The crisp November air bit at my cheeks as I dropped off my daughter at the neighbors and headed for the barn. We saddled the horses by light from the barn and loaded them into the trailer. We headed off down the road into the just waking sun. We had seven riders including myself and 14 sections to gather (its about 640 acres per section). The country is suited well for summer pasture for our cow/calf pairs with tanks spread throughout and forested hilly terrain with cliffs and outcroppings. (I've found several rock outcroppings while chopping water with a name and date of the late 1800's.) We bring them in come fall to winter pasture so the cows do not start eating pine needles and abort. It's perfect timing to preg check, wean and ship calves. I was giddy with the chance to ride but also a little nervous. Since the birth of my daughter, riding is a rare occurence, and my saddle has "shrunk" from non-use. (lol) My nerves were wild as I got the chance to try out our new horse. Would she buck or run off with me? The last thing I wanted was to go flying through the air in front of six men that were all good hands. Now back in my day I had no fear of hopping on any horse. Now that I have a daughter I am much more cautius of what I get on. We all hopped on and spread out throughout the countryside. I felt her back tighten as I mounted and thought it might be a show, but she eagerly trotted off and a few miles down the road we both sighed and relaxed. Up over a ridge we came across some cows and calves and the nervousness returned. Had she ever seen a cow? Her nostrils flared and her head raised high, but she kept going. We gathered a lot of country that day and she never missed a beat. She questioned some of the places I sent her but never refused. It is amazing that these monstrous masses of muscle will put their trust in a total stranger. As we trailed the cows down the last leg I cantered back on my own to prepare lunch and pick up my daughter. She certainly lived up to her name- "Super Chick"