What are we looking at here? Frosty Bob’s big butt for one. Also 2 women who decided to walk 4 Mustangs – 2 from WY and 2 from CA – and 2 Shepherds for a couple of minutes to get past a scary (to us, we both don’t love narrow trails with drop offs) section of the trail. This is us just getting to the spot where it was wide enough that we felt comfortable getting back on.
Many other people would have ridden this part. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not other people. I owe it to my horses and to myself to know when I’m going to become a burden to them. When I get scared I either freeze or get grabby on the reins. Neither helps my horse navigate a challenging trail. So I dismount and feel safer that way.
I’ve been in a spot that was so steep, wet and narrow, we ended up putting a person on each end and sending the horses one at a time because it would have been to dangerous to even lead them. It was literally a 20 yard section of a day ride. The horses did fine, and from what we could tell, the humans staying off of their backs and out of their way was the best thing for them in that moment.
It’s not for others to tell you what to do if it’s not something you’re ok with, or for you to override your judgement to impress someone. It’s ok to want to ride and not be fearless. Fear is a survival mechanism. It is important, should you choose to ride with other people, to choose those people wisely.
Compatibility is important, between you and your horse, and also the people you ride with. Expanding our comfort zones is great. We also get to be where we are at and meet ourselves there. And to surround ourselves with people who accept and respect that.
Frosty Bob is from Fifteenmile, WY and was gathered with frost bitten ears. Lacy, DG Cedar and DG Griffin are Ambassador Mustangs with Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy and so much fun to go exploring with.
