Am I the only one that...

[pines4equines]

basically trailers my horse to a park, spends an hour getting him ready; brushing, combing, hoofie picking, currying; only to just amble along the trails at a walk?

(I did see a bear the other week about 25 feet from the horse and my horse was an angel about it!)

[VAHorseGurl]

No, you aren't dear. ;)

Myself and my co-worker do just that. Only, at the moment, she trailers and I meet her, wer spend time grooming, tack up and hack out for a very leisurely 2 to 3 or more hour walk-about. :)

Hopefully, soon, I can ride my own horse and not have to bother her's. But right now, Pete isn't ready for that. :(

~Kerri & Pete

[Huntertwo]

Is it possible to groom him at home and just have to saddle up when you get there? Or do you enjoy the relaxing grooming time before heading out on the trails?

[pines4equines]

Oh my yes! I have to say I LOVE the grooming before riding. I could do it at the barn but it's just not the same. So much more relaxing at a quiet park.

When I drive into the parking lot, I curse under my breath if anyone else is there that they might infringe on my grooming time. And, the horse just loves it.

I think I do send off negative vibes as most people do give me room to groom without alot of stupid, "Is it a boy or a girl?" questions ... Nevermind, his weener hanging down to the ground...is he a boy or a girl...just look for God's sake...Arh, arh!

I have a friend who rides with me and we both have the same mantra...We gab and groom...

[Char]

I'm the same way. I'm not ready to head out until my horse is super shiny and relaxed after his rubber curry massage, including a ShowSheened mane and tail! I know we're not showing, but it's a great way for him to acclimate to strange surroundings and all that.

It just gets us ready and in the mood to meander. Rushing things is like trying to rush my 6 year old son in the morning. The more I rush, the worse the day gets...:D

[katarine]

eeh, I'd rather get going... I do like to clickety click at the trail head and GO, though...but they do get a good brushing and hoof check. But ShowSheen? LOL not me. BUT - I don't board so I get no guff by any boarders etc wanting to chat. I get ample barn time anytime ;)

But I do love that getting ready to ride time away from home. So much fun is just down that trail...

[pines4equines]

I have my own place but there's always someone coming in the barn looking for something? (I don't board horses, it's just family members.) I like to get away and also get away from all the guilt of undone jobs. When I get in the trailer, get to the park, I forget about everything and I can take my time...

I'm like the other poster who fluffs their horse. I love making him look gorgeous for a trail ride.

I also hate to be disgusting but for some reason he always "drops" at a trail and I can clean the weenie with the bucket of warm water I bring...unless there are non horse people there...It would just be too weird and I'd become the "whatchacallit" of gossip...

[Bank of Dad]

I have been known to give a quick bath, in warm weather, and put said wet horse on the trailer, and be blessed with a clean shiney horse when we get to the trail. Love just ambling along.

I'm spoiled at home, he really tolerates the vacuum well, and I don't have that in the trailer. I guess I could use a battery dust buster!

[ChocoMare]

Sometimes, if it's cool, I'll do the super-duper groom-before-ride routine but usually it's a quick curry, hard brush, soft brush and pick out hooves before heading out. Many many times, all I do is walk and meander.

If I feel like moving out, we do. If not, who cares?! :D

[CanterQueen]

Nope, sorry. No slow pokes here. We love to run the fields, trot the corners and canter through the trees. Fall is my favorite time :winkgrin:; gotta love the cooler weather.

We enjoy a good, slow groom, but usually it's when I'm not taking them out to ride -- kinda like my equine quality time.

[Shadow14]

I have been known to give a quick bath, in warm weather, and put said wet horse on the trailer, and be blessed with a clean shiney horse when we get to the trail. Love just ambling along.

!

that's what I always did on the warm days. A quick hot bath, load, trailer for about 10 minutes to the green belt, unload, saddle and be off in another 10 minutes. I would hussel for about 15 miles and then when I arrive back at the trailer and nice warm bath. I carry alot of hot water that has just cooled to the right temperature while running the loop. Load up and head home.
I spend very little time grooming when a quick spunge bath accomplishes the same thing.
I do groom nightly in the cooler weather just to spend time and put my boy shiny and clean away for the night.

[wateryglen]

I think we all have our pre-ride rituals so don't be apologetic!! And if you want your horse to look his best? All the better! Makes a good impression! You never know who you're gonna run into on a trailride!

For example; I sometimes run into dressage queens and don't want them to think I'm some kind of trail trash!!! :winkgrin: Or...when you don't have the opinion that you are a good looking pair; then knowing your horse looks good gives you more confidence! I know how gossipy horse people can be about our looks! :cool:;) I think landowners like to see us pretty too!

