Great First Day in 2008

So my first day of 2008 was fantastic.  I slept in and lazied around until about noon.  Then my friend Matt and I went for a trail ride at Shakertown.  Another friend was supposed to go but the freezing cold weather wooed him into staying home with his cozy couch, baked beans, and a stack of borrowed movies.  There was no talking him into joining us.  

So, with multiple layers of clothing on and my borrowed horse in Matt's trailer, we set off for Shakertown.  We arrived and I began grooming my insanely muddy horse.  Matt's horse wears a blanket so he quickly tacked up and was circling around us in anticipation.  After some serious tag-team effort at trying to bridle "Jake" (that's what I call the horse that I borrow because I don't like his name), big fluffy flakes of snow welcomed us on the trail.  About 15-20 minutes into our ride, we met 3 snow covered does who watched us intently then scampered off.  Which resulted in the first "winter rodeo" of the day. Jake spun and started to bolt but quickly came back to me.  No mishaps, no falls, all was well.

Did I mention that Jake is a very green, young horse?

We rode for quite some time admiring the beautiful landscape and plentiful wildlife.  After passing through several gates we came to an open field where the snow was blowing so hard sideways that it was a total whiteout.  Although the horses were slightly perturbed when they had to have their faces into the wind, Matt and I just laughed as the snow pelted our exposed skin. 

After passing through some more fields and a few more sections of wooded areas, we came to a field of cattle.  Matt's horse acted as though they were horse eating cattle.  We laughed and blew him off.  I said jokingly, "I hope these cows don't charge us!"  

The cows moved off into the other direction after studying us intently.  Then we noticed that one cow did not move off.  In fact, she seemed to move right towards us.  We assumed we were in her path from point A to point B.  So as we continued in our line to avoid her, she suddenly jumped sideways and made a quick charge at Matt's horse!  We couldn't believe it!  So we quickly moved off.  (and no, it was not a bull)

After that experience, I was feeling a bit big for my britches and starting talking about how I'd like to learn how to work cattle.  I selected a target (not the charging cow) and said, "Hey, I'm going to move this cow back to the herd."  I walked towards her bravely and matter-of-factly. Made a shooshing noise and tapped my duster fully expecting to see her move off towards the others because of my "expert" maneuvers.  

Instead she stood her ground and rolled her tongue about 2 feet below her jaw line, and said, "BLAHHHHHHHH!"  It was a bizarre cross between a moo and a bleat much like that of a sheep.  

Regardless, I nearly wet my pants.  Jake about stepped off without his feet.  And I decided my cow working days are over.   And for the next 1/2 mile or so of trail, Matt and I imagined what it would be like for us to be in a rodeo!