Trot on Hank

Broken Bit Update

2011-04-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

In the post below I shared that my Myler bit had broke at the trail ride. I sent Toklat (who owns the Myler line) and email on Tuesday, with photos of the bit, explained it had broke, but did not want to send it to them, as I had sentimental value due to the rides we have done in it. I just wanted them to be aware of it breaking, as I had someone else mention they had seen one break. Well, today in the mail, Toklat sent me a brand new bit!!! Now, is that customer service, or what??? We have been using Toklat products for years. I still own one of our original Toklat trail breast collars we bought in the mid 80's!!! I thought I should share about their customer service, in this day and age of some companies never even replying to concerns. I had gotten years of use out of the bit, and did not expect anything from them.

Arkansas "Whoas"

2011-04-20T16:10:00.000-05:00

This weekend was the Arkansas Traveler NATRC ride near Dover Arkansas. Two years ago, after we finished this ride, the ride manager suggested because we had been doing so well at that point, that we should try for the Presidents Cup. Who knew what a year 2009 would turn out to be. During the weekend, I thought about all the places we rode that year. Thinking how this ride had been the beginning of that wonderful journey.

I headed up Thursday with Hank in tow, and Mardi in the back seat. She is a good traveler, and enjoyed stopping for "road food" which was a corn dog for her.

The 380 mile drive passed quick enough, getting to see much of the small Oklahoma towns, and farm and ranch land, then through parts of NW Arkansas.

We arrived mid afternoon, and got settled in, and prepped for potential severe weather that was heading our way. The warm night with little to no wind was going to change, and we knew we could be in for a rough one. I prepped the horse compartment of the trailer to put Hank inside if needed, and headed to bed. After midnight, I got a knock on the door that we were under tornado warning. I listened to the borrowed weather radio and checked a map for the locations the weather alerts were listing, and felt that we were OK as far as tornadoes, but I feared hail, and I think all of us in camp loaded our horses in their trailers for the night, or had them in the barn down below. Turned out we had heavy, heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and high winds, but thankfully no hail. Hank has spent so much time in the trailer, he is a pretty good boy. Had a bucket of water, hay, and was dry.

Friday was cooler, and windy, but the ground dried out quickly, and the horses ended up not having mud in their camping area. We got all checked in, and everything ready for the next days ride. We would be doing 30+ miles. With the cold temps, I put Hanks warm blanket on, and tossed the electric throw on my bed, and we were both cozy. Mardi had her little horse blanket on, and a nice bed of shavings and hay tucked in the trailer. She got to sleep in the camper the night before, since Hank was using her bedroom, but that requires her being lifted up into it, and helped out of it, since it is not really "dog friendly". She is pretty happy in the horse compartment.

Saturday morning arrived, and I was ready to ride. These are such beautiful trails. A bit chilly, made for some overly cheerful horses on the early morning start. But it looked like Thursday nights rain was all we would have for the weekend. Although I did pack a rain coat Saturday AM until the clouds cleared up for the afternoon trail. We timed out, and headed down the mountain, and Hank was full of himself. He wanted to go, go, go. The winds blew a tree across the trail that we had to negotiate. The lowest part, at about 18" high had a small soft branch extending out the other side, and I knew if Hank stepped on it when going over the tree, and it moved, he would most likely spook, and so something silly, so I went for the higher about 2' section, that had a clear landing on the other side. Hank walked up, and decided he needed to tackle it like a 6' wall. Well, at least from MY perspective. He launched, we landed, and I had lost both stirrups, and had shifted a little off center. He was still ready to continue on down the trail, but this was not gonna work in my favor if he went much further, so I said WHOA, and he stopped, I got my self put back together, looked to see if anyone had got to witness my rather unflattering leap over the log, and then picked up the trot to continue on down the trail. He had a few horses in front of him, and was anxious to catch up. We were trotting along a nice stretch of trail at a pretty good clip when he sort of ducked his head to tug on the reins, as I checked on him for tugging on me, and suddenly I felt things "give". I quickly thought I had a rein or snap break, sat deep and said "WHOA", ( twice in less than 15 min. we are needing to stop on a verbal) and he slammed on the brakes. I hopped off, and saw the reins were still connected to the bit, but the bit was now in two pieces. His Myler bit broke at the joint of the barrel in the mouthpiece.

Well, not a lot of choice, so I stuffed the bridle in my pack, snapped the reins on the side rings on his halter, and got going again. I caught the horses in front and asked if we could get ahead of them for a bit, until I was sure I had the communication I needed. He has been ridden a lot in a simple S hackamore, but I prefer the bit, as it gives me a better finer detailed communication with him when negotiating tricky trail sections, or doing obstacles. He was going along nice, and after a few miles the other horses went on ahead again, and we were fine. Then we came to our first obstacle. It was a tree up on a small 3-4' slope that we had to back up and around it. Backing around trees have been an issue over the years, but he had been doing well lately. So, I positioned him, asked him to back,and he zipped around it nice and smooth, and we were heading on down the trail. (he got an excellent from the vet!)

The sky was slowly clearing from the cloud cover, the blue sky was showing, and the sun started shining down through the trees and the dogwoods were blooming. What a beautiful, beautiful day!!!

We had a lunch break in camp, where I put his hackamore on over his halter and then headed out across the highway to our other loop. This loop has the water falls.

So much to see, and take in. We rode alone for the most part. Hank is a horse who never forgets a trail, and I could tell he knew where we were going, and when we got to intersections of trails we rode in past years, he would try to go where the trail had gone before. At least I should never be lost if I need to get back to camp. Before we knew it, our 30 miles were done, and we were back at the trailer.

While relaxing after our days ride, I talked to a few people to consider if they felt they could stop their horse if their main means of communication through the reins were to be lost. It really does not matter if one rides with a bit, hackamore, bitless bridle, or halter. If it broke from the horses head, could you stop that horse? How much do you depend on the reins to stop them, or even control their direction? When I needed it, Hank stopped on my sitting deep, and saying "whoa". Something for riders to practice before they need that skill when things go wrong. I will admit I had not made a point to ever practice it, but just by always asking with my seat, and usually voice too, I had taught Hank to respond to more than just the reins. Because I used to do carriage driving, I am big on verbal cues. And like any cue we use, they are as subtle as possible to get the response I am seeking. (so my louder, more firm WHOA sue got his attention!)

Sunday morning dawned warmer than the previous day, and no jackets were needed, at least for me. Blue sky and breezes were the order for the day.

I had moments of that feeling of just being absolutely perfectly in sync and "one" with my horse. That usually brings out the gushy emotions of how lucky I am to still have Hank with me after his surgery, and glad I am riding alone, so I can sweet talk him. Had my Ipod on for a bit, and enjoyed some of my favorite music as we took in the views, flowers, butterflys, and wooded surroundings with spectacular streams. Up along one section of trail Hank had the best grazing he has ever had at a ride.

He could not stuff enough in his mouth at once to suit him. Today I found that I was able to soak in even more of the sights, sounds and smells of the mountains we were privileged to be exploring.

The sun coming down through the trees, shining bright on the forest floor to set of the greens of the foliage,the colorful spring flowers and the sparkling creeks. Before I knew it, the 20-something miles flew by, and we were back in camp, doing our final vet check.

All the horses were checked through, and then management was announcing awards were ready! I felt Hank had done well, his metabolics had little change through the weekend, and he had no soundness issues, his back was good, and I felt he was a pretty good boy on his manners and trail ability. But we never know how the other horses have done, so I don't ever get confident of any placing. But when the awards were all said and done, I had placed first in Horsemanship, and Hank had Sweepstaked the ride. Meaning he had the highest score of all the horses in the Open division, which was around 18 to 20 horses. This is just his 3rd ride of the ride season, but he has met the placing requirements for his National Championship again, so now all we need are 27 more points. Beyond that, I do have a goal / award I'd like to try for, that thankfully would not require I drive all over the country to achieve it. But the greatest reward is spending weekends like this one, taking in such beautiful trails.

I spent the night and headed home at pre-dawn hours, arriving a bit after noon. Turned Hank out, and he was as always, anxious to roll, trot around telling the others all about his weekend, roll some more,and start munching grass.

Have you seen the trails in Arkansas?

2011-03-27T14:20:00.001-05:00

Our Arkansas Traveler NATRC ride is next month. This is one of the prettiest NATRC rides I have attended. They only have it every 2 years now. Thought I'[d share some pix from past rides, to remind some of the beauty, and maybe convince some others that it is well worth the drive! This ride is near Dover, and more info can be found here:

Arkansas Traveler info

Trails through the woods

Mountain top views

Lovely streams and small rivers

Sun beaming thru the trees

Water falls

Cute pintos. Oh, wait....

Dogwood trees in bloom

It is a mental condition

2011-03-08T23:10:00.000-06:00

We know we must do physical conditioning of our horses for distance riding, but how many of us think about MENTALLY conditioning for the conditions?

We are faced with many challenges at a distance ride, and the more homework you can do ahead of time, then hopefully the better prepared one will be. While I think those new to the sport are more often finding some of their pre-ride training end up with a few holes in it, I have seen experience riders have some issues that they might have been able to lessen had they done a few extra preparations before heading off to a competition.

When we prepare and condition for rides, many of us have a tendency to only ride in weather that is more perfect, as we have a choice. If it is windy, or cold, we can wait a day or so for something better to head out to enjoy some trail time. But when we get to a competition, we do not always know what the weather is going to do. If it is not to our liking, we can always choose to not ride. And that is up to each individual. This has to be fun, and if riding in less than wonderful weather is not to ones liking, that is their choice, and theirs alone. This is recreation for us. But if one does choose to ride no matter what the conditions, then consider training for those conditions. On the physical end, consider doing some training in muddy conditions to be prepared and know how your horse might handle that footing before you end up at a ride and the sky opens up and changes things from dry and perfect, to muddy and slick.

Also, muddy conditions can be very mental for both horse and rider as it can end up slow and stressful, so it does fall into some mental conditioning.

Now, lets talk about cool or cold and windy conditions. At home, how many of you have decided to not go riding because it is windy? How many avoid it because they feel their horse is going to be naughty? For those who do not ever train in the wind, what happens when you get to a ride that has those conditions? Often the rider finds the horse they loaded in the trailer at home, is not the one they saddled up that morning. The horse is jumpy, uptight, and maybe even ready to buck, or does buck. And I think most of the time it is because the rider is the one who has concerns, worry, and tension about the wind,and what the horse is going to do and the horse is picking this up from the rider. Think about it. Most of our horses live outside, and deal with the wind on a regular basis.

It is not really a big deal. The wind is not what upsets the horses, but the riders feelings of the wind upsetting the horses, causes the horses to pick up on that anxiety, and then in turn, the horse becomes tense and does goofy things. They feel if their rider is nervous, they need to be on the look out. They spook more, and then just start feeling full of themselves. But if you take the time and make the effort to get out and practice in conditions that we think makes the horses mentally silly, we condition ourselves to learn that those conditions are not an issue. If I push myself, and my horse to conditions that mentally are worse than I'd ever expect at a ride, I can relax when these conditions present themselves at a ride, knowing I have done my homework and we have ridden in much worse, and this is not a big deal, and my horse and I can handle this. You end up having confidence that the conditions are not any different than just another day of riding. A windy day is no different that a clear warm day with no wind. If YOU have no worries, then the horse will not pick up concern from you. Instead they pick up your relaxation and lack of concern, and treat it like any other days ride.

There is other Mental conditioning you can do to prepare you and your horse for a competition. Find someone to ride and train with some, or a group of friends, and practice riding in groups. If you feel your horse is gonna be an idiot when horses pass him at a ride, then chances are they WILL be as you expected.

But if you get out there and ride with others when you can, have them ride in front, behind, and even go off ahead of you as you work with the horse that this is no big deal, then you will be more confident in your horses behavior at the ride when these situations arise. Have a friend trot off ahead, or even canter away. Now is the time to school the horse, and do the mental conditioning to deal with these things so when you get to a ride, and riders pass you, leave you etc. you do not need to have those concerns that your horse is going to be naughty and out of control, as you have done your homework. Now, chances are, some will still get silly at a ride even with all the homework, as others around you may be tense, thus getting their horses uptight, and your horse will pick up on that from other horses. Horses are herd animals and herd bound, and teaching them to not have a herd issue is tough with some, but worth the effort.

Also put in the time at home riding alone, so the horse gets used to not needing to have others to go down the trail with you. If you have that confidence, the horse will pick up on that. Some feel this is something new, and all the natural horsemanship folks talk about being the leader, joining up, becoming one with the horse etc. etc., but this is nothing new. I've been doing it with my horses since I was a kid, long before it started getting marketed with catchy phrases. Your horse looks to you to be in charge, and if they do not find that, they take matters into their own little brains at times.

So next ride, if your horse starts to get uptight, look at yourself, and ask if you are sending the horse signals that are making him that way. Take a deep breath. If you are so tense you are holding your breath, sing! You can not hold your breath and sing at the same time. If you have done your homework, wrap your mind around the fact that you have ridden and trained your horse to deal with as many situations as possible, and this is just another ride. If your body is tense, try to relax. Look on ahead down the trail where you want to go, and enjoy the scenery. Don't focus hard and fast on 3' in front of your horse. Most of us do not do that at home when riding. We look around, take in the day. Enjoy your ride! That is why you are there.

Thelma

2011-01-24T21:49:00.000-06:00

We met her and said "hello" the first time a little over 10 years ago when she was just 5 weeks old, and she was in the bed of a pick up with her brothers and sisters at a local tractor auction. We said our final goodbye to her today, in the bed of our pickup, at the vet office.

When we moved here, we wanted a dog to keep an eye on the property, keep coyotes away, and be a guard dog if needed. But we also wanted one to be nice to the kitties. My husband had always wanted a Catahoula. They are a hog hunting dog, and those he had known were very smart. So when we went to the fairgrounds that day, and saw the sign saying "Catahoulas for sale", we just had to go take a peek. As we watched the pups, one stood out. Not because of her color, as she was actually sort of bland as compared to her merle colored siblings, but because she was very sure of her self. She move the others out of the way to go get some food, but did not fuss or whine when picked up to be looked over. Something about her made us decide she was the one to bring home.

She quickly grew, and grew, and grew. Standards for a female Catahoula are 60 to 65 pounds. By the time Thelma stopped, she weighed in at 80 pounds.

She was a hard headed, stubborn pup, which we had been warned about the breed. But she learned her duties very quickly. At 10 months old some wild pigs came on the property, and she took off after them and had one cornered. When it made a break for it, she grabbed it, and flipped it, but it got away.

She instantly took to the cats, and adored them. Thelma never met a cat she did not like, even though new ones were not keen on her until she kept wagging her tail, going up to the slowly, and showing them she was their friend.

Once they figured out she liked them, They in turn, liked her. Peanut, who came with the house, had feared dogs from the previous owners, but quickly figured out Thelma was a great place to keep warm.

I hope at least some of her "kitty love" has rubbed off on young Mardi. But I don't think it will ever be like what Thelma had with the cats. We would watch her whine at stray cats when she was in the back of the truck at the feed store. Not to chase them, but I think she wanted to go met them.

She stayed fit and active. Between doing those doggy things, like patrolling the property all night for things that should not be there, she loved to go out when we took the 4 wheeler, and race it back across the pasture. 80 pounds of muscle. My husband saw her one day take across the pasture for a coyote who was chasing a fawn, barrel in to it, knock it down, and come up shaking it by a front leg. Did I mention she HATED coyotes? Smelling them on the wind would make her sit and growl, sniffing in the direction the scent came from.

In 2009, when I started traveling to so many rides around the country, Thelma found her place in the back seat, heading to the rides with me. She was getting older, and leaving her home was not a good option, as my hubby was often away for work. As soon as I would start to pack the truck and trailer, she would lay down near the truck, and not let me out of her sight. She wanted to make sure she got to go too. A good traveler, she would sleep in the back seat, occasionally standing up, letting me know she needed a potty break.

She always camped well, and only barked if another dog entered HER area. She was easy to travel with, and if I went to a ride without her, I'd find myself glancing in the backseat, to see what she was doing. 2009 was a pretty special year for her, and part of the memories from my travels, was having her along. Thelma had never really liked me, like she liked my husband. No doubt she was HIS dog. She tolerated me. I think because I was the one who was in charge of her training, and he was in charge of feeding her cookies. But, she respected me.

In late 2009, we knew we had better get another puppy, for Thelma to train. She was starting to have some minor health issues and was not gonna be around forever, and getting a pup, we hoped it would learn from Thelma about protecting the cats, and to hate coyotes. So, we found a Catahoula mix at a rescue, and she came home. Even as Thelma was becoming a senior, she was very tolerant of Mardi, who had excessive energy. In fact, we saw Thelma act a bit younger, and the bouncing Mardi seemed mentally, and physically good for Thelma. But, through 2010, we could tell Thelma was starting to feel the effects of age, and a few more health issues creeping up. Where she was always first to bark at the sight of a coyote in the distance across a pasture, now she would just sit and stare, but allow Mardi to bark and take care of things. I swear I would see a look of pride as Thelma sat there, very dignified, with a look of "I taught her everything she knows". We had watched Mardi grow and learn, and slowly take over the duties of the property. And, we were starting to see Thelma show more and more discomfort. Her health was slowly declining, as expected for her age, and size.

Over this past weekend, Thelma pretty much stopped showing interest in food. Besides other issues, her lack of any appetite was a turning point in quality of life. Sunday we spent a lot of time with her, and could tell she was ready to go. Even my husband did not generate a tail wag from her. So, this morning we backed up the truck to the porch, and Thelma jumped in the back. One of her favorite things was riding in the back of the truck. We had taken photos of her in the past (included), as I always loved the image of her in the mirror, ears in the breeze, and usually a doggy smile on her face.. So she got one more ride, and stood again with the wind in her ears. While making the decision is always tough as to when is the right time to let them go, I guess it is normal to have some sort of doubt, when you see the animal show a bit of brief improvement. But we knew that letting things wait, even a couple days was not for the dog, but for 'us'. And that was not fair to her. Why let her deteriorate even more, and maybe start to suffer to a different level. So seeing her have that last bit of joy, in a ride in the truck made me feel both happy for her, and sad, that it would be the last time I'd get to see that image in the truck mirror.

At the vet, we did not have to take her inside the office. They came out to the truck for us. I've been in the vet when an owner had to bring in their animal for that final trip, and the emotions of the owners are what get to me the most. The pain they feel for their loss. I have felt that loss myself many times before, and will in the future. Anyone who has an animal will one day have to say goodbye, that last time. While we had both spent some time with her alone that morning, telling her secrets and sharing thoughts only she would hear, this was the final chance to tell her she was loved, and what a good girl she was, and that she taught Mardi well, and the kitties will be safe. And if possible, I just did not want it to be inside the vet office, when she was most comfortable right now, in the back of HER truck. I had paid for the service before the vet came out, so we could just leave when it was done.

We got her home, and let Mardi come over to see her. I had discussed this with some friends, and felt it might be easier for Mardi to actually see Thelma, sniff her, and realize she did not just disappear. Mardi really looked up to Thelma, and was still looking towards her for approval and doggy advice. But after she checked her out, she trotted off, and has seemed OK all evening. I never underestimate how much the animals feel and know about such things.

I had a friend tell me once that after one loses an older animal, the will often feel a sense of relief, or maybe a feeling of stress release. We are not always aware that we have concerns or worry about them. But deep inside, we do worry something will happen to them while we might not be home, or they will have something happen to cause them to suffer until we can get to them. This happens with old horses too. I have had horses I worried about, and when I lost him, felt that odd release of stress that I no longer had to worry about him. And, we had that with Thelma. Every morning I was a little apprehensive about checking her dog house until I saw her up and moving. But tonight, while I am still feeling sad from the loss, it is MY loss I feel. She is no longer in any pain or discomfort, and for that, I am relieved.

Thelma

Sept. 6, 2000 - Jan. 24, 2011

Four month break

2011-01-23T22:17:00.000-06:00

I guess I got sort of bored with the blog, and needed a break for awhile. We finished out our Fall ride season, and in the end, Hank earned his National Championship again. We had gone to Kansas for a ride, so I was not waiting for the very last ride of the season to depend on him getting a 1st or 2nd we needed for that National Championship. The Kansas ride was one I had not been to before, and I enjoyed getting to another new location.

Also, the vet was Dr. Weil, who would also be vetting that last ride of the year. Dr. Weil is the vet that Hank always seemed to try doing something totally goofy at least once, getting Did Not Complete on an obstacle. But, he was good in Kansas for the most part, we earned our 2nd place, and we got to relax at the final ride.

The last ride of the year was at Lake Carl Blackwell in Oklahoma. Hubby went along too, and got to do some riding, and we stayed an extra day and rode on our own after the ride. Hank was a really good boy all weekend, and did everything I asked, and had great metabolics.

And, when he does well, I usually do well with horsemanship. In the end, we both had PERFECT score cards, and won a special Silver belt buckle for the highest combined score of the ride. I was pretty shocked, but really excited that we had finally done so well with Dr. Weil. Maybe Hank decided entertaining him was not as much fun as before. ;-)

Then, our first ride of the 2010 ride season was in December, and Hank again won his class, and Sweepstakes for the ride (highest score of the division) . So, since we have not had any other rides yet, Hank is leading the nation in points. lol

Our ride season picks back up again in March. I have no set goals, except to try to get another National Championship again if possible. But if the fuel prices continue to rise, we may have to replan how many rides we do, and pick ones that are most favorite.

So, that is the very quick, and somewhat boring recap of whats happened since September. I actually came on for a post that I have to do, that is one I am not really looking forward to, but have things bouncing around in my brain, and I need to write them down. Figured I better do a quick catch up first though.

The tools

2010-09-02T15:30:00.000-05:00

Really quick post on what tools I use. I have a punch that I hammer the litle "dent" where I want to drill first, so the drill will seat as I start the hole. I use a cordless DeWalt drill, and good drill bits. If I need to doo a large 1/2" hole, I would pre drill a smaller one first. Make sure you keep the drill bit running level, not angle up or down as you drill. I had a tape measure, and pencil, and would measure the distance from say, the molding, down, so my holes / hooks would be the same height on the trailer and look even. The pencil would wipe off easy if I needed to move the mark. I also used masking tape to mark locations on the trailer for where I wanted something. We used a metal "L" some to make straight lines. Then, I have what I call a chick tool kit. I have a wonderful large, Craftsman wrench and socket set, but most of the time, my little "chick kit" does what I need. It has a small socket wrench, set of smaller sockets, driver tips of all types. (screw drivers that slip interchange in to one screw driver handle) The drivers include phillips, flat head, and the square heads that some of the screws on the camper needs. All in a small plastic case. I use this little kit a BUNCH. For drilling a lot of screws with a head that took a socket, could put it on the drill and things went quick.

More horse trailer prep

2010-09-01T19:17:00.001-05:00

I forgot to mention in my Tackroom post, that for the most part, we use the trailer for our regular tackroom. We have to always trailer out to ride, so we rarely use the tackroom in the barn. Thus, I need to have everything I might need to ride, there in the trailer. So, now that I have that part of the trailer organization out of the way, let me share a little on our "horse area".

My old trailer was a single wall construction steel trailer. The support beams ran on the outside. I had rings welded on to attach the hay bags, The Hi-Ties had steel supports welded on where i attached them, as the trailer had an opening that ran the length of the trailer, right at the height the Hi-Ties needed to be. I did not need to find support beams to attach anything, as they were visible, or I just attached bucket holders etc. where ever I wanted, with bolts and nuts, rather than sheet metal screws.

This trailer is triple wall construction. Outside steel wall, insulation, and then interior sheet metal wall. Support beams were not visible, and we needed to attach the Hi-Ties through the support beam to make them secure. Trails West was awesome to work with. I emailed them,and they sent me the blue-print of the trailer, showing me where the beams were. So, the first thing was to install the Hi-Tie on the passenger side of the trailer. That is the side I use the most when camping. I wanted this tie centered on the trailer. I don't want the horses to have the ability to look around the back of the trailer at the horse tied to the other side if possible. It just creates more issues. If they get used to NOT seeing the other horse, you can usually take one way from the trailer without the other horse ever knowing, and thus, they don't get upset when their friend leaves.

The passenger side has slider windows that I needed to make sure the Hi-Tie was mounted high enough to not fold against them. The trailer was a clean slate, and we were about to start drilling 1/2" holes. We measured, we tapped along the wall, felt we had the support beam, and drilled the first hole, with a small drill bit. BINGO, we hit the beam right on. Finished drilling the larger holes, and attached the Hi-Tie to the trailer. They are really very easy to install. Took longer to find the beam.

