A New Year’s Day trail ride in the Bristol Hills helped Ben Theyre (shown here with BeBop) and Vanessa put their problems in perspective. Photo by Ben Theyre.

Spring is a wonderful time when blooming trees and wildflowers fill the air with fragrances that rejuvenate the soul. A new year is the perfect time to put your problems in perspective and plan your riding season.

At the end of last year, Vanessa and I decided to give our veterans of competition, Thunder and Beene, a well-deserved rest and ride our two younger geldings, BeBop and Khan. Unfortunately, high fuel costs and a family matter derailed our plan for another great adventure to the Southwest. We needed another strategy to enjoy our horses.

Revising our plan for the 2006 riding season became our New Year’s Resolution.

On Thin Ice

Everyone knows that the best way to think about a new trail riding adventure is to, well, go on a trail ride. So, on January 1, we saddled up the two rookies and took a brisk ride into a favorite neighborhood place, the Bristol Hills. The terrain is challenging and the trails are picturesque. It was snowing, but we found the cold to be invigorating. It was a perfect winter day to ride.

The horses thought otherwise. BeBop and Kahn were a handful at first. Their antics prevented us from talking. We needed to remind them that they weren’t in the pasture playing, but on the trail, and we were in charge. So we headed toward a hill that was about 1½ miles long. That made them focus.

After the climb, we came out into an open field. Our mounts settled down and began to enjoy the ride as much as we were. Walking side by side, we were able to relax and talk frankly about our situation.

During the exchange, Vanessa and I took turns expressing our disappointment in having to postpone our trip to Arizona and the problems that caused it. We needed to get our feelings out in the open. The many conflicts and issues involved bogged down the conversation as the snow got deeper.

Then our train of thought was disrupted by a more immediate problem. We came to an area that was usually passable in dry weather. Now, it was flooded and marshy. It was about 100 feet wide and was partially iced over. We had no idea whether the ice was thick enough to support the horses — or us, for that matter. All thoughts of our personal problems ceased. Is it passable? How deep is the mud underneath the ice? Would it be safe for us to proceed?

We looked at each other, wondering what to do. It was getting late in the afternoon and the snow continued to fall. We could turn back, but daylight was an issue. I suggested we bushwhack around the area, but we decided that the woods were too thick. Our only option was to dismount and proceed across the icy terrain.

The ice supported us for the first few steps. Then, CRACK! Vanessa’s boot went through the surface. The horses stopped at the sound. It wasn’t very deep, so we kept on walking.

Once the horses realized the trail was passable, they raised their hooves high and proceeded through the frozen marsh. The crunch-slop of the trail soon passed, and we were beyond the unexpected hazard.

A New View

Muddy but safe, we swung up into the saddle and got back on good trail. Khan and BeBop kept on as if nothing had happened. A sense of relief came over us. I patted BeBop on the neck and told him that he did well. The performance of our horses was rejuvenating. The woods became a winter wonderland, the trail fun, and our problems distant.

The demeanor and direction of our conversation changed too; instead of focusing on our problems, we talked of solutions to our planning dilemmas. Somehow, the people and horses affected by Hurricane Katrina entered into the conversation, and we came to realize that our problems aren’t very significant. Things could be much worse. 

Now that we saw our rookie horses handle difficult trail, maybe there was a way to work some trail-riding adventures in this year despite the obstacles in our life. If we kept the trailer packed with provisions and ready to roll, we could seize opportunities on short notice and take short trips around New York State. There are great trails just a few hours away.

As we came out of the hills, the snow turned to drizzle. Tired and leg weary, we dismounted and walked hand-in-hand along a rural road while BeBop and Khan learned about the sound cars make on wet pavement.

It was a joy when our barns came into sight. Thunder whinnied a “welcome back.” We were home, safe and sound. Dusk was falling on another New Year’s Day.

Back inside, we brewed a pot of decaf and munched on leftover Christmas sweets. Our thoughts flowed, and we laughed as we played with ideas for weekend escapes with BeBop and Khan. Our delayed trip to Arizona was no longer a concern. We realized that this just wasn’t the year for a major trip; maybe in 2007.

Trail riding is rejuvenating. A ride on your horse will stimulate your senses and open your mind. It’s a good way to remove yourself from your everyday world and gain perspective on your life. 

When you’re thinking about your problems while riding, remember Hurricane Katrina victims, and ask yourself, “Have I lost a shoe or lost my home?” Things will become much clearer.

Have a great riding season.

Visit www.bentheyre.com to find photos, videos, and travel log of out trip Out West. My e-mail is bentheyre@juno.com. As always, I'll answer every e-mail personally. may all your life lessons be on the trail.