Batt and I finally had our second off property field trip on Sunday. I finally got to meet a friend of mine out at Fair Hill for a nice little trail ride. And it actually happened even though we’ve had to cancel and reschedule thanks to the lovely amount of rain the mid atlantic region has been “blessed” with lately. Actually, we had already cancelled Sunday’s ride on Saturday fearing the trails would be too muddy. But, things looked better on Sunday morning and people were out riding so we uncancelled (good thing because our rescheduled date of the 22nd is showing rain right now).

It was a short ride, but it was pretty successful. Due to the weather, I have NOT worked much with Batt on loading. In fact, I don’t think we’ve loaded in a couple of weeks. Nonetheless, Batt loaded pretty quickly (we had about 25 seconds of hesitation) and then we were off!

What I love about Fair Hill is it’s super close (20 minutes without a trailer). What I hate about Fair Hill is that the trip is filled with tight, twisty, hilly country roads. This is fine day in and day out when I go to work, but less fine with a trailer. So, I decided that I was going to go the longer route. Of course, I wasn’t exactly sure how to get to the covered bridge lot by vehicle (I pretty much only walk to the covered bridge) and my GPS did not like my alternate route. So I ended up on different twisty country roads. I should have just stuck to the ones I know. But, I didn’t have to pass any amish buggies so success?

Anyway, we met up with my friend Terry and her horse Bailey (they lease a barn in Fair Hill) at the parking lot and once I was tacked up, off we went. Tacking up was surprisingly easy considering Batt doesn’t currently tie. The mounting block was a little less successful since he was convinced that the piece of wood attached to it was going to eat him and there was NO WAY WE COULD STAND CLOSER THAN 2 FEET FROM IT. I ended up using the second step and leaping on. Elegant, no, successful yes. Once on, I almost look my leg on on the wood post since it’s only scary when I’m not mounted?

We stuck with most of the paved trails since it was still muddy, but we had a good time. Batt initially thought that the lady next to the covered bridge messing with her fishing pole was going to kill him once he walked onto the bridge, but after a short fight and a brave Bailey, we walked over as if our argument hadn’t happened. It was a short ride since Bailey’s 28, but a nice introduction to riding at Fair Hill. Hopefully we’ll make this a regular thing.

Loading after our ride was making me nervous (first time I’d actually load completely by myself) but he walked right on and all was right in the world. Hopefully the more trips we take, the more he realizes that he gets to go to fun places. That horse loves to explore, is brave, and doesn’t spook (unless it’s the second time you pass a tarp, then it’s time to spook). All in all, it was a nice, easy afternoon. It’s sort of nice to haul out for an hour and a half ride and be gone for only about 2.5 hours.

Now I just need to plan our next adventure and find people to ride with!