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Re: [RC] Hard Guy-not the trail, ME! - Barbara McCrary

If anyone can stand another Banner story, read on. I have at least two fans who like to hear about this horse, but the rest of you just delete and go on.

Banners Flying came to me on June 30, 2002. I had not seen him, except for a homemade video, but I took a chance on him. He was suspicious, timid, SPOOKY, and it took nine months for him to look me straight in the eye. I won't go through all the details of what we went through together to form a solid bond, but now we have one. I LOVE this horse! and it's obvious from his behavior that he likes me, too. I've never had a horse that truly showed affection until Banner.

Recently, my husband Lud and I finished a 1-mile piece of trail we had been wanting to build for some time. It runs down a narrow ridge through the woods and the drop-off on the north side is VERY steep, hence we call it the "Deep Gulch" trail. That gulch is probably somewhat over 500' deep, probably even more, but I'm a poor judge of distance and elevation. When we came to the end of the ridge, the kind we call a hogsback ridge, as it drops off on both sides, we descended the ridge by cutting switchbacks. The trail is about two feet wide, with tight switchbacks. I told Lud I probably would never be able to ride it, as I have had a fear of falling all my life. And having a horse fall off a narrow trail has been a recurring nightmare, so to speak.

Yesterday, we went out riding.....gorgeous breezy day....and we took a friend along to show her the trail. Banner was in the lead, as he likes to be, even though he will spook at some thing that startles him....a log, a leaf fluttering, a patch of light, a rock. Somehow, yesterday, I went to the trail with a feeling of calm and confidence. I know the horse....he is steady as a rock in a tight situation. He may spook at silly things, but he's extremely intelligent, and I just knew he would take me down that trail safely.

So when Jeri said she was proud of herself for dealing with a difficult situation, I related to that. I rode all the way down the trail, negotiated some difficult little spots, and somehow my elation at having conquered a fear was almost an anti-climax, because I was so sure of the horse. People have been telling me for years, "Just relax and trust the horse." Well, I've ridden some horses that couldn't be trusted, so that approach never worked for me. Until Banner........ Actually, I've had a couple of other horses that were trail savvy, but they could be a little too pushy, too eager, wanting to go too fast or just being prancy out of frustration. Banner is as slow as I want him to be, and he is the one horse I've ever had that measures every step he takes over difficult terrain. He feels his way, one step at a time. He doesn't dodge mudholes or rocky sections, he just feels his way very carefully. I direct him mostly with my legs.

All this from a horse raised on the eastern Montana prairie. He has adapted very well to California mountains, creeks, mud, boulders. I have found that he is not afraid of bicycles, backpackers, or even motorcycles. I've been very fortunate with him so far....no lameness, no lost shoes, no mechanical problems. He doesn't tire, and in the two 50-milers I've ridden him, he arrives at a vet check with a 60 or below pulse.
I have my equine friend for a lifetime......Banners Flying. And his banners do fly.....his flaxen tail waves from his copper-penny body in the wind.


Barbara
(In a sentimental mood this morning)




----- Original Message ----- From: <DESERTRYDR1@xxxxxxx>
To: <paus@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 11:03 PM
Subject: Re: [RC] Hard Guy-not the trail, ME!


But me, I was pretty proud of myself, because I never lost my seat, never
even had to grab leather. Just had to brace against her neck with the reins to
get her head up. Wow, I'm a cowgirl! jeri



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Re: [RC] Hard Guy-not the trail, ME!, DESERTRYDR1