brown's ravine

A new trail. A few months ago I went on the upper portion of this trail, and today decided to start on the southern end. Major's buddy Friday and C picked us up, and we drove to Brown's Ravine. The staging area was OK, but not great. The ranger specifically said no swimming the horses, maybe because the beach is public (though dogs were swimming!). A water trough was appreciated, but parking was a bit strange. But we saddled up and headed out, seeing the marina as we were leaving, which we didn't really think twice about.

That lake looks good for swimming!

The trail was rocky, but mostly shady. In the beginning we met up with a few mountain bikers (some of the trail is multi-use, but I think they were on the horse part) but we powered on. And so did the boats, and jet-skis. They were close to the trail, and quite loud, not the nature-experience we were hoping for.

sun-dappled trail

a lake of boats and already dry fields

The trail meandered along the lake shore, though high up. We went down the the water once, encountering some people pulled up on shore with a defensive dog. Major got to visit with a kid in a boat, not the usual activity, but he was his usual ho-hum self about that. The trail went very close to some fancy houses, with barking dogs and swimming pools (we were sorely tempted) and also needed some trimming work! Lots of dodging of branches, trot along, dodge a tree, walk down a rocky slope, trot 50 feet, steep rocky downhill, trot up the other side, dodge some hanging poison oak, slow for more rocks. One of those kinds of rides.

crazy huge houses on the hill ahead

new york creek bridge, a little rickety

By the time we got to New York Creek bridge we were hot and tired and ready for a lunch break. Major didn't like being behind Friday, who was walking very, very slowly being careful. On the other side we found a stopping place, and tried to refresh and relax. It is hard to do when your horse is trying to climb into your space. Can I have sandwich? What about some orange? Maybe a cookie? I'd push him back, and he'd creep up again. Brat.

looking for home, annoying me at lunch

We headed back, and it seemed to get hotter and hotter. We were DONE riding, and still 1.5 miles to go. The horses stood slurping water from a shallow creek, and we did the final stretch for home. How do some rides seem so incredibly long? This one did, and we decided this is a trail best for cooler spring weather, and fewer boats! The horses got nice cool buckets of water poured on and sponged off, and a delicious mash. The humans wanted to jump in the lake, but just splashed themselves with some water from the trough.

yummy, mashy snack

Only a half-hour drive home, and Major walked into the pasture, took about three steps, and rolled like crazy. Home is good.

nothing like home dirt to roll in

still life, with saddle

the GPS track

A few rants about the ride:
Hikers wearing headphones: You're in a nature area. On a trail with other users. Pay attention, at least with one ear, to your surroundings.

So annoyed with hoof boots: The minute his feet are wet we lose them. Once, twice, three times, four. The last straw was about a mile from the trailer. I left them off, though Major was a bit ouchy on the really hard ground with pokey gravel rocks.I was quite crabby about the situation. Re-evaluating...

On another note: We got home before the eclipse, which I was excited about, so I did get to watch that. I made my little pinhole paper thing, which was neat, but the shadows were the best, all showing the partial circles and fuzzy as the light grew dimmer. My Mom sent me a cute photo of her dog in the special eclipse glasses (which she had saved from an eclipse trip the whole family took to Mexico 20 years ago!). And I watched the eclipse and read my latest sci-fi book (which has an awesome eclipse-like cover). A good, full day. Horses and friends and space stuff and sci-fi and dogs in glasses, all my favorites in one day.

Shamus is chillin' with his eclipse glasses

Love the Culture novels

saddle test (and the Preakness!)

I tried out another saddle today, a Sensation dressage trail model. A local endurance rider is selling it, I figured it couldn't hurt to try. I didn't hate it on first sitting in it, plus one! It felt different, but not bad. I'm not the best at determining if a saddle fits my horse. For me going around the arena is not a test, so I took it for a real test drive on the trail. Just a silly three mile jaunt, but walk, trot, canter, up and down hills, horse being silly and cantering down a hill (!): it was a good test.

Major seems to move out, no balking. If course he does that with the other saddle that doesn't fit too. He is not a good judge! I felt totally secure. It has a strange stirrup arrangement, that I thought would feel weird, but I never noticed a difference. I felt a bit squeezed though, I think the seat size is too small. After the ride a good sweat pattern, but I don't think enough wither clearance, I would need to play with shimming. It's going back, but I may test ride another, potential is there.

