Baby's Day Out

Last Sunday was a big day for Madge. We took her on her first trip to the local riding park. Sure, she's been away from the barn before for a few shows, but this was her first official trip on the trail.

I wasn't too worried about her behavior, because she's proven to be a very well-behaved girl when she's in halter--thanks to hours of ground work over the past ten months. However, I did bring Travis along to have an extra hand, just in case she got loose.

Travis and I loaded up the girls at the barn with no trouble. Madge started riding in the trailer with her mother when she was barely three months old, so we've never experienced any trailer problems with her. *knock on wood*

After an uneventful drive with a full load (we had Maxine and Belle in the trailer, too), we arrived a the park. There weren't many people there, so I parked the rig and headed back to unload the girls.

That's when I noticed something amusing. Every other person in the parking lot stopped what they were doing to watch us unload the trailer. As they leaned in to chat with friends, I could hear their conversations in my head: "I wonder what breed they have?"; "Is the handler any good?"; "Are they going to step out nicely or shoot out of the trailer like a rocket?"

How do I know what they're saying? Because, I do the same thing--we all do.

Confident in Madge's training, I opened the window, clipped on Madge's lead line, and unclipped the trailer tie. It was her first time in the rear stall, and I didn't want her to back out by accident, so I asked Travis to hold her by the window while I opened the door. Then, I stepped inside and backed her calmly out of the trailer.

Success!

Emily arrived a few minutes later and we tacked up the girls, including Madge. This was her fourth time with the bit and she's holding it well, thanks to a tip from my trainer. Molasses is your friend!

After a quick warm-up, we were off. I'd like to say that I have something more exciting to tell you, but it was a relaxing, uneventful ride. We passed a few people on the trail, said hello to a couple with an exited (but tightly held) dog, and even ventured a few steps into the river. Madge accepted it all like a seasoned veteran.

Toward the end of our ride, while we trotted through the field, I noticed something curious about Madge--she kept her eye on Maxine the entire time, as if to ask, "Am I doing it right?" She's so damned attentive!

To be honest, that's the biggest personalitly difference between Madge and Maxine. As wonderful and broke as Maxine is, there's always a little piece of her mind that's thinking about something else. Each ride I have to work to get her full attention, which could take five seconds or 15 minutes depending on her mood. Madge is the exact opposite. Except for bouts of youthful vigor, Madge's focus when in halter is always on her handler--human or mule.

"How'd it go?" Travis asked as we returned to the trailer.

"Great," I replied. "She didn't bat an eyelash at anything. Not even the meandering bridge with no rails."

"Did you expect any less?" he asked.

"Not really," I smiled.

Photo: Madge plays with her bit as we get ready to head out on the trail.