Prep Ride

["April Lee" <adlee@bigfoot.com>]

Hi,

Just wanted to share my pride in Apache.  My guy did so well this weekend.
Dee picked me up Saturday morning (Thanks, Dee!!) and we went to Pigeon Mtn.
We got to camp, tacked up, and started our ride around 11 am.  Went up and
down trails for 6 1/2 hours.  Pache did great!  He cooled out before we even
stopped for lunch and didn't have a problem afterwards; came into camp
completely cool and, as I recall, dry.  We only did 18 miles, obviously a
slow 18 miles compared to endurance speeds, but I was still proud of Apache.
He got some well-earned grain, hay and his first taste of beet pulp.

The temps were in the 60s Saturday, 29 at night, and 70s on Sunday.

Sunday morning, Dee and I took off right at 10 and did a faster ride.  5
hours and about 16-18 miles.  This time I had Pache saddled up and having
major problems with my saddle (went bareback on Saturday).  Finally, Dee and
I discovered my left stirrup was too short.  I lengthened it one hole and,
bingo, easier to trot.  I'm still a bareback rider and this saddle stuff is
annoying, but if it's better for him...I hate learning to ride in a saddle.
It's like I can't ride, and I know I can ride.

Pache seemed quite eager and willing to trot and/or canter as long as I
wanted him to.  Sunday he was better than Saturday.  He got his second wind
about 7 miles into the ride and never lost it.  10 miles later he was still
ready to go.  He drank several times (muddy puddles his fav!), ate when he
could.  I think he'll do just fine at LD rides.  (I'm reserving judgement
about 50s until I see how we do.)  He loaded and unloaded in Dee's trailer
pretty well and wasn't overly excited about all the activity and other
horses.  He was interested, but not obnoxious.  I was SO proud of him.  Such
a good trip for both of us.  I gotta get my own truck and trailer!!!  :)

---April
   Chattanooga, TN


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