A Great Day for a Trail Ride
September 18, 2009
By Nancy Menefee Jackson
Photography Courtesy of Acres of Hope
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A few weeks ago, I had a perfect Tuesday. It involved a chestnut horse named Whiskey River, the Northern Central Railroad Trail and a day mercifully free of humidity.
A bit of background: I owned and rode a beloved horse for years, but we both got old. The difference is that he had to be put down, and I’m still limping along, although I no longer ride.
But my friend Laura coaxed me back into the saddle with a trail ride at Acres of Hope stable, on the NCR Trail in Maryland Line. I nearly backed out: I hadn’t ridden in years. I was too old to hit the dirt. I had a collection of injuries from riding that still plague me.
But Laura steamrolled over my objections. She introduced me to Hope Snyder, the owner of Acres of Hope. I stuck out my hand, and said, “Hi, I’m Nancy and no matter what Laura tells you, I want a beginner horse.”
Hope laughed and produced Whiskey. He was quiet. He was unfazed by bicycles zipping past on the trail, or joggers pushing strollers. But he was a joy to ride; he moved out smartly off a light leg when asked and had good brakes. His smooth trot didn’t tax a body that hadn’t ridden in so long.
We crossed into Pennsylvania and rode through downtown New Freedom and continued north.
I only had one dicey moment on Whiskey. We were having such a good time that we rode well beyond the normal route for the barn’s trail ride. Hope warned us that she was no longer familiar with the trail and in fact had never ridden that far up it before.
We crossed a fairly busy road on a curve without incident. But on the way back, we realized we were now on the blind side of the curve. I edged Whiskey forward until his chin stuck out in the road, trying to see if traffic was coming.
Just then a car whizzed by and Whiskey flew backward.
Nothing like sitting on 900 pounds of animal going the wrong way — fast. But Whiskey was actually showing more brains than I had, backing away from a blind curve on a busy road. We regrouped, and Hope took charge, even though the young mare she was schooling was timid about being the lead horse. At the same time, a driver of a pickup truck saw our dilemma and stopped his truck, allowing us to cross.
Hope impressed me by announcing that she wouldn’t be taking riders that far again because she didn’t like that curve. On the way home, she pointed out where riders normally turn back to the barn — and I realized that she had generously ridden much farther.
I hadn’t ridden in so long; I could have ridden forever.
About a quarter mile from the barn, I realized not only could I not have ridden forever, but I might not make the last hundred yards. My knees had stiffened so much I wasn’t sure I’d be able to dismount, and my butt was redefining the word chafe.
But it was the best Tuesday I’ve had in a long time.
If you would like to trail ride, contact Acres of Hope at 717-332-3739 or hopl...@msn.com, or visit the farm’s Web site at www.acresofhopefarm.net. Acres of Hope is an old cattle farm turned into a second chance for unwanted equines. Their main goal is to provide a relaxed and enjoyable environment for both their horses and visitors. They maintain a listing of horses for adoption and lease. Any donations, no matter how big or small will make a huge difference in the lives and care of these animals.
Nancy Menefee Jackson is a Baltimore-area journalist whose articles about sports, recreation and the outdoors have appeared in the Baltimore Sun, The Equine Journal, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine and PressBox.
