Public Trail, Private Lions

We set out on horses
Quite well-behaved
Into the pines
On sand roads unpaved

The ride started out quiet
The scenery quite plain
Booger and Tot plodding
Through the usual terrain

A few miles later
Wilderness met the public trail
An echoing roar
Made the horses turn tail

In the trees: lions!
(The mares weren't wrong.)
 In deep-chested voices,
Singing a feeding-time song

We paused in the moment,
Conversation derailed.
Exchanged incredulous glances.
Who would believe this tale?