The author recounts a recent horseback ride in Cave Creek on a large quarter horse named Bolt, reflecting on past experiences with horses, including a steady and brave horse named Baxter. Despite assurances that Bolt was calm, the ride ended with Bolt speeding up, prompting the author to give in and let him lope the last mile. The piece humorously contrasts the unpredictability of horses with the author’s fondness for trail riding and the rich equestrian history of Cave Creek, a town settled by cavalry soldiers and early miners.

The article also touches on the author’s reluctance to join a mule ride down the Grand Canyon, highlighting the challenges and quiet discipline required for such an adventure. Overall, the narrative blends personal anecdotes with local history, concluding with a lighthearted encouragement to “keep calm and trot on.”