On another note, anyone else watch the Preakness? Watching that finish brought tears to my eyes, the heart of those horses battling it out. And a chance for a Triple Crown! As jaded as I am, (I think it's something like 11 horses who have won the Derby and Preakness and lost the Belmont since 1978) my heart skips at the thought. I've watched every Triple Crown race since I was 10. I have newspaper clippings and notes. I have jockey signatures and a photo of Secretariat winning ("he's running like a tremendous machine!") hanging in my hall, where I can see it every day. I was born the year Secretariat won, and it is something mythic to me, never having seen it, and though I'm a card-carrying pessimist, in this I hold a little hope. Could a horse join the ranks of Citation, and Whirlaway, and Seattle Slew? Part of me wants to see it, though another part likes the mythic qualities of the horses in the past. Either way, in three weeks, I'll be watching.

cache creek volunteer

Cache Creek Endurance Ride: Cowboy Camp view at sunset

I volunteered for this ride months ago. I knew I wanted to help somewhere, and I'm familiar with the area and it's not too far of a drive. I also volunteered my SO, he didn't seem to mind (I gave him an out, and he didn't take it!) At the last minute, Ziggy and B came along for the ride (literally, to enter the 50).

We all headed out Friday about 11:00am. After an uneventful two-hour drive, we arrived to find ridecamp looking pretty full! But we pulled in, and found a spot. B unloaded the horse, and I took a walk around, and let the ride managers know we were there if they needed anything. SO worked on setting up our pop-up, which I was so glad we had as it was very sunny with almost no shade at camp.

I'm just chillin' in the shade...

After all was set up, and we'd been sitting awhile (at least an hour), someone came over and mentioned it was where they'd hoped to do the vet trot outs. Umm, maybe they should have said something sooner? We asked if they wanted us to move, but they said it was fine. So we did get a nice front-row view of all the vetting in, which was fun!

vet check front row view: Ziggy!

The first night they didn't need anything, but we were to report to duty at 5:45am. I did sit in on the ride meeting, where they did a very thorough description of the trail. The vet also talked about a very cool award they give: a special best condition for the 25LD. It is designed for any place finisher who's horse (and person) seems to best prepared for the ride. They even got a blanket! I thought that was very neat (at the AR ride, my first, the ride manager seemed to me a little dismissive of the LD riders).

Sleeping in the truck was fine, except for Ziggy bouncing around the whole rig. Major ties to the high-tie, which really absorbs any movement, but Ziggy hasn't done that before, so we were better safe than sorry-loose-horse, and kept him hard-tied to the trailer. There were two loose horses in the night, but in the morning we saw off B and Ziggy and reported in. We were assigned to the Judge Davis vet check, which is the half-way point for 25s (and ride and tie) and the 37.5 mile 20 minute hold for 50s.

Arriving at the check we unloaded crew bags, set up coolers with drinks, put up the pop-up tent for the vets to have some shade and hung some signs. Then we all got a job. There were some young vet students who were doing P&Rs, and I got out timer. I got all the papers and set up my station. In the beginning I was in the sun, till I got smart and moved under the trees. By the end of the day everyone wanted my job! My SO was a runner between vets, out-timer and overall helper, which he is very good at. (Which ended up including running 4 miles of the trail, up the hill coming into the check, to re-mark it! I owe him big time.)

my shady spot

And then we waited. The first ride and tie people came roaring in. They don't have a hold time, so the rider gave the reins to waiting crew, jumped off, and ran out, I just took numbers. The horses only have to pulse down to 72, and they're off after a quick vet check. Those are some fit people, crazy!

Then came in the 25s. Some came in quick, but most walked down the big steep hill into the check. Everyone had a half-hour hold, and some were a bit antsy to get back on the trail. I had to not let anyone leave early, which sometimes literally took stepping onto the trail to have them wait another minute. Most people were gracious and understood the wait and the rules. There were lots of little pieces of paper to transpose onto the main clipboard sheet, I only messed up a couple times!

