mallet's Blog

Well, most of the snow is gone. I was beginning to think winter would never end.  And, I should point out there remains more snow than needed on the rolling landscape of Fredonia, Wisconsin.  Still, Jenkins and I embarked on our first trail ride today.  It was a perfect day to ride.  The warm, spring sun was high in the Wisconsin sky when my instructor, Bernadette, and I hit the trail.  For some reason, Bernadette chose to ride a difficult horse named Chex.  He was a colossal pain in the butt!  He was bucking and rearing and refusing to walk through water.  You name it.  But my guy, Jenkins, was perfect.  He calmly walked through deep snow and moving streams.  He didn't flinch when a blue heron flew out of the scrub grass and soared overhead.  When a big cow ran at us along the fence line, nothing.  Of course, Chex made up for Jenkins.  He was giving Bernadette a terrible time.  It was a test of wills.  Eventually, Bernadette got him calmed down.  It helped for us to canter up a few hills.  A few times, when Chex refused to go forward, Jenkins and I took the lead and Chex was willing to follow.  I think I am going to go ahead and lease Jenkins.  He is just a perfect horse for me.  He is gigantic, smart and loves to run.  I think an hour or two on the trail in the morning before work will be the perfect start to the day.  I'll get some pictures of him soon and post them on my blog.