The Hi-Tie folds back above the window. The blue "pool noodle" helps to protect the trailer, Hi-Tie, and also makes it more visible when extended for riders going through camps, and also when I am packing to head home, I can see it easier from my mirror in case I got forgetful and in a hurry when it is time to leave. I also wanted to have a ring on the trailer up high, to run a high line to a tree if needed, or wanted at some camps. I was going to install a ring in a separate location, then I came up with an idea. Replace one of the big bolts on the Hi-Tie, with an Eye bolt. I can then run a line through it, yet the Hi-Tie would not be in the way.

I think it even looks pretty good, and can't wait to give it a try. When used, the Hi-Tie will not be opened like in the picture, but be left folded against the trailer.

Next was figuring out where to put the Hay Bag rings, and bucket holders. I had two bucket holders next to each other before, and the problem was that when I gave Hank a bucket of feed, or a wet mash, he drooled it all over, including into the other bucket, that had his clean water. So I decided this time, to separate the buckets. He also likes to dunk his hay in a water bucket, thus getting it all nasty and yucky. Sort of a horsey tea. So my hope is, he will choose one bucket to dunk, and leave the other one clean. After I give him his feed / mash, I then fill that bucket with water. which I hope will be the "dunker". I found some nice bucket holders that served me well for almost 10 years on the last trailer, that are made out of plastic. I picked up some more, and painted them white with a spray paint made for plastic. They look pretty right now. Again, we will see how it goes.

These were installed with bolts all the way through the wall, washers and acorn nuts, so the if the horses were to rub them, they would not get hurt. We also decided to cover the ends of the bolts and the nuts that hold the Hi-Ties on, in the inside of the trailer. While I do not think the horses would ever get their heads up around the hardware, I decided that I'd go ahead and cover them.

I found some domed plastic door stops that would work perfect. This photos shows one covered, one not. I think along with covering the nut, it also makes it look nicer.

The rings to attach my hay bags took a little thinking. Last trailer had welded rings. A friend uses some bucket holders that have an O ring with a hook under it, and just hooks the ring on the hay bag on the hook. I almost got those, but kept wanting something smoother. I found these rings at the trailer store, and liked that they would lay flat when not in use. I painted them white, but the paint does not want to stick. If they work well, I may try to have them powder coated so they will stay white. I can also snap a bucket on if I wanted, attach the hay bags with snap, or even velcro. I will add one more to this side of the trailer, so I can hang two bags side by side for additional hay, or two types of hay. These lined up on the support beams, so were attached with sheet metal screws.

Here is a picture of the blanket rack inside the trailer. Also in that back corner, where many trailers have a rear tack area, will be where I add my horse water tank. Just have to decide the size / gallons I want. I have been looking at RV tanks, where they will make them any size, dimension you want. Even with a horse in that back stall, I have never had any of them swing over and get into the water tank, or anything else I may have stored in that area. The rake etc. have velcro also, wrapped to secure them to the wall and hook.

Often when I have hauled just one or two horses, I like to give them more room than just the single stall of the trailer. The old trailer had dividers that would telescope closed, so I could secure them in the open position, but be out of the way. This trailer has solid dividers. I found that if I closed the SECOND divider, I could let the first one swing open next to it, and the horse in the front spot, would actually have a spot and a half to stand in. But I needed to secure that first divider, and also put something on it to prevent it from rubbing against the second divider as we went down the road.

I added some rings, and a simple snap and bungee to hold the divider in place. And where the divider rests against the other one??? I added more of those dome door stops.

And here are pictures of each side of the trailer, with everything installed. Now all I need are the horses.

Trailer tackroom

2010-08-31T23:49:00.000-05:00

I've been busy getting the new-to-me horse trailer all set up for the upcoming Fall ride season. I had bought my old trailer brand new in 1994, and had it set up how I wanted it for storage, securing hay, water etc. I had my tackroom organized the best I could, to carry all the stuff I needed, and many things I didn't need. All the Hi-Ties, bucket holders, rings to hang hay bags worked well. And being a trailer that was no longer "pretty", I never thought twice about adding a ring, having something welded on etc. to make things work.

But now I had a trailer that was in pretty much brand new condition. And I had things to organize, attach, and holes to drill! (gasp) So, I slowly started on some of the more simple things, that did not require a lot of holes. The Tackroom needed some things shifted. I did not like where the spare was and not sure about the blanket rack.

I removed the bracket that held the spare in place, so I could shove it further back into the corner, and also, I carry TWO spares for the trailer, and will then place the second one next to it, back out of the way. The old trailer had them under the saddle racks which were in the back corner. Still easy to get to, but not in the way. And after moving the blanket rack once, I decided it just took up too much room, and took it out completely. The cabinet on the wall that came with the trailer works well for storage of my leg wraps etc. Not something I would have added, but found a use for it.

Next, I had to think about where to put my horse blankets. I always have the best dressed horse, never sure of weather in TX, where we can have warm, rain, or snow. I like to have a few choices. So I found this interesting bag, that I can put a blanket or a couple day sheets in it, and hang it up on the wall, out of the way.

It has some storage pockets on the outside too, I also put up a blanket bar in the tackroom to hang a blanket, and an additional blanket bar back in the horse compartment, where I can hang blankets during the ride. (wow, how'd I not get a picture of it?)

I also needed to hang my extra girths, and found a nice spot back in the corner. I put a towel behind them to protect them from rubbing the wall. The trailer came with a couple hat storage "racks" mounted up on the ceiling. They are perfect to hang my scoops, sponges etc. up out of the way. I am big on getting things up higher if possible, out of the way. I had rings on the ceiling beams of the last trailer, or even just a zip tie placed around the beam to snap things on to them.

I did not have the same layout to do all my plastic drawers like the last trailer. So I am trying the pocket storage wall hangers that are so popular in trailers these days. I had some, and bought some. Mounted on the inside of the door for the things I grab the most. Brushes, wire cutters etc. Some are attached by velcro, others have grommets and twist snaps.

I mounted some footmans loops for a few to attach to,

as I can remove the bag to clean, and then just hook

back up to the footmans loop. They are really hand for

attaching all kind of things, and even mounted on the

backs of saddles to attach packs.

I had another one that works great for water bottles, that I hang off the water tank in the tackroom. It is lightweight, but perfect for the bottles, e'lytes and a few other light items. I used the brackets holding the water tank, and added fasteners in through the same screws.

I always take portable saddle racks to the rides, to put the saddle on to clean it, and often easier to saddle and unsaddle from that rack, than the one in the trailer. I added a little adjustable strap to the wall behind the tackroom saddle rack, and the portable rack fits nice against the wall, out of the way.

We also moved the big 12V battery into the corner bench storage area. It was taking up floor space where it had been. But because that is an enclosed metal storage, we wanted to make sure the battery vented. So I did some hole drilling, got some plumbing supplies, and vented the battery out of the battery box, to the outside of the storage area. Also in the storage area are things to change the tire. Out of the way, but quick to get to things.

I think that is about it for the tackroom. Next will be the Hi-Ties, rings etc. on the outside of the trailer, and things in the horse compartment. Hopefully I will be able to find things, since our first ride with the new trailer is this weekend. Everything is all in order, ready to go! Notice I just could not part with ALL of my plastic drawers, but not sure I won't replace it with something else.

The ponies got a new set of wheels

2010-08-09T00:31:00.000-05:00

I still need to finish up the after Tevis stuff, but first..............

I got a new (to me) trailer!!!! 2007 Trails West, 3 horse. Drop down windows, mangers withy cool storage under them. Trailer in really wonderful condition. He must not have used it that much, and took good care of it. Last trailer was a 4 horse, but I used the first stall for hay and feed at rides, and did not haul 4 very often. If I needed to haul 4 in an emergency, I think I get get 4 in it. Hopefully I will not need to test this theory.

Now, the task of getting it set up for camping at trail rides. This will include attaching my Hi-Ties, bucket holders, hay bag rings, and getting all my stuff in the tack room in an organized manner.

I got a few things done, and others have came to a fast halt. I got a hook rack on the inside of the back door on the drivers side to hang my cleaning tools where I can grab them easy, but they are out of the way.

The handle on the pooper scooper telescopes. Kind of cool I thought, and cheaper than some of the others. This was the super easy task. The part that has given me a little frustration is where to install the Hi - Ties. They need placed along a support beam, and they are all hidden within the "triple wall construction". My last trailer was single wall construction, so I could see where I was drilling.

I thought I had it figured out, when I looked inside the trailer, and saw these panels where the THREE interior lights were installed.

I figured if I removed that panel, I could see where the support beams were. Just a dozed screws, no problem!

So, I got the panels down, stood up on the step stool to view my support beams and get on with the Hi-Tie instyallation, when I found this..... a solid beam running horizontal where the wires run in a channel, and no view of the trailer wall support beams. Oh well, now I know the wires are easy to get to!!!

So I gave up on that project for the day, did some rearranging in the tackroom. Took the spare down, and will move it to a better place, and have a place for my second spare. I started hauling two trailer spares some years ago, as I am often miles from any place to get a quick replacement if I blew a tire. Also moved the blanket / saddle pad rack. Jury still out if I will like it, or if I can do with something that takes up less room. Moving 12v battery to a better spot too. Then to figure out what I want to store the extra "stuff" I carry. I had plastic drawers in the last trailer, and they worked well for years, but thinking that I might find something better, and maybe be able to carry less. At least I can get buckets and a few other things out of the tack, and in to the storage under the mangers! But I still need to go through things, and put the trailer on a diet.

I did load Hank in the trailer to eat his dinner the other night, but did not take him anywhere. He loaded right up, but hates the step down for unloading. I'll add a ramp as soon as I can. I prefer them for climbing in and ut of the trailer, and the horses seem to prefer them too!

Tevis: Into the darkness

2010-08-01T23:38:00.001-05:00

As we get closer to the Forresthill vet check, again, people line the edges of Bath road, welcoming us to the check. Cheers, clapping, and words of encouragement. I always get a tad choked up, knowing that my horse has made it this far, and people are acknowledging him in his efforts. Not far from the top, one of the neighbors along Bath road always has a garden hose strung out, and volunteers will spray off your horse to your specifications. Whole horse? Legs only? Neck? Just tell them what you want. So, as Hank drank, I had him hose off on his neck, chest, and legs and girth area. Not only does he get cooled down, but cleaned up.

I see my husband up ahead with the little wagon again. I strip Hank of all tack, and head to the in timer as quick as I can. No need to linger yet, until I get timed in, and vetted through. Straight to pulse checker, then to vet. I am sent to Dr. Greg Fellers, who vetted Hank at our first NATRC ride last year in Colorado where he got his first perfect score. He remembers Hank. Not all the vets check both side of the horse for gut sounds, and those that only check fore-gut (left side) I ask them to also check hind-gut (right side). They are a little down at this point, but not that much, and I know he is about to chow down on his dinner. With my doing a little "Whoop" verbal command to Hank, he trots out quick and sharp for the vet. No signs of lacking enthusiasm. I am amazed I have the energy to be able to trot him out myself. I head to the horse trailer that was parked there early that morning. Hank has his hay and mash waiting, and my hubby has all my crew stuff out. I'm actually feeling pretty good. Originally I was going to take a shower, but I decided just to clean up with a wash cloth, and change to a clean shirt. I get my glow bars on the breastcollar, change helmets to the one I have set up with a head lamp, and my Ipod. My hubby checks Hanks tack again for dirt. I had a breastcollar strap break on one of the canyons, and had done a quick fix with a Carabiener snap. I get a new strap put on. During the day, Hank was getting irritated at having rear leg boots on, and I had to remove them. I had stored them around my stirrup fenders, so I had to take them off the saddle. I use the boots just to protect him from the rocks and such along the trail, and for the most part, we are through the crappy footing.

Hank is eating with great enthusiasm, and I know I ate something too, but I can not remember what it was. I change from my sunglasses to regular glasses, check over my Forresthill crew bag to make sure I am not forgetting anything. I remember hearing about Roger Yohe going off trail the previous Tevis, and someone tossing him a flashlight. So I make sure I have a light on ME in case of a problem, or heaven forbid, I get separated from my horse in the dark. Hank has glow sticks on his breastcollar, but I also have reflective Velcro tape on my stirrups in case he gets loose, and a light is needed to find him. Maybe a tad over cautious, but so quick to put on the saddle.

As the moon is rising above the vet check, it is time to saddle Hank back up, and start heading towards the out timer, which is across the parking area.

Hank is cheerful, and while I thought he might be unhappy to leave the vet check, he actually seemed pretty agreeable about it. I head out walking, knowing Dolly and Chance are not too far behind. We cross the road, trot along the trail, and cross the road again. We are trotting along on the dirt when I hear his shoes hit pavement. Debbie from Florida is right behind me as I shout "PAVEMENT". We both pull up, maybe a tad quick. Hank slips some, but stays upright. Boomer slips, and hits the ground. Debbie is fine, but Boomer has some scrapes. I knew the pavement was there, but forgot about it. I think in 2005, it was a tad more light, and maybe I saw it. Tonight, it was dark. We walk along through town, with the locals sitting out on their front porches, steps, and in lawn chairs to cheer us on yet some more. I catch up with another rider, and we head towards the trail together. A couple more turns through the streets of Forresthill, and we are finally back on trail. Chatting with her, I find out she is riding a horse I sort of know, who came from the same ranch our pinto Flag came from. This is her first Tevis, but the horse has trained on the trail, and has ridden the ride in the past, but had not finished. I tell her to lead the way, since her horse knows the trail. While I have glow bars on Hanks breastcollar, that shine a soft white light down on the ground, she is using a hand held head lamp, and turns it on and off as needed. But at some point, she dropped it, and it rolled down over the edge of the trail. I volunteer to take the lead, as Hank is feeling like he knows the trail perfectly well, and is also feeling very strong. As I take the lead, on almost the very first sharp turn, he starts to walk straight, and not make the turn. I stop him, and ask him "what do you think you are doing?" I think he was just seeing if I was paying attention. That was the ONLY bobble. We pick up an easy trot, and start to get in to the groove of things. I really did not feel Hank would be a horse to make up any time along the trail this late in the ride, but he was proving me wrong. I let him set the pace, and I don't think he was trotting any slower than we would in the daylight. We went miles with just the two of us, chatting about random horse things. Her horse seemed happy to follow along, and paced well with Hank. While the day time heat never seemed that bad to me, I did notice that it was just not cooling off like I remember from our previous trip along this section of trail in the dark. We are above the river, and I had hoped it would start to cool, but it stayed rather warm and thick air all the way to the end. I remembered to reach down and feel his neck, and pull him up to walk a bit when he was feeling warm. We crossed some creeks in the dark, but he preferred the water in the troughs over the natural water. We came through the Cal 2 intersection, gave out numbers, and headed off again into the darkness. From Forresthill to Fransisco's, I was feeling really good. I was not tired, sleepy, or that sore. I was being amazed at how forward and strong Hank was. At times, I could not see squat. Not even a glow of the trail when in the deep trees, yet, we trotted along quickly. There was sort of this odd adrenaline rush to being going that quickly in the dark, along a trail that has drop offs one does not want to find out about. In fact, Hank actually tripped in 2005, and went off over the edge, but as I bailed off him on the uphill side, I yanked his rein, and got him re-directed back on to the trail. Hopped back on, and we continued on. Tonight he was being perfect, and I had no doubts he could see the trail well, and knew we were heading towards the fairgrounds. My attitude had changed, and I was truly enjoying ever step he took through the darkness. The moon was spectacular, and had risen much earlier than in 2005, shinning on the trail from the moment we left Forresthill, except when we got in the thick trees. The reflection of it on the river below, the deep shadows it case of our horses shapes as we trotted along next to the hillside. It was magical, and for the first time I was 100% glad I was there, and had lost that feeling of "What had I gotten myself into?"

Finally the lights of Fransisco's came in to view, and we could hear the generators. A welcome oasis in the darkness, but such a shock to enter the bright lights when one first arrives. The volunteers here are really special, as they are dealing with tired horses and riders, often who are not thinking well, are in pain, sick, or have just plain had enough. Hank pulsed down, and I headed to the vet. It had taken is 3:20 to do the 17 miles between Forresthill and Fransiscos, making the average pace including stops for water etc. 5.1 MPH. I figured he would need a bit of time here to eat some, and I was right. Don't think the speed we go into Fransiscos would make a difference. Just the fact he has gone about 85 miles, and he needs a break. His gut sounds were a C, and the vet wanted him to eat, but did give me my vet card back. Some riders might have blown it off, and left, but I went and found him some hay, and sat down to let him eat awhile. We had time. He was not happy with the mashes they had, as they were just oats and bran, but he would eat handfuls of straight oats, and the alfalfa hay. After a bit, I went back to the vet to have him recheck him. Guts better, but he could use a little more time eating. His attitude was good, just hungry. Dolly and Chance came in about 15 min. behind me, and Dolly was not feeling terrific. One of the volunteers vetted Chance through, and found he was off a little, and their ride came to an end. She was pulled at about 1AM, and did not get to the fairgrounds until around 5:30AM. Tough spot to be brought out of, as the road is long, steep, and slow for the trailers. The rider who I led through the darkness had been waiting for Hank and I, but I told her to head on out, as Hank needed a bit more food. I wished her luck, and told her I WOULD see her at the finish. Finally we were happy with his gut sounds, and it was time to head out again. A rider from South Dakota wanted to ride with someone, and I volunteered to lead the way again. We picked up a local rider on his KY Mountain Horse, and set off towards the river crossing. We had been moving along well again, with Hank setting his steady pace, when we got behind some horses who were not moving as quick. When they walked, they were super slow, and I could tell Hank was frustrated being asked to slow down to a crawl at times. Finally they found a spot to pull over, and we passed them, and got back to that nice free moving trot to the river. I had to chuckle as they commented they were local riders, and that this part of the trail was not really that good for trotting anyway. Hank felt different, and was anxious to get moving out again, never indicating the trail was anything but great to do so.

The river crossing can vary year to year. I have crossed it pre-riding weeks ahead of the ride, and had to swim the horses some. It was wider than I remembered, and they had the glow sticks floating in the water, marking the path to take. The horses drank well, then we headed across. This year, I only got one foot wet. Hank went exactly where I asked, and never took a wrong step, or drifted off course. Some where on the other side of the river I lost the two riders who were following me, but we had gotten to a point that there were many riders on the trail, and they were not alone. I later found out the KY Mountain horse got pulled, but did see my South Dakota rider finished!

At this point, the trail is mostly wide, with some sections in the dark trees, but often out in the super bright moon light. The moon was so bright at one point, that I could hardly see the glow stick down on an important turn, because it was almost as bright as daylight. As we made our way towards the final vet check at Lower Quarry, I thought about our day, and how strong Hank had been. He never told me he had done enough, and looked better over all than he had in 2005. All day, when I wanted to trot, all I did was give him a kiss or cluck. That is my indication on if he needs to walk a bit more. if I ever NEED to squeeze my legs or heels in to him, then I know he has had about enough. But he was always willing to move off with just that kiss. His ears were still up, and I knew he was thinking about the stall and his feed waiting for him.

You ride up above the Lower Quarry check, sort of past it, then swing down into it. So as you ride above, you can get an idea how many are there, if you might have a wait etc. I had passed about 10 horses between the river and the Quarry. I got in, gave him a little drink, and headed to the vet, as we had no line. His pulse was down, his guts were back up, and he very willingly trotted out for me when I told him "whoop". When I got back to the vet, he said he thought he saw something on Hanks left rear. I had not felt anything, but decided to take it easy on the way in. After I was cleared to go. I saw Dave Rabe, and asked if I could ride in with him. No problem, and we let the horses eat a tad more, and then headed in for our last stretch. Trotting easy on the flat, and walking anything with a slope. Having a vet tell you that your horse looked a tad off at 94 miles can really make you worry. What if he is lame at the end, and after going 100 miles, gets pulled???? I still had not felt a thing. The volunteers were at the Highway 49 crossing, and then some folks were at No Hands Bridge. Crossing the bridge, with the reflection of the moon in the river below is always a special moment. I imagine what it was like before the rails. I picture those strong front runner horses cantering across. And I look at Hanks ears, alert as we cross, making the home stretch over the trail he pre rode just 4 days earlier. I flipped on my Ipod for the last few miles, and again, thought about our day as I hummed along to some music.

There is a small spring, and a little mini trough a few miles from the end, that we stopped and cleaned out while pre-riding. It was full of rotten leaves, mud, and yuck, and the horses would not drink it. After cleaning it, they drank. I had a feeling Hank would stop on the way past as we headed towards our goal, and sure enough, even as the horses he was riding with, passed it by, he paused, and took a nice drink. My Texas contribution to Tevis trail maintenance. Up to Robie Point, and another good drink from the water troughs placed there. So many volunteers to take care of things that many riders take for granted. I tried to thank each and every one all day with not just a casual "Thank you", but "Thank you so much for coming out and volunteering today"

Finally, we could hear the generators, and see the glow of the finish line through the trees. I gave out a nice loud "Whoo Hoo!!" and heard a random reply from crews waiting. I was not sure my husband would know it was me, but I did not care. I have sat there waiting for friends, and love to hear a rider announce their near arrival. A little more, and we could hear crews talking. 'Whoo Hoo!!!!" Again, a reply, some shouts, clapping, as a horse ahead crosses the finish line. The final turn, and we have the last little hill, as we enter the lights, and see the tired crews, bundled in blankets scattered around on the ground. Dave Rabe is ahead, and many know him and give congratulations. It is his 10th buckle, and I rode across the line with him for his 8th, and now the 10th. I see my husband waiting, and as I cross the line, give Hank a hug on the neck, and feel my eyes well up with pride.

But, I have one more vet check to pass, and that "slightly off" from the Quarry has me concerned. I head to the vet area, and have two of my favorite vets there waiting for a horse. Jim Baldwin, who is from our region, and Mike Peralez, who is also a NATRC vet, and one who I have known for years. A hard choice, but I head to Mike, telling Jim how Mike had vetting Hank the previous year when we were doing the NATRC rides. He checks his metabolics, and all is well. i told him about the slightly off, and that I was NOT going to trot him out as enthusiastic as I knew the horse would, but rather slow and easy. Out and back, and he said he did not see a thing, and "Congratulations". I give him a big hug, Hank a hug, my husband a hug, and head towards the fairgrounds. I can not believe that I am able to not only trot out my own horse, but lead him the 1/2 mile to the arena, and climb back on him for his victory lap.

It is funny that some riders do not want to take that victory lap around the arena. But I have been waiting in the stands till the wee hours of the morning, watching the riders, and I enjoy sharing that moment of victory and success with them. The riders ahead of me walked, but when it was my turn, I asked Hank to pick up a canter. It was rather comical, I am sure, as he was looking at everything, trying to spook, and then I saw the white line across the ground, and was hoping he would not slam on the brakes, pitching me over his head. He did not stop, but he sure looked at it. The photo tells it all, with the concern on my face too.

The ride is over, and now it is time to take care of Hank, then bring him back down for a 1 hour recheck by the vets. Up to his stall, where feed and water, and shavings await. We strip his tack, and I get his leg wraps, poultice etc. out, and start to set his legs up. I started doing the clay poultice last year on the long trailer rides after our competition. While my husband was more than willing to do this, I decided I'd take care of Hank myself, as he took care of me. Hank ate, as I took care of the legs and checked him over, and got out of my half chaps and neoprene knee supports that I put on some 27 hour earlier, and had not removed during the whole ride. Then our hour was up, and we headed back down for the recheck. All was well, and it was now time for me to get some rest. I knew my friend, Roxanne Greene would be by to check on Hank during the morning.

On the way to the hotel, I told my husband I was hungry, and only one thing would be the right breakfast. Something from Jack in the box, which is what I ate after finishing in 2005. It just seemed right, and was pretty tasty after all the "trail food" I ate. Then a shower, and bed.

Awards and some random thoughts to follow...............

