An email sent to Doc's Internet Prayer Family:

Short version:

WE DID IT! About a mile or two loop trail with Doc and Breezy, riding the entire way! No mishaps. Crossed two bridges! YAY!

Long, verbose, version:

Well, I never did get any awards for having brains. In a rather jocular manner, I kissed my children good-bye from this side of heaven. I told them I love them, I have always loved them, and that I will always love them. I would greet them when they arrive in heaven...until then...fare well. I have enjoyed being their mom for the past 11 years.

My nine year old daughter, rolling her eyes, said, "Gee Mom, don't you think you are overdoing it, just a bit?"

She then said, "Have a nice trip. See you next fall..." Her play on words referred to the likelihood that Doc might buck, trip or any number of other things causing ME, her flesh and blood mother, to land unexpectedly on the ground, sans horse. She then skipped off to play more of her "Caesar" computer game (I think she has a lot in common with those early Roman Emperors! LOL!)

I called to her, "Don't you think you are UNDER doing it a bit?"

As I saddled Doc and hubby saddled Breezy, I really did realize that I could be nuts...that this day COULD end in disaster. In our community just over a week ago, a woman did have a freak riding accident. The seriousness of her injuries plays through my mind each time I prepare to ride. She had so much more experience than I do...her horses were much better trained. It can happen to anyone. I told Bob, "If I DO die...well, be sure everyone knows that I died doing what I loved and dreamed of, ok?"

We haven't even walked these two horses on the trail that we were planning to ride them on. The weather was gray, slightly windy, threatening rain...but my pleasant experiences with our other two horses earlier in the day had me puffed up somewhat, I suppose.

Doc seemed a bit confused by my saddling him here at home and asking him to side up to the rock I was standing on, but he did it. Away we went!

The loop we went on requires that we take our street about a half a mile before we meet the trail. Other than being immensely alert, both horses seemed just fine. Our plan had been for Breezy to lead the way. In Arizona, when we first rode Breezy, that is where he always wanted to be...ahead of all the other horses. This time, though, he deferred to Doc...the lesser experienced. I kept asking Bob to get Breezy ahead and the horses kept requesting a change. We figured they might know best in this. Doc has "earned" a status above Breezy in our little herd. Far be it from me to upset things!

The pace the horses wanted to keep for our trail ride betrayed their discomfort, but no one spooked or balked until near the end when Doc was unhappy about our coming upon some turkeys. He recovered very quickly, however.

This trail required that our horses cross two wooden bridges over creeks. Other than blowing harder through his nose, Doc followed Breezy without hesitation over the bridges. YAY!

I am thrilled that we had such a wonderful first trail ride. Gail, our trainer, says that it has been said that God protects Christians and fools, so she says I can consider myself twice protected! LOL! Somehow, I don't think that is a compliment! heheheheheh

In any event, whether that be true all the time or not, I won't hedge my bets. I know that this was a special experience for us.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Hugs, Heidi/Rocky/Wolfwacky