my last trail ride ..long version

[fantasykiger]

Fantasy was giving me some trouble in the arena riding, by trouble I mean nervous, anxious and felt like a horse about to pitch a fit. She was doing great with her ground work but as soon I got in the saddle her attitude changed. In the past she was much better out on the trail then in the arena.
I got the bright idea to saddle up my mare Mystie and Fantasy take them both out on a trail ride. I would ride Mystie out and pony Fantasy after Fantasy was pretty well worked out. I would switch horses and ride Fantasy and pony Mystie. Mystie is a calm confident mare and great for taking horses out, Fantasy has ponied horses before, it is not new to her.
The switch to riding Fantasy went well I removed the bridle off Mystie put it on Fantasy and everyone stood still while I mounted on Fantasy and proceeded down the dirt road out in BLM. It was obvious right away that Fantasy was no better out here on the trail then in the arena, whether it is me, her or a combo' of us both she was just as nervous and anxious and right mess to ride. I was alone and decided this was not going to work it was not safe but at least I got some information that she is not ready for the trail and I would switch back and just pony her along for a trail ride. So I dismounted and proceeded to get Mystie so I could take the bridle off Fantasy, it happen in a flash, I dropped the rein for a moment when grabbing the lead rope to bring Mystie around. Fantasy took the opportunity to bolt for home.
So that left me and Mystie out in the BLM with no bridle, just a halter and lead rope, we were walking. Without a bit riding Mystie is dangerous, there'd be no holding her back in the direction of home and no stopping her should she get going. So we walked and walked, I had forgetten how far we rode out there I had hoped Fantasy found her way out there is a fence line with only 2 exits. I thought about how I wanted to go for a ride not a walk, my back was aching I had already worked and rode Wickee earlier. I am out of shape, a number of things crossed my mind maybe I could ride Mystie home even put a foot in the stirrup, then thoughtbetter it would be safer to ride Fantasy then Mystie with no bit and kept walking.
Out of the BLM and back in the neighborhood I ran into an older gentleman riding a bike who commented that I was not riding my horse, we chatted and he kept me company for a few blocks until we got to his house as I walked. It wasn't until I made it to the paved road that I ran into 2 young guys in a car that asked if I was missing a white horse. YES, I was missing a white horse. they were on their way to look for me they found her in their yard and were looking for me with her but found my neighbor friend out driving her mini with a cart and gave the horse to her, they also saw my son and spoke to him but he did not know if we had a white horse ...LOL go figure. They drove back to tell my son I was OK.
So Mystie and I turn around and walk back to where we just came from to go pick up Fantasy at my neighbor friends house. We get there and she is a sweaty girl but in fine shape. Come to find out, one of those guys was riding Fantasy when they come upon my friend in the cart, while his buddy was walking with him. They told her they found the horse in their yard they did not know anything about horses and wanted to know if she knew who they horse belonged to. At first she said no then she asked them to turn the horse around. Whe she saw the short tail she knew it was mine, no one else has horses with mule eaten' tails. ;D Then advised him to get off her as she had not been ridden in awhile it might be a good idea to dismount. Although she did say she was behaving very good and she has no idea how far he rode her. She was very happy to see me and I was very happy to get the bridle, which was still in tact and put it back on Mystie and ride home. I was so sore, I imagine Fantasy was too.
I am very glad Fantasy never found her way home honestly, she would surely try this stunt again if she had. Also glad she is capable of behaving well and did not hurt that guy that thought he was delivered a free riding horse for the day... LOL

[dunbnwild]

I can't believe someone would just get on a horse like that--Wow. I would not be happy, even though I would be happy to get my horse back.

And LOL on your son--I got a call once saying that a grey horse was loose--I immediately thought of the flea-bitten arab that we boarded, never did I even think it was Lazzy--she's not grey, she's grulla--even though of course it was little miss contortionist/escape artist Lazzy.

I bet your son thought--Fantasy's not white, she's grey--ha!

[kigermustang1]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your hike all the way back home. You really have some great neighbours to take care of your horse for yu until you could get her back. I dont think I would be in a hurry to ride someone elses horse without their permission, especially when it was headed down the road without a rider.

I have to say you sure were lucky not to have met up with any wild creatures. I live in a fairly developed area with small hobby farms and we have had a lot of trouble with wild dogs and coyotes. One in particular took down a small boy last month. My friend where I board Shasta had to hire a coyote tracker to destroy one out her way. It ran one of her horses through a fence the other night and almost got into the other pastures. It's pretty scarry if you ask me.

[fantasykiger]

I thought the guys were not to bright though Fantasy did not buck me off, had a riderless horse showed up in my yard my first thought would have been that the horse was the cause of the rider not being on board any longer and not gambled on mounting said horse.
I do have great neighbors. I did thank them very much for coming and hunting me down had I been laying on the ground out there it is nice to know they were driving around looking for me.
My son well white or gray, I am not sure he does pays all that much attention to what horses I own or ride on any given day, even though I do try and tell him before I leave who I am riding and where I am headed. Of course I ride alot and it is usually pretty darn uneventful.
Fantasy is back in the arena with training. I am reviewing training tapes, after a few days rest we are back at it today.
As far as wild life goes, I rarely worry. The coyotes here are very skittish, the last 3 hour trail ride I took we did not see hide or hair of any wild life. I commented to my riding partner that I thought it was odd, even when we were brush hopping. The desert keeps them far and wide apart.