TEVIS: The daylight hours

2010-07-31T19:53:00.000-05:00

So many do not sleep the night before Tevis. I have been one of them. Often up late, fussing with ones "stuff", to make sure everything is ready, and then getting to bed late, and tossing and turning. I was in bed not long after the sun set, and slept pretty good. Had everything all laid out for in the morning, so when that alarm went off, I crawled out, gave Hank his breakfast mash, and went back inside to dress. Drank a protein drink, ate a piece of cinnamon bread, and headed back out to tack up Hank. I was still feeling rather calm as I swung up into the saddle, to head to the start. In 2005 and 2006, a friend crewed for us. I told her when she decided to ride, she had the choice of me riding with her, or crewing for her. Earlier this year, she had said she was going to enter, and wanted me to ride with her. So, holding that promise, I sent in my entry. Tevis has two different start groups. Pen one, the faster riders, who are there to generally to place well, and pen two, for those of us who ride to finish. My friend was helping to lead out the second pen to the start line, and we tried to fall in as close to them as possible. But in the dark, early morning hour, with 100's of horses on the trail, it is tough to always stick together. Riders tensions can run high, and they start getting pushy and excited. Hank was not jacked up, and the walk to the actual start line was pretty uneventful. We had a slight wait with standing still before the trail was opened at 5:15, and then we were starting our trek towards our destination: Auburn. Between our goal was dust, dirt, mountains, rocks, heat, and some of the most challenging trail ever ridden. Statistics show only about half of the riders would finish. One can only hope they stay safe, and the horse healthy. In 2005, Hank finished, and then in 2006, he coliced at Michigan Bluff. While we don't want anything to happen to our horse, a metabolic issue is harder to deal with mentally than a lameness issue, at least for me. So while I knew Hank has seemed better than ever since the colic surgery in Aug. of 2008, this was the one area I was being extra aware of during the ride.

As the morning pace picked up, riders started to spread out a little. It is not long before we have a downhill towards Hwy 89, and the Truckee river. Along the way is a series of little wooden bridges crossing creeks and bogs. I have never had issues with these, and the horses generally just trot right on over. On the switchbacks, I could see my friend on up ahead, and slowly moving out a bit quicker than I was, and figured we may lose sight of her early on. The one rule is to ride ones own ride. If you can travel at the same pace as another horse, and it suits your horse too, then great, but never push your horse beyond what you feel is the right pace. I was comfortable with Hanks pace, and knew it was the right speed for him.

After crossing the bridge at the Highway, elevation 6200' , you work your way over to the Squaw Valley area, and eventually the climb up to the top, and your highest elevation of the ride at 8700'. When you the top, you are just 13 miles in to the ride. As we climbed towards the top, it was one of the first times I could feel how strong Hank was. He takes on climbs with such a strong will. Never tries to stop, ears always up, and seeming to like the challenge.

Photo by Lynne Glazer

Lynnes full Tevis Gallery

The sun has risen over Lake Tahoe, and you can look to the east and see it glimmering in the morning light. The water troughs at High Camp are just ahead, and it is busy with activity as riders pause to water their horses, take a quick potty break themselves, and then finish the climb to the very top.

As we continue our climb, we see Cowman up ahead, wishing all the riders well. He has been involved with the run and ride for more years than I am aware, and is always a welcome sight as he stands up there in his bright tie-dye shirt, and head piece with the horns on it.

Seeing him, you know the top is near. Just one last pull, and then you are greeted at the pass of the view to the west. This has always been sort of emotional. You look across the mountain tops, and know that your goal of the finish line is somewhere down there.

I always think of Julie Suhr, and her description of that view, and the emotions it can bring. If you are unaware of who Julie is, then go get this book:

Ten Feet Tall, Still

Crossing the pass also is the point where you question what is ahead in the High Country. Often the trail has been hit hard by the winter weather, and one will find muddy bogs, downed trees, boulders etc. to deal with. Much is cleared by the trail work volunteers, while other hazards can not be made better, and one must ride smart. With patches of snow still lingering, we know that things are still melting, and there will be mud or running water along the trail.

This is not an easy place to make up any time. Hopefully you have banked a bit of time in the first 13 miles, to allow for the slow going. For the most part, we found ourselves in small groups, or no other riders, and we were able to cruise along without issues from others that often arise. The bogs proved to be as I expected, more running water than deep mud. Hank was moving along forward, and seemed to know where he was, wear to go. So far, all morning, I kept getting the feeling he knew he was heading towards the fairgrounds, even though we had just started our day.

At Lyon Ridge, we gave the horses another drink from the troughs, and then trotted out for the vets to do a check for soundness. After his drink, he perked up and did his big trot for the vet as we left. I just had to laugh at him getting in a hurry. Not sure what was up with him being so extra cheerful, but it was feeling good to have him feeling strong. Coming up was the most famous trail section probably in the world. Cougar Rock. I had been thinking about it all morning, and trying to decide if I was going to go over it, or around it on the by pass trail. I had only used the by pass once before, when I rode Rushcreek Gambler in 2004. He had been tripping that day, and I decided it would be safer to go around. As I got there, my gut feeling was to pass it this year. I have gone over the Rock twice with Hank, hoping for some awesome photos, only to be disappointed with the angles the photographers shot at, and not get that old, famous shot that Charlie Barieau used to get, making the horses look like they were climbing the edge of the earth. While I think that going over Cougar Rock is very much part of what Tevis is, Hank did it twice for me, and was awesome, and this year, I went with my gut feeling. So, I sent Dolly and Chance on ahead, and I waited at the bottom of the rock until they were almost over, before hanging the right, and heading around the by pass trail.

I did not want Chance to see Hank below, and think he needed to join him. This is a narrow trail, cut in to the side of the rock. A wall to ones left, and a drop off to the right. I decided to pick up the trot, and as I made a little curve, forgot about a rock out cropping as my right knee slammed into it. I laughed out loud, and said something to Hank about how all the trail has its risks. I saw that I had a new, well earned hole in my pretty new tights, and figured a lovely bruise would follow. Met up with Dolly and Chance on the other side, and headed on to our next notable trail section, Elephants Trunk. Through this section, we had a lot of leap frogging with some riders. One needs to trot where they can, even if it is only 10 or 15 feet. Lots of rock surface, some of it a bit slick. Never have had issues with Hank slipping, but you need to pay attention to spots that are sloped.

The first time I went over Elephants Trunk (1988) it scared me more than Cougar Rock. It has got better over the years, but it is a trail cut along the edge of a mountain, that is mostly rock, and loose rock, that then cuts upward, like an elephants trunk lifting skyward. I remember it not being much of a trail years ago, and one traversed along the slope, hoping to not take a wrong step.

After we reached the top, we had a group of riders that we were sort of slowed down a bit by their slower horses. A rider behind Dolly started to pass, or bumped into Chance (not really sure) and Chance, who had been having other horses run up on him all morning, had decided enough was enough,a nd fired out and caught the horses who was much too close. The rider commented he should have a red ribbon in his tail, but this horses has never kicked at a horse before that I have seen. Not sure why it takes a red ribbon in a tail to remind folks to stay off of ones hind end, but if they do not have a red ribbon indicating they might kick, that they feel they can ride right up on them. Personally, ALL HORSES KICK, and you should keep a horses length off of ALL horses and not tail gate.

We finally got into Red Star Ridge, where this year, they had a large number of pulls. My goal had been to get into Red Star Ridge between 9:45 and 10:00, and we arrived at 9:51. It was very busy, and a tad chaotic. I have to watch Hank, that his pulse does not shoot up after he drinks the cold water on this ride. I let him drink some, sponged him, and let him drink some more. He grabbed a bit of hay, as I kept an eye on the vet line, that it was not getting too long. We pulsed down, and I let him grab a few more bites of hay, and headed over to the vet. This horse loves to eat, and eats a lot. Because there is nothing for them to graze on along the Tevis trail, they only get fed at the check points, or what ever we carry with us. We got veted through, and headed out on to the road to Robinson Flat. This is part of the ride that I do not really care for. It is only about 8 miles into Robinson, but the road is hard packed, and seems to take forever. I watched the footing, keeping Hank in the softer shoulders, rather than in the middle of the concrete hard road. After having that lameness pull over Memorial Day, I was really thinking about how I was pounding his front legs.

Four miles from Robinson we were to have a water trough. Indeed, it was there, but empty for those of us riding slower. I fear some of the early riders sponged and scooped water on to their horses, leaving ours without anything to drink. The day was warming up, and we were anxious to get to our first full vet check,and a one hour hold. I was also a tad behind my preferred time to arrive, but by only about 15 min.

I had cell service though this section, and was able to call my husband, tell him where I was, and even make a couple Facebook posts. Ahhhh, technology! As one gets closer to Robinson, crews and spectators start lining the road. As you arrive, they cheer, clap, and shout out "Good job!" "Looking Good" etc. It can really uplift ones spirits, and sure put a spring in Hanks step. I think he knew his lunch was waiting.

I talked my husband into coming out to crew for me. He was hesitant, as he had crewed for me at rides many years ago, and I was less than pleasant at times. The stress of competing used to make me difficult (more difficult that I am anyway, if you can imagine that) , but some where along the way, I realized that if it was not FUN, why was I doing it? And it had not been fun at times, so I actually backed away from the sport. As I came back, I decided that both my horse and I needed to be having fun at what ever we did, and if not, chance things so we were enjoying ourselves. So far, I thought I had been kind to him, but Robinson Flat would be the test. He met us on the road
with our little wagon, where I stripped the tack, gave Hank a drink, sponged him some, and put the Heart Rate Monitor belt on him, and found he was just about down to criteria. We walked down into the pulse area, as he took the tack over to our crew area. Pulsed through, vetted through, and then it was time for our one hour break. As my hubby cleaned up Hank and all my tack, girth, leg boots etc., it was time for me to clean up me at least a little.

All riders bring in a lot of the trail on their faces at this point, and we all look about like I did.

As Hank ate his mash and some hay, Tracie, who was crewing Tevis for the first time, shoved food at me, and I just grabbed things and ate. I am usually hungry anyway, but I know I have to eat, to keep feeling good. Besides a sandwich, I drank an Ensure, which was high in Potassium etc. to keep my system feeling good. Because I need to take pain drugs for my knees, I also need to make sure my tank has something in it, and well hydrated, so the medication will not bother me. As I cleaned up and ate, I watched my hubby take the most excellent care of Hank. I had not given him a written list of things to do, but he remembered most, and I had very little to remind him to do. I was still feeling pretty calm, and a bit complacent, but was more enthusiastic about the ride now that I was on the trail, with a strong horse. Before we knew it, our hour was coming to an end,and the horses were tacked up, and we were heading to the out timer. Good-byes to our crew, as we would not see them again for over 7 hours.

As we left, I let Hank walk a bit, to digest his lunch. I had leap frogged a bit with Barbara White, who was going for buckle number THIRTY. We talked about the pace leaving a spot like this, and she too liked to walk a bit before picking up the trot. I was glad I was on the same mind set as someone who has been at it for many more years than I have. After about a 5 to 10 min walk, we picked up the trot again. Did I mention how much you have to trot on this ride? Hank has an excellent walk, but if the trail is something that you have to trot where ever you can. So, trot we did, heading out across Bald mountain. This area had a fire some years ago, and is very open, and has no shade. The old route out of Robinson was along a road, which many riders did not like, but it did have shade. The temperatures were climbing, but it was not feeling that bad to us. Those training days in our Texas mid day heat was paying off. We continued on, trotting, trotting, trotting towards the next water stop at Dusty Corners, and then the next pulse stop, which was half way through the ride at Last Chance.

When we were getting closer to Last Chance, I was noticing we had got back close to my projected time, but still had an odd feeling we were starting to chase cut off times. After Last Chance is the first of the canyons. This is what many riders dread. The heat was rising, but I was still not feeling that hot. Because of my knees, Hank has to pack me both down, and up the canyons. In turn, I try to ride as light and balanced both on the descents, and ascents. We were lucky to not get in a huge line of horses, and moved along OK. I let him do an easy jog where possible going down into the canyon. No fast or hard trotting downhill to protect that front end, and hopefully not have what ever lameness he had earlier in the year show up again. By the bottom of the canyon, we had been slowed by a few riders, and got past them at the Swinging Bridge.

I pass on going to the water under the bridge, as there is a nice water spot on the other side, just starting up. The boys did not drink much, but we sponged them some, and started the climb. I let Hank set the pace, and he is a very steady, strong horse climbing out of the canyons. For a horse who is a "flatlander" he takes the canyon climbs on with a strength that amazes me. He never asks to stop and take a breather, and keeps a very steady forward pace, often needing to pass other horses.

About half way up, we came across a rider sitting on the edge of the trail, and a horse down in the draw below the trail. The horse had gone off the trail, and thankfully a local runner and volunteer came along to assist the horse and rider until other volunteers could be sent down to also assist. At the top is Devils Thumb. This spot used to have a boy scout troop volunteer, and I was looking forward to seeing them, as they were always so great helping cool the horses, but the troop disbanded, and the other troop did not want to take over. Still, a great group of volunteers there. We cooled the horses, let them drink, and then I saw we were getting behind again. It was getting much to close to chasing cut off times. We headed towards the next pulse and vet check at Deadwood.

In the past, Hank had needed a bit more time at Deadwood to recharge, and take a break. This time was no different, except he was slow to recover here. I finally realized the water was not that cool, and was rather tepid that I was sponging him down with. I asked a volunteer if the water was any cooler out of the truck, and she said "Hold on". She took a bucket over to a well, and pumped nice cool water in to it. I used that, and Hank cooled right down, and his pulse dropped. LOVE those Tevis volunteers! We vetted through, let him eat a bit and recharge, and then headed towards El Dorado canyon, and then Michigan Bluff. That is where he had the colic in 2006, so I was wanting to get past that point.

Again, we jig jogged where we could going down into the canyon, and he power walked up the other side.

I had wanted to be at Michigan Bluff by 5:45 to 6:00, and it was 6:30 when we arrived. What was interesting was that other riders who have done the ride many times said the trail seemed slow this year. We were still OK as far as cut off times, but I like more of a buffer for things like Hank needing to eat a bit more etc. He headed to the water trough, and I actually found myself holding my breath as he drank. Last time, he drank, stepped back away from the trough, and tried to go down. This time, he drank, grabbed a carrot, drank, and looked around. Whew!!! Now off to the next vet check at Chicken Hawk, just 1.5 miles away. I knew we had a lot of horses behind us, and passed a bunch at Michigan Bluff, so I wanted to get in to the vet check, and vetted before a long line and hold up was created from the crowd of tail end horses heading in behind us.

As we arrived I saw a large number of horses at the water troughs, eating hay along the road etc. I worked my way up through the crowd, closer to the vet, and let him drink, eat, and take a breather.

Our crew member Tracie was there volunteering, and walked up with two half sandwiches and shoved them at me and said "Ham or Turkey". I grabbed one, and ate, and drank what ever she handed me. Hank was snacking. I did not check his pulse, but felt he was down,and headed to the vet. Everything was looking good, and we trotted up and back, and he was sound. He was still more than willing to trot out for me nice and strong. I let him eat a bit more while waiting for Dolly and Chance to vet through. Our friend who I was to ride with got pulled here, and I chatted with her a bit. He horse was a little off. :-(

One more small canyon, and we would be at our second 1 hour hold, where we would see our crews again. More trotting where we could. Did I mention we trot a lot? Finally, we came to the top of the canyon, and the paved Bath Road. What a WELCOME sight! That meant we were almost to Forrest Hill!!! My attitude had much improved, and I was actually enjoying my ride. Hank had reminded me what a strong athlete he was, and that he also seemed to be enjoying the trail Ears always up, and only got a little of the ride funk once. Listening to other riders complain and whine abut the heat, the canyons etc. and not having the same feelings. I had been able to keep my mind clear, take care of myself so far, so I could take care of Hank.

If all went well at Forrest Hill, then Only 32 miles to go!!!

Tevis: Getting there, and mental conditions

2010-07-31T02:17:00.001-05:00

Not sure where to start on our Tevis blog. I know many followed my Facebook posts the past few weeks, and may have some repeat stuff, including photos. Since this is gonna get long, as I can never write any ride story in the cliff notes version, I’ll break it down into a few posts. I’ll start with the generic prep, and the 1800 mile trip out to CA from TX, and then arriving at camp.

After last season, and all the travel Hank did, I knew he was pretty seasoned at that part of the journey, and I tried to keep things as much the same as I did last year. The biggest change was traveling in a different trailer. I really did not think it would change his attitude, eating etc., and I had things set up much the same, including hanging a bucket of water in the trailer for him as he went down the road. Toss a bit of hay on top, and it will keep the splash factor to a minimum.

And what would be a trip with me without a flat tire. Just 100 miles from home, we had a blow out on the trailer. Got it changed quick, and then decided a set of new tires were in order, so we ended up at the Discount Tire in Amarillo. I of course knew where it was, since I was there last year with a tire issue. But this was the short day, so we had time.

We traveled the first day 400 miles, and a night at an RV park we had been at before, then 530 miles , and a KOA with corrals for the horses, then 420, and two nights at my friends house in So. CA, and then the 400 miles up to Auburn. Each morning he got a mash, we stopped midway each day for a walk and another mash, and at the end of each day, another mash.

One of the places we stopped for a mid day break. Near AZ/NM border. Great shopping too!

The first RV park is in Tucumcari NM. Super nice folks, and I would recommend this place to anyone. Very reasonable rates, and if they are not there, have a night drop. Easy to get in and out of, and often I have been one of the only folks there. Covered and uncovered corrals:

Empty Saddle RV Park

The second night was the KOA in Williams AZ. Used to be able to find more KOA’s with corrals, but many have stopped having them available. While this was a very busy KOA, the horses did not seem bothered by any activity, and all the kids who wanted to visit the horses asked first. I actually enjoyed meeting folks from other states and even countries, and let them meet Hank. Not cheap, but it was safe, and they were very welcoming to the horses.

Circle Pines KOA

When we arrived at my friends place, we had to maneuver the trailer up her narrow, twisty driveway. It took some good driving, and my spotting posts etc. along the way, but we were able to get the trailer parked, while we rested a couple days before heading on up to Auburn. Both horses have stayed here before, and settled right in to the corrals. I really think some of her horses who have done Tevis in the past KNEW what was up. They seemed extra excited about the process of the trailer going up and down the driveway, and I am sure Hank told them all about the adventure on our stop on the way home.

We got to the the Auburn fairgrounds Tuesday afternoon, before Tevis. I like to have the horses stay at the fairgrounds and ride out backwards on part of the trail, and then back to their stalls, so when they get there during the ride, mentally they will know they are almost HOME. Tuesday afternoon, we rode out past No Hands Bridge to the Hwy 49 crossing, and then on Wednesday, we rode to the bridge again. Did casual rides, taking our time. Even watched some young men jump off of No Hands in to the river below!

And some think riding a horse 100 miles is crazy. The last section of the trail was in really good shape from previous years. Only one section is kind of tricky in the dark, but the horses who have been over it in the daylight usually have no problems. A series of steps and rocks.

The photo does not do it justice for how steep it is. And pitch black in the dark!

We also had a close encounter of a "Bambi" kind on one of the pre-rides.

Thursday we finished our pre-ride prep. I don’t like to go up to camp before Friday AM, as it is pretty dusty and dirty at camp, and I’d rather breath as little of that as possible. Also, I like to stay out of the altitude for me as long as possible, as I got altitude sickness last year after some 20 years of it not bothering me. We did drive up to Robinson Flat so my hubby could see the road, and then later, dropped off his rental car at Foresthill, so when he dropped the truck and trailer there Saturday AM, he would have the rental to drive on up to Robinson, and not have to unhook and drive the big truck. Horses got a good scrubby bath, and Hank even made the cover of the Auburn Journal:

Auburn Journal article

Friday Am we got an early start, and headed up I-80 towards Truckee. My hubby drove the rig up, as he was the one driving it out Saturday AM, and needed some more time behind the wheel to get a good feel for it. Much bigger than our bumper pull, but he did very well, and even got it backed into a parking spot, facing out. Last thing you want is to have to back it out in the dark on ride morning with 100’s of other rigs trying to get out in the dark and dust. We got checked in, shopped a tad at the vendor area. It was nice to not have to scramble to pack our crew bags and saddle packs at the last min. Hank was looking relaxed and cheerful, eating and drinking well, and I was feeling rather complacent. In fact, in the weeks leading up to the ride, I never was feeling nervous. The ride meeting was done early enough to head to bed before dark.

I actually questioned what I was doing, and if I was REALLY wanting to ride or not. It was sort of odd. Can not really describe the feeling. Almost like it was something I needed to do, rather than wanting to do. I was not excited like previous rides. While I was not dreading it, I was not looking forward to it like the past. This alone sort of concerned me, as I was not sure I had the mental attitude to get through the ride.

Tevis is one of the most mental things I have challenged myself with in the past. To concentrate for over 24 hours, making sure one keeps their mind clear, sharp, straight and focused on not only the ride, but especially the horse. I have been given some very good advice over the years for success, and things to do to help get through Tevis, and I was not sure I would remember them all. At vet checks, pay attention to lines, getting the horse vetted through quick and smooth. Watch your timing, so you are not chasing the clock. Think about speeds on hills, up and down to the best advantage of the horse you are on. In the dark, reach down and touch the horses neck to make sure they are not over heating. Ride right, and stay balanced and centered even if you start to get sore. Give electrolytes at certain spots, so they will drink well at the next water. So much more, but you get the idea. And here I was, feeling like a trip to some stream to go trout fishing might be more fun than climbing on the horse in the dark to ride 100 miles. I had serious doubts about ME, but had very strong feelings that Hank was going to finish. I think one must have that confidence ahead of the ride. If you truly feel you are not going to finish, then that sure increases your failure rate. And I honestly felt Hank would finish. Never said “if we finish”, but WHEN we finish. I had no doubts in his ability. Now, off to bed for about six hours sleep and then to get on the trail and hopefully snap out of the weird funk I had about the task at hand, and hope mentally I could still pull from some place deep to keep me going.

Hank still amazes me

2010-07-27T00:39:00.000-05:00

Very quick note for those not on Facebook etc. Hank finished Tevis, the 100 mile endurance ride with me this weekend. He was strong all day, and just amazed me. A full write up later. On the way home. His bestest friend did not finish, but did a wonderful job for 85 miles. Nothing serious, just a little off at that vet check. Now, more rest, for more travel

Head to Robie Park tomorrow AM

2010-07-23T01:01:00.000-05:00

Bright and early we will head up to the ride start at Robie Park near Truckee CA. We don't like to go up before Friday, because it is dusty, and every thing gets covered in this fine dirt. Beautiful camp area, but with all the cars coming and going etc. it is what we call the dusty-dirty place. Hank got a bath, and while doing so, the photographer from the Auburn Journal came by, took some photos, and a short interview. Maybe we will be in the paper!

May not have internet to post until after the ride, but you can follow us on the webcast. We are number 98.

webcast

In Auburn, more prep

2010-07-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

Tuesday AM we left Los Angeles, and headed north up I-5 to Auburn Fairgrounds, where Tevis ends. Uneventful drive up, got the bys settled in their stalls, and went to the hotel and checked in. The In N Out Burger is right next door! Yum, a burger for lunch, and then we headed back to the fairgrounds, and took the boys for a ride out to Hwy 49 crossing and back. This includes going over No Hands bridge. The trail is in really good shape. Some of the best I have seen it in this section. A few small branches that will hit us in the face as we ride through in the dark before the sun rises Sunday AM. The horses were all jacked up when we headed out, and it was like riding a rocket. Hank remembered the trail, knew all the turns on the way OUT, not just back in. Have no worries about both horses knowing the way for the whole trail Saturday, as long as they do not have any odd changes since we last rode it.

Today we will do another ride out and back, at a slow, easy pace, and maybe some more organizing of the trailer for our camping Friday night. But right now, the hotel rom sure is nice!!!

California...I remember this place!

2010-07-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

For those who did not know, we escaped CA in 2000 to move to Texas. We arrived here after 3 days, 2 nights on the road. Stops at RV parks that offered corrals gave ther horses good nights rest, keeping them happier, and better hydrated by drinking well each night after long days in the trailer.

The weather over all on the trip was not bad. Today, we covered AZ and CA, where we did hit triple digits, but not as bad as it could have been.

Arrived at our friends horse mid afternoon, and got the trailer up the narrow, twisty driveway, and the horses settled in to corrals. We are in a studio apartment, watching the news, and laughing at folks on the news complaining about the HOT weather, that reached ab out 90 here.

Tomorrow we make sure the trailer, crew bags etc. are organized, and rest up before we do the last 8 hour drive Tuesday up to the fairgrounds where the ride ends. The horses will have nice big stalls, and learn that is home. A couple easy rides from the fairgrounds out the trail and back a little ways, to remind them where they are. Both have finished the ride, so I am sure they will remember when they get towards the end, they are almost back to their cozy covered corrals with food waiting.

Now to try to continue to get up pre dawn for the days before the ride, so that super early wake up of about 3:30 to 4:00AM on ride day will come easier.

