September 29 2007

Today was a busy day but the weather was gorgeous. The forecast called for 60% rain tomorrow, thwarting my plans of riding the 10 mi Kinnear loop with Dale and Kittee. I headed out to the barn and got there about 5 pm. I groomed and tacked up quickly and decided to ride up Cache Hollow. Kittee lent me her red vest so we would not be mistaken for large game. Sinwaan was slightly hesitant to go out alone but agreeable and we did a fair amount of trotting. About 3/4 of a mile he stopped and I listened and we could hear voices. A little while later a vehicle came down the mountain and was very courteous. I figured those were the voices we had heard, as when we went throught the 1 mile point I saw a cigarette butt on the ground that looked fresh. We went up almost 2 miles and then I spotted a hunter in the field above us (red coat) and decided that was far enough. We trotted most of the way home. The bushes along the roadside were changing colors and were flaming red, the scenery was brilliant and the air was fresh and crisp and cool.

After untacking, I looked closely at Sinwaan's hind fetlocks and could see just a slight nick with some blood on his left side. So he is still knocking himself a little but it is an improvement. I grained him and gave him a large carrot and some love.

Then Kittee helped me measure both Ollokot and Sinwaan for blankets. I had looked on the internet as to how to measure a horse for a blanket and it said from center of chest to level with point of tailhead on the hindquarters. Kittee said no, to center of tail. Well I took both measurements and should have written them down as my memory is so bad. I measured Ollokot about four times. He ranged from 65-69 depending on where I ended the tape at the hind end. Sinwaan looked to be about a 72. I went in the barn and pulled out Sinwaan's old blanket (the one I knew was too tight) and it had a tag that said 68" so we pulled Ollokot out of the pasture and decided to try it on him. I held his head and Kittee pretty much sacked him out. He was curious and very well behaved for all of this. The 68" was a little big but if he grows at all this winter it looks like it will fit him well. Unfortunately this particular blanket is more of a cooler so won't work at all in the rain. When we pulled up the straps under his girth area and mid-section he took no mind a'tall. That was good to see.

September 27 2007

Today I left work about 15 minutes early and got home and let the dogs out and was changed into my riding clothes by the time Matt got home with dinner. I went out to the barn and was able to get in a nice arena ride before the sun set. Not much to report, much the same as any arena day. I did not work on sidepassing today however. About four laps of walking, ten of trotting, and not in that order. We did both directions around, and worked on opening and closing the gate. Also did some walking, trotting and a brief canter in the pasture as the footing was a little damp.

September 26 2007

Meant to ride today but some things came up that Matt had to do so I stayed home and played with Levi instead.

Trail ride with Imaginn

Today was to be our first trail ride out with Imaginn, Lara's young mare. We had actually planned a trail ride last weekend but due to wind we canceled our plans. Lara was late picking me up and rolled her eyes and groaned "Don't ask!" Well I didn't have to, she told me all about her trouble loading Ima when I got in the truck.

It was a gorgeous day and a little cool. We loaded up Sinwaan and trailered them out to Bennington Lake. The horses were both well behaved for grooming and tacking up. It was looking like Ima would do just fine.

We first did the mid-lap around the lake, not wanting to encounter hunters on the farthest lap out. Everything went very well, Ima eager to go and setting a very brisk pace at the walk. Sinwaan would let her get ahead and then do a little trot to catch up. At one point we let them trot together and that was marvelous.

We did the shorter closer lap the second time around. Lara set Ima to a slow jog and Sinwaan was able to match her gait for a period. On both laps we encountered a dog but thankfully their owners were considerate and held them close. Sinwaan acted a little goofy with one lady, her dogs were obviously wet and maybe they smelled funny. Overall he set a pretty good example for the interesting things (like the bridge) but Ima didn't really need it, she did better than expected. No funny business.

When it came time to trailer them up to leave, Ima again gave Lara trouble. Finally I went around behind and lifted her hind foot and placed it in the trailer. Then I went around the other side and pushed on her so she would have to put weight on the trailer hind foot to balance and then at that point she finally did get in all the way.

I had a bit of a time constraint for riding today as my mom was coming to dinner and I wanted to be home about 4 pm. Otherwise I would have liked to ride all afternoon, it was just perfect weather and with it being a little cooler Sinwaan was eager to go too.

