I knew Didder would be up to his spook tricks, but I wanted to ride bareback. So, I donned some velvet sleep pants over long johns, and I put the velvet-seated bareback pad on Didder. Velvet on velvet worked well together to keep me on his back, despite three spooks at the beginning of the ride. I grabbed a big stick, so big that it one end of it dragged along the snow. Amazingly - no more spooks - go figure. :) And we made interesting tracks in the deep snow.
It felt great to be out. It was so quiet in the woods, but here was loads of animal sign including deer paths criss-crossing the trail. We scared up two dark-coated deer on the far side of one of Jason's loops, and we went as far as the big, steep hill before turning for home.
At the end of the ride, we worked together on circling, side-passing and backing to get him supple and listening to me, and he was wonderful. He really can be such a good boy and so responsive, and he gave me nary a complaint about the deep snow, even though I know he had to work hard to get through it, especially up and down all those hills.
I am really looking forward to more winter riding this year, and I am so thankful we have a nice bed of snow out on my trails. I am hoping to have company on my next ride. I am so blessed to have so many friends who are occasionally able to join me! Didder and I had a super 2013 together, and there's no reason why 2014 can't be the same for us!