California bound

2010-07-15T21:57:00.000-05:00

I guess I am as ready as I can be for our adventure out to California for Tevis. Last couple days were spent checking my packing list over and over, and taking the things I think I will need, or MIGHT need over to Dollys house, and loaded in to her rig. I have duffel bags everywhere. I took masking tape, and lables all of them with what they were. Clothes, crew bag, horse feed. I'm actually pretty proud of myself to take all my things I kept in the horse trailer, and narrow it down into a handful of bags. Now I hope that I can find what ever I need, when I need it.

We went over today to the trailer, and my hubby practiced making some turns in the pasture, backing it up, and getting a basic feel for how it handled. He will be the one driving it from camp at Tevis, back down the mountain as we ride off into the darkness at the start of the ride in just 8 days. The trailer is a 3 horse with living quaters, mid tack, and MUCH longer and handles different than our 4 horse bumper pull. But he was comfortable with it, and should do fine.

Hank is locked in our small 2 acre field with Flag and Gambler for company tonight. He got a bath, and all the salt and sweat scrubbed off real good for the recent heat and humidity. In the wee hours of the morning, I will gather him from the field, wrap his legs with standing bandages for the trip, and take him over to Dollys horse. Off load from one horse trailer to the other, and start heading west. Our first over night should be Tucumcari NM, where I have stayed in the past at an RV park with corrals. Going to be a hot trip, and will try to hit the road eary each day to beat some of the heat. We should be in So. CA on Sunday.

We will visit with my friend who I used to work for, and have not seen since Feb. when she came to see me get Hanks awards. She has finished Tevis 20 times, her husband 11 times , and her daughter 10 times. When she gives me advice on the ride, I listen. Then head up Tuesday before the ride, and the horses will stay at the farigrounds, with it becoming their home. A couple easy rides out on the trail a bit, and back to the stable will remind them when they get to that section of the trail during the ride, they are slmost to their stall which is bedded, and waiting.

So, time for some sleep, then early wake up, and out 420 mile travel day.

Packing, sorting, prepping

2010-07-10T22:17:00.002-05:00

Coming down the home stretch for getting ready for our trip to CA for Tevis. The past few days we have had some more unusual Texas weather. If 12" of snow in just one of our storms during our winter was not enough, we then had summer arrive early, with heat, and no rain. We watched the fields that had been green from the wet spring, start to crunch. Heat training for Tevis came easy, as any ride involved heat and humidity. But since July arrived, we have been having above average rain fall. In the past couple days alone, we have had about 3". Thankfully, we are not really needing to ride the horses, just let them eat, rest up, and do their thing out in pasture. That is in the pasture that has mud!

We plan on leaving at the end of next week, taking 3 days to get to So. CA for an over night at a friends, before heading up to Auburn, and the fairgrounds that is the end of the ride. Staying there, and doing some easy rides out from the finish line, a ways, and then back in will stretch the horses legs, and remind them where they are. Since both Chance, and Hank have finished the ride, I'm pretty sure they will remember that they are heading "home" to their stalls at the fairgrounds, especially when they reach the part past the last vet check at the Lower Quarry. We don't go up to the ride camp until Friday, as it is dusty and dirty, and not as wonderful and pleasant as it would be without 100's of other rigs.

But before all of that, we have the final packing to do. I have duffel bags for different items. One for grooming etc., one for tack, bridles and such. One for the leg wraps used for traveling and post ride. A nice tough plastic ice chest for medications and anything that could leak. Then we have the crew bags. A duffel for the horse stuff, and one for my stuff that will go into the two vet checks with holds. We have a nice little wagon that holds a zippered hay bale bag perfectly., In that bale bag, we will place all the things to go in to the vet checks, including feed. I am making a huge effort to have them all prepped and ready before we even leave for CA. In the past, I have spent the day before the ride, even going in to the night before, finishing up getting the crew bags and saddle packs ready. But this year will be different. After the rider meeting, I plan on going to the trailer, kissing Hank good night on the nose, and going to bed! Hopefully that plan will work out. Hard enough to sleep the night before, so giving myself the chance to do so for as many hours as possible might get me a little bit of rest.

What is still to be done is the food shopping for the trip. We have made lists of the things we think we will consider eating on the ride. Many items we both like, but there are a few that we won't have a problem with each other eating the others "favorite". I usually can eat well during the ride, while Dolly says she some times has trouble eating. Keeping hydrated AND food in our system will keep us feeling good, thinking straight, and able to take better care of the horses. It was kind of drilled in to me that there is not a reason for the rider to pull from Tevis because they feel crappy unless they are about to die. if the horse is strong and sound, you better crawl back up there, and keep going. Hopefully I will never have to face that and feel that bad to want to pull because of MY issues. I have always been able to push past any aches and pains. Of course, a pain pill doesn't hurt. ;-)

Have a new blog camera on its way, so I hope to be back to adding photos again soon. I wore my little camera out last year!

Three Weeks from now.....

2010-07-03T11:09:00.000-05:00

In the past month, we have been doing our final conditioning and prep for Tevis. After the lameness pull at the endurance ride, I had my confidence broken for awhile about Hank being ready. You need to feel the horse is 110% before you head to the ride. A couple trips to the vet, just to have things checked out, and I am feeling good about how Hank is doing. He looks good, is moving sound and balanced, and has a good attitude. But, those little Tevis Gremlins have not moved on to someone else completely. The trailer issue (see below) was not the end of their mischief.

Hank tied to our super little borrowed trailer that is keeping us on the trail

On a training ride in June, I got home, to find Hank had chaffed himself in all his wrinkles near his elbow / arm pit area in front of the girth. I usually spray a bit of Show Sheen on him there, to have things move clean and smooth. But, I forgot, and he was a tad dirty, and the result was hair loss, irritation, and a couple small sores. So I have been slathering on medication to heal the area, and put Bickmores Gall Salve on for training rides. In general, I'd just put a horse out for rest for awhile, but he needs to keep conditioning. Bickmores is amazing stuff, that you can use under tack if needed, and it keeps healing. So now, we are finally going through the stage where the hair is growing in, and he has flakes like a peeling sunburn within all his wrinkles. The girth I use cuts back, and clears the area, but it is his own skin that did this. He is like an elephant, and could use a Nip and Tuck to tighten the skin!

We went down to the ranch that we had our endurance ride over Memorial Day, and helped out at a NATRC clinic. Riding 16 miles with my clinic group, then going back out mid day, during the heat, and doing another 12 miles at a quicker speed. I figured that riding those trails again, with hills, rocks etc. would really show me if he was ready to go. After the almost 30 miles, I was kind of scared to lunge him, for fear I'd see a gait inconsistency. Some of them have been real, and then some things I have seen in his gait I think have just been my mind worried something was wrong, although it wasn't. I have a tendency to think my horse looks off, where many don't see things, and feel their horse looks fine when it isn't. The Tevis entry sent in causes many of us to think something is wrong, when it isn't. We over analyze ever step, head toss and fart the horse does. The lunge line hangs nearby, as we go out and lunge the horse every day to see if they look fine. We watch them walk across the field, looking at foot fall, to see if they are even on both sides.

So lunging him after the 30 miles was something I feared. But he looked great, as did Dollys horse. Next day, when he was at home, trotting across the pasture, I felt he had not looked better. Moving freely, even gait.

With the ride just over 20 days away, I am backing off a tiny bit. I see many riders push and push their horses before Tevis, going to lots and lots of 50's, even doing them just a few weeks ahead of the ride. Often by the time they get to the ride, they have used their horse up, and the horse is tired, or comes up with lameness issues. Rest is good. I'd have liked to have gotten to a couple more 50's earlier in the year, but it just did not happen. I'm feeling the most confident about him being ready now, than I have all year, but know that as soon as you send in that entry, you have a 50/50 chance of finishing. You can do all your homework, condition, prep, and do everything right, and have something happen to get you pulled. And if you are pulled, you and your horse are in the company of some of the best horses and riders in the world who have been pulled on that trail. No one is safe, anyone can be pulled. But I feel that the attitude is so much of giving yourself the best shot of getting that buckle. You need to have the mind set you WILL finish the ride. If you start the ride feeling you think you will get pulled, it raises your chance of having that happen even more.

I know what it takes to finish, know how to pace the ride, and what to expect. I hope I can still stay as mentally sharp as I have in the past, to keep my mind straight, and be concentrating on the timing, my horse, and how the day is going. Hank finished 5 years ago, on his first attempt. Then in 2006, he came in to Michigan Bluff (a tad over half way) feeling stronger than the year before. Walked up the the water, took a sip, backed away, and tried to go down with a case of colic. No sighs leading up to it that day, that told me he was not 100%. Even his heart rate was not showing any signs of stress before that point. Dolly and chance rode on, and she finished on their first attempt. This years plan is for us to ride into the stadium together, along with our friend Sara from CA.

And now I better get back to packing, putting together crew bags, and figuring out just what I need to take. Being a control freak, it will be odd for me to go in someone else's rig. It will be good for me though. A few control issues I need to just let go of, and this is one. We will be traveling in a much more stylish and comfortable rig, thats for sure!

He is looking mighty fit and ready, but I still try to not say the "T" word in front of him.

Horse trailer major ouch

2010-07-03T10:13:00.000-05:00

I have a couple blog posts to catch up on. The first is how I put my horse trailer in the hospital, and on life support. Still not sure if it will make it or not.

Getting ready for our big trip out to CA, it was time for a couple new tires. I had cleaned it out in the horse compartment, complete with a good blast from the garden hose. I was happy at how much easier it was to clean the corners since I had replaced the rubber mat on the wall behind the horses. Headed to the tire shop, and got the two tires I needed, and then headed home. When we moved here, our road was gravel almost the whole way to town. Slowly they have paved sections, but it is still a country road. At one spot, there is a large tin horn drain that goes under the road. The road narrows at that point, and the edges go from a nice shoulder, to a straight down drop off, or "hole" around 4' deep.

Chugging along, just 2 miles from the house, and I realize I am too close to the edge, I try to get the rig moved over to the left, but too late. My trailer drops into this hole on the right side. A big jolt, I glance in the rearview to see tires flying, and for a moment I think I have actually flipped the trailer. I come to a stop, and am pretty shook up, and scared to go look at the damage. I am thinking "Well, there went my two new tires". I go back, and could not see the condition of my tires, as they are gone.

Including the wheels, and axle arms. I have managed to snap the axles at the arms clean off the trailer, which is now sitting on its frame on its right side.

Called hubby, called US Rider to come tow it, and talk to a neighbor awhile who stopped to see if I needed help. He found my tires and wheels. One went in the brush to the right side of the road, the other went all the way over to the other side of the road. We retrieve them, and would you believe the tires are still in perfect condition?

I unhook from the truck, run it home, and bring back my 1/2 ton, to follow the tow truck to the trailer place, so I can unload my "stuff" out of the tackroom. My goodness I have a lot of stuff in there.

I carry insurance on the trailer and camper, actually listing them, with values. Somewhere I gave a value, which I found out was not enough to cover replacement of a trailer like this one. So first, be sure to talk to your insurance company, and make sure you are covered well. Many just depend on their trucks insurance, and hope that will cover what ever trailer is being towed behind it. Glad I actually had the trailer listed, as the insurance has been such a smooth process so far. Next, because of the value listed, my trailer has been listed as totaled. (sigh) As unattractive as it is, I LOVE my trailer. I have spent a lot of time doing little things to make it work best for me. Adding hooks, rings etc. where I wanted them to secure and hang stuff, special plates added to attach Hi-Ties, bucket holders. It just works. But, I decide to start looking for another, while waiting for insurance to finish up.

Boy howdy! Bumper pull trailers for 3 or 4 horses, that I'd actually put my horses in are expensive! Amazed at some of the prices on used trailers. So, we are considering doing a buy back from insurance if the trailer shop thinks the trailer is structurally sound enough to put the money in to it. I'd still have some out of pocket expenses, but in the long run, might be the best way to go. Meanwhile, a friend has loaned us their bumper pull they do not use, to be able to keep conditioning for Tevis, haul to the vet if needed, and our farrier appointment. We will go to Tevis in my friends rig.

This is a tough trailer, and I keep thinking how bad it could have been had it not been as well built, or what could have been had I had a horse on board, or if the trucks tires slipped off in to the hole. I'm pretty sure the truck would have flipped on its side due to the depth and extream drop off of the hole.

Got in to the vet today

2010-06-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

Hank was still a tad off this morning, and we managed to get an appointment with the vet this afternoon. I wanted to get him in while he was still showing signs of being sore, so I could hopefully FIND the issue. If I had waited, and he got better on his own, I'd have not know what the issue was, and then worry it would be something that would come back again because I had not actually treated it, and hopefully healed it the first time. Some lameness issues are things that will heal, and not reoccur, but others, especially soft tissue issues can look better, then get re-stressed.

This is the facility that did Hanks colic surgery, and they had not seen him in awhile. They fussed over him as I told them about the events at the ride this weekend, and what I thought was going on. Then they had one of their techs trot him out, as the vets and intern vets new to the practice watched. Used hoof testers on his feet, which showed no reaction. But, he is fairly stoic, and does not always react quick to things like that, even if painful or uncomfortable. They injected the leg to do a never block on the hoof, then trotted again,a nd he was better. But then we saw a little something on the other front leg, and after palpating, found the tendon area was tender. Best guess is, the shoe torqued, the nail slipped out some, then back in, but most likely not in the hole, and hit an area to cause discomfort. That discomfort caused him to shift more weight on to the other front leg, stressing it a bit. And maybe that is why I was not feeling him "off" on the ride, but just more of an unbalanced feel when we trotted. Both fronts had a bit of pain.

So, we have some stuff to pack and wrap his foot in for the next few days to a week. This vet does not like Epsom Salt soaks for hoof issues. He feels they dry the feet out, and stopped using them. Found that interesting. I also have some stuff I used last year to wrap his legs with when he was doing so many rides and travel, that is very popular with the race horses, and last, and anti inflammatory oral med for a couple weeks. He felt I should be back on the trail in a week or so.

I'm glad I went today, as I would have probably missed the slight issue on the tendon.

I always tell people that the entry fee for a ride like Tevis is the cheap part. Travel etc. is expensive, and when you are trying to compete at higher levels, the care and maintenance issues the horse needs goes up. Talk to those who compete a lot, and things like Adquan and Legend shots, different types of therapy, chiropractor work, swimming the horses between riding, different feeds etc. add up quick. It has been interesting to talk to people who compete heavy and see what they do to keep their horses in what they feel is top form. Me? I head to the vet quicker than I used to. lol But that is what probably save his life when he had the colic issues too.

Now to see if I remember to update after his is back to work again.

Back to some endurance

2010-05-30T23:14:00.000-05:00

I guess it is time I update folks on what Hank and I have been up to. A year ago this weekend, was our first trip to Colorado for a NATRC ride, and the real start to point chasing and traveling all over the country to rides. The ride was near Colorado Springs, and Hank showed me he was a tough cookie, and won the highest award against horses who condition at elevation. He is a flatlander horse, who does not get much in the way of mountain training.

In 2005, he showed me just how tough he was, when we finished the Western States 100 miler, AKA The Tevis on my first attempt with Hank. I had tried the ride two times before, with different horses. The first time was back in 1988. It is the most well known endurance ride in the world, and also known as one of the toughest. The following year we went back with my friend, Dolly, and Hank had a bout with colic at about 60 miles. While our ride came to an end there, Dolly rode on, and finished in her very first attempt at the ride. We have kind of talked about the ride since then, with both of us mentioning we would like to go back.

So, three weeks ago, Dolly and I went ahead and sent in our entries for this years Tevis. We have started to up our conditioning rides here on our local trails, moving out quicker, and some times a bit longer. Also riding in the heat of the day. This weekend was an endurance ride down near Austin TX at a private 6000 acre ranch. Some hills, rocks, and heat would make it perfect conditioning/training and a test on Hanks fitness level.

Left at about 4:30 AM Friday and headed to the ride, arriving around 10:30AM, securing a nice parking spot with an Oak tree to each side. Shade for both horses, and the dogs.

The ride was offering two days of riding, but I had not decided about Sunday, as I was focused on the Saturday ride, and my plan for Hank and I for the day. Get through day one, and I'd decide if I would ride Flag on Sunday, Hank again, or just head home.

The plan was to ride a bit quicker than I normally do at rides, trying to finish the 50 miles with a ride time of about 7:30 hours (plus the vet check hold times) At Tevis, the first 36 miles of the ride has sections you need to move out quickly where you can, as you then have sections where you have no choice but to go slow, walking and picking their way through rocks, mud / bogs and crappy footing. I needed to know Hank and I could move out at that pace as needed.

Ride start, because of the heat was at 6:15 AM. We started with about dozen horses out in front of us, and quickly found a pocket where we were pretty much alone. It is to easy to get sucked in with another rider and end up not riding at the pace you planned, and either be pulled along too fast, or slowed down. I had my GPS along to check speed and distance, but tried to not look at it, and just ride at the feel of the pace I wanted to go. The trail was a mix of some ranch jeep roads, cross country, and cattle trails. We had creeks and water troughs for water. Plenty of green grass for the horses to snack on along the way. Saw signs of wild pigs, and saw a few deer. What a lovely ranch! I wanted to finish the first 15.5 mile loop that ended near camp in 2 hours, and I came in almost exactly on my pre-planned time. Then headed out on the next 10 miles, wanting to finish it in about 1:30. As we timed in for our first vet check / hold, it had been 3 hours and 15 min, so a little quicker than planned, but I was happy with how he felt. I went to my camp, stripped his tack,and headed down to the vet check. His pulse was down, and we headed to the vet.

His metabolics were good. Not perfect. After we trotted out for the vet, he mentioned seeing a little intermittent lameness every 4th step or so. I headed back to the camper, to let him eat and drink, and to replenish myself. It was not even 10AM, and I am guessing it was close to 90 degrees. I had been good, and drank about 4 bottles of water in that first 3 1/2 hours, and had been taking my electrolytes. After I ate and drank more, I headed out to check Hank over, and get his tack back on him. I decided I should look at that left front leg the vet thought he saw a little something on, and found he had torqued a shoe a tiny bit, and one of the nails had came out a tad. The ride farrier was out riding the 25 mile ride, so I was on my own. I pulled the nail (so glad I bought the little tool to assist with that), and decided to put a standard easyboot over the shoe, to make sure it stayed on. Actually, over both front shoes, so he would be even and balanced going down the trail. I ended up staying in camp an extra 20 min. after my "out time" getting the shoe issue taken care of, and was mad at myself for forgetting to always check their feet at the start of a hold, in case you need to find a farrier, or fix things.

It was now getting super hot, and I decided I'd try to do the next 15 miles in 3 hours, which was a much slower pace, but I wanted to keep an eye on the possible lameness. This part of the trail had a lot of ranch roads, some hills, and beautiful views.

We had been riding alone for awhile, and as it got warmer, Hank started to pout a bit about being alone, and thinking no one else was out there. He would poke along, looking around for another horse. I was not feeling a true lameness, but found that when we trotted, it was more difficult than usual to post on his left diagonal. It is always easier to post on the right, but when we did so on the left, it twisted my body more than the normal. We finished the loop right on my time I had set, and had done the first 40 miles in about 6:30 of ride time. I headed right to the vet area, leaving his tack on him. His metabolics got better than the first check, but when we trotted, the vet saw he was off on every step now. I pulled the boots, to see if he moved better, but it was actually worse, so our day was done.

Back at the trailer, took care of him, he continued to eat and drink like a champ. Decided I'd pass on riding the next day, and also thought it would be best to head home after it got dark, to beat hauling in the heat the next day. So, left around 9PM, and pulled in the driveway at around 3AM.

My plans for pace, dealing with the heat for both of us etc. went very well, and I am pleased with how Hank looked, how well he ate and drank. Now to figure out if it is just the torqued shoe that has caused the lameness. I have an infrared thermometer, that you point it at a surface,a nd it gives you a digital read out of the surface temperature. Great to compare a horses legs, looking for hot spots, which could indicate an issue. Checking both front legs, I have not found any hot spots on the leg or hoof of his left front. He had been a tad more lame 2 hours after the ride, but is now back to the slightly off that he was at the end of the 40 miles. He does not look like he did a thing, and was cheerful when I fussed with him this afternoon.

Because it had been awhile since I had ridden as far, at that pace, in the heat, I was concerned on how I would feel. I was happy the heat did not kick my rear, and that I have very little muscle soreness. I broke out in a heat rash on my legs, even with some gold bond applied. But, not itchy or sore, just speckled!

So we do not have any planned events between now and Tevis. I will be back to this weekends ranch next month helping with a NATRC clinic if all is well with Hank and the lameness, I can get in some more good conditioning on those trails, in the heat. Might also haul up to Oklahoma to the mountains for some riding. But first, I need to figure out what is going on with Hank. Will take him to his favorite vets at Lonestar Park (where he had his colic surgery) as they are awesome with lameness issues. I'm not one to just wait for him to get better. I think it is best to take him to the vet while lame, so they can find the issue, rather than have something maybe reoccur because one did not check it out the first time. Rather spend the money for the vet to say "he bruised his foot", than to find out that he had something more serious happen, that I ignored, just assuming it was something simple.

I always said the entry fee for Tevis is the cheap part. It is all the money spent leading up to the ride, and the travel that is so expensive. The horse needs to be 110% before I'd decide to load him in the trailer to head to the ride. You do not want to have ANY doubts about the horses ability to finish. Of course, right now, I have lots of doubts because my horse has a little hitch in his get-along right now. And he is one of those horses who is rarely "off". Always a super sound horse. Never has lost any points for lameness at any of his NATRC rides.

There ya go. An update from Hank and I, and what we have been up to, and what we are planning. Of course *I* did not tell Hank ab out the whole Tevis plans, but I am guessing he found out somehow, thus the lameness issue.

If I never got that first pony......

2010-05-04T01:57:00.000-05:00

..... my life would be completely different.

Mel over at Boots and Saddles had given me a blog idea weeks ago, and I am just not getting around to posting. She got me thinking about what my life would be like, if I did not have horses. Beyond the part on trying to figure out the types of things I might be interested in to fill that time my horses take, I realized it goes so much deeper than that. I've always joked that I'd have never been a ballerina, and while I tried band in school as a youth, my talent was lacking, so I don't think I'd have become a great musician. Never was really good with sports in school, although I tried a few. And maybe because I had the horses, made me not really put in an effort with the different sports to get any better at them. Crafts? Hobbies? I have some that I do now, but would they have taken up more of my time, that I use for the horses?

What I had never really thought about was that the day my parents brought that Shetland Pony home to me as a two year old child, my life's course was set. I can base almost all of my life's directions and choices, where I have lived, and even who I married, due to that pony.

Princess, my first pony with my dad

Princess was not just a passing interest. Getting that pony got me involved in riding all through my childhood, getting a bigger pony, then horses. They became part of my life. When my parents divorced, because I had horses, my mother had to find an area in So. CA that allowed horse keeping. We moved to a neighborhood in Glendale, near Griffith Park, where I rode constantly. My days were filled with horse activities. After school, I raced home to ride, and hang out with horse type friends, and rarely school friends. When I got old enough for a place of my own, I moved just down the street from my mothers house, and the horses still lived there at her place. I met my husband through a mutual friend, who worked right down the road. When we looked to purchase our first house, it had to be horse property. Having horses made us start to desire a larger property, but that was not going to happen in So. CA. So, we relocated to Texas, where we got some acreage for the horses. If we did not have horses, chances are, we would have stayed in So. CA. But, had I not got that first pony, I'd have not had horses when my parents divorced, ad my mom would not have needed to find horse property, and I'd have not lived in the neighborhood I met my husband, and I'd be bored to death, as I don't have any idea what things I'd do if I did not have horses.

So is there any one thing that has happened in your life, that you can see helped chart your life's course?

Wild Hare NATRC ride

2010-04-09T23:26:00.000-05:00

Photos for this installment of "Trot On Hank" are provided by Jim Edmondson of Optical Harmonics. I forgot to take any photos again. I seem to do that at the local rides. Jim (and his partner Mike) have again captured some of the best photos I have ever had of my horses and I on the trail.

We had the local NATRC ride last weekend here on our trails. Nice to only have a 12 mile drive to get to a ride! While the weather forecast was all over the place leading up to the ride, it turned out to be a glorious weekend. I normally don't really care for the rides on our training trails, as Hank and I are both bored with them. But, I realized I am blessed to have trails so close to ride on, as many of our TX distance riders have to haul much further to get in a good ride on a trail system.

The redbuds were in full bloom, and just beautiful!

