Sebastian & Justin Go out on a beautiful trail ride.  Tampa Florida September 6, 2005 Riding on the relaxing & peaceful trails  is one of Justin's favorite things to do  on our horse Sebastian. The scenery is breathtaking, the trails are calming, and the horseback riding is a everything you hoped it would be. Follow along with Justin as he and Sebastian guide you through some of the trails they frequent. Justin will take you through the winding paths under the canopy of trees, around the lake,  gallop along the Expressway, through the meadows, and swimming in the lake!    You will be amazed!

September 6, 2005 The trail starts for customers up at the barn. We will start as you cross the creek. The water is low today so we don't have to worry about getting our feet wet.

Justin has decided to go bareback on Sebastian.

After we cross the creek we go up an embankment of white sands.

Here we cross a smaller creek. The other horses follow right behind the "guide horse" so even inexperienced riders can enjoy the trails!

The trail goes up and down and all around so you experience the true feel of the horse underneath you.

Your guide will answer questions and share with you many memories of the ranch & riding.

Please remember to always "Tip Your Guide." Most of them are volunteers and are giving you their time. It takes over an hour to ride the trail, depending on your experience level.

The beautiful vines & leaves remind me of how lovely it is to be outside! Your horse may try to snack on them too as you pass by.

The trail goes right along a man made lake. I asked Justin to turn so I can take a photo of the horses head and not just his behind!

He was nice enough to pose for me. There are no cameras or loose items allowed on the trail. I am actually walking the trail behind Justin. People are not allowed to walk the trail because it spooks the horses if there is more than one trail out at a time. We know we are the only trail out right now.

The greenery is thick and lush. It grows rapidly everyday.

This is the "Expressway" where the horses love to run! It is a long stretch of flat land where it is safe to gallop the horses.

The horses love to gallop besides the Expressway. You can see the cars as you go by. There is a fence so it is very safe. If you don't want to run your horse here, you don't have to. Your guide will go at the pace you feel comfortable with.

As you can see this is Justin & Sebastian's favorite part of the trail! He is galloping at top speed bareback as he waves to me!

I don't know how he stays on at that speed. They have to learn to stick like glue!

Justin & Sebastian run so fast that my camera can't keep up. He ran up and down a few times so I could get these shots.

After the Expressway, you come to the meadow. I have to walk and catch up while Justin cools out Sebastian from the run.

I enjoy watching Sebastian & Justin walk through the tall grass.

I let him get ahead of me so I can take a shot of the full view.

Will we go through those trees?

Through the trees and out to the lake again because there are big bannana spiders and I want to take a shortcut.

This is one of my favorite shots.

It is so peaceful out here.

Justin is going to ride around the lake.

This is how far apart we really are.

Sebastian is just a speck over there now!

Justin catches up with me and takes me through a shortcut the guides don't use. He is training Sebastian to learn all the trails and not to be afraid. Sebastian will walk right next to the fence.

This will put us back on the trail.

It's hard to keep up on foot. The trail is long and hot and hard to walk on for people.

After awhile, you will reach this swimming hole. This is the one place where the ranch allows the volunteers and boarders to swim with the horses. The trail guide will take you near it, but not in it.

Sebastian walks over to the other side of the lake, the water is not too high here.

But all of a sudden it can get very deep! Justin has swam in the lake many times with the horses.

Even he fell off because it's slippery on Sebastian with no saddle once he gets wet!

Justin has to bring Sebastian out to deeper water so he can get back on.

He hops back on! That Legolas trick comes in handy now.

Justin gets situated. It's not as easy as it looks to get back on a wet horse with no saddle.

And they are off swimming again!

This is so much fun on a hot day!

Sebastian learned a naughty trick, to rear in the water. One night all the kids went swimming with their horses and one horse was taught to rear. When he did it in the water, all the other horses copied him. No more naughty tricks Justin!

They swim around some more.

Justin dunks his own head in as they swim.

How about a forward facing shot!

Sebastian and Justin are soaking wet.

Enough swimming, let's get back on the trail.

Justin and Sebastian are ready to head home.

If you think it's dark in here in the day, you should try it at night! Don't worry, your horse knows the way.

Back over the white sands and across the creek again and we are home!

I hope you had a good time on the trail ride..

Because we sure did!

Do you want to see Sebastian & Justin in the parade? Click here!