Now that fall is on its way I will be limited to two rides a week if I can plan that around work, daylight and weather, to keep him in shape for our 2008 Endurance Ride Schedule.

September 20 2007

Went for a short ride today at the barn. Did about 4 laps walking, 10 trotting and 2 cantering in the arena (not in that order, interspersed). Also practiced opening and closing the gate from horseback which proved to be a bit of a challenge but we emerged victorious! After the arena work I rode him back to the front pasture and did some more trotting, figure-8s and then called it a night. It still seems as though his last set of shoes are working out on the hinds.

I was gone from the house 2 hours so I guess I rode about an hour. The sun had set behind the mountain by 7 pm.

More Arena

Today I went out to the ranch and Sinwaan met me at the gate. I groomed him and tacked up and led him back to the arena. No trails for us today...it was very windy and it is also hunting season now so we are playing it safe. We did walking and trotting and then rode out into the large back pasture and did some sidepassing and cantering. I didn't ride all that long, I am still sore from Friday! :-o

When I was done with Sinwaan I turned my focus to Ollokot. I put him in the roundpen and worked with him and he did pretty well. Still some stuff to work out but he is stopping and turning into me now when I ask. After that I groomed him. I had him tied to the hitching post. I was brushing his tail and glanced up to see him trying to lower his head to snatch some grass. The lead wasn't long enough for that but he did bring his head up on the other side of it, so it was over his poll. He freaked out and pulled back and sideways and finally did get my slipknot lose. It was a little hairy for a second. Once he was free he just stood there all calm and then lowered his head to graze. Crazy horse. I tied him back up, even shorter this time, and picked out his feet, which he stood very quietly for.

Arena Work

Finally got to have a good ride again today (I can't believe how long its been!). Lara picked me up at 3:40 and we went out to get Sinwaan. We trailered to the Walla Walla Fairgrounds to ride in their warm up arena. This was Lara's first time taking her mare Imaginn out since she has been with the trainer (about 90 days). She did awesome. Sinwaan did great too. He was very curious about the miniature horse and whinnied a few times to all the other horses that he could see. We had the arena to ourselves for the first 30 min. Lara worked on warming up Ima with walking and turns and sidepassing so I did some of that with Sinwaan too. We were joined by three other ladies on horseback for a time, and we agreed that we each would use only half of the arena. Once they left we did some cantering. When done with the ride I was pleased to see that Sinwaan had not harmed himself in the hind without using the boots. Maybe that problem is solved now?! All told we figured we rode 90 minutes, I probably did half that in trotting. We also had some time to rest, and I made him back twice. It seemed a productive ride, gave Sinwaan some exercise for his body and mind.

Cribbing

Today I got a report from the land owners where Sinwaan lives. "Just a quick note to let you know that Sinwaan is bored and has started cribbing/ wind sucking on the gates. Please don't stop riding him, he misses YOU." I guess he really has had a lot of time off since our Endurance Ride. Perhaps TOO much time off. I shall now resume my weekly riding sessions.

Farrier

Tonight the farrier came out and tried to help me with Sinwaan's hind. He never knocked himself before and really hate having to use the boots on him all the time. He watched him move and then trimmed a little off the outside and reset his shoes so he would be slightly toed out, bringing his feet outward rather than inward. Time will tell if it has worked, I will know next time I put in a good ride on him. For now, I'm hopeful because there's not much else we can do at this point.

He also trimmed Ollokot, who was a very good boy.

Happy Birthday to my Grandma today!

First Bareback Ride on Sinwaan

Tonight I went out to the barn right after work, thinking I would get a decent ride in before I leave for the weekend for my little brother's wedding. (Sinwaan is due a much deserved vacation) Well the first thing I noticed is that all the vehicles were gone. Usually someone is home to come looking for me should I have trouble on the trail. I walked out to get the halter and noticed hay stacked up in the lower part of the barn, and the hay elevator was set up and appeared to have a broken chain. As I grabbed my halter I realized I had left Sinwaan's rear boots at home in the tub, where they have been drying the past three days.

