What can I say about this beauty? Well, for starters, his name is Buck and he was my assigned horse for my weeks stay at the Geronimo Trails Guest Ranch.
So, there's a lot I've learned about Buck in the week that I rode him. The first thing is that, when we are all getting ready to get off on a trail ride, Buck likes to get out ahead. As you can see on the right. He's off. He wants to get a head start. That's pretty much all he gets, is a head start, because he just chills after that and decides that since he has the starting position, he can set the pace. Yes, that's great and all, if his pace was that of the others. No. Not Buck. His pace is New Mexico time. Desi Standard Time. Island Time. Whatever you want to call it. That's Buck's pace. I'm constantly thinking "come on Buck! Keep up!" and I'm sure Buck is like "Whatever! Just chill and stop and smell the roses woman!
As you can see, that's my husband, on his horse Rooster and he's about 3 horses length ahead of us. It took me some time to get used to Buck being so far behind. So, I would cheat. I would prompt him to go faster and he would get in a trot and catch up. That's the interesting thing about Buck. He was very responsive. I could get him to trot, go right, go left, backwards, without any problems. Walk faster? No! That was Buck's weakness.
There were times I would get Buck to trot, but then it wasn't such a good idea because when one horse trots, the other horses want to follow suit. I was just trying to get Buck to keep up. On our last day and our last trail ride, I got the opportunity to lope with Buck. Buck has no issues loping or even keeping pace while loping. He just doesn't like to do it on a walk.
The other thing about Buck is that he trips a lot (about 6 - 10 times a ride), but he's pretty surefooted when he needs to be. When crossing the streams, he's nervous and he takes the safe path and it's not that big a deal. On a casual walk, suddenly, he'll just slide a little. "Buck! What is going on?" Well, of course, the horse doesn't answer back.
There were several times I had to pull back the reins to stop him from wherever he wanted to suddenly head off to, because something in the bushes startled him.
What is Buck truly afraid of though? Well, he is most certainly afraid of these angus cows. Yes, the other horses have had a show down with these cows. I don't know if I have the picture, but there's a calf that these cows are protecting and so obviously, they are going to be on high alert. If the cow so much as moves, Buck freaks out. Over my stay in the ranch, I was a bit scared of the cows because of their intimidation and poor Buck, responded in fear. Yes, I see cows, I'm tightening my reins. Can't take a chance. Buck will freak out.
Buck and I visited some amazing places. The scenery cannot be captured with a camera. I'm beginning to realize with my trips that while I have some pictures, it's so different when you are actually there. The scale and grandeur of the area is something that has to be experienced.
I wish I remember the name of the places that are in the photographs below but that rock is a beauty. The picture on the left looks like a submarine to me, but I can't recall what it was called. This trip was a couple of months ago and I didn't take notes, so unfortunately, I cannot totally help, but if you do a vacation down by the Gila National Forest, you'll get to see this too.
I wish I remember the name of the places that are in the photographs below but that rock is a beauty. The picture on the left looks like a submarine to me, but I can't recall what it was called. This trip was a couple of months ago and I didn't take notes, so unfortunately, I cannot totally help, but if you do a vacation down by the Gila National Forest, you'll get to see this too.
I will go through my other pictures and see if I have a more perfect one of Buck, but despite shadow and all, you can see him. I love his dark mane that hangs to his left always. I found that unique about him. I miss you, Buck. You were very special to me.
Best wishes to all and safe travels,
TTR.
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