Suburban Obstacle Courses

I dropped Erin at SEA and ventured to the barn arriving shortly before sunrise at 0530. I'm not a morning person, but I was anticipating an early ride with Mr T. Tucker seemed happy to see me, ears pointed, bright-eyed and a slow meander towards the gate as I called him. We tacked, I popped up on his back and ventured out into the trails--the opposite direction from yesterday's jog.

Tucker was excited, always edging to the trot; I practiced staying centered in saddle and sending him the right signals. And then it happened: the crosswalk! Tucker has sauntered across many paved roads before, but none with a wide sidewalk, manicured hedges, vehicle discouragement posts and a sloped apron. The first time he stopped I thought it was the wooden 12 X 12 posts cemented in to prevent cars from driving on to the trails. We finally cleared that maneuver. Then we danced... for about 15 minutes until I finally convinced him to cross the road by stepping off the curb instead of the lazy graduation. I felt a sense of accomplishment and elation that he finally trusted me enough to move forward. There was absolutely no nastiness, just uncertainty. Another 10 minutes into the ride and another crosswalk. Same response. I'll go backwards, sideways, turn, dance if you ask me, but I'm not going across the crosswalk! We stepped off the curb again. The access road was borning so I decided to see if T would be game for some cross country trail blazing. Of course he was. We trotted up one hill and down another. Crossed drainage ditches without a second thought. Walked through the boggy creek mud at the second asking, and back into the brush. At this point we turned around and headed back. Oh the dreaded crosswalks! Tucker is still unsure of these suburban obstacles but it took far less asking on the way back. As soon as he realized we were getting close to the barn--the singing started. I think he needs a nickname...

Untacked, brushed out, and delighted to nibble on a few apple treats, I took Tucker back to his pasture where he found breakfast awaiting him.

He seems to like having a job. It doesn't matter if it's a trail, a jump or even arena movement on the bit--he's game for anything, even scary crosswalks.




Dun: A horse coat color that features primitive markings: a slightly darker hair shade from the base coat located in a dorsal stripe along the horse's backbone, horizontal striping on the upper legs

 
I like the "primitive" markings on Tucker the best. His dorsal stripe and the leg barring. He's a smart and unique equine fella and he teaches me something new every day.