More waiting after all the 25s left, then the top 50s came in about 11:30am. They had started at 6:00am, had 2 holds already, but were at 37.5 miles looking amazing. Their hold was only 20 minutes, and some were immediately ready to go, but only a couple rude people (who were anxious, I understand). Some people were so nice, who just talked while they waited, letting their horses eat grass, when I told them time they took off with a gracious thank you. The 50s trickled in, and I got to see B with Ziggy and Redheaded Endurance with Desire, before we left at 4:30, with all horses (except two who hadn't come through) yet accounted for.

Saturday night Ridecamp at sunset

Back at camp we were hot and tired, though nothing like the riders! Still a shower set up in the trailer was awesome. B and Ziggy came in towards the end, we were getting anxious, but they did it! Management had a nice ride dinner and awards, and we stayed the night so Ziggy could rest after 12 hours of work. Sunday morning we packed up early and were home by 9:00am. I was jealous watching everyone else ride (there were 86 starting 50s, about 35 starting 25s, 10 or so ride and tie), but in the end was glad to have volunteered this ride. Maybe next time for me.

birthday hat

She made me wear the hat. Everyone said they liked it. I know the other horses are laughing. But then I got LOTS of carrots. And an apple. This birthday thing is OK.

happy birthday!

I know he doesn't care, but I do. I think it is fun that today is Major's ninth birthday. I was going to go for a ride (probably not what he would choose) but instead I tormented him other ways.

isn't that the cutest baby face!

Major got seen by the chiropractor today! Gee, happy birthday! But this was the day he could come out. Friends had recommended this guy, and it turns out he is also a fellow endurance rider. Fun to talk, Major was relaxed and happy at the end, found a few issues I need to remember to address, and learned some new stretches. Major likes them, as long as they're associated with carrots.

good stretch at the end.

So Major just gets to to relax after his adjustment, though I may make him wear a birthday hat later (evidence to come). And he'll get many more carrots. Happy Birthday Major!

just for fun

Training, how fast, how slow, how far...always in the back of my mind on rides (and usually in the front too!). But sometimes it is nice to get out just for fun.

Major's buddy Friday (and my buddy C) joined us and we meandered, without a plan. Well, I did want to go play in the water. So we headed the best direction for water, towards the lake! It's pretty high right now, the first access was too swampy, without safe footing. So we continued on.

At Beek's Bight I knew we could access the lake, I thought we'd go down over the sand a bit, to good footing. Nope! The lake is so high it is almost up to the parking area, but we were able to wade in. You can see the canal trail under water, but the horses were more interested in eating submerged weeds. That was fine, we sat in the sun on our ponies, talking and having fun. Major did find a tree branch to play with (I have no idea what is up with this horse and fetching sticks). Both horses had moments of pawing the water, of which we were very suspicious, didn't want any laying down!


But all was fine, and we headed back down the trail. To a sort of test: both horses had their boots on, I just refitted Major's, and Friday had new purple powerstraps. Would they stay on? Hooves now wet, trail rocky but we were moving out quickly towards home. Success! All boots on all hooves, yeah!


We stopped at a staging area water trough, that Major usually shuns. But today it was warm, or he's getting smart, or the lake whetted his thirst, but I was glad he drank. On the final stretch coming home we did a final detour (Major was not amused) through the fancy neighborhood. It is fun to ride through million dollar front yards, by the park where no one was playing, and back into the forest.

A very good day, just for fun.

saddle update

The saddle fitter came out, and expressed dismay over his marks. Last year we'd hoped to spread out the pressure under the stirrup bars, which happened, but too much pressure still. We both wish Major was more demonstrative with pain, and his back was a little reactive in certain areas.

His back is more developed than when I got the saddle a couple years ago, so I asked about other options. She still thought that this saddle is OK, and that to get better distribution I'd need to move into a more endurance or western style. But I love my dressage-style saddle!


While she was reflocking, I did retry a Specialized Eurolight. She shimmed it for Major, and I headed for the arena. Felt weird at first, but most new saddles do, so I kept riding to give it a chance. Got the stirrups adjusted, did some trotting, and already in less than 10 minutes my left hip was in pain. More adjusting, fixing my position, nope. Hate it. Sorry folks who like it! The saddle fitter said its just such a personal choice, she didn't really think it would work for me either.


