Trail Boss Qualities (so much to learn and so few to teach it)

Ponderings on what makes a good trail boss and how I fall  short. More than anything I am pondering how I  never saw that those who were superb were actually doing what they did  on purpose.

I've ridden with several that were quietly great, some I still ride with. They had a plan, but were keenly observant and flexible.  Gene never failed to amaze me at how well he did organizing his days to alternate from shorter rides, to longer rides and a day off, he also only rode in 2 hour stretches (to give the horses a break).  One thing that I find interesting is how well some trail bosses do at stopping for water depending on the weather.  Only after I understood the insight that was being used did I notice that they did not make every stop on the wet cool days and were searching out trails in lower areas that crisscrossed streams on the hotter dryer days. What a skill to keep everyone moving and his compadre's not nose to tail but not always trotting to stay caught up either? Then there are those little things like setting the standard for traversing obstacles, knowing when the sunsets, what the weather is going to do, where the quickest way out is if there is an emergency, and how to get that no I'm not lost we are still on the trail look when your just a  little off course. As I snuck up on being the older rider it occurred to me I had to find my own way around, I thought if I could navigate trails I would have a handle on it but alas that just means I'm not lost, it does little to make me a good trail boss. Luckily there are still a few of the greats left to learn from AND as they say sometimes you learn what to do and sometimes you lean what not to do.

Psalm 23:2-4

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.