Saturday we rode about 28 miles, and Sunday about 22 miles. Our ride pace, which includes our stops for water, letting the horses grab bites of grass, and any other stops we make on our own was at 5.4mph. That means, we needed to have our pace average out to that. A little quicker than some of our NATRC rides, and closer to a slow paced endurance ride. I enjoyed moving out a bit more, and it was a good test to get a feel for how Hanks conditioning is going after so much bad weather, mud, snow etc. during the winter. Hanks easy going trot, where he is most relaxed, and not trying to catch anyone is right around 8.5mph. His walk is around 4mph if I don't ask him to move out quicker, or if he is not in a hurry. He can walk over 5mph if he is in the mood, but hard to maintain that pace.

Hank was in a good mood all weekend, and I was actually surprised he did not goof off, spook at things on the trail, or act naughty. He does these things the most on our local trails. Boredom factor usually sets in, and he can be unpleasant to deal with. But instead of that behavior, I had a horse who was cheerful, not spooking, and actually did all the obstacles we were asked to do very well, and did not come up with "Hank options" like he sometimes does. Add the spectacular weather on Saturday, and nice (although not as spectacular) weather Sunday, and we had a great weekend.

I was feeling not as focused on Friday before the ride. Almost scattered. I had to keep checking my list of things to do, to make sure I was getting everything done. I made this list last year, just as a reminder. Things like having his breakfast mash and lunch mash for the next day in buckets, fill water bottles, have map ready. Just basic prep, that I do for every ride. I kept thinking that I better be able to concentrate during the ride. But on Saturday, I felt much more in tune and focused as we timed out on to the trail.

During the weekend, we had a variety of judging observations / obstacles. Both from the vet, and from the horsemanship judge. Some were spots they just watched us negotiate something like we normally would as we went by, such as a spot we went down an embankment, and then back up the other side, or watching us open and close one of our many trail gates that are built to be opened and closed from horseback. We deal with the gates on all our training rides, so when asked to go through, I did not over think it. I just side passed Hank up to it, flipped the chain off, went through, closed it, and relatched the chain. We did it smooth, quick, and easy. Had I over thought the whole thing, and tried to do it super slow, Hank would have most likely figured something was up, and did something silly. We had a trot/halt/back 5 steps. Easy enough, but it was interesting to see the mistakes many made. We had to position the horses in hand with their front feet in one jeep trail, hind in the other, and use the rise in the middle to stand on for an off side mount, and then side pass over to the left. Then walk into an area of trees, making an L turn, and stopping, and backing the horse back out the same way we came in. Again, I did not over think it, and just got it done. This worked So well for both of us this weekend, but hard to say if it would do that well at the next ride. So maybe my unfocused mind on Friday, ended up kind of working well for me.

While I know if we get back to Tevis this year, I need to be super focused, and aware of not only how he is doing, how we are both eating and drinking, but super aware of our time, pace etc. It is the most mental ride I have ever done. Shoot, one of the most mental situations I have ever dealt with. I have found that caffeine does help me keep mentally sharp, and I do not have the hard crashes some people do from drinking it. But, I have to remember it is also a diuretic, and to make sure I drink lots of water when consuming things with caffeine in the hot weather.

When we finished the ride Sunday, I had really enjoyed the weekend, even if we were riding trails I have spent many, many miles riding. Hank had been good, and he checked out sound, and with lots of energy. I have no doubts he is ready for a 50 mile endurance ride again, but now to figure which one to go to.

Dolly on Chance with us as we headed in on Sunday

I felt he had done well when judged, but one never knows until awards, and then when we see our score cards. What I did not expect was to get the scores we got. Hank placed first, and also sweepstaked (meaning highest score of all the Open division horses) with a perfect score of 100, and had 8 plus marks on his card for doing well on different obstacles. I won my 3rd horsemanship class in a row, and also had a perfect score of 100, with 6 plus marks. I can not remember EVER getting a perfect 100 for both the horse and myself at a ride with any of my horses. And, I will say, I feel that there is no perfect horse, and really, we should not see 100's, but I will also admit, it does feel pretty cool.

Next ride is in a week, in East Texas. A new NATRC ride.

A few signs of Spring

2010-03-28T22:03:00.000-05:00

Springtime on the trails

Red Buds just about to Open up. Should be open by the end of the week and very colorful

The cattle are having their babies. Look at those cute little white face Young'uns!

The grass is coming in, and all the trees have blooms, buds, or leaves adding color back to the landscape

And just had to share Hanks new friend........

Spring Training

2010-03-27T19:07:00.000-05:00

With the positive attitude that all that nasty winter like weather is behind us here in No. TX, I am taking the attitude that is is time to try to start with a better "spring training" program. Wait, I really don't like the word program, as that sounds too structured. And my life is rarely structured. But with Spring weather starting to look like it is truly here, it is time to get down to business. Before we know it, the weather will turn to Texas summer weather, with its own issues!

I tried to keep Hank fit through the winter, making the best use of our rides, even if the weather did not always let us ride as much as we wanted. And now we will have spring rains, which often make the trails to muddy to ride, but I am going to make myself get out on some of the local dirt roads if the mud is too bad, and ride anyway. I can cover up to stay dry. I just don't like to have us wet AND cold. So no more excuses! (Uh huh, sure, see how this goes)

I had a friend who was training his carriage driving horse for international level competitions. He would get up early each morning, go work the horse before he went off to his work, and then after work, went home, and worked the horse again. Usually each work out was at least an hour. Now, he did not need to do training out on the trail that can be time intensive like our distance horses, and had an arena to train in, but he did this all seasons, even when the daylight was short. He'd often be out there in the pre-dawn, taking care of the horse, and working with her. He used to say "Our competition has already worked with their horse today". He lived on the West Coast, and being hours behind his East Coast competitors meant indeed, most had done their morning work outs, and were heading towards lunch when he was in the middle of his training session. His motivation was knowing they had a jump on the day with working their horses. While I do not have any goals of international competition like he did, often we need to find things that will keep us motivated to ride on some days when maybe things are just not absolutely perfect. While riding is a form of recreation for me, and I want to enjoy my ride, there are just times I need to suck it up and get out on the horse when it is not a perfect day. Otherwise, when we head to an event, that is testing the condition and fitness of my horse to travel over many miles, he will not be as prepared as I could have him.

So today, we rode 20 miles, and did get done before the bad wind and cold front arrived. I hope to get him out tomorrow for another 10 to 15 miles. Then this coming week the weather will not be an excuse to not ride, as it is to be warm and sunny. We have a NATRC ride on our local trails next weekend, so we won't do a bunch this week, but some short rides. Hubby will have a day ot two to ride.

As I try to get Hank in even better condition that last year, it is time for me to get back to doing a bit more for my condition. Plans to start back on that dang treadmill. Also, I need to just get off and walk on the trail more with Hank at times. We have mileage markers on the trail, and even if I get off and walk ONE stupid mile, that is a mile more than I'd have walked otherwise.

OK, since I blogged about it, I hope that will be enough to motivate me. But don't call me on it. hehe

Photos frm the pasture

2010-03-22T23:06:00.000-05:00

A couple random photos:

Every afternoon, Hank takes a nap. His rests his chin on the ground, getting dirt and stuff in his lips. But I still kiss his white spot on his nose. (after I dust it off!)

That is Rockhe in the lead. He is about 13 now. As he ages, he gets more and more of those "flea bitten" spots. The other horse is Toby, the old man. I was pretty impressed it was keeping up with Rockhe, as he is getting old, and creeky. I think mid 20's, but I'd have to look. Sounds like a bowl of Rice Crispies when he walks. Snap. Crackle. Pop.

Running, mudding, snowing, thinking

2010-03-21T17:39:00.001-05:00

Our local trail system was built and designed with events in mind. Loops out of a single camp, that come back to the same location. Besides endurance and competitive trail rides, each year they have a "run", with up to 500 runners out on the trails, with distances of 13, 26 and 50 miles. Some years ago, I started volunteering as a "sweep" rider, where we follow the last runners on the loop, to make sure all get in to camp OK, and to let the aid stations along the way know that they can close up. This year it ended up that I was the only rider there to help out, mostly due to our WEATHER! Who would have guessed that for the first day of Spring, we had a huge thunderstorm the night before, dumping about an inch of rain on the area, and then cold, blowing wind, with sleet off and on all day, and then some snow. I stayed in camp most of the day, until the last runner headed out on the last loop of the 50 mile run. They had around 60 start the 50 mile run, but only SIX finished. The muddy cold conditions had the others drop out before the day was done. While those of us who do distance riding with our horses, know what it is to be pushed to our limits at time, I am always amazed at how some of the runners will challenge themselves. Those who started the races knew the conditions were horrible. But they are only making the choice for themselves. When we choose to challenge ourselves with a ride, we also must consider our horse, and his health, and safety. Because the loop I was riding was just under 10 miles, I figured we would be going pretty slow, walking much of it, and only out there 2 to 3 hours. I put on warm, waterproof clothes, had a rump rug to cover up Hanks hind end to keep it warm and dry if the weather turned really bad, and headed out through the slop.

I have been slowly conditioning in some mud, as I fear when we will be at an event, and the trails will get muddy. By doing some conditioning in the conditions, I feel I can prepare him both mentally, and physically for dealing with the mud. As I was saddling him, it started to snow. This is the first day of spring, and the day before it was almost 70 degrees, and now it was snowing and blowing! I guess I am really not surprised, as it seems just about the time the pear trees get their white blooms, we will get one more freeze, and then Spring will really arrive. Last week we saw the pear trees all bloom.

As I tagged along behind this lone runner, I watched him negotiate the trail, and how he was showing signs of being tired, and mentally spent.

I also noticed things that made me consider our distance riding. He had a water bottle in his right hand. I noticed that he was not moving as square and balanced due to one hand having the weight of the water bottle, and the other did not. He never changed hands. He dropped the shoulder to the side with the bottle, and moved a bit uneven. If we ride unbalanced, or have things on our saddle that are uneven and balanced, just what are we doing to our horses? How often might a lameness be caused from something we, the rider could do different? When you trot and post, do you remember to change diagonals to help balance the stress we put on the horse? Are our saddle packs even? A mile from the end, he actually asked if I minded carrying his water bottle. I gladly took it from him, and then watched as both arms started to swing even, and his stride balanced some as he jogged.

I could see the mental issues as he got tired by how he picked the routes to try to stay out of the worse sections of mud. Often I'd see him pause, and contemplate his route, and go off to the side out of the deepest mud, and other times, he'd just plow right through the yuck, even though there was a better path. I'm guessing he was having some periods of clear thinking, and others of just wanting to be done. As we get tired on a ride, do we continue to make the best choices for our horses? Keeping physically fit for the ride, also means most of us stay mentally fit. But when conditions are really bad, and we have had to think about the details more than normal, we can get mentally worn out, even though physically we are strong.

When people ask me about Tevis, I tell them it is a very mental ride. You have to think about so much, from footing, to timing, to concentrating on how well the horse is doing, that often riders start to mentally shut down. When that happens, they do not take care of themselves physically, and can start making mistakes with their horses. Keeping a clear head, and sharp thinking will help you tremendously. To stay focused for 24 hours of riding is difficult. Hopefully if we end up on the Tevis trail this year, I can still do that.

Plans for the year. Dare I say T..........

2010-03-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

I'm still of the mindset to not have any hard, set plans for a ride season, as those things can change through the year. Sometimes to be able to do more than anticipated, like last year when we found ourselves traveling to ride after ride for year end awards. And some times, those plans and goals just do not pan out. For me, if I set myself up with a big goal, and things do not work out for what ever reason, I have more of a frustrated feeling, than if I set it as a "I'd really like to do "X", but I'll just see how things go this year".

So, with that thought process, right now, that "X" is doing Tevis again this year. We finished it in 2005 with Hanks first attempt. Then in 2006 we went back with a friend, and had a metabolic pull at Michigan Bluff (around 60 of the 100 mile ride) when Hank coliced. My friend went on to finish, in her first attempt, on her flat lander Texas horse. While the vets say that his colic at Tevis on 2006, would not be related to his colic and surgery 2 years later, I still ponder that day. He came up out of the canyon strong, forward, ears up, cheerful, and wanting to actually trot up the hill. He took a drink of water at the vet area, backed two steps away from the trough,and tried to drop right there. He was in a lot of pain. Thankfully the vets were able to give him drugs right then, and he was trailered to Foresthill and got IV fluids. He was better early that night. But, from that, the trail beat us. Even though we finished the year before, I still have that feeling that the trail won.

I am one who would ride that ride every year if I was still in CA. Love the trail, the challenge, and the event. I worked for a woman who finished it 20 times, out of 23, maybe 24 starts, and helping get her horses ready, pre-riding, and crewing, and also volunteering has got the ride in my blood. But, now living about 1500 miles from the ride makes it something that I can't attend as easy as before.

A friend crewed for us before, and I told her when she rode, I'd crew, or ride with her. It was her choice. Well, she said "Ride with". Right now, she is prepping her nice horse, and is planning on going. So, I guess that means I need to think about it more. She knows if I can't make it, or Hank is not ready, that I'll come crew.

So, plans for the year? Do NATRC rides when we can, as I'd like to try for another National Championship. (needs certain number of points, and to place 1st or 2nd out of state or region,and have a total of 2 1sts and a 2nd,or 2 2nds and a 1st) So we need to get to an out of state ride some time this year. Between that, I need to get Hank back to some 50 mile AERC endurance rides. But many are not rides I would enjoy riding. Such as one this weekend that is 1 loop, ridden 3 times. We have NO hills to train in, but Oklahoma has some nice areas to ride, so a camping trip or two to ride there is in order. Besides, hubby would enjoy that with Flag, and we can go week days when the camps are not as busy.

When we finished in 2005, my training was to get Hank to one 50 mile ride per month, starting in February. Then I went to So. CA 6 weeks ahead of Tevis, and managed to go up and pre-ride the last 30 miles of the Tevis trail. But my friend who finished, never got to see more than the last 10 miles of the trail, had only our TX and OK rides to prep for the ride, and her horse was strong at the end. I prefer hills and mountains to train in, but they are not always needed to finish Tevis.

So, that is my wishi-washi plan for the year, subject to change as the season goes. We have a local NATRC ride April 3rd. That is about all I have on the books.

This is what calls me back to the Tevis trail. As you crest the top of High Camp, and look out across the ridge tops, you realize somewhere below, is your goal. And if everything works out, you will be corssing that finishline after 100 miles of the most challenging trail anywhere.

2010 ride season has started

2010-03-17T00:22:00.000-05:00

We had our first ride of 2010 the first weekend of the month. The first ride of our ride season was in December. (Our ride year is Dec. to Dec.) This ride is the one way down south, near the small town of Cat Springs Texas. Almost 300 miles one way, and we never leave the state! Our winter has been so wet and muddy, that many of us were having trouble getting the horses out on the trails to condition. But this ride is very flat, some sand, but with recent rains, not super deep. On Wednesday before the ride, we found out hubby did not have to go out of town for work that weekend, so he and Flag went along. We left Thursday, mid day, and arrived just after the sun set. On the way we had one tire on the trailer de-tread. Boy, it was nice having a second person along to help change it. I can change a trailer tire myself in about 15 min. from time I get out of the truck, until time I get back in again. But we were like a NASCAR pit crew, and I think we were on the road again in under 10 min. Having the right tools really helps. Having them easy to get to is really important too. I have my jiffy jack to drive the trailer up on to mounted in the tackroom near the door, up high. The star wrench is near the spares (I carry two for the trailer). I can get to everything quickly, to make my stay where ever we have pulled over, as short as possible.

After getting the ponies, and the TWO dogs settled in, it was time for a quick dinner. Yes, we now have TWO dogs taking up the back seat of the truck when no one is home to care for them for the weekend. Mardi is a good traveler, and is good about being tied out at the rides. Although she does bark at things a tad more than Thelma.

Friday morning we saddled up and went for a short ride, so I could show my hubby the lay out of the trails, and how they are marked. All loops come back to camp, and are fairly short. (under 10 miles each) We decided that he would volunteer to ride drag/safety, but we told management he may have to pull out of the horse became a goofball following behind, going so slow. Wanted them to have others out there, and to not depend on him until we knew if the horse could handle following instead of being out front.

Hank and I timed out in front on Saturday AM, and he was a happy camper. Rode alone for the most part, and had a nice ride. He behaved, and his metabolics were sounding good. I tried a couple different things. No alfalfa this ride, and started adding loose salt to his mashes. I took a chunk of a salt block and just smashed it up and put it in a container in the trailer. Tossed a small handful over each mash. It will take a few more rides to see if he still gets the occasional injected gums like he did last season. The alfalfa should not be the reason, but now I can play with changing a few things, without the pressure of year end awards.

Hubby rode out with other safety riders, and Flag was a pretty good boy. He was a bit strong and forward, but not tugging uncontrollably against the reins. After the first few loops, they were missing a rider, so he went off alone, and re-rode that loop at a quick trot. He said his max speed was almost 14mph, and they never broke from the trot, and was not going as fast as Flag can go at the trot. I know they both had fun, and found the missing rider back in camp. (sigh)

Sunday just seemed to linger on forever. The trails are not the most scenic, and we repeat some of the loops, so for me, I get bored, and I am sure Hank does too. After a couple hours, I glanced at my watch, and could not believe we still had 3 more hours to ride. I was ready for it to be done. Hubby only rode about 10 miles, but ended up doing around 35 to 40 miles over the weekend, which is the most they have done together in a long time. And they both had fun! Now for him to have time to get to some more rides.

After I finished up, and vetting Hank through, I was happy with how he did. Management and judges got the score cards done pretty quick, and awards were done by 3:30 or 4PM, and we were on the road before sunset heading home! Hank placed 2nd, I placed 1st in horsemanship. I was pleased. Our friend Dolly, and her horse Chance (the one Hank took a bite out of last year at the ride) won their class, and got Sweepstakes with a perfect score! I was so happy for her. She has worked hard to get that horse working well for NATRC, and also does endurance with him. She finished Tevis in 2006 when we went out together.

On the way home, we found ourselves following a friend who also competes, and her trailer and truck lights were acting up. So we decided to follow her, as her trailer lights went out, when her headlights came on. Thankfully she had brake and turn signals. We finally found turning on her emergency flashers, made her trailer lights stay on solid. I carry a couple battery powered bike lights in my trailer, but they had got old, and batteries dead. So, I replaced them, in case I ever lost trailer lights, I'd at least have something to tape to the back to make myself visible. We were home before midnight, and when we turned the horses loose, they both took off at a run, stopped, rolled in the mud, and ran off into the darkness of the pasture.

I'll try to get back to blogging in a more regular basis, and with things more interesting than the above. I am considering Tevis again this year, but want to get to some 50's and make sure Hank seems ready to roll. Just that bit of a worry wart in me I guess. And I did not take many photos, so you can go to last years post, and see photos, as it has not changed much. :-)

Last Years Ride

Officially Official

2010-02-21T16:10:00.001-06:00

Sunday afternoon, and I am sitting in the Reno Nevada airport, watching the snow fall. Last night it started before sunset, and has kept falling. It reminds me that this happened to us just last week at home! But here, they actually have snow plows, and are prepared for such weather. Our flight is delayed so far, about an hour, but we have no place else to go. I will resist the urge to give a slot machine any money.

Last night we had a nice sized group for our annual awards banquet. It ran super smooth, and they really did a great job of keeping things going. I got to see many of the folks we met at rides this past season, and visited for a bit. Every time I turned around, someone else came up to say hello, or tell me congratulations, and that they had followed the blog all year.

Thew larger National Awards are of course, given at the end of the evening. I found that the longer I sat there, it did seem I was a tad more at ease about reading my speech. Still nothing I was comfortable with, but figured if I could just get going, I could keep rolling with it. Kind of like push starting a car. Just needed to get up to speed, to turn things over, move on forward. They did a wonderful tribute to 38 year old Elmer Bandit, the highest mileage horse in NATRC, along with many other awards that he has won, who had to be put to sleep the 14th. Not many dry eyes in the place. Then a tribute to Doc Larson, who was a wonderful gentleman from So. CA who helped build many a trail, be involved with his whole family in NATRC and endurance over the years, and was an ambassador to trails all over CA. He passed away this past year. I knew Doc from our days in So. Ca. So with the wonderful tributes, my emotional roller coaster was in full speed.

When they finally announced me for the Presidents Cup award, I headed towards the stage, as they did a brief intro, and it was time to get on with THE SPEECH. (gulp) I started to get emotional, but after about the first 10 words, tried to just keep moving. I had put ear plugs in, so I'd not be distracted by hearing myself out of the sound system, and that REALLY helped. Only a few bobbles, and then a bit of emotions at the end, and I was done! Whew! friends have joked it is easier the second time, but we have no plans to do this again. Of course, I had no plans at the beginning of the season to try to win any grand awards.

So, we are officially Official, the 2009 NATRC Presidents Cup winner. The trophy is engraved with our names, we have a new horse blanket saying so, and a beautiful belt buckle.

Now if the weather cooperates, we can get home and show Hank. Think he will be impressed? Maybe if there was food in it.

Almost......

2010-02-20T02:55:00.000-06:00

It is almost here. In less than 24 hours we will have our big awards banquet and we will receive the award we aimed for this past ride season. As I watch a bit of the Olympics, I look at the faces of the competitors, and know a bit about the thoughts they have as they get read to compete, or afterwards waiting for scores, or later, as those who won, stand up there waiting for the awards presentation. I'd guess many have pictured standing on that podium receiving a metal for doing well. As I drove across the country to all the rides, I know many times I thought ahead towards February in Reno. Thinking about the awards, and the acknowledgment. Wondering if I had the horse, and the ability to reach our goal.

And now as I sit here in the Reno hotel room, I look BACK at all the rides, the experiences of the season. And I know after tomorrow night, I will have another memory of the award presentation itself. I'm excited, and still SO nervous! My mind has been in a blur much of the weekend, so I can only imagine how tomorrow will be. Maybe I'll go shop in the trade show to take my mind off if it for part of the day. lol

Arabian horse Gallery / KY Horse Park

2010-02-15T18:40:00.000-06:00

The Arabian Horse Trust is creating The Arabian Horse Galleries at the Kentucky Horse Park. It will be a "museum" of the Arabian horse and it's place in the world and in our country. Since the Kentucky Horse Park is the premier site for information and displays about all horses, plus a venue for many international equine events, the Arabian exhibits are very important. There will be a section devoted to distance riding, and the directors of the galleries are well aware that Arabians do this better than any other breed. As one might guess, they have received no contributions from the distance riding community. It's time we change that so the Arabian horse community knows how much we all use and value our Arabians.

Info on the Galleries:
HERE

Contributions in any amount are needed. Those of $1,000 or more come with recognition on the permanent Donor Wall. That dedication can be your name, a favorite horse, or in memory. Donations can be made by check to THE ARABIAN HORSE TRUST or by credit card online.

Here is the address contact for the Arabian Horse Trust:

THE ARABIAN HORSE GALLERIES
at the Kentucky Horse Park
c/o The Arabian Horse Trust
99 University Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30315

Link to donate
HERE

Feel free to cross post

Awards and fear

2010-02-13T23:33:00.000-06:00

Last weekend, I drove up to Oklahoma City for our NATRC Regional Convention. I was only able to get away long enough to go to the awards dinner, then drive back home that night. So much time away last year, and I just could not bring myself to ask the neighbor to come by to take care of the animals for the weekend. Our Region has some wonderful year end awards that are not just the class placings, but breed awards, special recognition awards etc. The points are only from rides within our own region,and do not include any that riders might have earned riding in other areas of the country. Hank won his horse class, and I won my horsemanship class. Then we won so many other things, I was feeling embarassed going up again and again as they were calling my name. I asked James Keene, who has also won the Presidents Cup with his wonderful Foxtrotter mare in the past, if he felt that same bit of embarasmant they year he won so many awards, and he said yes. I know we should not be embarrased by doing well, as we worked hard, and earned the awards. But it was still so odd for me to keep going up and getting all the beautiful trophies etc.

The last award the Region presented me with, was an awesome embrodiered jacket, with the NATRC log on it, and our names on the front. I KNOW I will wear this jacket a bunch!