What are your pre ride rituals? I have a certain order that I tack up and gather my things. But I find a sheet saves a world of work upon arrival as we have a lot of gravel, dusty roads in our area. Trailering a wet horse won't work well here. I prefer to do the grooming at home in my barn clothes so I can change into my riding clothes and not be dirty already. I'm a dirt magnet.......:sadsmile:

[pines4equines]

Trail trash...arh, arh!

[matryoshka]

I've done the same, plenty of times (the just walking part--I always do the grooming). I never pre-groom at home unless I'm in a huge hurry. Part of the reason to groom at the trail head is that your horse has a chance to relax before heading out. I like to fill their bellies while I groom. Nervous horses can really benefit from a nice pre-trail ritual.

My horses are also easy to load. I suspect part of the reason (besides the training I put into trailer loading) is that they aren't rushing down the trail as soon as they get off the trailer. They can count on some time to adjust to the new surroundings, food, water, and a good grooming.

[pandorasboxx]

Trailer to trail. Quick brush over. Hit the trail. Trotting and cantering very little walking.

Rtn to trailer and rinse off at trailhead if water hose or lake water available. Scrap off water, throw on trailer, head home.

Walking is too dilly dallying and wastes time. Its too far for me to trailer to dilly dally.

[pines4equines]

I prefer meandering to dilly-dallying...

[ChocoMare]

I'm in the Mosey camp myself. :D

My Percheron's whole attitude is What's the hurry? Stop and eat the roses.

:lol:

[pines4equines]

Chocomare:

I have a TB/QH/Perch

[pines4equines]

Ooopsy...I hit the wrong button....

Chocomare: I have a TB/QH/Perch cross. Go drafts!

ANd, we ride at this park which is a buffer zone for an airport called the Stewart Buffer ZOne... I prefer to call it the Stewart Buffet Zone...because we meander and eat, meander and eat...

[2Jakes]

I have friends whose rides are "meander and eat, meander and eat"...they call their rides *facilitated grazing adventures*:lol:

[pines4equines]

*facilitated grazing adventures*

Arh, arh, arh!!!! THat is hysterical!!

[Dressage Art]

I walk - my mare was diagnozed with a mild navicular and vet told us not to trot or canter on a hard ground. I don't want to give up trails - so we walk.

As for grooming- oh, don't even ask, we do dressage when we have time left from grooming ;) white polos and all...

PS: I'll need to do a t-shirt design picture from *facilitated grazing adventures* -that is really funny!

[Nynaeve]

I *love* to amble along on the trails and look at everything, just enjoy the scenery. I don't like to trot or canter unless I am really familiar with the footing of the trail. I am so afraid of stepping in a hole or something. If I am familiar with the terrain we will pick up a trot or canter for a bit.

I also ride a draft...Belgian/Percheron cross. :D

[pines4equines]

Nynaeve: Me too. I'm overly cautious about footing. My horse has a conformational problem that I just don't think he would stay sound with alot of rough housing. So I, too, look at the scenery on my facilitated grazing adventure....

[Horsecrazy27]

I mostly walk, lately have been doing some long trots on great footing. I like to look for wild life and it is my time to just "peace out". 99.5% of the time, I'm by myself---just met a person to ride with, so hoping that will change a bit. :)

I USED to be the ultimate groomer and my horses were always spick and span----the last couple years, I run a brush over the horse, saddle, bridle...ride. when I get back, bath brush, treats and turn back out.

[2Jakes]

DA: "PS: I'll need to do a t-shirt design picture from *facilitated grazing adventures* -that is really funny!"

When you make that design I will definitely have to buy one each for the girls that participate in these rides!! :yes:

[KCFoxy]

I love having the time to groom before riding...i've also bathed him b4 a ride....tg he's dry by the time we trailered over (warm weather only). As for ambling...any time spent on a horse is wonderful and the longer I'm out w/ him and my sister on her horse the better. Amble, eat, amble, cure the ills of the world..HEAVEN:lol:

[gdolapp]

To me I have the most fun going with friends to a park, grooming, saddling and
just meandering down the trail in a conversation with friends. Before you know
it or even realize it three hours has went by and your back at the trailer.

[KSAQHA]

I have been known to give a quick bath, in warm weather, and put said wet horse on the trailer, and be blessed with a clean shiney horse when we get to the trail.Several years ago, when I only had a run-in shed, a grey mare, and it was too cool outside, I brought her into the garage and shut the door to give her a bath. I couldn't bear the thought of riding a dingy horse on a big organized ride. :lol:

I groom at home and give a quick dust-off once I get to the park so I don't waste time, but I usually end up waiting on others.

[lizathenag]

I call it trail salad. . .
but I clearly am not a horse.

I ride him over to the lush green stuff and he wanders back to the dead leaves.

[pines4equines]

Arh, arh!!! Trail salad!!!! Facilitated grazing adventures on trail salad...