Leisurely Horse-Riding Gone Wild in Montana: Long-Distance Galloping

Four of us decided to ride and exercise the horses today. We saddled up and immediately it was a fight for my wife and I. We weren't fighting with each other, it was a great day. We were fighting the stubbornness and sheer will of the horses. As soon as we mounted, Val wanted to bring me back to the pen and Grace wished to remain a statue.

After dismounting we led them on the rope down hill away from the pen, Grace and Val resisting our will with theirs. Today's ride was our second time with Grace and Val. The horses had become fairly accustomed to our demeanor and riding style and us with theirs. We followed a draw for about half a mile, two big hills on either side of us, and then followed the fence line along the western property line. We encountered a couple big down hills and ups. Our guide was testing our riding ability and comfort level for one last big hill. It was steep going for a hundred yards but we made it to the top after much coaxing from my wife to gain Grace's cooperation.

We reached the top and our guide realized the wild mustangs were grazing too far away from the corral. He asked our help to bring them in. Little did we know this would be our primer in long distance galloping! The trick to galloping is to use your legs as shocks and to never sit back in the saddle. Our guide and our friend took one corner and my wife and I the other. We were a couple hundred yards apart and barely within earshot but we managed to chase the herd in closer to the barn and corral.

We chased them in for about a half mile. It was exhilarating to fly atop a living animal, soaring above the sagebrush. There is nothing like it.

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