So I'm going to ride in my reflocked and adjusted Arabian Saddle Company Solstice for awhile longer. A few weeks, checking to make sure there isn't more pain reaction, see how he moves, etc. That's kind-of all I can do for now.

In a month is Horse Expo in Sacramento, a great place to check out a variety of saddles. I'll keep that in mind. And keep saving into the new saddle fund just in case.

peaceful (even with bikes)

Major had all week off, not because of too much effort at the ride, but my schedule was just packed. So Friday evening we headed out.

Saddle fitter is coming, so I wanted to ride with a white sheet beneath my saddle pad to see any pressure points. To do this you also need to get the horse sweaty. So I'd planned on just jaunting around the forest for awhile.

But when we headed out Major was happy to be out, I was happy to be out, and we just flew along. He was listening and striding out, and we cantered the trotting trail and kept heading towards Granite Bay.

Awhile ago I noted Granite Bay used to be a day trip, last time it took about an hour. This time it took 42 minutes, and we were careful as usual in the rocky portions!

I was worried about turning for home, since Major was already in a speedy mindset. But no problem, we left trotting along. We walk as we cross the gravel road at Twin Rocks, and look both ways, usually lots of bikes in the area. And I heard some coming towards me down Center Trail, which is no bikes allowed. I yelled "horse" to hopefully slow them down, but some rocks did the job for me!

The front rider just bit it, and was laying on the ground holding his crotch. The other two bikes stopped. I asked if he was OK, which was confirmed, then Major (and I) just watched with amusement. The guy asked if his bike was OK! I guess like us asking about our horses. Waited till he got up, then squeezed past, and kept heading home.

(As a side note: Why do "boy" bikes have the straight bar between seat and handlebars?"Girl" bikes don't, but seriously, NO ONE wants to land on that!)

The trail is super lush right now, and the last time through is still a bit of a blur. So I appreciated all the flowers. There is one awesome tree I've forgotten the name of, but it is covered in white blossoms that glow in the twilight.


And we were accompanied by haunting flute music. Someone was standing on the lakeshore, with the clear water reflecting sunset and shadowy trees, playing a Native American flute. We stopped to listen at an overlook, the person was below us, across the inlet. I don't know what the song was, or what it meant, but it was serene and spoke of water and day's end and peacefulness. We moved on, reluctantly.


And Major was good all the way home. We would trot, and if he got too strong I'd ask him to walk until we had a true walk, no jigging. Maybe he was peaceful too. At home dinner had already been served, but he got a bath first. He was head tossing and silly as I walked him to the pasture, I thought for sure he'd run off and roll. But he was so excited to eat his mash, he just trotted over to dinner. I watched my glistening horse, and remembered the music, and realized how lucky I am.

AR ride story

It was quite an experience, with so much learned, I'm sure I'll forget half of it in the retelling (which is good, this is way too long to begin with!)

Ridecamp was already getting pretty full when we arrived at 2:00pm. I learned later there were 30 late entries for a total of 90, in a tiny parking area. The ridecamp and start were moved this year from their old location to Granite Bay because of the development of the trail (which previously consisted of the first few miles being on/next to pavement).

all the orange accents let's you know it's mine!

Luckily my friend saved me a great spot, and we were able to create a little encampment. Major truly thought nothing of it, liked looking around at everything, and ate everything in sight. I tied him to my high-tie, which I hadn't practiced before (I know, bad). But figured I'd tie him to the trailer if he showed any signs of bad behavior, but he never one danced around or tested it.

trot out: good thing they vet Major and not me!

I told the ride vet Melissa Ribley that I'd never done any of this before, and she was very nice. Explained lots, and we vetted in all "A"s. (I need to get myself a stethoscope so I can learn to take his heart rate, I can never seem to find it otherwise, though people have showed me.) I did a quick little ride, Major thought we should trot for home (5 miles away), but other than that was fine. I was incompetently braiding his mane when my SO/awesome crew stepped in to take over.

pre-ride: See Major sleeping? All an illusion

better braider works while Major wonders what I'm doing

We relaxed and had the ride meeting, which told us we'd be starting where we vetted in. If you notice in the photo, it is an old concrete road, totally straight, for quite a ways. I was pretty unsure of that, but everything else seemed straightforward, and crawled into the truck to try and sleep.