Well now I wasn't quite sure what to do. So on a hunch I decided to round up Ollokot from the pasture and make him work in the round pen for me. He was easy to catch, as always. Once in the round pen things went easier than I anticipated. Last time I tried to get him to walk and trot for me he ignored me, gave me attitude, and then went over and rolled in the sand. I didn't want a repeat of that so I was more assertive this evening. It paid off and he did a fair amount of walking and trotting for me and halted when I asked. Progress!

By this time I noticed Sinwaan had come over closer to the gate and was grazing where he could keep one eye on me. So I put Ollokot back out and went to get Sinwaan. I took him up to the hitching post and brushed him and picked out his hooves and put on his fly spray. Then I grabbed my helmet and decided today would be a bareback day.

I led him to the round pen with just his halter and lead and scrambled up on him from the mounting block. I probably should have held off on the fly spray since it seemed to make him extra slippery. He was a good sport and waited until I was SURE I had found my seat. We did a lot of walking around and in the meantime I tried to find my balance. I started getting comfortable so asked for a slow jog. He did pretty well at that although every time he felt my weight shift the wrong direction he would slow down and wait for me to get it together. I think next time I decide to ride bareback I will take him out to the arena so we have a little more space to maneuver.

I was only out at the barn tonight about an hour but it was worth it.

Next Year's Endurance Ride Goals

I have taken a look over the list of endurance rides from this year and figured out how far away each of them are.

The four closest rides are;
Home On The Range in Othello, WA, end of March (2 hrs)
Milwaukee Road Rail Trail in Ellensburg, WA end of April (3 hours)
Renegade Rendezvous in Naches, WA first part of July (2 1/2 hours)
and the Lakeview Ranch in Odessa, WA the first of September (3 hours)

There are also a number of rides that are 4 hours away from us if we wanted to get really crazy. I would LOVE to go to another ride this year but it will really depend on finances.

After the Ride

Last night we went to check out the exhibits at the Fair and I just had to call my auntie Kim. She was excited to hear from me and anxious to hear how Sinwaan had done on the ride. When I told her he had scored all A's she said "Awesome, he CAN do it, now send him back!" HA HA. She was very proud and it was great to talk with her.

Today mother is in town so this morning we went out to groom horses. Mother got Ollokot and brought him in while I unloaded all the tack and misc stuff from my truck that I had taken to the ride. Then I went out and got Sinwaan. He was out in towards the back of his pasture but when he saw me coming he came at a brisk walk to meet me at the gate. That was sure a nice surprise. He seemed happy to see me. Awww...Led him up to the barn and started brushing, he appeared to be very clean still. I checked his feet and put on some hoof oil and gave him some apple flavored horse treats, which he just loved. He got a little spoiled today. Dale told me that the day after the ride in the pasture he was doing a lot of stretching, but today he was back to normal.

Ollokot had his one moment of pulling back which always makes me nervous but I tell him EASY in a calm low voice and he stops and was very well behaved from then on. Mother even applied his fly spray today and he gave her no trouble. I also put hoof oil on his feet after I picked them out.

Kittee came back in from a ride and said when she got up and saw Sinwaan in the pasture yesterday all she could see was the red on his rump and she was really worried so sent Dale out to check on him. They quickly realized it was just paint but did want to know exactly what was up with all his tattoos.

Now, Lara tells me I have to write about this on my blog. When we were camping at the Lakeview Ride they said to leave no-trace camping, pick up all manure and trash, etc. So I was running around shoveling up horse poop and putting it into the two black plastic bags that were on either side of the truck. Today Lara calls me and is very upset because she can't find her $80 riding pants or her team shirt, or her wet towels (we had each taken a sponge bath after the ride). I said well, where did you put them last? She said in a plastic bag. I said what color bag? She says black. I asked her how many black plastic bags she had around camp and she said just the two, one for her wet clothes and one for garbage. Uh oh. She thought we had left her clothes behind but I KNEW I had loaded two plastic bags into the back of the truck. I had also shoveled manure into both of the bags! So we dumped one of them out into my garbage can at home and sure enough out comes hay and poop and her missing stuff. EW!! She was relieved to not have lost her pants but her shirt (being white) was stained quite badly. She told me later it was a lost cause, so that is sad.

