Down the Trail with Lucy

Lucy and I save our most adventurous and longest trail rides for Sundays. We like to go someplace new every week. 

Yesterday, I decided to take my good camera with us so you could come along for the ride today.

I've been teaching Lucy that when I drop the rein across the top of her shoulders, she must stop and not move her feet until I pick up the rein. We've got this working for us about 95% of the time on the way out. On the way home is another story, but she's getting better all the time. I call this cue my "parking brake." I can sit up there and take as many pictures as I want, knowing she won't move anything but those beautiful ears. Yes, I love Lucy.

This picture is significant only for what is not in it. Hank is snoozing in the barn with George and Alan, not running around the corral looking for Lucy. The big baby has finally figured out that we always return eventually and he need not work himself into a lather while we're gone.

I've been meaning to show you Lucy's new headstall with the snap crown browband. These are made for mules and donkeys so that you don't have to fold their ears while putting on the bridle. Even though Lucy has no problem with me folding her ears, 

using the snap just seems more polite. This one is Amish-made and we love it.

Lucy is also wearing protective boots on her front legs these days. These prevent her 

from nicking the insides of her pasterns and also keep out any cactus needles we might run into.

You: I thought we were going for a ride. Why are you taking all these pictures from the ground?

Every long trail ride out here includes at least three or four barbed-wire gates at which you've got to dismount and stab yourself a few times while you try to open them. You've got to slide the top wire loop off the post, then lift the post out of the bottom loop, then carry it out of the way as you walk through. I used to hate these things when I was riding horses for fear they'd spook at the wrong time and tangle themselves up while I wrestled with the gate. Now? Piece of cake. Say it with me...I love Lucy.

You know we're talking about you, don't you, Lucy?

When we got home, I went on Google Earth to see where'd we been and how far we'd gone (6.5 miles). 

I love technology. But not as much as I love Lucy.