I maybe got a few combined hours, but of course kept waking up to check the horses, fidget around, and generally worry. My friends B and S were doing the 50, so were up at 4:30. I got up too, just tried to relax, and sooner than I though they left (5:30 ride start) and it was almost my turn. Major was fine, I think he just had no idea what was going on. We were having a controlled start, they would lead us down the road at a walk, pick up a slow trot till the complicated area was past, and let us go.

you only see the orange glowing reins...

They didn't walk long, and soon we were all trotting along, way too fast (Major's big trot, mostly others were cantering). We saw our friend B (who was doing the 50) walking back to camp! Oh no, something happened! But I just had to keep riding. At this point his brain fell out (were were behind about 15 people) though I was able to keep him from cantering, I couldn't rate him at all. All of this had been going away from home too. And then we turned for home, up a hill, and I got a bolting, uncontrolled gallop! Luckily we only rudely blew past two people, then Major was trying to catch the front-runners who were (voluntarily) cantering away.

I thought for about two second what my choices were, and said screw it. At the top of Mooney Ridge I single-rein-stopped him (which we practice a lot) and got off. People trotted past, nicely asking if I was OK, I assured them all was fine. I have no ego. I don't care if I finish last, I just want to finish alive! We walked/pranced down the hill, let most people get ahead of us, and when there was a nice bubble of space, remounted and tried again. Still rushy, but not so bad. I trotted along and met up with a nice man who was walking his horse too, that helped Major a lot. I especially liked when the guy seriously reprimanded his horse, in a good mean voice, and Major's ears flicked around very concerned, he was being yelled at!

A quick trot by at four miles, and I fell in with a woman on a little quick foxtrotter. Asked if she minded me, said I was new, no problem. We stuck with Dorothy from Oroville for the next 20 miles. Her mare was great, kept Major's trot back from warp speed, consistent pace, just what was needed. She first did this ride year's ago, and has lots of experience, the perfect ride partner.

The sun came up and the vet check at Rattlesnake Bar was busy. We came in and were at 44 pulse. They thought we'd been standing around a bit, but actually we trotted almost all the way in to the check. Found the vet, trotted out, everything was "A"s, and we were missing a boot! Damn. Vet hadn't noticed, even on the trot-out over gravel, and I decided one renegade would be weird, so left him barefoot, and if I sensed any change of gait, etc, I'd put the boot on. Major found some sort of mash and was happy, I felt the adrenaline from before wearing off, and managed to choke down more water and a dried fruit snack. Only a 30 minute hold, and our friend left a bit before us, and as we left Major was reluctant to go. He wanted to go home the other way! But I pushed him on, and he remembered his job, and we soon caught up with Dorothy.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, the bare foot was no problem, and Major learned a new trick of eating carrots at a trot. I just break off a piece, lean over, and he grabs it, quite cleverly. Almost to Auburn the trail goes from about 400 elevation to 1200 pretty quickly, though this year they did the Cardiac Bypass instead of the main Cardiac, probably to add in the miles. Major wanted to charge up, and he had it in him, but I just kept it quiet, and we came into Auburn with a big group of 25s and 50s. It was actually kind-of anticlimactic after the morning rush, to walk into the finish, but that was just fine. We were already at pulse, and vetted right away. Vet noted he had great feet, impulsion certainly not a problem, though a B on gut sounds, quickly remedied with a grass snack.

finish line: Major isn't tired, he's actually acting bored.

final vetting; Vet Melissa Ribley taking his CRI pulse.

We all relaxed a bit, my SO/crew had already put away tack, had water buckets/sponges ready, and food for me too. Awesome. Major stood around for awhile, had a snack, then loaded right up and we took him the 15 minutes home. He was happy to roll on home turf, have a big drink of yummier home water, and eat more. He probably put on weight during the last two days!

I have no idea in what order I finished, and I seriously don't care. We finished! Unfortunately B probably has a broken nose from a nasty impact with a branch, and our friend S got pulled at 43 miles. Life with horses is unpredictable.

Things I learned: I'll be going out WAY behind the front, and the middle too. Finding someone to ride with really helps. Everyone was nice, and thought starting with this 25 was a good idea. A ziplock bag of almonds will explode in your pack. Major WILL drink when he actually needs to (at 20 miles). Will I do this again? Eventually. Maybe I won't be quite so long-winded the second time around!

completion!

