Winter Ground with Horses is the Worst

As the weather gets colder here in northeastern New York, the ground gets so muddy so quickly. While I was bringing horses in for practice for the equestrian team, I noticed when I stepped on the mud lightly I would slip but when I stepped on the mud with my full force I would sink in. Quickly, I realized this must be friction in action, though in the moment I was more annoyed than anything that I was slowly sinking into a muddy field.

When I stepped lightly and quickly on the ground, I applied less force to the ground and therefore the ground applied less normal force to me. As a result of this lack of normal force and the fact that mud is a very slippery and smooth surface, I would slip. However when I stepped harder in the mud, more normal force was applied and I was able to bypass the slippy mud and make contact with the stickier underlying mud. Of course this resulted in me getting pretty stuck and wondering if I would ever get out from this mess. Also wear rain boots when you go mud walking, mud is no joke.