Ride Day

Well last night I could not sleep at all. At first I attributed it to nerves and excitement but it soon became clear to me that I was cold, very cold. We do not have sleeping bags, the air mattress was deflating and my blankets, even the extra ones we had brought were just not doing the job. Levi had been asleep and bundled up when I went to bed but he woke up at some point (I had no concept of time all weekend, no watch other than Lara) and climbed into bed with me. I did my best to keep him warm but he hates the covers over his head and the only way I could stay warm at all was by tucking the blankets under my feet and along the sides and over my head. Levi went back to sleep pretty soon but he was also restless, and worrying about him kept me awake. At one point I heard thundering hooves that sounded awful close to my head and I thought it was my imagination, maybe I had finally fallen asleep and was dreaming (?) until I heard a woman yell "LOOSE HORSES! LOOSE HORSES!" Yikes! Lara told me later they had been very close to our tent, running all around and finally were caught. We were curious as to what system they had been contained in.

So then finally after a VERY LONG and sleepless night, I heard Lara's alarm go off about 5:30 am. I fed Levi and got up and partially dressed (I have never been so glad to put on jodpurs) but left my sweatshirt on as it was still pretty cold. I went down and used the bathroom, came back and brushed my (chattering) teeth and ate breakfast (choked down a little granola). I put on my team shirt with a fuzzy jacket over top. At 6 am the 75 milers rode by our camp on the gravel road and I ran to get my camera. I am embarrased to admit this but I started tearing up. I was so overcome with emotion and so blown away that I had finally made it. Not even on the ride yet but already teary. [This photo is of David LeBlanc who placed first (his first 1st)]. Lara let me know when it was time to go get the horses. We brought them up with their hay bags and got them some fresh water and they looked pretty good, aside from the fact they had rubbed on each other and messed up some of the grease paint. One of Sinwaan's "#1's" was missing and Rocker had blue all down her leg and on her head.

We got our horses saddled up, heart rate monitors in place, saddlebags checked and water bottles filled. Oh the anticipation! The excitement! The nerves!! I had to visit the bathroom again. By this time the 50 milers are going by but I can't watch them because I am too busy getting ready, their start time was only 30 min before ours. (Later we saw a photo the Pro Photographer had taken of a young stallion rearing up and twisting in the air. His rider barely had her foot in the stirrup but was managing to stay on) WOW. It was neat seeing them all go past us. Some were trotting, some walking, some single and some in pairs or groups. A select few were cantering or giving their riders some trouble.

By the time we got all ready to head to the start (also the vet check area) we noticed some of the 25 milers starting out. We were late. Half way to the start I realized (to my horror) that I had forgotten to put Sinwaan's boots on. DANGIT! We had to turn around and go back to the trailer to get them. Rocker was making Lara nervous, she could sense how on edge she was, I guess we people weren't the only ones amped up. We made it down to the start just as the last people were heading out. I dismounted and quickly put on his boots. I think it was Dory who held my horse for me and Patty in pink held up a front foot so he couldn't give me trouble with the hinds. I got them on in record time. Someone asked me "Have you ridden in those boots before?" Silly me, I thought she was asking about MY boots (sneakers). I said "I ride in these all the time!" and they said "NO, the HORSE'S BOOTS." "Oh yes, him, a few times, he will be fine." After a few token funny steps for laughs, he settled in and they had us pose for the Photographer to record the event, the start of our first ride. Off we went!


If memory serves (and it usually doesn't) we walked up the gravel road, past camp, and to the first left turn at the crest. We wanted to give the others a chance to get a good lead on us so Rocker would settle down. She wanted to catch up to everyone. We had two people pass us so I guess we really weren't the last ones out after all. The 10 mile trail was marked with orange and white ribbons. We did a double track easy trail (occasional rock) with a little trotting and we did pass one person. A woman on a grey had dismounted to walk her horse since it was misbehaving. The trail took us to a "neck" with 2-way horse traffic, which went out to a loop. At the intersection of the loop and the neck there was our first water stop. Drinking water only, no sponging. Just as we reached the water, we saw a whole stream of people coming in that had already completed the loop. It was a bit of a mad stuggle for order as far as who should drink when but we did get our turn and Sinwaan was just about to drink when the horse next to him started playing with the pump and then the other horse crowded in and gave him a little attitude so we just backed off and went on our way to start the loop. It was a really nice mostly easy trail and in hindsight we wished we could have moved out more on that one to make up some time. There was one part that was steep with loose rock and it wasn't very long but we dismounted to walk them down anyway. We saw some lakes and I took a photo of one of them. There was a lot of sagebrush and it was really wild scenery, like nothing I have ever seen before. When you would rub up against them you could smell a quick wiff and it was wonderful. We did our loop and this time no one was at the water so Sinwaan had a nice drink.

