Saturday August 6 2011
The Old Man Ride
We took the old men out for a ride today: 21-year-old Krusty, Steph's half Orlov Trotter ('and half mostly arabian, a little thoroughbred'), and 20-year-old Stormy, my Thoroughbred ex-racehorse.
We ambled up onto the rim on John's trail, heading toward the Owyhee mountains on a warm sunny day, and came back on the ridge on Steph's trail, into the summer breeze.
Krusty's been around the block a time or two - as in, he's done over 3300 miles of endurance over 12 seasons, and in his younger days he competed in a World Endurance Championship in France and the Dubai World Cup in the UAE. Stormy's been around the block a time or two - as in, he was a racehorse for 5 years, winning 6 times and finishing 2nd 9 times and earning over $45,000 during his career. They've both had bouts with navicular, but today they felt great.
And today they're both semi-retired beloved pets. Krusty's job now is to take out beginners and those with a lack of confidence on the trails. He's restored riding courage back into a rider or two. Stormy's job is to mow the lawn (his favorite) and to go out on the occasional leg-stretching ride. He took my niece on her first horse ride ever.
They're gentle old souls, and we pretty much let them do what they want on a ride.
When they want to trot, we let them. When they want to walk, we let them. When they want to take a particular trail home, we let them.
Stormy likes to walk along with his nose to the ground at places, sniffing like a bloodhound, so I let him.
Stormy likes to stop for a treat, so I give him one.
They're good old men, good for some relaxing, easy rides, some spoiling, and some good memories.
Gorgeous, trustworthy and steedfast..Proven, old horses are the best!!! Wonderful ride!
ReplyDeleteKK
Those are the best kind of rides!
ReplyDeleteThere is little better than a wise old horse under you. Gotta love 'em, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI do the same with my 21 year old Arab. I go at his pace, and that's okay with both of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, I too like to take my old men out for a walk now and then. One can't be ridden anymore and the other just plain doesn't want to, that okay I just take them for a walk. They seem to like it, no stress just a stretch of the their 8legs and my 2.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I enjoy riding my younger boys, but, every once in a while, I like to take the old man for a spin too. He will always be first in my heart.
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