My Extreme Trail Ride :)

I went out the other day, and lately, my best friend and I (she's practically my sister) have been getting tired of the day-to-day places we ride, which is our neighborhood. We live in an ag community with dirt roads, atv trails, flag ponds, etc...but we've been riding them for the past year or two and they are starting to dull...so, we decided to be a bit more extreme. Off our community is a road called Jones Loop which is litterally a gigantic horseshoe loop that has it's two bases on the highway (75)

We took the horses down Jones Loop, just walking, and enjoying ourselves when we saw a huge bridge. We haven't had much experience with bridges, so we decided to go up to it and see. Well, the "bridge" was actually an overpass over 75!! We were hesitant to cross, so we went to the side to see how crowded it was, and it wasn't crowded at all, so we dismounted and walked our horses over it. We didn't even have to, the horses were SO calm about it. The highway below was flooded with people pointing at us and honking...it was funny! We were nervous, but our horses were so calm, we just laughed and really started to enjoy ourselves at this point.

We then continued on through a golfing community, a trailer park, passed a few buisnesses and eventually ended up on the 75 exit, where there were a bunch of fast food places. We went into the Wendy's drive through since it was closest, got some water and TON of employees laughing and one guy said "Well, that's a first."

We then rode back home, enjoying our time. We almost went to Walmart, but decided against it, as there were alot of cars on that side of the road.

We stayed on the grass the whole way...it's sort of hard to describe, but Jones Loop is not a very used 2 lane road, so we felt confident, even going over the overpass again.

The best thing was that the horses were so cool- not a drop of sweat, and they seemed to really enjoy the change in scenery- with their ears perked up and calm expressions on their face. We got back by dark, so it was about a 4 hour ride.

Was just wondering if anyone else has done anything like this? My best friends' mother used to go to Starbucks on her horses, but my mom isn't a horse person, so she was a little concerned- but she trusts me and my horse.

We next plan to visit Ryan's Grill...it's a local grill our area that is much closer than Wendy's and has an outside area, so we can sit outside and eat with our horses. I wish we had pictures!! I will get them on our next trip.

Man. Back when I was in school... Id come home jump on my horse about (3pm) and wouldnt return till late (10pm).
We would ride any where and every where. Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Burger King, Ordered Pizza and picked it up on horse back.
One weekend, me, my little sis, and a friend.... rode all the way to homosassa. Which is like a 20 mile ride. Stayed the night and rode back the next way. All down busy 4 lane hwys.

Haha that is so cool! I have never done anything like this but it sounds super fun!

Wow cowgirl you have me beat! Lol...I definitely plan to do stuff like this more. And Leenie, you should really try it- it's alot of fun: between the looks people give you and just the experience of being with your horse and putting the words "riding with purpose" into practice, it's just a really good, natural high :)

Well, that sounds like too much fun. I wish I could ride everyday but I generally end up being a "weekend warrior"!!! Going for Pizza and a Starbucks on horseback...darn...it couldn't get any better than that!!

It is a great thing. Of course before anyone goes to crazy... you always want to start out small with your horse if you are not sure how they will re-act. I have seen many horses get scared of their reflections in store front windows. So you always have to be careful. But its very fun. There is even a big concrete dock out to the lake about 5 miles from my house. We will ride the horses out it to the end. Go swimming.
I no longer have time to ride like this, as much as I wish I could. Between a full time job, keeping my 3 horses exercised, and the 2-3 a month I keep in for training....
So.. SAsamone.... your bound to catch up and beat me ;)

Where are you at in florida??? I used to live in citrus spings. I would go to homosassa all the time. I actualy used to board there.

Aww that's so fun :)

I rode to Taco Bell once from a show, but that was about it. It was only like, a five minute ride fromt he showgrounds at a trot lol.

It didn't even register when she said Homosassa....I live in Charlotte County, so ya'll are further north than me in TRUE horse country, in Florida anyway lol.

And Sorrel Horse, that's ideal! I would totally go for a bite after a show lol.

I've always wanted to do that! What's it like riding beside the highway? Scary? Do people honk and stuff? The closest places from me are 5-10 miles away..but not on busy roads. How long do you think it would take?

ALSO...
Is there anything illegal about riding a horse on or near a road cars use?