The Mustang Diaries: Pecos June 1-15 Training Update

Pecos is back from a big couple weeks on the road, and the signs are all pointing in the right direction. These past two weeks included a northern Vermont trip, a long trail ride, some well-deserved rest, and a return to the arena that showcased Pecos’s growing confidence and abilities.

Previous two weeks at a glance:

• Northern Vermont trip and a 10-mile trail ride: Pecos faced everything the terrain threw at him—steep inclines and declines, water crossings, rocky stretches, and the unpredictable company of wildlife. It was his first time trailer-ing out and staying off-site, and his performance was nothing short of impressive.

  • First real trail ride: This marked Pecos’s first true trail ride away from home, and he handled it with composure, curiosity, and true grit. The terrain was demanding, but he stayed balanced, responsive, and forward-thinking throughout.

• Post-ride soreness: After such a demanding trip, Pecos returned form Vermont showing some generalized muscle soreness for a few days. It’s the kind of response we expect after pushing the body in new ways, especially with unforgiving terrain. We gave him a few days of rest and low activity to recover.

• After the rest period, Pecos tackled an obstacle course with the same composure he showed on the trail. Teeter-totter, cowboy curtain, ponds, and step-ups all presented their own set of challenges that Pecos tackled fiercely.

Overall takeaway: Pecos continues to prove his versatility and trainability. His mental and physical readiness to take on new challenges is clearly improving, and the gains show in both attitude and performance.

What this means for Pecos and the plan ahead

• Strength and confidence building: The Vermont trip was a big step for Pecos—both physically and mentally. The trail experience, combined with the obstacle course success, signals ongoing gains in conditioning, balance, and confidence in new environments.

  • Increase exposure to varied terrain and longer, slower-paced trail days to further improve stamina and gait efficiency.

• Gradual progression: We’ll maintain a gradual progression approach—shorter, more frequent sessions that build endurance, along with targeted hill work and varied terrain on and off the trail. This will help Pecos stay sound while continuing to grow stronger.

• Off-site exposure and trailering: Pecos’s first off-site stay and longer trailering experience went well. We’ll keep reinforcing trailer loading, unloading, and calm, confident behavior in new settings to support continued success on future trips.

• Involve his owner as much as possible to prepare for his quickly approaching return home!

  
  

Here’s to another week of growth, confidence, and trail-ready readiness for Pecos. If you have any questions or specific goals you’d like included in the next update, just let me know.