You could not have asked for nicer weather. It was a PERFECT day. It had warmed up just enough before the start for us to remove our jackets and go out with our team shirts uncovered.

At one point we caught up to a woman named Janelle on a bay Arab who was just beautiful, (in excellent shape for his 24 years) from Pasco.



When we got to what must have been the 8 mi point there was the photographer. She sure took me by surprise, we thought there would have been a sign but we got there before she expected us. After that we missed our turn and wound up back in camp on the wrong road. We backtracked to the last orange/white ribbon we had seen and could see no where to turn from that point. Sinwaan had himself a long pee break and then we cantered back into camp. Lara yelled for someone to help us figure out what the heck was going on. Patty RM came over and explained to us we need to look for THREE ribbons for the turn, and 2 lines of lime on the ground (do not cross the lines!) for a [now left] hand turn. We backtracked AGAIN, with Janelle leading. We had a nice lope then and we finally did find our turn. Janelle had a GPS watch and told us we had gone an extra 3 miles by taking that wrong path twice. That was very frusterating. Lara was freaking out because both water stops had been "no sponging" stops, her heart rate monitor was on the fritz and she was very worried about her mare, who still refused to drink. Poor girl was also suffering from monthly hormones and a bad night on a deflating mattress as well and was in physical pain. At one point (early on) she was so upset I started crying. She was a bit of an emotional wreck out there on the first 10 miles. Somehow we made it, we found our way and pulled back into camp with Janelle.

We walked in at 10:07 and Sinwaan pulsed down to 36 immediately. I led him to the water and he sucked it right down. I sponged him, untacked and took him over to present him for the vets. I should have been paying more attention to Lara & Rocker, because when Sinwaan walked away she got excited and it took her longer to pulse down, but she did it, with an out time just 5 minutes behind ours. Sinwaan again scored all A's on his card (a second pulse of 40 after his trot-out with A- in Tenting and Impulsion). Rocker did well also and scored an A- on Tenting. Lara was fretting because her mare STILL wasn't drinking any water and she was worried that she wouldn't and was unsure if she should continue on with her. 13 miles is one thing, adding another 15 to that with no water is not a risk she wanted to take. (This horse is a loaner). Lara was in a very bad way physically and mentally and I was worried about both of them.



We led the horses up to camp and put water and food in front of them and went to the tent to feed ourselves. Sinwaan ate some hay and took a nap. I think at this point Rocker ate a few apple pieces. Lara went and sat in her tent for awhile and I went and ate another hotdog. I wasn't that hungry still, it was only about 10:30 am. I had forgotten sunscreen and meant to do that but still never got around to it. The 50 minute hold time went by in the blink of an eye. Initially we were thinking that would be way too long but for us this time around it was just right. By the time we walked from the vet area to camp, ate and walked the horses back down and tacked them back up we had used more than the 50 min. Lara took some pills and decided to continue on. Walking on the way back to the vet station, Rocker pulled Lara over to a water tub. She drank and drank and we were both so relieved! The mare WOULD take care of herself. (Phew!) We tacked up and headed out, I don't remember the time but it was after 11 am.

The 15 miles was even better than the 10 (er, 13 lol). Lara's pain pills had kicked in so she was in a better frame of mind, she didn't have the stress of her mare not drinking water, and had decided to just turn the HR monitor off since it wasn't accurate anyway. We had a lovely ride together on the 15. The first little nub was easy going and we trotted most of it.

It was, however, a very technical trail. We had the impression from the flier for the ride that it would be an easy flat ride with good footing. A lot of the trail did have very good footing but there were a number of places that I never would have ridden by choice on my own. Lots of rocky sections that we had to walk through, sage brush areas that had tight little twisty trails we also had to walk through and a few steep inclines with a lot of rock where we had to get off and walk the horses down. The rock was smooth and in some places sharp and we worried about the horses slipping or losing a shoe but we made it through ok. A few of the places I took one look at and said "You have got to be kidding me! We have to go down THAT?!" But, it was fun, it was very challenging, and it gave us a real taste of what the word technical means!

