It is hard to believe that just 2 years ago a "Star" was born.  My husband took the latest photo of me last weekend riding Star under saddle and bridle(see my photos).  I have introduced her to a rubber coated D ring snaffle and we have really been communicating!

Today (Fri 9-25-09), my riding buddy picked me up, but this time instead of Maverick, I took Star.  She loaded right up in her trailer and we rode South Mountain Mountain Preserve Park (Phoenix, AZ).  It was Star's first trailer ride out  to ride her first "trail ride."

She unloaded very nicely and I tied her up to the side of the trailer to get ready to saddle.  I hung her feed bag up and Star made herself at home.  I brushed her, cleaned her feet and then saddled her right up.  Other than moving around a couple of times, she stood very nice.  There was distractions by the way.  The first one was an old cowboy loading his old gelding into his trailer on the other side of the parking area.  The next distraction was the sound of rapid fire gunshots from the police shooting range on the next ridge over.  Nothing seemed to bother her.  

We went into the small round pen to do groundwork.  She shied slightly from a tree next to the round pet which had spooked her 4 months ago.  I worked her in that corner until she was quiet and relaxed by that tree.

Next we bridled up, tightened up the cinch and headed to the big riding arena where my friend Suzanne was warming up on her fox trotter.  Star wanted to watch "Shamrock", but I worked on bringing her attention back to me.  Once we established that, she kept her eyes on me only.  I mounted and she stood very still.  We walked around the arena, doing circles in the corners and stopping, turn on haunches and reverse directions.  After about 30 minutes, we were bored so off to the trails we went.  We rode on flat trails that were very rocky.  We crossed roads and stepped over rocks and branches.  Cars went by, bicycles went by, and park ranger trucks went by.  NO SPOOK!.

Star was VERY calm, nothing phased her and she was even rather pokey.  When my friend rode off, Star didn't seem to care one bit.  I was pleased about that, because nobody needs a herd bound trail horse!  Sometimes over the rocky parts, I sensed that it was hard to get used to where her feet were.  She wanted to go faster down the small hills and very slow up them.

All in All, We had an amazing ride and we decided to end on a good note.  She was actually pretty tired.  (Remember, she is not even 3 yet!)  It took 2 attempts at loading for the ride home, and I think that it was because of the high step up to the trailer with how the truck was parked in the lot.

She unloaded very nicely once we got home and I brushed her  and put her into her stall.  Maverick was thoroughly irritated that I took Star instead of him!  But after I gave him a treat he forgave me!

I hope next trail time goes as well as this experience.  She seems like she will be a great horse.

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