It worked so well last time letting Jerry follow loose across the hay field last time that I decided to let her follow along that way until we got closer to the highway.

It worked wonderfully! Only leading one horse was so much more peaceful. Jerry gaited like crazy down the hill. She zipped past us and stopped to graze. Then I stopped to wait for her so I could grab her.

She took one look at us stopped and decided it must mean it was time to go home. She took off that way. We followed a little calling her. She went faster.

So I turned back around and went away from home. She followed. Got kind of close so I turned around to get her. She took off again.

I dallied Lady’s leadrope and we took off after her. Rusty could catch her and we’d turn her and I could grab the rope.

Lady does not do fast. She was so confused. She was very upset about being made to go fast and there was no way I was going to catch Jerry with the dead weight of Lady. So I let go of the rope and went after Jerry alone.

Rusty doesn’t do fast either. We did catch up but she was in the middle of the gravel road. The rocks hurt Rusty’s feet. I quit. She could just go home for all I cared. My daughter could ride double with me on Rusty.

We turned around.

I was worried about where Lady went. I could get one kid easily enough. Three of us and one horse would be more complicated.

Lady was standing where I had let go of her. She looked confused. Why had I tried to make her go fast?!?!

Grabbing her lead, and giving her a cookie in apology, we continued towards the highway.

Jerry stood where I had quit chasing her and called to us. We were going the wrong way. Come back! Then she zipped to catch up with us. Eventually I got off to try to grab her. She turned around again. We kept walking the wrong way. She followed.

Eventually I was able to offer her a cookie. A few cookies. She allowed herself to be caught and we continued on.

My daughter was mad about the horse thing. My son was thrilled. We al mounted up and headed home. Lady was zippy. Jerry was relaxed. Apparently her shenanigans on the way out used up all her energy. My son got a lovely controlled slow trot from Lady. Jerry walked fast and got a little upset when Lady got too far ahead.

Both kids get off the horses weird. I missed getting a picture of my son standing up on the saddle as he dismounted. I did catch my daughter’s attempts. Luckily the horses are patient. These mares are wonderful