Day 30: Jasper Trail Ride

Patricia Lake from the Third Ledge
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Got up early and went out for a three hour hack to look at the view, see wildlife, etc etc ...

We went along peaceful woodland tracks, up steep rocky paths, down steep rocky paths, along the edge of steep drops (I'm glad the horse knew where he was going) ... and didn't see a single animal except the horses !  They must have seen us coming and run away (like the whales).  We saw more wildlife at our cabin.

I thought western saddles were supposed to be comfortable ... ?

Local residents at Patricia Lake
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However, apart from an extremely uncomfortable saddle, it was a pleasant ride on nice horses with good views from the high spots.  (Whoever said western saddles were comfortable hadn't sat on this one !  The lady who had booked our ride later admitted that she never rode western - she has a dressage saddle !)

Our guide: Dallas, parents own a ranch in Grand Prairie, but he fancied a change; used to ride bulls in rodeos ... you only have to stay on for 8 seconds.

Trail riding on Archie
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Tony's horse: Ogima (Amigo backwards) around 15.3hh coloured horse; aka Ogre as he used to buck everyone off - Dallas sorted him out in an hour a few months ago and he's been really nice ever since.

Katharine's horse: Archie, about 15.3hh, mostly quarter horse, bright and responsive; pulled the same faces as Sarah when his girth was tightened, but hasn't learnt the toe stamping bit yet ...