Mykal has insisted that I post his ride story since I read him that other
green horse's story the other day...you may know the one. Rowdy. So aptly named
by his owner...what is it they say about owners and their animals??? :) So, here
is OUR version of Mykal's first 25 mile limited distance ride at White River in
Hesperia, Michigan.
Maggie: Mykal is totally unimpressed about trailering or training or being
ridden or responding to purposeful spooking strategies or being confined in a
little corral...the animal psychic once described him to me as being like an
old, wise mare. (Yes, I have been to consult with one! For fun. But what an eye
opener!).
Mykal: What's to fuss about? A barrier is a barrier whether it's a skinny
white tape or a hot metal wire. I don't DO things I'm not supposed to. This
place we went to was pretty cool....I got a nice shady spot with a good roll
hole. Mom didn't appreciate me bugging Max and finally put some of that white
tape between us. I just wanted to follow him around and have him tell me
EVERYTHING about the whole deal. He kept telling me to shut up and eat my beet
pulp (which was really good) and he even passed on his apple and let me have it
but I guess he wanted me to be surprised cuz he wasn't telling me anything. And
WAS I EVER surprised. Later in the day, there were horses EVERYWHERE! Horses of
every color walking back and forth and up and down the road. I could see some
and hear even more...I was talking to them and trying to get THEM to tell me
even more but I guess they were busy...most of them didn't even answer and the
ones that did didn't make much sense to me. Mom got pretty mad at me and said
some bad words about me shutting up. I don't know why she thought she needed a
nap... there was so much going on.
Maggie: I was exhausted and just wanted a tiny nap but Mykal suddenly
discovered the wonderful world of horses! He bugged Max to death following him
all over the huge corral I set up for the two of them because even though Mykal
is a stallion, he has been with Max off and on since he was a baby. But when
Mykal wants to play or get attention, he doesn't lay off and I figured Max
needed some peace so I separated them finally.
Mykal: It really wasn't necessary. I don't think that fence was hot either
but I wasn't taking chances!
Maggie: I took Mykal up after awhile for Rae Birr to look at the scratch on
his side...I wasn't even going to sign in if she thought it might cause him any
problem. He had felt off a couple of days previously and I attributed it to this
"boo boo". Mykal can be a wussy at times.
Mykal: It was a big scratch and all Mom did was put salve on it. Sheesh...she
could have babied me a little bit. At least that nice vet lady said Mom could
put some cold water on it if it bothered me.
Maggie: So we get the go ahead, turn in our papers and our money and go vet
in. All A's. We have been practicing the trot out at home and it paid off though
I'm sure it looked funny.
Mykal: Mom wants me to trot for her when she does this little dancing in
place with her feet... she thinks it sounds like a trot. I walk a few feet just
to play dumb a little bit but she really wants me to trot so I do. I did nice
little circles for her both ways, too and she was so happy, I got a carrot back
in camp. I can trot for carrots!!! And then I got more sloppy beet pulp and Max
saved his apple for me again.
Maggie: I slept like a log that night. The best I have ever slept at a ride
(if you don't count the people arriving at 1 a.m. who shone their headlights and
flashlights in our windows and then after finding their spot proceeded to slam
EVERY single door on their trailer two and three times!). I awoke refreshed and
eager to get on the trail.
