First, the (insert blasphomous saying here) blacksmith didn't
show up on Friday like he said. He didn't show on Saturday
either. And since my phone is out again, I couldn't make calls.
(My neighbors are not the kind who would lend me a phone call.)
So, I go to my endurance ride on Sunday. It's a gorgous day.
The ride management didn't have a farrier come. The stable
at the end of the road wasn't open, so I couldn't ask for help
there. When the two guys from Wyoming showed up, I asked if they
had tools. Luckily they did. The one guy tightened the shoes.
Vetted in just fine. Got an A+ for happy attitude on my horse.
Start of ride. Drake is pulling a bit. But I made sure we were
just behind the lead out rider (It was a controlled start rather
than a shot gun start so the horses were mostly calm.) Drake was
a bit too close and wouldn't stay back. Once we got past the control
point, I asked to take the lead. Since this was a one track trail
with meadow on both sides, it wasn't too hard. Then a couple of
people came up with me, and over took me. The others were 50 milers
Drake is still in the 25 mile rides.
Now the bad starts. Drake hated being behind. My arms were
inches longer by the end. He wouldn't slow down. He wouldn't stay
in a trot. He just wouldn't listen. After 2 miles, the trail went
up. 30 degree angle and single track only. The 2 riders with me,
let me take the lead. Drake settled down to a good trot then. For
another 2 miles the trail went up and up and up. Drake had pretty
much tired himself out in the first dash, so he began to slow down.
One of the others took the lead. He wanted to keep up, and pushed
himself, but at least had some manners now.
Then for a short distance we went down a steep, rocky, washed out,
trail. There were some real "shoe suckers" mud holes. Every one
stopped (we were now 4) for water at the bottom. We started out
together. Drake lead (because I didn't want to fight him) for most
of the way home. A bit more up, then long downs. One section was
particularly rocky so a slow walk was called for. At the bottom
we were in meadow again. Here the other horses started to pass
Drake again. He hated it. He wanted to run. About a mile from
the vet check I like to walk. The others didn't. There was no
way I was going to get Drake to walk when the others were leaving
him. One rider did stay slow. She said she didn't want to leave
me behind. I told her it wasn't her problem, she wasn't responsible
for my ride. At 1/4 mile, I gave up, got off and walked while
Drake did circles around me.
I came into the vet check about 2 minutes behind the front runners.
I passed critera before they did. But, Drake pulled a shoe somewhere
on the trail. So I pulled myself. There were a couple people who
offered to loan me an easy boot, but I figured with the mud so bad,
I'd probably loose that too.
Drake vetted out just fine. He had clipped himself, probably helping
to pull his shoe off. But it was a superficial nick.
I guess the good that came of this ride is that I know Drake can keep
pace with the 50 milers and come in to the vet check with a better
rate than them. He was also, over all, looking fine.
Next ride is in the fall (baby horse coming, and brother's wedding
are keeping me from the summer rides). It is an elevator ride.
I figure I'll start with the 25 and opt up to a 50 if Drake is doing
good. Now all I have to do is get him to listen and stay behind
if I say so.
-- Wendy\|/ /\ -O- /**\ /|\ /****\ /\ / \ /**\ Here there be dragons / /\ / \ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\/\/\ /\ / / \ / \ / \/\/ \/ \ /\/ \/\ /\ /\/ / / \/ \ / / \/ /\ \ / \ \ / \/ / / \/ \/ \ / \ \ / / \/ \/\ \ / \ / / \ __/__/_______/___/__\___\__________________________________________________
Wendy Milner HPDesk: wendy_milner@hp4000 Training Development Engineer HP-UX: wendy@fc.hp.com Mail Stop 46 Telnet: 229-2182 3404 E. Harmony Rd. AT&T: (970) 229-2182 Fort Collins, CO, 80525 FAX: (970) 229-4292