I Don’t Think Trigger Got Led Down Railroad Tracks

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

I never saw John Wayne lead his horse because the rocks were hurting its feet. I don’t think Trigger got led down railroad tracks.

Maybe that’s what led me to the notion that once I had a pack pony, I’d be able to ride Woody from here to retirement.

Wrong.

I learned that even with two mounts, if you really want to keep them in good riding shape, you’re going to have to do some leg work of your own.

That means get off and walk.

The “Goat Trail” that winds down from Sewanee to the Sequatchie Valley isn’t named after goats. It’s named after the train that used to haul supplies up the Cumberland Plateau. It ends in a long rip-rap paved ramble along the railroad tracks.

Sure, you could ride your horse across those broken chunks of gravel.

But it’s really better to walk.

So I turned Woody loose and led Magnolia. He just falls in behind her, loitering occasionally for a snag of rag weed. Then his imaginary lead rope comes up tight and he jogs up to her side. Along the way we saw chunks of coal, rusty railroad spikes and a copperhead. We let it all lie.

That’s weekday satisfaction; being followed by an Indian pony and a mule down empty railroad tracks.

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