Some people take jeeps and ATVs off-roading. We? Well, we prefer a little more horsepower—Clydesdale horsepower!
It started as a simple ride through the pastures, just another peaceful afternoon with our massive, gentle giants. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and our Clydesdales—Thunder, Duke, and Willow—were full of energy. What could possibly go wrong?
The Trail Less Traveled
We had planned for a calm ride along the fence line, but Duke had other ideas. With a playful snort, he veered off the path, leading us straight into the woods. Naturally, Thunder and Willow followed, and before we knew it, we were officially “off-roading.”
Thick branches loomed overhead, and the trail beneath us turned from soft grass to rocky terrain. The Clydesdales, built for power and endurance, took each challenge in stride, their massive hooves crunching through the underbrush like it was nothing. We, on the other hand, were starting to wonder if we should have packed a map… or a rescue team.
Mud, Mayhem, and Clydesdale Chaos
What’s an off-roading adventure without a little mud? As we made our way down a narrow ravine, the ground beneath us turned into a thick, sticky mess. Willow, the most graceful of the three, managed to navigate it like a pro. Duke? Not so much. He plopped right into the muddiest patch, sending a wave of sludge flying. My boots? Completely swallowed. My jacket? Let’s just say I’m still scraping mud off it.
Thunder, being the fearless leader, decided to charge ahead—right up a steep incline. Now, if you’ve never ridden a Clydesdale up a hill that feels more like a mountain, let me tell you—it’s like being in the front row of a roller coaster with no seatbelt. Heart pounding, reins gripped tight, I could only hope Thunder knew what he was doing. Spoiler: He did. He crested the hill like a champion, turning back as if to say, What took you so long?
The Long Road Home
After what felt like an eternity of twisting trails, slippery slopes, and an up-close-and-personal encounter with a low-hanging tree branch (ouch), we finally saw the familiar clearing of our pasture. We were covered in mud, our Clydesdales were breathing heavy but happy, and we had enough stories to last a lifetime.
Lesson learned? When you take Clydesdales off-roading, expect the unexpected—and maybe bring a GPS next time.
Would we do it again? Absolutely. But next time, I’m wearing goggles and a raincoat.