Next weekend is our national Convention in Reno NV. Over the past ride season, I thought about this convention many times. Wondering if all our hard work would find us there receiving the Presidents Cup. But part of the receiving of this award, means the winner is to give a bit of a speech. Here is where my FEAR comes in. I am terrified of public speaking. Did you know that according to studies, public speaking is a bigger fear than death. Fear of public speaking is reported to be the number one fear of American adults . Growing up, through High School etc., I never had to give a speech, and even managed to avoid reading out loud in class. I am OK with talking to small groups of people, and even speaking up (often out of order...bad habit), but to stand up in front of a gathering, and speak, and on a microphone is something I do not look forward to at all. Even during the year when competing, knowing I'd have to do this, if I won, made me question if it was really worth it. At the regional convention, I was asked to say a few words, and I panicked. I could barely squeak out "thank you" without taking the microphone in hand. I tried to get hooked up with some Toast-masters groups, but by the time I looked in to them, they were in parts of town too far away, or only met once a month, and I just could not get it worked out. I have the speech written, worked over, and fine tuned. I have read it to my husband, but still, the thought of doing so at the convention is stressing me. I joked I'd like them to have a big screen, hooked up to a keyboard, and I would just type it, and folks could read along on their own. I know I will survive it, no one will laugh at me, hopefully with me if needed, and that people speak to audiences all the time, but that is not making my fears subside. And don't tell me to picture anyone naked. That's not working for me. I hope I can manage to stand there looking down and just reading my script I have written. if I can manage THAT I will be thrilled. To memorize it, and look at the audience? (snicker) Not looking good.

Records were broken!

2010-02-11T22:41:00.000-06:00

I have neglected the blog. Mostly it was sort of a time off for me. It is winter, I have not been doing a lot with Hank and the other horses, and I am really not one to post about things like "what I did today, what I watched on TV, or what I had for dinner" Just not thing I find interesting, and figured most folks wouldn't either. Now, the WEATHER is never a dull subject to me. I do enjoy looking a photos from others when they have a blizzard, or serious rain and mud, or even beautiful sunny days. Love those cloud photos, and other things weather related. This year has sure had a good amount of weather to talk about. Today, it is my turn, then I'll do another post on what else I have been up to.

We can get snow here in No. Texas, but usually very little, a dusting, maybe a few inches that will melt off the next day. Christmas gave us a bunch of snow that blew in, caused drifts, and lasted for weeks in some ditches. Today we set records. Seems today was the highest snow fall in one day for the area in 100-something years. I measured 9" with my ruler in the yard around 5PM, and it is to keep falling until after midnight. I'd guess we will stop with about 10 to 11" when all done. The horses have been gathered around their round bale all day, their blankets have kept them dry, and the dogs have not ventured out for long, before heading back to their warm beds.

We will enjoy the spectacular beauty of it until it all melts again, and turns to that nasty, sloppy snow-mud. Much worse than rain-mud!

What's around the corner in 2010?

2010-01-02T16:32:00.000-06:00

I have been contemplating my first blog of 2010. Should I look back and reflect? Should I post some goals for the year? I finally decided to do a little bit of both. And, in my typical randomness I'm sure.

Looking back, I will say 2009 is a year of many memories. I never knew a year ago that I'd end up traveling around the country competing Hank. I only had hopes that he would be able to do some distance trail rides with me, and stay healthy. We far exceeded those goals. A year ago we drove out to CA to pick up another horse from a very good friend, for my hubby to use for riding. Flag, the cheerful little pinto has become a family member and has won our hearts. After losing my husbands mare, Fancy in 1998, he has not had that special relationship and bond with any of the horses since.

Hubby and Fancy at a CTR in CA in the 80's

But I think Flag has sparked his desire to ride and see some trails once again. One can never replace that special horse that comes along but we can always have room in our hearts for another. We are blessed to have Flag in our lives and look forward to spending more trail time together this year. This is of course planned around his busy work schedule.

Not sure Flag is as excited about Texas, and the weather as we are having him here.

In 2009 I traveled about 15,000 with Hank. I met some new friends and saw parts of the country I never thought I'd get to see, much less enjoy from the back of my horse. I look forward to possibly going back to a couple of these new locations in 2010 but also getting Hank back to some 50 mile endurance rides along with NATRC competitive rides. I have a "thinking about it" goal of doing Tevis with him again (the grand-daddy of them all 100 mile endurance rides) but do not have it as a hard, set goal. I will let him tell me if we are to go back again. In 2005, with the first attempt with Hank, we finished.

Hank and I heading over Cougar Rock on Tevis in 2005. He missed the little turn we need to make, and went straight up.

We went back in 2006 and he had a colic come up out of the blue at about 1/2 way. He was doing great up until that point, in fact, felt better than the previous year. I have always wondered if he had something happen that day that lead up to his major colic issues, then surgery but vets have told me they don't think so. But one does wonder. So, while I'd like to conquer the trail that beat us in 2006, I am also one that just loves that trail and would ride it over and over if I could. But at 1700 miles away I know that I won't be able to go out every single year. I'd also like to do one of the multi-day endurance rides and ride Hank all 5 days, 50 miles a day. I'd really like to ride the one in Bryce Canyon UT in the Fall but again, I'll just let Hank tell me how he is doing and what events to try. Again, one of my "thinking about it" type goals.

In 2003 I went to Bryce and rode 4 of the 5 days. Above I am on Gambler as he gets a drink.

In the Fall we added Marti, the puppy, and yet another cat named Cooder to the family. We are watching Marti grow, and are thinking she is not going to be as big as we had hoped. But she has sparked a new life in to Thelma, our other dog, who is getting older and a bit slower. They play a lot and play hard, run, jump, tumble. We could not have wished for more on that aspect and had not really thought about the fact maybe Thelma needed a friend. She is teaching Marti the finer points of barking at night when she hears things in the woods, kitties are not chew toys but to be loved and respected and if you hear the front door open, that means you can score a cookie if you hurry.

Now, we did not need another cat, we have too many already. But this little guy has been such a joy to have in the house. He too, has added new life to the other two indoor cats, (we have outdoor cats too) getting them to play and run more. Cooder is great entertainment and I'm not sorry he convinced us to take him too when we went to look at Marti at the rescue.

Our other love is going out to see live music with some of the regional Texas artists. 2009 kept me away on so many weekends, or too tired when I was home to head out for the evening and I realize how much we miss taking in some live music. I have also been photographing shows for some time and miss that too. So, in 2010 I am hoping we will be able to take in some shows again and I might even pick up my camera some more. We have watched some of our local bands go from small, local favorites, to getting nationwide recognition. The first time we saw Jack Ingram was in 2001. We have seen him in venues so small that we had less than 30 people there. Now he has been doing Nationwide tours and playing to audiences of thousands and thousands of people.

We discovered a little band who started in a neighboring town of Denton Texas when they opened for Jack Ingram at a local club. Today we watched the Eli Young Band sing the National Anthem at the Cotton Bowl game and have watched their audiences also grow to outstanding numbers.

I was honored to take pictures this past summer of EYB at Red Rocks in Colorado

While watching these artists start to achieve their dreams of being artists that are known nationwide, we also love to go to the small shows, with artists that don't have goals of playing to huge audiences. They are mostly songwriters, who have stories to tell. Most start as writers but find that if they want their songs heard, they need to preform them themselves or they won't get heard. They will never be seen on CMT, or play the Grand Ol Opry but they share songs that touch us. They are not singing about Sexy Tractors or Bo-donk-a donks. They sing about life. They sing from the heart. And maybe I need to share with y'all some info on some of these artists once in awhile, you might find something you like.

So, welcome 2010. I have no idea what you have in store and I won't set any hard fast goals but let you show me where we are going and take me around the next corner of the trail. Never know what will be there.

An Icy creek crossing on a New Years Day ride

It's not winter in Nebraska, but odd for Texas

2009-12-27T14:21:00.000-06:00

While we no where came close to the snow our friends up north have experianced, it is still amazing that it is sticking around for more than a day.

Day after Christams in the pasture

RJ in a hurry to get back to the porch

Our driveway

Our road to town. The drifting is what made it deeper than the pasture

A few more Christmas photos

2009-12-25T12:01:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas from our pasture to yours

2009-12-25T09:45:00.001-06:00

After a day and night of blowing snow, and mini blizzard conditions, today we awoke to a stunning day, with bright sunshine, no wind, and our world covered in white. The horses were thrilled to head out to the pasture and stretch their legs.

(Click pic for larger view)

Merry Christmas!

The weather rollercoaster

2009-12-14T23:42:00.001-06:00

Sunday afternoon, I took the horses out. I decided to ride Flag, and pony Hank. The weather was picture perfect. Warm sunny and clear. I'd say it was about 70 degrees while we were riding. I pushed the boys to move out for a quick loop of ab out 8 or 9 miles. Flag broke a sweat. Enough so, I actually got my handy dandy spounge off the saddle to wet him from a puddle. He was cheerful as always, and Hank was more than happy to trot along beside him. Lots of riders out on the trail, enjoying the unseasonally warm day.

Then Monday it was again another warm day. I caught the boys, and was planning to head over for another ride, but after looking at the mud, left over sweat, and gunk on them, I decided that a bath might be in order. Who knows, might be my last chance to clean them up really well until Spring. I don't mind them dirty if they are not doing anything, but hate the dirt, sweat and gunk when they sweat on a ride, than then always seems to end up as a rub or sore under the tack. So, tied them up, and got the hose out.

Did a quick wash job, just to get the main nasty stuff off them. Flag summed up his feelings on the process with a look on his face that told the story.

After they were dry, which did not take all that long, I let them head back out to the pasture. I found Hank down by the pond later, and decided to snap a picture of him in the sunshine.

All the critters seemed to be enjoying the sunshine. I bet they knew to take advantage of it while it was nice out.

Look how big Mardi is getting!

As the sun started to head on down towards a sunset, the winds shifted, and started coming in from the north. I could feel the tempatures dropping, and knew that cold front was heading on in. Walking back from the barn, I saw we had our little herd of deer that frequent our area grazing down below the house. I grabbed the camera, and found a shot that included Coony, the cat, with the deer in the background. You can see his hair blowing in the wind.

As I type this, our tempature has dropped over 40 degrees since I was out giving horses baths this afternoon. Oh, and I added a little weather gadget to my blog, so you can see how cold, or maybe warm it is here at our house! Tomorrow is to be a high in the 40's, which I know some of the bloggers I read would LOVE a warm day like that!

If you don't like the weather here, wait a day or so..or maybe even an hour, and it will change.

First NATRC ride of 2010 season

2009-12-09T21:23:00.008-06:00

This past weekend was the first NATRC ride of the 2010 season. Region 4 always has this ride in early December, the "Christmas Ride". Besides the normal ride, there is a gift exchange, nice potluck with Turkey and Ham, and riders are also asked to bring unwrapped gifts for Meals On Wheels. Always a nice ride that we look forward to.

This year the ride was held down at Parrie Haynes State Park, just south of Ft. Hood in Killeen Texas. They have a nice campground with some electric spots and a trail system with permanently marked trails. Normally the ride at this location is a springtime ride, so it would be interesting to see the area with the trees dropping leaves instead of full foliage. The weather in Texas is never predictable. And of course, this time of year is most uncertain.

I headed down to the ride Thursday, so I could secure an electric spot to camp. They were calling for cold nights, down in the 20's, and even some snow on Friday. Thelma and the puppy stayed at home with my hubby, so it was just Hank and I heading down. Only 200 miles to this ride. I had picked up an audio book of Seabiscuit on CD, and that kept me entertained on the drive. We arrived, got camp set up, and I went out to dinner with some friends.

Thankfully the predicted snow for Friday only amounted to small flakes falling for about 5 min. So it was not a "White Christmas ride". I did manage to string some Christmas lights up on the camper and trailer to add some holiday cheer.

Saturday morning was indeed pretty chilly, with the temps in the mid to upper 20's, warming up to 30ish when we timed out to do our 25.5 miles. Hank was SO full of himself with the chill in the air, and I was riding a rocket. While he is not one to buck, and is always under control, he was just bursting with energy. The judges watched us not too far out of camp go up and down some little berms, or small hills, and he was jiggy, went down the first one in a side pass, and was breathing fire. After we got past this spot, and on some open trail, I let him move out for awhile at his nice trot, and he finally settled down after getting to stretch his legs. Meanwhile, I figured he did not impress the judges with his rather animated manner in which he passed them.

The trails are a combo of single tracks twisting their way through the trees and woods,

rocky sections where it is best to watch their footing,

two tracks across through open meadows, and many creek crossings, and some muddy sections to negotiate.

Plenty of places to really move out, much to the delight of Hank. Even though he was naughty, I still love the feel of a powerful, strong, fit horse. He does not tug or fight me, and is obedient, but his energy and strength radiates up through the reins. We finally found a nice pocket where we were all alone, and had some of those moments of pure joy to be riding ones favorite trail partner. We were cantering a nice open section of trail and when I came to a curve, asked Hank for a flying lead change, and it was flawless.

He was bold, forward, not acting goofy and not spooking like he often does for the heck of it. He had settled in, and the morning energy was leveling out. We came to a judged creek crossing where we had to stop before exiting up the muddy bank, and back 5 steps.

Hank listened, and did very well. His metabolics were fine. A couple little odd things, but with the cold weather, and many horses not thrilled about drinking the super cold creek water, I was not surprised, or worried.

Sunday dawned with some fog / light mist in the air. Not as frigid as Saturday morning, and I decided that rain gear was in order. Because the ride loops back through camp, I was able to drop off jackets at my rig as the weather warmed up, and the moisture in the air subsided. Hank was not as revved up, but he was still strong and ready to go. I found our pocket, and again enjoyed the trail in the manner I prefer best. Just my horse and I. But about 2/3 of the way through the first loop, I was trotting across sort of an open area when two riders came cantering up behind us. I moved out his trot, but they just cantered faster. We then caught up to a couple riders, and now our peaceful pocket was blown. In general, those who ride in the Open division will seek a pocket to ride alone, or with a friend or two, and pace themselves to stay in that nice little window. Most of us sort of have a preference as to where we ride in the group, out towards the front, in the middle, or towards the back, and don't normally alter that much, even ride to ride. But sometimes those plans fall apart with an anxious horse, or with riders new to the division that have not figured out how to pace well, or can't find that "spot". Such was the case with the two who cantered up behind us, and now Hanks mind was jazzed up a bit. And of course, around the corner, and we had a judged spot at a creek. Simple enough. Ride into the creek, step over the small log in the water, stand, count to five, exit the creek. But Hanks version was to jig into the creek, step over the log, start to side pass left, and I blocked him with my leg, start to side pass right, I blocked him with my leg, head left again, and sort of do the Cha-Cha over the log. Got him to stand, counted to TEN, to make him listen and stand, then exited the creek, which he did in a huge rush. I can't get mad at him. He is a horse with his own brain, is fit, ready to go, and mentally, had been "chased" from behind by the other horses moving rather quickly. He of course settled down after we got to move out again. We had one more obstacle, of a side pass in hand over a log, and a mount, which he was a perfect boy. At the end of the day he checked out with good metabolics. Even with the cold, and Hank being rather forward, we had a great ride. I have no worries about getting him back to some 50 mile endurance rides in 2010.

Started packing, took down my Christmas lights, and got ready to hit the road after awards. Just a four hour drive home, and we would both sleep better in our own 'beds'. At awards, Hank placed 4th,and I won my horsemanship class. After I looked at our score cards, I saw that he indeed, lost manners points for his anxious attitude. Oh well. And much to my surprise, I only lost one horsemanship point all weekend. I gave Hank hugs and kisses back at the trailer, told him he was a good boy, and loaded up and headed home. At home, he ran around the pasture, I'm sure telling the others how terrific he was.

Not sure when our next ride will be. We have some endurance rides in the area coming up, but they are not ones I enjoy riding. The next NATRC ride is in March, so until then, we will just keep conditioning, and hope that the winter weather is kind enough to do so.

Again, Thank you Jim Edmondson for some awesome photos from the weekend. If y'all are interested in seeing more of his work from the weekend, the gallery is HERE

What is that white stuff all over the ground?

2009-12-02T20:22:00.003-06:00

Weatherman said we'd have some snow mixed in the rain, and nothing would stick. Oops!

Some crappy photos, but you get the idea of how much we got.

Our Roses are SO very confused this season, and just bloomed again last week, to get covered in snow!

The view below the house into the pasture.

Mardi in her first snow. She hardly noticed.

She and Thelma ran and played like normal

She is getting so big!

Hank and Toby.

Funny to see Hank rear to play with the old man.

And Gambler, who was the one who HATED Flag in the beginning, and has always been timid. Looking very stunning in his macho pose.

My first two ponies

2009-12-01T23:00:00.004-06:00

We lived in Oregon when I was a small child. Had 11 acres, which seemed like half the world to a kid. When I was two, my dad brought home a Silver Dapple Shetland Pony mare. My folks were not horse people, but thought since we had all this land, we needed a pony. Princess turned out to be a nice pony. I don't really have many memories of her, as that was forty *cough-cough*six years ago. The neighbor kid down the way had been dumped and dragged by a stirrup from a full sized horse, and refused to get back on ANY horse, except Princess. So, we sold her to them, and it got him back riding again. We had bought a 'bigger' pony for me.

This is Princess with my dad.

I was 5 when we got Harvena Rose, and Jody Hardian. Both registered Welsh ponies. Rosey was registered as a grey roan. Not a color I have seen listed anywhere since. She was to be my pony. And Jody, was a blue roan, and my sisters pony. Both were two years old, unbroke. But, my parents had the sense to send them to a local trainer, who broke them right, and also, put me in lessons on their nice Shetland pony, until Rosey was broke enough for me to ride. Rosey and I went everywhere. We'd go across the fields near the house, over to the neighbors to visit, and I had a friend less than a mile away that I'd go ride with. I had trouble putting the saddle on Rosey without help, so I rode bareback almost all the time. If I got off, I was creative in getting back on. If I could not find some steps on a neighbors porch or something, I'd wait for Rosey to drop her head to eat, lay across her neck, tap her face, and when she put her head up, I'd slide down her neck, and swing my leg over her back. I was to be home before the street lights came on. While I thought I was out there on my own, I am sure the neighbors kept my mom updated as to where I was. When I was 9 years old, I started in the local 4H program, and showed Rosey at all the 4H shows and County Fair.

Rosey and I when I was Six and a half years old.

Before we got a horse trailer, I'd ride her alone from our house, to the fairgrounds, which was about 3 miles away, but right through town. I loved the winter time, because my parents would board the pony at the fairgrounds for a couple months, and we had the indoor arena to ride in. I'd get dropped off after school, and picked up hours later after riding, cleaning the stall, and messing with the pony. I think my next horse came along when I was about 11, and Rosey was sold to a nice family, looking for a first pony for their kids. I heard later, they kept her until she died as a very old pony.

So, I know I was blessed to have been started with horses very young, especially since my parents had no interest. My mom took me to my lessons every week in a neighboring town, sat there and listened, and tried to help me between. She took me to the shows, and sat in the grandstands through all my classes.

I never went through that phase of 'wanting' a horse, because they have just always been there. I have sometimes wondered what I'd have ended up doing with my time if horses had not been part of my life. I think figure skater or gymnastics would be out. . I did a little bit of band, and I prefer to listen to music, rather than make it. So who knows. My life has sure been interesting having horses as such a large part of it.

start of 2010 ride season & sick kitties

2009-11-30T21:35:00.002-06:00

This coming weekend is the first NATRC ride of the 2010 season. The annual Christmas ride is always nice, with extra festivities of a Christmas style potluck, gift exchange etc. The ride will be down near Ft. Hood, at Parrie Haynes State park. The weather is looking to be chilly, but I *think* no rain during the weekend. But, this week, our weather is pretty questionable, so I decided to get the rig packed today, while it was sunny and nice out. I have prety much everything except the food that goes in to the fridge already packed and ready to go. Hay loaded, water tanks full, Hanks blankets packed. Warm sleeping bag in the camper. I'm almost feeling lost that I am already ready to go! Tomorrow a cold front hits, and Tuesday night, we might have rain, temps down towards freezing, with a chance of wintery mix. Wind chills down in the 20's. Burrrrr. But then it will get better through the week.

One of the cats that live on our screened in porch started sneezing and is congested. Went to the vet with her Friday morning, and got antibiotics. She is sort of wild, so I have her in a pet cage to be able to treat her. Then, one of her sisters started in, so they are together to treat. And Bullwinkle, one of our indoor only cats, who never gets close to the outdoor cats has it, so he is also geting medicated. And then tonight, the mother of the sisters started too. *sigh* So, I am treating 4 cats, and expect more to get sick before this is over. Hubby will be home for the weekend, and is Oh-so-thrilled at the thought of medicating cats. He is not as good at doing so with out blood or finger loss as I am. I think I need to talk to the vet about pills instead of the pink liquid. I originally thought that would be easier, but my clothes look like they have been splattered by pepto, and the cats spit out too much of it.

Meanwhile, Coder the kitten is growing and is just the purrrrrfect little guy. He is very entertaining, fetches his toys and brings them back to me to toss again. Mardi the puppy is figuring out life on the farm., Thelma has been showing her around, teaching her about the horses. She still has not got the cats figured out. She want so to play with them, but is not mean. They of course, are wary of her, but not scared. I think she will end up being a caretaker of them like Thelma is, but has to get past the excited puppy stage.

OK, next post will be about the ride!

Sunshine, riding and a buffet!

2009-11-26T19:58:00.007-06:00

Ahhh, Thanksgiving in No. Texas. Where the weather can be about anything. Today was one of those days we kept saying "What month is this?" It was mid 60's, clear, no wind, and just beautiful. We decided to do something new and different to celebrate the holiday. In the past, we have cooked, but with just the two of us, it was not making much sense. We have done buffets, we have gone riding, but this year, we got to combine the two.

Just 40 miles from us is a Greenbelt trail that runs along one of the local lakes. It is run by the state, and they have nice parking areas, even campgrounds with corrals. We have ridden here before. The trail is an "out and back", with the far end of it at Lantana Lodge. Come to find out, they offered Thanksgiving Buffet! So, yesterday I made reservations for the early brunch.

Gathered Hank and Flag this morning, loaded up, and headed on over. What a pretty, pretty day. We had a relaxed ride with the trail to ourselves. Well, with the exception of the two feral pigs that trotted past in the woods, and the 4 to 6 white tail deer that were scattering. Some of the trees have already lost all their leaves, while others were still changing color and dropping.

We stopped at the entrance to the lodge for Hank to pose for a photo with the buffalo. Hank liked this buffalo because he did not smell, OR move!

We got to the lodge with plenty of time to tie the horses near the stable, take off our helmets and half chaps so we did not look like total goobers, and head on in.

They seated us at a nice table near the window, where we had a view of Lake Ray Roberts.

Of course, typical to Thanksgiving meals, we probably ate to much, and then headed back down the trail towards the trailer. We were still the only ones on the trail. we did see a couple folks enjoying the holiday doing their favorite sport of fishing. I bet they were out there saying "What month is this? Look at this beautiful weather!"

Who knows, this might be a new Thanksgiving tradition. As long as the weather is nice next year.

little road trip

2009-11-23T22:15:00.004-06:00

Hubby was home for a few days, so we decided to go camp some place and ride some trails he had not seen before. After checking weather forecast for different areas, we decided that Lake Carl Blackwell, near Stillwater OK had some decent weather. The campground has electric spots, and I know the trails, along with them being marked.

So, stuck the camper back on the truck, loaded a bale of hay, the horses, and now TWO dogs in the back seat and headed north. Arrived mid day, quickly set up camp, then headed out for a 10 mile ride before it got dark. I had mentioned this area has a LOT of deer, and I have always seen some when I have ridden there, even when in a group. Well, they did not fail me, and we were on the trail only about 5 min. before three busted out of the woods in front of us. Later, we had a Doe stop as she saw us, and hubby was only about 30' from her as I snapped a photo.

We finished up the loop, got back to camp, made dinner, and gave Mardi (the puppy) her first lesson in being tied in camp. She did very well, did not fuss and fight the rope like some pups do, and seemed to look towards Thelma for guidance. It is amazing to see how cheerful Thelma is, and so willing to roll, tumble and play with Mardi.

The next morning we headed out to do about 18-20 miles. I have to laugh at Hank, as he remembers trails he has been on before really well. And going through the woods where the trail would twist and turn, I would give him the reins, and he never missed a turn. If I ever got lost on trail, I would sure trust him to find his way back to the trailer.

One spot of the trail passes a house that has some Llamas that live there. Often they get irritated by the horses, and will charge the fence. So, when we arrived, we stopped to check them out, as one had a youngster at her side. She came to the fence in a hurry, but our two don't really care about Llamas, and just stood there. Again, I managed a picture of more "wildlife" along the trail.

We had a great ride along the lake, and even set up the camera on the timer to get a pic of BOTH of us riding.

Hubby and Flag both had a great time. Hopefully we will be able to do this more often this coming year when he has time off at home.

We then packed up, got the dogs situated in the back seat, and headed home.

