxxx makes xxxxx look like Dr. Phil' names changed to protect a peaceful enviornment

05-11-2008, 02:32 PM	#4
Chester Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inland of the coral sea Posts: 10,117 Images: 777	Donna, you're crazy. Glad you got out but I am glad it was you and not me. __________________ Aussie Aussie Aussie OI OI OI "We're all members of the outback club, we don't back down and we don't give up" Lee Kernaghan "Good friends are worth more than money any day" Adam Brand Is it full moon time again? Did the cereal truck overturn and fruitloops got spilt?

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05-11-2008, 02:45 PM	#5
doublebarr Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 7,445 Images: 549	Good for you Donna! You guys are getting the nasty weather we had yesterday, minus the Tornados. We've been riding in nasty wet and slogging through the muck all spring, but it is good for the soul even if it's probably not good for the health. I'm glad you made it home in the same number of pieces you left in.