I survived! Somehow! Much more later, and I didn't take a single photo during the ride as I was holding too tight to the reins.

Camping and vetting in was uneventful, and Major ate and ate and ate, no problems there!





The first part was runaway awful, then met a nice woman and we rode together. Vets, volunteers and riders were all nice, explained where to go and what to do.

Vetted great, pulsed in every time no problem. And plenty of impulsion at the end!

Now Major is home, had a good roll and a drink of "his" water, is snacking some more, and I'm heading back to watch some 50s come in. Unfortunately B and Ziggy pulled at the start because B hurt herself, but another friend is hopefully coming in.

Thanks for the support the last few crazy weeks, it did help keep me calmer, and I'm pretty glad I did it. And learned some good stuff too: Candy orange slices are the most delicious saddle food ever.

glue-ons and final prep

Last night it rained, all night. Hopefully the trail was dry enough to absorb it! Today was windy, wet and cold. We postponed gluing on boots till the afternoon, and then went to a neighboring barn with a good sheltered area to work.

My trimmer is both an Easyboot and Renegade dealer. Even though my boots are Renegades, he is new to them, and felt more comfortable with the Easyboot glue-ons, which he has applied successfully before. I'm happy with his opinion on what will work best.

Major was every bit a wild child walking down the road, a blowing gate, oh my! 4 days off, oh boy. At the stable next door everything was new, snorty and looking around. And I just stood there, and he figured it out, hmmm, not as exciting as he thought.

I didn't do many photos (new place, wind, trimmer under my horse!) but there are a few. Trimmer cleaned the feet, then really rasped the outside wall to give good purchase to the glue. The glue is very messy and you have to work fast, though not as fast on a cool day like today. Fit to the foot and glue on the shell, he held up the opposite foot so the horse really put his weight in the glue-on shell. It didn't take too long, and Major pranced up the road and ran around the arena and his paddock. He looked fine, but a new thing on race day, the one thing you don't do! I'll just have to see how it goes.









Trailer is (mostly) packed. Using a good list I found is helping. I'm not the most organized person, but this pretty much forces you to be! Tomorrow off to ridecamp (15 minutes away!) and Saturday the ride (6am, seriously?!) Not freaking out yet, probably tomorrow...along with everyone else. Even my experienced friends are nervous right now, which strangely makes me feel better. This should be fun/new/scary/an adventure all rolled into one. With a story to tell at the end.

side note

Watching Major contentedly eating grass, I thought about our ride yesterday. For all my talk, all the horses were actually very good. And looking at Major I also remembered another cool point: all the horses were barefoot.

And I don't mean we wore our hoof boots. We all went naked feet, quickly over that rocky singletrack, almost 10 miles, no flinching or problems. An Arab, an Anglo-Arab and a Spotted Saddle horse, who all live on irrigated pasture.

It works for us, and that is very cool.

That being said, I am gluing on boots for my LD. Some might think that is overkill, just for the LD. One less thing for me to worry about. I love my boots, despite some glitches I need to iron out, but I'm already thinking about enough things. When I knew my trimmer was gluing for B and Ziggy, I just decided to go that route, for this time.

In another note: no back soreness today with the new pad inserts. Saddle still doesn't fit obviously by the white hair, but this should get us through the ride. After that we'll reevaluate.

Major is pretty happy with just grazing all week. He thinks we should do this ALL the time. When I remind him that we do, he can't hear me over the munching.

shiny, happy pony munching...

all day ride

It used to be that going to Granite Bay was an all day ride.

Today it took an hour to get there and an hour back.

The trail was a total of 9.7 miles, all technical singletrack. Major didn't lead much, his big trot is just too fast, and Ziggy has a great medium trot (we'll get one someday, I hope!). Friday is such a good horse and just goes along with whatever we do, though sometimes a bit quizzically (Why are you having a fit Ziggy? Why are you a prancing idiot Major?)

At Granite Bay Major got to snorkel in the water trough, up to his eyes, holding his breath and then blowing water on me, splashing everyone. Though when C splashed back he thought that wasn't fair...too bad, you started it.

