As one who, just 4 years ago, participated with my daughter in a 2-day
unguided trek across a part of the south-central part of France, I can support
many of the concerns stated by a number of posters.
We are seasoned trail competitors (NATRC) and only wanted a trip, at our
leisure, along some of the thousands and thousands of miles of "trail" in
France. My daughter is fluent in French (I speak NONE), but she can be a
bit......ADD. And on this day when she was receiving instructions on the
map, which ended some miles from our overnight destination, she didn't listen
closely enough to the name of the Geit (B and B) nor the town.
The trails exist clearly on the map, but they ARE NOT well marked, and are
criss-crossed by hundreds of non-trail 2-track roads (lanes). One had to
guess over and over if we were going the right direction and on too many
occasions, we were not.
Our 20km ride the first day, ended up being near 35 km. Our horses
were rigged with saddles which were too narrow (and uncomfortable) and we were
only carrying enough supplies for the number of hours we were to be out.
Long story very, very short........the horses were in pain, we were lost
and our supplies were gone by the time we finally found our way to the intended
location.........and it was nearly dark AND we completed most of the ride at a
brisk walk, slow jog, trying to minimize any distress for the horses.
As a P.S. we were able to secure a better fitting saddle for one horse for
the return trip AND shortened our return, to minimize added stress on the
horses, but it was still 20 - 25 km.
My point here is to say that EVEN IF one thinks they have covered most
bases, crap happens and often it is the horse which pays the price.
Karen Everhart MEd Co-founder and Executive
Director Rainbow Meadows Rescue and Retirement, Inc. Serving the equine
companions who have so loyally served us... www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com 620-725-3402
Owner/Operator Horse Calls - Equine Management
Solutions Centered Riding Instructor Distance Horse Conditioning and
Training www.horsecalls.com 316-648-5082