When Mardi is full grown, I hope they will both fit back there!

no more belly button ring

2009-11-17T20:45:00.002-06:00

I took Hank down to the vet today to have that final staple from his surgery a year ago removed. I had found it about 4 or 5 months after the surgery, but he was doing so well at the rides, I checked with the vet, and he said it could stay in for the time being. So, with the season over, it was time to have it removed. I had made jokes about hanging beads or a bell off of it. We could see most of It, and it had dropped to make a small loop, right near his "belly button".

So the vet gets the staple remover, and kneels down, and positions himself under Hank. I told him to watch those hind legs, as Hank was quick, even though he had a twitch on. (did not want to tranq him for something so simple) I no sooner said watch him, and that hind leg flew up, forward, and thankfully only his his arm. Whew! I covered his eye, so he could not take better aim, and he managed to get it out on the next try. So I have the staple in a little pill box.

The weather has turned cold at night finally, and we should have our first frost tonight. Hubby is off for a week, so we hope to get some riding in on the horses. Our first ride of the season is a few weeks away.

Hank has mostly been hanging out in the pasture, eating, and not doing to much. He does not really need much work to be ready for the upcoming ride. He generally holds his condition very well.

No photos this time. I know, I'm a slacker. ;-)

Cooder and Mardi pix

2009-11-07T19:35:00.003-06:00

A few more photos of Cooder the kitten and Mardi the puppy!

Mardi and Thelma.

She thinks Thelma is pretty cool.

Oooo, a toy!

Ready to attack!

Easy to entertain with a toy hanging from a string

I know I am cute. Is this the look? Take the picture.

Woody making sure the new guy learns quick who is in charge.

See my extra toes? Kind of like thumbs!

puppy and kitten addition

2009-11-05T00:26:00.006-06:00

Thelma is getting older. She turned 9 this year, and is starting to slow down a bit. She is a big dog, who has topped out at 80 pounds. The breed standard for Catahoula dogs is not that big for a female, but she is stout. He job on our little farm is to protect. And her main protection is of the cats when they are outside during the day, from coyotes. She does this VERY well, and adores the cats, and they adore her. But, she will not be with us forever, so we knew it was time to start another puppy to learn the ropes. We decided to seek another Catahoula female puppy. When we got Thelma, she was just 5 weeks old.

She was raised with the cats, and Peanut made sure to show her some love, and in turn, she loved them back.

So, we found one through a woman who does some pet rescue, and went and looked at her today. Already 9 weeks old, and very full of herself. But, she seemed to be what we were after, so we said we would love to take her home. As we were doing paperwork, I went in the "cat room", to see the one kity she had up for adoption. She said she had him for a while, and no one came to look at him yet. Well, he worked me good. He did ALL the cute things that kittens can do, rolling on his back, playing with a toy, peeking out around the corner in his cage. Before I knew it, she said she would "throw him in on the deal" if we wanted him. My goodness, we already have 11 cats. 9 outside, 2 inside. But the kitten was sharp, kept with the cute stuff, and before we could say "we already have too many cats", he was in a carrier, and headed home with us along with the new puppy. He has extra toes on his front feet, is a yellow tabby, and has the loudest purr ever. He will be a house cat too.

So, we have not settled on names, but here is the new puppy:

and here is the new kitten:

Hank is a traffic stopper

2009-11-01T22:13:00.005-06:00

Well, he can stop the truck anyway. We have created a bad habit, by often giving them treats (peppermints) from the truck. Makes it easy to check them over when they are towards the front of the pasture and we are heading down the driveway. Just stop, and call them over. But Hank will walk in front of the truck to stop it.

Then, he will come around to the drivers window, and wait. When you roll the window down, he thinks he needs to help FIND that peppermint. Toby helps.

Oh, and I forgot to add in the previous post. 15,000 miles ends up to be about 300 HOURS for Hank to be on the road in the trailer. It usually works out on log hauls, that with fuel, food etc. stops, that it takes me 2 hours for every 100 miles. If the destination is 300 miles away, I give it 6 hours to get there. 400 miles? 8 hours...

Hanks trailer miles

2009-11-01T20:31:00.002-06:00

I had some folks ask me how many miles we DROVE this year:

Christmas at The Six O Cleburne TX 100 miles one way
Dec.6-7,2008

Girl Scout Scamper Cat spring TX 300 miles one way
March 7-8, 2009

Oklahoma Land Run - LCB Stillwater, OK 250 miles one way
March 21-22,2009

Deep in the heart of TX Killeen TX 210 miles one way
April 4-5,2009

Arkansas Traveler Dover Ark 450 miles one way
April 18-19,2009

AFA-Colorado Springs CO 830 miles one way
May 23-24,2009

Ride to the Rescue Perry Lake, KS 500 miles one way
June 6-7,2009

Purgatory – Durango CO 850 miles one way
July 10-11,2009

Cedar Creek New Bloomfield, MO 620 miles one way
July 18,19,2009

Bear Basin Westcliffe CO 650 miles one way
Aug.1-2,2009

Ride The Edge Allardt,TN 850 there,then 700 to Robber Route
Sept 9-10,2009

Robbers Route,Willburton, OK 220 home
Sept 19-20,2009

Chokecherry Farmington NM 800 miles one way
Sept 26-27,2009

Region 4 Benefit – Decatur 12.5 miles one way
Oct.3-4,2009

Indian Cave Shubert NE 600 miles one way
Oct.10-11,2009

Horsemasters Big Sandy TX 185 miles one way
Oct.24-25 2009

14485 miles (round trip) mapped. I am not sure how to add up the miles back and forth to ride the trails to condition, trips to the vet, and then those extra miles on the road stopping for food, fuel, truck repairs. ;-) The truck has 25,000 miles put on it since December 2008, right before the first ride of the season. So I would guess Hank has put in between 15,000 and 20,000 miles in the horse trailer this year. You can see from the ride dates how close some were to each other. I am still amazed how I was able to keep his weight up pretty good through the year, as I feel the trailering is harder on them that the actual events. And I did a quick add up of Flags miles, just to keep Hank company, and hang out at the rides, and he put in about 10,000 miles this year.

This has given me a whole new prespective to what is a "close" ride. And the only ride that I had someone else along, was when hubby went to the Arkansas ride with me, and helped drive home. He joked, and told me to add up the miles the dog went in the truck, but that does not count. She just sleeps 99% of the time anyway.

When we found out we won

2009-10-27T22:32:00.005-05:00

I have been trying to sort through my thoughts to do a Post ride entry in the blog. I guess I should pick up where I had really left off, heading to the awards. Our class, Open Heavyweight is always the last to be announced. And the Horse is last, after the Horsemanship awards. We had started seven in our class, but Don had to pull Sunday AM to take his daughter and her horse, and trailer home after she had a bad weekend. She got broadsided in her truck Thursday near camp, so her truck was totaled, then she and her horse had an accident on the trail, and both were hurt. Thankfully it was not worse, and both will heal and be on the trail again. But, we were down to six in our class, and ribbons are given to 6th place. Just like many horse shows, they announce 6th, then 5th, etc. on up to 1st. So, I am sure I am like many riders who sit there hoping to not hear our names early. As they went through the Horsemanship placings, I was hoping to hear my name for 2nd place, as another rider, James Keene has been trying for a National Horsemanship award. I wanted to see him get 1st, which was just what happened. Then, through all the Novice horse awards, working to our class. As they started on our class, I found myself shaking. I knew Hank had a pretty good ride, but I was not sure how good. James and his mare, Sassy, have won the Presidents Cup twice, and are a VERY nice team. As they announced 3rd, and neither of us had been called yet, I was an emotional wreck. If I won 1st, I would know right then and there that we won the Presidents Cup. Winning 2nd meant I needed to wait for Cheri to call me, and tell me how her ride went in MO. so we could figure points. If she Sweepstaked, we would be tied, and then had to compare who had more 1st places, which we were tied, and then it would go to most 2nd places, which she had more. Anyway, the vet was announcing the awards, and she messed with us some, kind of delaying announcing 2nd. James had a hold of my hand,and I was about to burst. When Hank was announced for 2nd, I had to explain to those who were not aware of what was at stake, why all the fuss. The awards were just wrapped up, when the phone rang from Cheri. I ran outside of the building to answer the call. I was talking way too fast, overly emotional, and not able to take much more. I just wanted to know NOW how she placed. Poor Cheri. I know she was not expecting to get THAT on the other end of the phone. So, when she told me how she placed, and I did not hear the word sweepstakes, I of course started to cry, knowing Hank had won. She kept telling me not to cry. (sob-sob-sniff-sniff) The connection was not terrific, and we cut it fairly short so I could go back in and let those still in the building know. James came out and met me, and I could barely squeak out that we had won. Lots of hugs, congratulations, and a bit of a blur.

As I was walking back to the rig to hug on Hank, I felt this odd feeling come over me. I still can not really put it in words. Kind of a calm release of emotions. The tension was released. From about May, until this ride, I had been constantly thinking about the next ride, then next ride, all aiming towards year end goals. Now it was over. Hank was munching, oblivious to all he accomplished.

I'm happy with how he is looking after those last 6 rides in 7 weeks.

I finished packing, said a few more good-byes, sent Text messages to Hanks fan club, and finally started my drive home. Thankfully that was uneventful, since we had massive thunder and lighting storms all scattered around Texas, and bursts of heavy rain. Got the horses home, put blankets on them as a cold front was coming in, and headed to bed.

Yesterday I spent the day doing very little. It was weird to not be cleaning and repacking the camper and trailer for another ride. Still kind of an odd feeling and emotions. I have still been thinking about the rides we did, re-riding some of the trails in my mind. As I was walking to the barn in the dark, I had a memory of some of the late walks I took Hank on after his surgery to graze him. Still amazed at what he accomplished. Although he is still difficult at times, and very opinionated. I'm sure that will not change, even with another 1000 miles of competition.

Today I went out in the pasture, and snapped some photos of Hank with his pasture mates. He was happy to be grazing, and have some well earned mud on him from a good roll.

Thelma also had a good roll.

From colic surgery......

2009-10-25T18:17:00.002-05:00

......to Presidents Cup winner.

I am numb, and feel this huge emotional termoil lifted off of me. I just can not believe Hank won. I will have more to post when I can gather my thoughts. Right now I need to go kiss his nose again, load him in the trailer, and head home.

Waiting,

2009-10-25T16:26:00.003-05:00

Had a great ride today. Hank and I rode by ourselves for most of the day. I found myself thinking of all the rides we attended this year, where we traveled, and the places we rode. He was pretty much as perfect as he can be. Cheerful, listening to me, and careful through the woods, around and over downed trees, and avoiding bogs. Drank well enough, and his metab olics were all pretty good. No alfalfa all weekend, and his gums never did get injected. So, I need to investigate that some more. We had a timing issue, and had to push a bit in to a P&R, trotting maybe a couple miles, and he had no problem with his pulse coming down. So, that too I am wondering if it was something so simple as alfalfa. Until I do some tests with feeding him some, riding, checking metabolics, and then not feeding it, I won't know for sure. But they are always a learning process, and what works for one horse, might not work for the other.

Weather started out a tad chilly, then warmed up. Towards the end of the day, the humidity level had came up, and clouds are starting to form for possible thunder storms. but, that is Texas weather!

We are waiting for score cards to be done, and then awards. I am of course and emotional wreck. I am so blessed t have had this oprotunity to take Hank all over the country to rides this year, and that alone was worth all the work. But as I mentioned before, I am competitive, and am anxious to see the outcome. Even if we do not win the Presidents Cup, am know we did our best, and hopefully encouraged others to reach for some goals they had never dreamed of with their horses. You never know the full ability of you and your horse until you try, and are maybe pushed a bit to go out of a comfort zone and take it to the next level.

I have a happy, sound, fit, and healthy horse after 16 rides, and thousands of miles in the horse trailer. As I look out the camper door at him munching, I can not believe how good he looks.

Ahhhh, the horn sounded for awards...

Only 25 miles to go

2009-10-24T21:56:00.004-05:00

We did not have to ride out super early this AM, which was good, as we had some fog in the morning, that would have made seeing the trail markings a tad difficult. But as we headed out, the fog began to lift, and we could tell it was going to be a beautiful day.

The area has a few ponds and lakes, and the fog hung above them as the sun slowly started to shine through.

The ride has a variety of different types of trail, from riding pastures, to through the woods, along beside the lakes, and more open areas along power line easements. After the rains, we had some areas with bogs, but I was lucky to not have any issues with them. A few riders did, and the trail has some adjustments for tomorrows ride. We had one little issue with Hank got his hind legs caught in a stickered bramble vine. He was pretty uptight, and about to explode into a panic, as it had a good hold of him, and poking into him, actually causing him to bleed a little. I told him to WHOA, and he stood as I jumped off, grabbed my knife I keep clipped on my half chap, and quickly cut the vine loose. Remember, if you have to dig in your pack, or can't find your knife, it may not do you much use. Usually, when one is needed, it is quick. And having it on ME, was sure a good thing after I hopped off to get him cut loose.

he was a good boy for what obstacles the judges watched. Backed nice to hank a trail marking ribbon, stopped nice and steady from the trot and stood like a rock when asked for the vet to check him on the trail, and was careful through some rocks for the horsemanship judge. His metabolics were good, and he did NOT have injected gums today, like he has been at some of the past rides. I will feel better if it goes that way tomorrow, and then will mention what small change I did. But right now, I'll just say I was pleased, and home tomorrow goes the same.

He had is good friend Khidd ride along with us today. It was funny when we headed to time out this AM, he had not seen Khidd yet, but when he saw him over across the grass, he marched over next to him, stopped, and then started to eat. Funny how horses can be friends with ones they only see a few times a year. and usually Hank is out front, so it is not like he follows him all day. I never get tired of watching horses interact with each other, and try to figure out how they think about other horses, herd leadership etc.

So tomorrow is to be another beautiful day. We ride the same trail, but the other direction. I am trying to stay relaxed, but focused, and not do anything that will mess Hank up, since he usually has things all figured out. lol At least he THINKS he does.

So, 25 more miles to do for this season, then it is does except for the score cards. Whew, what a season it has been!!!

Rain makes mud. Mud is sticky

2009-10-22T20:20:00.003-05:00

I was not in a huge hurry to head the 180+ miles to the ride today. Not that long of a drive. Waited for radar to clear from our area, and in the direction I'd be heading. Put Hank out in the small grass corral for a bit to graze, after spending the night in the stall. All he wanted to do was play, run around, stop ans slide towards the rail, then kick his heels WAAAAYYYY up over his head, rear, spin etc. Of course this brought much worry to me, that he would hurt himself, so back in the stall he went with more feed until time to leave.

Had to stop at the store on my way, and then it was East Texas bound. I realized that most of my rides I did not have much city driving, but this ride took me right through parts of the Dallas area, with more traffic. I used to live in So. CA, so traffic does not get to me much, but it was a reminder that we do live in a small town, and kind of like it that way.

Uneventful drive, got fuel so I would not have to Sunday night, and was just a few miles from camp. My GPS told me to turn, but for some reason it did not look right, so I went up the road a bit more. Then saw she was right, and looked for a place to turn around. Now this truck is like driving a great big boat, and takes a good sized area to do a U turn. I found a spot that looked good, pulled over to the large shoulder, and waited for traffic to clear. I started my turn, and as the front of the truck got to the other shoulder, I saw that we were NOT going to make it, and stay on the pavement. As I got in to the grass, I saw the big puddle in the low area / bar ditch. Uh huh, we were needing MORE room, and before I knew it, the front of the truck hit soft ground, and it was like that puddle grabbed the truck, and sucked it right on down in to it. I was stuck. I jumped out, water above my ankles, and flipped the hubs in to 4 wheel drive. But alas, we were stuck beyond 4x4. A truck stopped, and offered to pull me out if I had a chain. I had better than a chain, we have a large tow strap, that is strong enough to pull the rig, but rolls up nice and neat behind the back seat. As we were attaching it, another truck stopped. Nice young man, who looked like he lived to pull wayward fools out of the mud. So, the other truck had to get some where, and left the latest arrival to help. Got things hooked up, and he pulled me on out, and back on solid ground. The whole thing, from the start of my U turn, to my getting out of the mud maybe took 7 min. Did not even need to call US Rider!

A major DUH! moment for me that could have been worse. The whole rig was at least out of the road way, so not at risk of getting hit, and no damage except to my pride a little. And yes, I remembered to get the camera out, as it was next to me in the cab.

I have had this tow strap with me since we got the truck in 2001. Have only used it a few times, but when needed, it is usually REALLY needed. Hubby does not like chains, because if something happens and the break, then when they fly through the windshield, it can result in serious injury, or worse.

Hopefully that is the most eventful thing to have happen to me this weekend. More later!

Last ride of the season nerves

2009-10-21T20:58:00.007-05:00

After going to 5 rides in a row in as many weeks,in 5 different states, we had last weekend "off" from a ride. The weather had been really nice, and hubby and I got to go ride a few times. Just some easy, casual short rides on our local trails. The colors on our trees are just starting to change, as we have not had any super cold weather snaps yet.

Flag really seemed to enjoy getting out on the trails again. He and my hubby really get along great, and I'm so glad we have had this cute pinto come in to our lives.

And I'm glad hubby is getting to enjoy the trails again, and all that we might see while out on a ride.

We have had rain most of the day, and tonight it is coming down a bit stronger. Tomorrow I am heading over to the last ride of the season for us. This ride will be the one to determine if we win the NATRC Presidents Cup or not. The rider who we are so close in points with will be competing in MO. this weekend. We won't know who won the award until we call each other Sunday night after each of our ride awards are announced. We are only 4 points apart for the Presidents Cup, which is given to the horse with the highest number of points in the first 16 rides of competition in a ride season. We are also only 6 points apart for the Jim Menefee award, which is given to the horse and rider with the highest number of points from the horse and horsemanship combined. I am amazed at how close we are going in to the last ride.

I will admit, I am nervous. I have competed with horses since I was a child. I started in 4H, and then moved in to smaller open horse shows, competing in everything from english, western, gymkanas, jumping, trail horse, you name it. I competed in Combined Driving Events with my last Arabian gelding. I started in NATRC when I was a junior rider in the mid 70's. Hank and I have done endurance, and he completed the 100 mile Tevis Cup in 2005. Competing is nothing new to me. But, I will admit, I have been nervous all week. I have been worried the horse might do something stupid in the pasture and hurt himself, or one of the others would kick or bite him. All I need is a big bite under the saddle! With the rain tonight, he is locked up in the stall. I even worried that he could some how hurt himself in the stall. lol

This has been an awesome year. I have ridden in placed I never thought I'd get to see. I have met many wonderful people who love the sport as much as I do, and made new friends. The time, effort, and expense has been worth it to get to see so much of the country from the back of my horse. But, I am competitive, and will freely admit, I really want to win. Many years ago my competitive nature had made me really horrible to be around, and often the competition would mess with my judgement, and I eventually ended up hurting my horse at a ride. Bowed both tendons. It was a very hard lesson learned, and a big slap up side the head that I was forgetting that competing with a horse means that I am in charge of BOTH of us, and that I needed to remember to put my horses needs before anything else. No award is worth hurting your horse. I still see riders who have not learned this, and push their horses beyond their limits. I have said that if my horse and myself are not having fun, and enjoying what ever sport or activity we may chose, then it is time to change things up, so we are having fun again. Competitiveness can often make things not as fun. So this year, I made sure that we were BOTH enjoying ourselves at the rides, even when staying as focused as possible to do well.

So, this weekend, I imagine will be the toughest test on me to enjoy the ride, my horse, and all our friends, while concentrating on doing well. If we don't do well enough to win the Presidents Cup, I am still ecstatic on how well Hank did all year, and the opportunity we were given to travel so much to compete. This will be a year I will never forget.

And thanks again to all of Hanks "fan club" for riding along with us on this adventure. I know that our adventures will not end with this ride, and this season, but it was sure not a direction I ever thought this blog would take!

Hopefully I will again be able to blog from the ride. I will have electric power, so the computer won't have to get its battery recharged, and the coverage map shows I will have 3G for phone/internet.

Now it is time to listen to the rain fall, and worry about what I have forgot to pack. ;-)

Some snapshots from the Nebraska NATRC ride

2009-10-12T18:07:00.004-05:00

Fall leaves blanketed some of the trails

The MO river was just behind camp

Views of the MO river from up on the bluff / Ridge looking towards the North into MO

More views towards the river from Friday

The sun was beaming down through the trees when I went for a short ride on Friday

Our camp

Down one of the hills through the woods

I just could not get enough of the Fall colors and leaft blanketed trails

Along the edge of the woods

Indain Cave, day 2

2009-10-11T20:44:00.003-05:00

After Cheri was so kind to help recharge my battery in the camper with her generator before we turned in last night, I was able to fire up the heater and have things warm in the camper as I crawled out of bed. Hard to see what the sky holds for us when it is dark! Morning light showed us a grey sky, cold, but not REALLY cold, and it did not look like any rain (or snow) would fall.

We trotted out a couple circles to check for soundness, and Hank was moving freely, sound, and eager to go. I timed out towards the back of our group again, which still felt strange after riding towards the front of the group at most of the rides. But he was going along so relaxed, at an easy pace, and liked the big horse Mary Anna was riding. We cruised along taking in the lovely fall colors, with their hooves trotting through the fallen leaves. We were very lucky to have dodged the nasty weather, and the trails over all had pretty great footing. After a bit, we had our first obstacle. A muddy spot to ride the horse in to, back up, then as we backed, sort of turn a U turn around a log. Hank walked in perfect, but when I asked him to back, he thought it was a speed event, and rushed out, bumped the log, and his U turn was very wide. We would have survived had it been a real situation, but he was not super pretty or perfect. Then we had a P&R right after that, and we passed with flying colors.

Hank marches up and down the hills without slowing down much. He has a nice walk, and uses it well, even on the hills. We end up passing a few horses who were a tad slower on the hills, and kept a steady pace of walking the hills, trotting the flat, and slight "slopes". A couple areas along the grassy mowed fields, and we loped a bit. His ears were always up, and he seemed in a pretty good mood. I gage if my horses are getting tired my the willingness to move out with little encouragement. When we are walking, I give a quiet cluck, or kiss, and if they move out without any leg aid, I know they have lots of energy left. If it takes my pressing my leg, or heel in to them, I let them walk a bit more, and rest a tad. I have always done this, on both competitive, and endurance rides.

After the second P&R, and the best one all weekend, we had a metabolic check, and an obstacle. Oh, real quick, I had the vet look at Hanks gums before we rode out this AM, and they were still slightly injected, and at the first obstacle, still the same. At this metabolic check, still had slight injection.The rest of the metabolics were fine. This just might indeed be his normal, and I need to start checking his gums at random at home, to see how they are when he is in pasture. Anyway, this obstacle was the horsemanship judges telling us to "impress them", show us what you can do, and mount your horse. We were near the slope we backed down yesterday, so I side passed him in hand, part of the way down the slop, then stopped him, and mounted, using the slope as my mounting block. He was perfect.

Now we were on the home stretch, riding the last 10 or so miles back to camp. We were a tad behind what time I had wanted to be, so we mov ed out a bit quicker on the flats. Since we were heading in on a trail we had already ridden, Hank knew we were heading in, and was more than happy to move out. As we trotted along, I kept thinking about all the rides we had down this year, and that I could not believe this was the 15th ride of the season. We had been to so many different places, and I thought about all the trails we saw, people we met. This really was a lovely trail, and had enough hills for a challenge of fitness, and footing that was easy to move along on. Before we knew it, we were two miles from camp, right on time, and then crossing the meadow in to camp to the timer. The weather had been very kind. Although in the upper 30's to lower 40's, no wind, and nothing fell from the sky today.

I got him un tacked, his blanket on him, and let him eat his mash, some hay, brush off the dirt and minimal sweat marks, and then head over for the final check out. He had checked in and had gotten the high mark of a 5 MAW, and knew that he might not be as enthusiastic at the end, but he proved me wrong, and kept his 5. I always get comments after he checks out on what a nice mover he is, and how pretty he is. His metabolics were fine, with those gums still slightly injected, but not as much as he was yesterday. This is indeed odd, and in his case, I do not think a sign of stress, as everything else is usually close to normal. Over all, I was feeling good about the ride, with the exception of the less than pretty back up out of the mud. But one never knows how the other horses did. I was happy with him, which is the first priority. He can be so much fun to ride, even when he does naughty things once and awhile. I guess I'd be bored if he was always perfect. Can't get mad at him. If I did not like horses who thought for themselves, had opinions, and were often a bit unpredictable with what they decide to do, I'd not ride Arabians. lol

I packed up, so I could head out after awards. Wanted to get some place a little further south, and hopefully a tad warmer. So, I was ready to go when they called for awards.

