The day dawned cool and somewhat cloudy and as I loaded Blue and Kasha into the trailer.  I thought to myself, “not too many people will come ride in this weather.”  HA!  Was I ever wrong!

Seventeen riders (including myself) showed up to ride.  We had 14 members, 1 guest and 2 girls from the neighborhood across the highway that saw all the horse trailers and decided to join us.  15 horses and 2 mules set out as the clouds began to clear and the temperature rise.

As always, the gaited horses took off leaving the rest behind.  Maybe someday, they’ll actually let others take the lead and teach their horses how to walk slower?  For the most part, the trails are wide enough to ride side by side with a stretch at the north end that is single tract winding through the woods.  Normally this is an out and back trail with a small loop at the southern end near the trailer parking area, but for this one ride we had permission to use the service road at the north end and were able to make a loop and head back instead of straight out and back.  Special thanks to Amy for allowing this to happen.

We were out about 2 ½ hours winding through beautiful ancient magnolias, HUGE pines red buckeye (great for hummingbirds), flowering dogwood and upland forests.  We crossed 2 concrete bridges on the main road without any trouble, even though I’m sure some of the horses smelled the “horse eating Trolls” that live under the bridges. 

These trails are worth traveling to during the Fall & Spring and possibly Summer months, but I’m sure by the time the Summer heat comes, so will the bugs.  Thanks again to the Florida Park Service for providing beautiful trails to enjoy the real Florida from the backs of our best friends.

Joyce