http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/activ35.aspx
This was LJ's first trip out here, and he did quite well. On Friday we did just a did short, hour long ride after we set up camp. We ended up getting caught in the rain near the end! Player has been out here before, and is experienced with endurance and CTR now, so he is our good steady eddy out there. LJ was quite nervous the first day, didn't like the rocky footing and a few times got into "race mode" with Player :D However after hubby had a discussion with him he settled down quite nicely.
Saturday we went for a long ride. The longest LJ has ever done. We did about 25-30 miles, but suuuuper slow. We walked probably 90% of it. The terrain out there is something LJ has never experienced, so long slow distance was our aim with him this weekend. The rocky trails, big tree roots, super steep hill climbs and descends, and creek crossings were all band new to him and he handled it all very well. In fact much better than Player did on his first mountain outing a couple years ago (he bucked me off LMAO)!! Player is still a diva about water, likes to go in sloooowly (dips his toes first to make sure it's ok ;)). LJ suprised us at the first creek crossing and dove right in before Player even dipped a toe. No hesitation for water crossings on his part! We didn't end up doing any of the trails that crossed the river, we have had an unusual amount of rain this year and the river is the highest we've ever seen it and running fast this year too. We just didn't feel safe tackling it this year. Anyways, LJ had a couple little spook-in-places where he got poked by long grass or short trees, but his one-reined stop is solid and his spooks are 2 second prances/humping up his back snort fests :D Quite comical actually. However by the end of the ride he was acting like a broke old mountain pony, going along just as calmly as Player. I was SO happy with him <3
Sunday we did a shorter, 3 hour ride before we packed up to come home, which went well as well. Got in some different terrain and some good hill climbs, and LJ was finally figuring out how to use his booty to get up those hills! He is definitely sloooow at the steep hill climbs as he's not as conditioned for that as Player is, but it won't take long until he is rocking them too. He definitely out trotts Player on the flats and downhill. I'm quite excited about the next few years with him!
Overall it was a fantastic trip. I just LOVE it out there! It just feels like home :)
Pics
Saturday we went for a long ride. The longest LJ has ever done. We did about 25-30 miles, but suuuuper slow. We walked probably 90% of it. The terrain out there is something LJ has never experienced, so long slow distance was our aim with him this weekend. The rocky trails, big tree roots, super steep hill climbs and descends, and creek crossings were all band new to him and he handled it all very well. In fact much better than Player did on his first mountain outing a couple years ago (he bucked me off LMAO)!! Player is still a diva about water, likes to go in sloooowly (dips his toes first to make sure it's ok ;)). LJ suprised us at the first creek crossing and dove right in before Player even dipped a toe. No hesitation for water crossings on his part! We didn't end up doing any of the trails that crossed the river, we have had an unusual amount of rain this year and the river is the highest we've ever seen it and running fast this year too. We just didn't feel safe tackling it this year. Anyways, LJ had a couple little spook-in-places where he got poked by long grass or short trees, but his one-reined stop is solid and his spooks are 2 second prances/humping up his back snort fests :D Quite comical actually. However by the end of the ride he was acting like a broke old mountain pony, going along just as calmly as Player. I was SO happy with him <3
Sunday we did a shorter, 3 hour ride before we packed up to come home, which went well as well. Got in some different terrain and some good hill climbs, and LJ was finally figuring out how to use his booty to get up those hills! He is definitely sloooow at the steep hill climbs as he's not as conditioned for that as Player is, but it won't take long until he is rocking them too. He definitely out trotts Player on the flats and downhill. I'm quite excited about the next few years with him!
Overall it was a fantastic trip. I just LOVE it out there! It just feels like home :)
Pics
Creek crossing, no problem!
Yes, I need to trim those bridle paths...LOL
I really wish you could see my face in this one :P
Heaven <3
We ended up getting a flat tire on the horse trailer on the way home, so we made it home a bit later than we wanted but that's ok. Horses are turned out and happy to be home and resting. I had 2 horses to massage this afternoon, and now we're packing up and getting ready to leave tomorrow for a trip to Vancouver to see family! We will get home Sunday or Monday so the horses will get a very well deserved week off.