By now, many know we are chasing points, and going in to this ride, we were 12 points, and 1 ride behind the other horse. "The other horse" is a very cute MO Foxtrotter gelding named Prime Sensation. He and his owner, Cheri Jeffcoat are a super team, and we have been to many of the same rides this year, all over the country. He guy is a steady, more business like personality. He is VERY fit, and Cheri has done an excellent job building that partnership with him, and he can really shine in obstacles. Prime and Hank can be like night and day, but each of us agrees we have found the horse that suits our own personality. And I'm pretty sure she would agree we would not get along with each others horse anywhere close to the relationships we have with our own. We have both found the right partner to share the trails with. Anyway, the first 16 rides in competition count towards the "Presidents Cup". I have not verbalized the name of the award often, and this is the first time I have actually typed it out here. lol Cheri rode for mileage only this weekend, and her last competitive ride of the season with be in 2 weeks. Same weekend as my last ride, but we will be in different states, different regions. I needed to place 1st this weekend to tie her in points. And, Hank did, indeed, win first in his class. But he also got Sweepstakes again, which gave him extra points, and now I am actually 4 points ahead as we go in to the last ride(s) of the year. Anything can happen, and we joked about how it would be pretty funny in a sense if we tied out points after the last ride too. Such different horses, yet after 15 rides this season, all across the nation, we are only 4 points apart.

So tonight I have stopped in Topeka again for the night, and will hit send, and go catch some sleep. My mind is actually a bit numb, as I really don't know where my emotions should be. Back in December, when we headed to the first ride, I had no idea we would be where we are today in points for the organizations highest award. And what ever the out come, I will sure not forget this year f competing, and am honored to be competing against Prime and Cheri.

Indian Cave NATRC ride, Nebraska, Day 1

2009-10-10T16:38:00.000-05:00

Friday morning I took Hank out for a quick ride to check out where the 2
mile point was for Saturdays ride, and to let him stretch a bit. The
leaves on the trees were beautiful against the bright, clear blue sky.
Camp is right near the MO river, and the trail I took went up along a
ridge, over looking the river. While a bit cool, the weather was really,
really nice. We all wished it would stay like that for the weekend, but
the forecast was not looking in our favor. Everything from sleet,
freezing rain, to snow and frigid temperatures were being tossed out by
weather-guessers. The ride meeting went quick, as everyone was cold,
and we all quickly rushed for our capers and trailers to figure our
times for the maps, and warm up. Not a lot of social chit chat Friday
night! Heard a few rain drops hit the roof over night, but Saturday
morning dawned with only the smallest little tiny snowflakes dropping by
the time we rode out. I am usually ready early, and one of the first to
time out, but this AM I was just running behind, rushed, and ended up
almost last. But Hank did not seem to know, or care, and walked out of
camp calm and not in a rush to catch anyone.

Right as we leave camp is a horse bridge, that we were told to cross,
and then halt with our horses hind feet still on the bridge. Hank did so
nicely, and we then headed on down the trail. Not long, and I hooked up
with Mary Anna Wood, who owns Elmer Bandit. (Google Elmer Bandit if you
do not know of him). She was riding a borrowed horse for the weekend,
who Hank has ridden with before. They pace well together, and we rode
all day together. Hank likes being in the lead, and Striker is happy to
follow him.

The trails wander up and down through the woods, along ridges, across a
few streams, and around the edges of open fields. Over all, the weather
was kind. Every once and awhile, we would get the small snow flakes
again, but no wind to speak of, and the footing was much better than
anticipated. I had been told if it rained, the trails got really slick.
Most of us were preferring the rain coming down in the frozen form, as
it was not making the trails slick. I could see how some of the hills we
went up and down would be a real challenge if they were slick. This is
a really beautiful park. I will try to get photos tomorrow, as it is not
to rain or snow on us.

The vet does a good balance of metabolic and soundness checks, and
obstacles to show the horses basic skills for doing distance riding,
without being too "horse show" like. We had a metabolic check in hand,
then we had to position the horse, and then do a 180 degree turn on the
forehand, then back them down a grassy slope, position them for a mount
from the slope, and we were done. Because of the limited areas the
judges could get to us, they made this one a multi part. We had to wait
for our turn, and it was the one spot where the wind picked up. Hank was
getting cold, and a little cranky, but he was a good boy. I found it
interesting that I was the only rider I saw who had brought a rump rug
to pull over their horses hind quarters during the P&R's, or while
stopped. I was not going to risk him cramping up from the cold. Later
we had another observation where they did another metabolic check, then
a trot for soundness, and then we had to stop, side pass over to a tree,
and remove or clip on a flagging ribbon. We have marked a lot of trails,
and Hank was a good boy, and did not figure out how to put his own spin
on it. He did not lose any P&R points, but we had to have one recheck.
Just as she took his pulse, the wind kicked up with a big cold gust, a
couple people walked in front of him to go to another horse, and I could
see him get worried about all of it. But on the recheck, all was fine.
He also had his gums show they were "injected" again. Wish we could
figure out whey they do this out of the blue, but I think it is just
going to be something that happens with him. All the other parameters
are always fine.

So, with all judging and P&R's done, we cruised in the last 8 of the 27+
miles. He was very chipper, and feeling good. I can not describe the
feeling of having him trot so willing down the trail, after such a long
season, and this being the 5th weekend in a row for us to be at a ride.
Even with the temps in the 30's, I was feeling pretty warm inside.
After we got back in camp, the vet came by the trailer, and everything
was fine. Still a little injected in the gums, and that tendon that he
had slight issue with earlier in the year had a little bit of fill. But
his back and legs looked great, and he is munching away with his jammies on.

Tomorrow is to be cold, but no wet or frozen stuff is to fall. Hope
that holds true.

On to Nebraska!

2009-10-08T20:42:00.003-05:00

I thought about staying another night at the Expo center, where the horses had stalls out of the weather, but then decided Hank does better with an extra day in camp, so I packed up my buckets, lunged the boys in the covered arena for a bit, the loaded up, and drove the 100 miles on to camp. Silly me, I forgot to fuel up before arriving, so cruised on it with my dash light coming on, telling me I was low on fuel. Duh.... So, after I got the boys settled in, I drove to a truck stop, and got fuel now, instead of waiting until Sunday night.

Camp is a large green meadow, well, field, with a few big trees scattered around. I parked facing the driveway, in case we get a bunch of rain to make things muddy. It is a pretty camp, and the leaves on the trees are changing. I saw a LOT of wild turkeys on the way in to camp, along with a couple flocks of Canadian Geese who had parked themselves in some grassy areas.

We had some light rain in camp, but so far, not bad. It is to be in the upper 30's tonight, but Saturday night is looking less that terrific. But I'll not think about it. Horses have warm blankets, I have warm clothes, sleeping bag, and so far, my campers furnace is working fine.

Oh, I think I forgot to mention, I had my first trailer tire blow out of the year on the way to this ride! Considering how many miles I have towed, I am impressed it took until ride number 15 to finally lose one. I have carried two spares for years, and had one changed out, and back on the road in about 20 min.

My Internet is iffy, so I doubt I can post any photos until I get back to better coverage, but I hope I can post through the weekend.

Hey Toto, you around here?

2009-10-07T22:13:00.002-05:00

Heading up to the Indian Cave NATRC ride in Nebraska. Decided to spend the night in Kansas, at the KS Expo center in Topeka. Tomorrow we only have 100 miles to go to get to camp. Horses have box stalls, and are out of the weather if it rains tonight. Now, speaking of the weather, it is not looking good for the weekend. Highs in the 40's during the day, real feel in the 20's to 30's at night, and even a chance of snow, sleet, or Icy mix. Oh joy! I packed all kinds of cold weather gear, warm blankets for horses, and my super warm sleeping bag. Even though the camper has a heater, and thermostat, I prefer to not use it at night, and just flip it on in the AM to warm the camper for me to get up. Hey, maybe the good thing is, if it is really cold, the mud will freeze, and it will not be slick? Just looking fr the bright side.

This is our 15th ride this year. After this weekend, we have a weekend off, and then our final ride of the season. Points are close between us, and the other horse who is also doing 16 rides. He is a nice horse, who is fit, and does obstacles well. Looks like we will be taking it down to our final rides!

Brakes, bites and another ride

2009-10-05T13:33:00.001-05:00

Sorry, no photos this week! Local ride, local trails, and I forgot to take some pictures!

While driving back from the farrier on Thursday, my truck brakes went from starting to feel a tad mushy, to going all the way to the floor. Do YOU know how to stop your rig if your truck brakes go out? Your brake controller has a lever on it, that when you slide it over, it will engage the trailer brakes, without your stepping on the trucks brake pedal. KNOW where it is, and how to reach down to use it, without taking your eyes off the road. Because I knew right where it was, I was able to get the truck and trailer home OK. Go for a drive on a quiet road, and practice driving, stopping etc. without ever stepping your foot on the brake pedal. It was interesting how I found myself being MUCH more aware of stopping distance, down-shifting, planning the slow down well ahead for a stop sign etc. I also realized how much I use the brakes, and maybe planning ahead all the time, would be a smoother, safer ride for the horses. Just something to consider.

This weekends ride was just 12 miles from the house. About 8 of those miles are on our dirt country roads, and not much traffic. While I tried to get the truck in to get the brakes fixed Thursday afternoon, that was not to happen, so I carefully drove over to the ride, using the trailer brake controller. This really is not something I would recommend anyone doing. Thankfully we got to and from the ride safe and sound.

I have not arrived at a ride on Friday in a long time, especially in the afternoon. I had volunteered to pick up the vet at the airport, since I am in and out of DFW a bunch when the hubby flys out, and then with the brake issue, it is just how it worked out. So, I arrived, got a good, flat, level camping spot, that I did not need to unhook the truck from the trailer. Took Hank over and got him checked in, and then set up camp. It was a beautiful day, and Saturday was to be much the same. We would not ride out until 8AM, and we were doing about 26 miles, at a 5.25mph pace. I had been looking forward to this particular vet judging a ride, as he is very metabolics minded, and not into any odd, set up type obstacles that would not pertain (in my mind) to a distance horse. So, not far from camp, he did observe us passing through a gate that had a yucky, muddy area right in the middle of it, and Hank stepped through nice. Some horses refused, spun, or worse, jumped through, slamming their rider into the gate as they did so. We had a metabolic check, and Hank was great, with the exception of his capillary Refill which was decreased. This has been something that will happen once and awhile, and it does not seem to mesh with any other signs of fatigue. I have talked to a few vets, including the one this weekend about it, and no one has any idea why it will do this at a ride, when everything else is great. It could be something to do with they surgery (now 13 months ago) that is always going to come up odd once and awhile. Have looked into our electrolyte protocol, doing some different changes, and have not found that it made a difference. Weather etc. has also not seemed to have any correlation. Oh, and when in the ride does not make a difference. He has checking in with it, has gone a full ride with it perfect, and has had it change during a ride, then go back to normal. But, when it changes, he will often lose some points. And, that is just something I will have to live with, as I can't seem to figure how to "fix" it, or if it even really needs fixed for this horse.

Our check out Saturday night was very thorough, with the vet checking all four legs for any soreness, trotting for soundness, checking the back, and all metabolics. Hank checked out great. It started to sprinkle as they were finishing up, and by the time it was time to head to bed, it had started to rain. A steady, soaking rain, that lasted all night long. Often storms will miss us, but this was not the thunderstorm type activity, but pure, simple rain. The kind that makes some types of soil a muddy mess. So Sunday AM, they changed where we were going to go a bit, and used a trail section that has less issues that the one originally planned, and off we went. We had a drizzle for a lot of the day, but it was not cold, and actually kind of nice out there. Except for the sections of red clay that get sloppy. All weekend Hanks P&R's were good, and he was very relaxed, even when we had horses out in front of him. We had the horsemanship judge watch us open and close one of our trail gates, and even though they had a small log across, under the gait, that Hank was suspicious of, as it had never been there before (he never misses changes to the trails he rides all the time), he was very good, and we did the gate in a manner I thought was pretty good.

Now, anyone who says that their horses does not bite or kick, has not been around horses long enough. All, yes ALL horses bite and kick. Just because your horse is sweet as can be for you, never pins an ear, stomps a foot, or looks irritated, does not mean they will not, or can not harm a person, or another horse. I always said to people when asked "does your horse kick or bite", that " This horse never has kicked or bitten anyone, but it does not mean he won't at some point". Well, this happened on Sunday. And I am sharing, just to remind everyone, that even a horse you know really well, around people and other horses that they have never shown any aggression towards, can hurt another.

We came to a spot on the trail where we had to stop and wait for a judging point. I had been riding with Don and Khidd most of the day. Hank likes Khidd. They have gotten along really well. Then we also hooked up with Dolly and Chance. Hank and Chance have spent miles and miles together conditioning, working on trails, trailering out to Tevis together. We can't normally ride together at the rides, because they are a bit bonded to each other. We are standing there talking, and Hank is facing Chance. He makes a little bit of a horse face at Chance, kind of pinning ears for a second, which he has done with many horses. Never goes beyond a sort of unpleasant face, when all of a sudden, he snakes his head out, ears FLAT back, and leaps forward and bites Chance on the neck. Not a little grumpy nip, but this was intent to do harm. I spun him out of there, and gave him some swift reeducation that what he did was never EVER allowed, and then went back to see the quarter sized hole in Chances neck, where he took not just hair, but skim off of him. I am still feeling really bad this happened. But it is a reminder for me, that he is a 900 pound animal, who thinks for himself at times, and can be unpredictable. I have become complacent with him. Even though I have never seen him show this kind of aggression towards another horse while riding, I am now going to have to really watch him. We think it had something to do with riding with Khidd, and then Chance came into the picture on the ride, and some sort of odd horse jealousy took place. Who knows. It happened really, really fast. And thank goodness, he did not grab a hold of Dolly, while aiming for a mouthful of Chance. I always said we tolerate behavior in our own animals, children etc. that we would not tolerate in a strangers. And I have disregarded his grumpy faces as something that is not true aggression. Not anymore. He WILL be reprimanded if he even makes a slight grumpy face at another horse while in my control. What he does in the pasture, while I am not near, is his business.

The obstacle we waited to do was a dismount, pick out the horses left rear foot, re-mount. Judges on the horse standing quiet while we did so, and my ability to get on and off nice, smooth, light and balanced. Hank was a good boy. Of course, he was pretty humble after getting the wrath of "mom" for biting.

At the end of the ride, he checked out great, with the exception of his cap. refill again being a bit odd. He was sound, moving out nice, and had a MAW (movement, attitude and willingness) of a 5 all weekend. I was very pleased, but knew that the cap refill issues, and his little bloody spot in the leg was going to cost some points. I try to remind myself, we just never know until it is over, as we are not aware of how the other horses are really doing all weekend. But, in the end, Hank got 2nd place in the large class. Oh, and much to my surprise, I won my horsemanship class. I have not really been concentrating on my horsemanship at the rides, but one really does go with the other. And the better you ride, usually the better the horse will score, and the more you work on the horse doing well, then the better your horsemanship score can be.

So, next weekend we are in Nebraska for our 2nd to last ride of the season. The truck is in the shop, and I should be able to stop well again. I was amazed how fast the brakes went, when they went. After Nebraska, we have a weekend off, and then our last ride of the year, will be out in East Texas. When I think back over this past year, the places we have seen, people we have met, terrific horses we have shared the trail with, I actually get a bit emotional. (maybe it is just PMS ) My horse was given a second chance, and I have been given the opportunity to travel with him to rides I never thought I would ever attend, and compete for awards I never dreamed of chasing after. And in turn, I have had some many wonderful people who have followed us on this journey through this blog, cheering us on, and actually thanking ME for sharing our adventures. That just leaves me speechless, as it has been the support, thoughts, prayers etc. from YOU that has me thankful.

Chokecherry NATRC ride, day 2

2009-09-29T10:34:00.007-05:00

Sunday dawned another clear, beautiful day, with chilly temperatures until the sun cam up over the mesa behind camp. While it would be warm in the afternoon, we would be in from the days ride before we felt much of the heat of the day. Not far out of camp, we had another straight forward obstacle where we went up a sandy rise out of the wash, turn, and come back down. Good for judging body position, and good to see if the horse was listening, anxious, responsive etc. to the rider.

Hank does not question this sort of deviation from the trail, as we do it all the time at home, and calmly went up and back down. Then up through their badlands, slowly rising up towards the tree line.

Today I seemed to be able to look around more, and enjoy the scenery, and not stare at the footing in front of us. The footing did not change, and still had some spots that one really needed to use caution, but I was able to not try to micro-manage his ever footstep. As the morning sun started to rise above us, Hank and I cast a shadow out across the sand. It reminded me of the photos I took about a year ago, after his surgery, when I was just starting to get back on him, and ride a little. I remember thinking how blessed I was to have him do well with the surgery, to actually be able to ride him again, and see that shadow of he and I together. And who would have thought that I'd be again, looking at that shadow of us together riding over 700 miles from home, as we competed for national awards.

I was able to ride with a couple of the riders who knew the area, and they pointed out different areas, views, and told me what they were. Off in the distance was the rock referred to as "shiprock", and then I was shown the 100-150' wide road down below that the coal trucks run on for miles and miles across the land to the coal plant. I will admit that my very first impression of the area and trails on my Friday afternoon ride was that it was not very attractive, but after seeing more of it, and riding through the canyons, washes,and up on top of the high mesas, I found it did have a very unique beauty.

I have driven I-40 many times, and have viewed the mesas that spread out across the landscape, and wondered what it would be like to ride up to the top of one, what the trails would be like, and now I was given that opportunity.

Today we had two P&R stops, and Hank again got through them with no point loss. I never had concerns about any P&R in the past, but after he had some pulse points lost this year, I actually fret about them a little. This time as I stood next to him, his eyes closed, him very relaxed, I tried to picture a heat beat thumping nice and steady and slow. Shoot, who knows if it helped, but he is so sensitive to my emotions at times, I figured it could not hurt.

We had another straight forward obstacle, or observation, where we climbed up a steep section of trail, where they have built sort of steps, or erosion control with large RR tie type lumber. So along with the soft dirt, they horse had to step up the wooden step, turn sharp to switchback to another, and another before we reached the top. Because it was fairly steep, for the rider to stay up off the horses back, some (well, that would be 'I') had to grab mane, thus only having one had on the reins to guide the horse up the hill. Hank again was responsive, paid attention, and did not feel the need to choose a better route in his mind.

We had one final obstacle out on the trail that was more set up, that just watching the horses handle natural situations. They had put some large wooden poles out in the shape of a Z, and we were to side pass over it, doing a turn on the haunches at one of the corners,and a turn on the forehand at the other. I gave Hank his pre-obstacle peppermint, and we headed to the logs. This is where the always thinking Arabian mind will often take over. He knew we were going to side pass as I lined up, and as I asked him to move off my leg to the left, he did so very willing, although a bit rushed. Got to the corner, and he stepped over the log, but I was able to get him set back up, made the corner, and then next, and we were done. I was very pleased, as he did not refuse, or try to out think me and change directions. lol He got it done. Not super pretty, but more utilitarian in style. Another peppermint for Hank.

I had listened to his metabolic checks all weekend, and kept everything straight in my mind, and did not think he lost any condition points. His back was great, and I again silently thanked my Specialized Saddle for the ability to adjust the fit as he had changed in weight earlier this year. At check out he moved nice, and even had a few other riders say how nice he moved at check out, and they wished their horses were so willing to trot out like that. Overall, I was very happy with him for the weekend, and had enjoyed riding him in yet another part of our wonderful country that I had yet to experience. The folks in Region 3 have been more than welcoming to me at the 4 rides I was able to attend there. Always a warm hello when we arrived. Never did I get the feeling they thought I was an outsider, or intruding on their region. Not that any region made me feel unwelcome, but I got to spend the most time in Region 3 this year, outside our own Region 4. I hope I get the chance to go back that way and enjoy some of the lovely rides they have to offer again. Some of the most beautiful I have ever experianced.

I started packing, as I figured we would be done with awards early enough, I could start heading home. I'd rather get him home, and in his pasture for an extra day, than having an extra day on the road. About the time I was all packed, they called for awards. Our class had 5 in it this time, and I got 3rd in horsemanship, and Hank got 3rd in horse. When I looked at our score cards, the vet marked on the Z side pass "Poor, -2". Oh well, a hard hit, but I was pretty pleased with how he did it, even if the vet thought it was 'poor'. He lost a point for stepping outside the ribbons on the back up the deep sandy hill, and then a point for checking out with a MAW (movement, attitude, willingness) of a 4, after checking in with an enthusiastic 5.

I loaded the boys up, Thelma took her spot in the back seat, and we headed home. Driving half way, to our RV park with corrals, then the second half of the drive on Monday, Hank and Flag were out in the pasture before sunset on Monday afternoon. Taking off in a hurry, to grab bites of grass, roll, and trot around telling the others of their travels to another ride.

Next ride is this weekend, here on our home trails! Only 12 miles from the house! Whoo Hoo!

Chokecherry NATRC ride day 1

2009-09-26T16:48:00.004-05:00

Managed to get better internet up at the ranch house, so I thought I'd do a post, and maybe even be able to include some pictures at the end.

At night, the temps are dropping down low enough that I put warm blankets on the horses. The morning air was brisk, but after Hank and I got moving, we both warmed up. The trail is on the other side of the highway, so we rode down the road, past some houses, down into arroyo, and then through a cement tunnel under the roadway. Judges watched us do this, and Hank was a good boy, not silly, excited, or spooky. The trail then starts in the low areas, through the washes, and the area they call the "badlands", until it works its way up to areas with Pinyon Pines and other trees. Judges watches us climb a steep hill that went on for about 1/10 of a mile or so, and again, Hank was good, not charging, not trying to rush.

We would have a total of 3 P&R stops today, and thankfully, no point loss on any of them. Also a lunch on trail. The judges were usually after a P&R or lunch. We had a back up a sandy little hill / rise. Since the ride was timed a tad slower than some we had done, I would stop and make Hank do things along the way, and we had backed a few times, so when we got to the obstacle, he was a bit more focused, and managed to get it done for me. We also did an off side mount, and he did take a step. bad Hank. lol They had some brush/log across the trail, and we were to go over it, and knowing Hank would hop or jump it, I just asked him to. He did a lovely little jump for me. Not sure what the vet will think, but the horse did as I asked. Checked metabolics a couple times, and he was fine as far as I could tell. Think they were staying the same from check in.

Now that the basics are out of the way, a bit more. Because this ride was slower and shorter than what we have been doing, Hank was ready to GO! He walked most the way, and was doing his big super fast, head swinging walk. But the last P&R, which was at the 2 mile point (2 miles from camp) he could hardly contain himself. Fussy, fidgeting, foot stomping, pawing when asked to wait and stand. When he gets like this, it is hard to get his mind to focus. Thankfully, we did not have some obstacle to do. He was very anxious, and too dang smart to know we were almost done. But over all, he was nice to ride today. Wish I could get that big walk on demand, and not just when he is in a hurry!

Tomorrow is even shorter. I know some riders like a "short" easy ride, but I like the longer tougher rides, as this is a competition of fitness, condition, and soundness. if the horses are not challenged by the trail, then it is hard to separate their condition. Then some vets resort to lots of obstacles. At least so far, all but one of the obstacles has just been going down the trail, watching horses the horses deal with what is there.

OK, now some photos with views from the trail, then hopefully I can post again after tomorrows ride.

Where's Hank?

2009-09-24T19:21:00.001-05:00

Wow, I feel like that Where's Waldo thing. We left TX on Wednesday mid
morning, and headed to our over night spot in Tucumcari NM. About 375 or
so miles. An RV park there has corrals, and we stayed there once before.
After a good nights rest, we finished our drive to the camp of the
Chokecherry NATRC ride near Farmington NM. Todays drive was just under
400 miles I think. Camp is at The Cumberworths place, and I am parked in
the arena. I was able to let the boys loose to roll in the dirt, and
move around a bit before they were put on their Hi-Ties, and fed
dinner. A pretty sunny day, and I was told it may be in the 80's for
the weekend. But this is a dry heat as compared to the recent rides, so
80 will be easy to deal with! No big horse flys, no chiggers, and very
few, if any Skeeters! Whoo Hoo! I could do with a fairly bug free ride.
My internet is slow, and on the minimal service, but if I have time, I
will try to post during the weekend.