Going home first Ziggy's brain fell out, and Major lost his in the lake. The going-home dance was silly, but everyone settled down and it was a good fun ride.

It'll be my last ride until I get to the American River ridecamp on Friday. I'll probably try to get in a relaxing (?!) ride after vetting in. I'll have to see how it goes. I'm as prepared as I can be right now, trailer is mostly packed, snacks (horse and human) are bought, now just to get through the week!

spa day

Major was pretty miffed about getting a bath, even if it was more than 80 degrees today.




Oh my god, I can't stand still, there is water, and a puddle, aaahh!

You know Major, you look a bit like a drowned rat, pretty pitiful, your tail is so wimpy.

What kind of pep talk is that? Were you listening?! There is water, on me and on the mats, with white foamy stuff, I think it's going to eat me. SNORT!

You don't care about anything on trail, but for this you come unglued?

It's on me! Get it off! Oh, you brought in reinforcements...

B helped me hose Major idiot off, dancing around. Then he had to stand and dry a bit.

I had to stand, tied! I was itchy, I wanted to roll!

Don't interrupt, it's rude. Then he got turned out in the arena, where the clean lasted about five minutes before he rolled. And then walked around eating the weeds.

I was guarding the perimeter.

Really? Why'd you harass me for my pear core?

I thought it looked dangerous, wouldn't want to leave litter behind.

Is that why you munched it up with a dorky look on your face and tried to slobber on me?

No, the slobber was for giving me a bath...



(you can take really unattractive pictures of cute horses, see!)

ridecamp discussion

There has been an interesting discussion about introductory endurance rides going on at Ridecamp, one that Funder talked about yesterday. She got lots of great feedback. The Ridecamp side: different story (of course, this is all my opinion, take at your own risk). I warily posted, and was reminded why I don't usually contribute: I felt pretty rebuked by some of the contributors. I know it is not me personally they are talking about, but I can't be the only "newbie" to the sport who feels like this (I'm not THAT special!)

I posted that it was daunting to think about all you need to manage at a ride (ridecamp and vet checks and vet cards, etc.) and the actual riding, dealing with an anxious horse, etc. That it is hard to remember when you've been doing something for 30 years what it could be like for a new rider. At least one poster said that they weren't intimidated, another that a 25 is just a walk in the park (paraphrasing), and much more negative than positive.

Is that really the way to encourage people into your sport? I don't think there is anything weird about being nervous about something you've never tried before. That being intimidated by all the rules and laws and knowledge you need to have is wrong. That you're taking this horse, who you work with every day and have a huge bond with, and asking them to do all this work for you, and they could hurt themselves. There are many things to think about, and no, not obsess on them so much you freeze, but to be prepared for.

But in among the naysayers, there are some voices of reason, including a very nice supportive post, that I (and other newbies I'm sure) really appreciate. And go Funder, for supporting the little people! I just hope THOSE are the people I meet next weekend...

signed:
intimidated worried newbie (who is still doing it)

cartoon fun

I'd been meaning to post this forever, but Redheaded Endurance shamed me into it reminded me. She posted this great comic of Joey's adventure by Chris Stone, and I have a custom art piece myself!

I bought this piece and it hangs in my office. It is perfect, down to Major's crooked blaze, my green eyes and glasses, my love of orange, Major's green bridle accents, so fun! (My boobs are much bigger here, you know how cartoons exaggerate!)

Chris Stone is a very talented artist, with an endurance rider wife (my friend B (Becca) and her horse Ziggy). I've seen the drawings he has done with multiple family members, many horses, getting the personalities just right. You might recognize his work from Endurance News magazine! If you'd like a fun remembrance of you and your horse, check him out at Stone Graphics.

quarry ride

Major LOVES his friend Friday. Both horses have such a good time (well, so do their owners). So together we decided to try the Quarry trail that I'd been dying to go on since hiking it a few weeks ago. The plan had been brewing for awhile, and I was excited, but then another rider told us the trail was blocked by a tree! Damn. Luckily they said three miles in. By starting in Auburn we would have already done seven miles, so if the tree was down, we'd still get a good ride in, with lots of elevation change.

