Trust your horse

We're going out. It rained a lot last night, and the paddock feels too wet. After yesterday's taxing work out I think that a lot of walking would do us good.

My core strength feels good and engaged from the start, albeit somewhat sore. I imagine Crownie must be feeling the same. She is definitely stiff, and finds it hard to go down hill on the slippery surface.

We trot up one of the roads, then take a track I have never been on before. As we alternate between walk and trot I realise that I am exhausted, and so is the horse. Neither of us has eaten enough yesterday. I kick myself that I didn't think of it, but it's obviously all part of learning. On top of that Crownie is stiff. I am hoping that it's just stiffness of the muscles and not shin soreness.

The track weaves down hill towards a creek. I can see the crossing, and it looks a bit rutted but fine otherwise. Before the creek crossing, the track gets a bit steeper. Crownie slips and slides a bit, and refuses to go down it. I think she's a wuss, and so I jump off. The clay underfoot is as slick as ice, I slip and slide and grab onto Crownie for balance. Four legs good, two legs bad. Crownie turns away from the creek. I stop and take another look. I concede defeat. We retreat.

For the rest of the ride we mainly walk and trot. We do a nice canter/gallop up to Dead Cow, and then head home. I am really happy with that canter - it implies that she is not shin sore.

Back at the ranch, I double the size of Crownie's feed, and put her out in a grassy paddock. After two eggs, a sausage and two slices of toast I feel like I've eaten air. I decide to double Crownie's evening feed too.