E and her 4-H club went out to a local trail last Monday to change things up a bit. I had planned to join them, but another member needed a ride so I gave up the trailer space to her horse - the ride really was for the kids, not me. :)
Monte was a wild-eyed pony from the moment E backed him out of the trailer to pretty much the end of the ride. She had to deal with his constant jigging and trotting the entire ride....although he did finally give her a calm walk once the trailer was back in sight.
I asked her how it went, thinking she must have hated the ride, and was surprised to hear her say that she actually had fun. The child (seems strange to call my 6' daughter a child now!) has come to love the energy her pony has. She likes having to actually ride and work as opposed to just sitting on her horse, and enjoys the challenge Monte poses. In her own words: "I like that I can ride a horse that most people can't."
Horse camp in June is an eventing rally - which is a form of terror for Monte. Go out in the woods, by myself???!!! He's not the bravest of creatures. There are several other riders at our barn who regularly trailer to various locations - and they have offered to take E and Monte along. He needs the practice and exposure.
By the time E decides to sell him, Monte is going to be a wonderful, all-around horse...