I had new saddle inserts to try, really nice equipedic foam from Action Rider Tack. It doesn't solve the too-tight issue the saddle seem to be having, but unfortunately saddle-ftting seems to be just trial and error. Saddled up and ready to go, the staging area was filling up by the time we hit the trail.

Down, down, down to the river and No Hands bridge. My SO was also out trail running, much faster than we go downhill, and quickly passed us. Both horses were happy to be out, the mud was beginning to dry up, and we fit in good trotting and cantering in the flatter areas. And Major lost his first boot, front left. Luckily it stayed around Major's pastern, and I slipped it back on, the mud does a number on the velcro!

The bridge crossing is fine (I don't mind it, be wary if afraid of heights) but the road crossing is scary. The trail drops straight down onto the road, no space really to compose yourself or look both ways. Luckily my SO did stay around and acted as crossing guard. One car stopped, another guy almost hit him not paying attention, and we dashed across the highway.

But the Quarry trail was so fun! We cantered almost a mile along the first part of the flat trail, we don't have access to much trail like that, so it was great. Major was quick but not pulling, so we just kept going. You come to the long-abandoned quarry, and keep going. The trail starts going up and down and winding a bit more, but still car-wide. We waded across creeks and cantered up hills. Cantering up one hill Major took some funny steps, and his boot was flapping. I got down to fix it...and the other boot was gone! Arrggh! I love the boots, I really do, but I understand why people don't want to deal with it. I didn't want to backtrack, I figured we'd pick it up on the way back. One boot attached to the saddle, Major headed out barefoot. This part of the trail is mostly just packed red dirt, so very nice footing.

Then we came to the downed tree. And I pulled out my handy-dandy saw and chopped away. It only needed a few branches to be passable (to a good trail horse) so 10 minutes later we were on our way again, real trailblazers! There had been a directional sign, and Maine Bar sounded like a good stopping point. Best peanut butter sandwich EVER, and the grass was nice for the horses. Both horses were sweaty and gross, Major again thought it was a good idea to roll! No! Saddle came off (nice even sweat marks) and then he was distracted by grass and didn't roll...sigh..back on the saddle went, and off we headed for home.

And boot searching. I've lost enough to know they're pretty easy to notice. But we saw neither hide nor hair (nor orange plastic) of the damn thing. There were lots of people out, maybe someone thought they were being a good samaritan and picked it up. But didn't see it put anywhere, and I am very sad. (Luckily Mel from Boots and Saddles is helping me order a new one, and walk me through the fitting issues, and it may be ridiculous, but I made a lost poster to put up near the trail, hey, doesn't hurt!)

But Major seemed pretty undeterred. He preferred the side of the trail, though he does anyway. Didn't seem flinchy over rocks, and we traveled home no problem. Major likes to lead, Friday likes to follow, and though we switch it out so they don't get too entitled, the system works great. Lots more people out walking on the Quarry trail, plenty of room so we just kept trotting, people smiled as we went by. The highway was much easier to cross this direction, you can see both directions safely and have plenty of room.

"Black Hole of Calcutta" was a rushing waterfall

Again we crossed the bridge, and powered up the hill (mountain? more than 1000 feet of climbing). We crossed paths with another rider, who said his horse was out of shape....if that is out of shape, wow! Turns out he owns a local feed store, is a serious Tevis benefactor and does lots of trail work with a fancy trail machine. He mentioned as an aside that Tevis is allowing a completely barefoot horse for the first time ever. They are taking it very seriously, looking at the competitor's records, talking with vets, before approving anyone. Very interesting to see how that turns out.

Back at the staging area the horses were not happy to get hosed off, but were happy to gorge on the fresh grass. Major had even sweat marks, and his back was fine right after the ride, but I'll see how it is today. His feet, after 18 total miles and 13 barefoot miles of dirt, gravel and rock trail, looked fine, a couple chips (and he is due for a trim tomorrow). I'll check them later today too.

After trailering the horses home, I was hot and sweaty and tired, and Major and Friday jauntily pranced around the arena, looking great. A good roll in the sand and Major galloped back up the hill to the waiting leftover breakfast hay. A good fun day was had by all. And I'm still a pit of anxiety about saddle fit and boots and the upcoming ride. I know I said I was trying to get better about worrying...yes, getting better, but not that much better about it yet!