Motivation and Miles

Since returning from Iceland, my motivation to get miles and time in the saddle has been higher than it's been in years. That trip was just what I needed to reignite my drive to ride. Coupled with the Kate Little clinic in August, my drive and enjoyment to pursue things with my horses is back with vigor. 

I made a quick pivot for three days of work travel immediately upon my return stateside. Once that concluded, I hopped right into the saddle. 

The first big ride was 10 miles on the West Fork rail trail with Q where we lay down the fastest 10 miles I've done in years, averaging a modest 5 mph. Part of my motivation to keep the momentum? My hydration bladder had leaked on the drive, leaving me without water. Womp womp. But most of the drive came from Q herself. She was in such a happy, easygoing mood, trotting through sections where I’d expected we’d walk.

Q was calm and content all day. She wasn’t exactly charging down the trail with enthusiasm, but she was as forward and agreeable as she gets, a quiet, “ho-hum, sure, let’s beebop along while the dogs run.” The weather couldn’t have been better: upper 60s, sunny, low humidity, and a light breeze. Perfect riding weather.

In recent years, I’ve stuck to ½-mile trot sets with ¼- to ½-mile walk breaks, depending on how the horses feel. Our trot work is slow, not an endurance training trot, rarely breaking 6 mph. Usually, when they’re ready for a walk, they make it clear; when they’re not, we just keep trotting a bit longer before trying again.

This ride, though, Q happily trotted between ¾ and 1¼ miles before asking to walk. She was such a pleasant, willing partner. I hadn’t had a ride like that with her in ages.

When we turned back toward the trailer, she picked up a bit more pep (as they all do when heading “home”). We kept our trot/walk intervals, and I decided to ask for a canter, which is something I’ve mostly avoided on rail trails with her, since she’s been known to teleport me right out of the saddle when something startles her. (Something about the wider line of sight historically makes her spookier than a single-track trail.) But she was so calm that I had to try.

And she stayed calm! Completely chill and relaxed. We added a few short canters on the way back, and she only grew more relaxed with each one. I even felt comfortable filming the last canter. I'm not sure I've ever done that with her!

The whole ride was wonderfully uneventful, and I mean that as the highest compliment. For a mare who’s spent years being looky and spooky on solo rail trail rides, this quiet, steady outing felt like a huge win. Thirteen years together, and at approximately twenty years old, Q just keeps showing up and shining in new ways. What a good girl.