In the sage brush Sinwaan would walk right over the top or rub up against many of them, I think by then he was getting itchy. One time trotting up a hill Rocker got too close and I felt his rump come up and he landed a good thump of a kick on her chest. That was a little unexpected and scary. I was glad Rocker took it and not Lara. Not long after that he started hopping around and kicking his feet out and I got off and took off his boots and shook them out and checked his legs, I think he was getting itchy under there as well. I ended up having to do that three times on the 15 mile ride. I sure hope Matt (farrier) can help me get his feet balanced again soon so I don't have to use the boots, they did their job but sure took a beating. I think Sinwaan would prefer not to have to wear them also.

This time there was a water stop or two with no sponging but a mile later there was a box spring where we could sponge so we took advantage of that. The water stops were well spaced, Sinwaan drank at most of them. The trail was well marked and we paid more attention this time looking for turns and ribbons. We trotted a lot coming up the last hill towards the water stop. I was keeping an eye on Sinwaan's HR and it was pretty stable at 120-130s. The last 2 miles into town were on the gravel road. Lara was in pain again and didn't want to trot but after the horses had a good cool-down walk we let them have a nice hand-gallop. Rocker could see camp and wanted to race in but Sinwaan is really good about pacing himself and I had to push him a little to keep up at the canter.

We walked the last mile in and crossing the finish line I started tearing up again! I could have cried, I was so happy and proud of my horse. It was really neat because everyone at the vet check cheered for us and Patty said "I am sure glad to see you girls!" I called for "PULSE!" as soon as his HR hit 60. He pulsed down to 60 at 2:32. Two minutes over time!! GROAN! Rocker took a little longer again but she pulsed down six minutes over time. Sigh. I could have cried. Not because we were two minutes late, but because we actually made it. And could have made it with plenty of time to spare without that 3 mile mistake we made early on. In this situation your mind just starts racing over all the things you could have saved time on. If only...

We went over to complete our last vet check and Sinwaan scored one B on Gut Sounds. An A- on Cap. Refill, Skin Tenting, Muscle Tone, Impulsion and Overall Impression. He scored an A on Muc. Membrane, Jugular Refill, Anal Tone, Back/Withers, Gait and Attitude. Yeah!

I had such a super ride, I wish it could have been a little better (less painful and stressful) for Lara though. I am extremely proud of my horse, he really knows how to take care of himself by drinking and pacing himself. He was so well mannered out there the whole time, he doesn't give me trouble when he sees a horse out ahead of him.

After our completion we took the horses back up to the trailer. Sinwaan just took a nap. We discussed leaving early (tonight instead of tomorrow) and Levi finally fell asleep on Matt's chest for his nap so Lara and I walked down to the vet area to get some food. Our entry to the ride provided us with a nice meal at the end put on by some 4-H'ers. They had garden burgers for us and we were able to set up our buns with all the trimmings, we also had chips and a brownie included in our meal. It never tasted so good! Lemonade came with the meal but I would rather just have water, so I bought some green tea and water and gave them a little donation. When Lara and I were done eating we found the photographer and she was printing out photos already in her camper. We sat and visited with her for awhile and then got some prints of what she had taken of us. I went back out to get Matt's burger for him so it would be hot and walked that back to camp. He wanted to know what had taken so long, he said we were gone for 2 hours. He had gotten a lot of stuff packed up already. The horses were still taking a nap and I was glad to see them resting up before the trip home.

We got packed and loaded up and headed out just about 8 pm. Lara and I were both a little sad about missing the awards meeting, but if we stayed we would have been too late getting home. As it was we didn't get Rocker home until about 12:30 am, Sinwaan in his pasture a little after 1 am and Matt and I to bed about 2 am.

Thank you to my wonderful husband for driving and taking all the awesome photos of our experience. I was so impressed that he did it all with a manual focus lens while managing our son. Thanks to Lara for taking us all to the ride and for being a good riding partner (such a trooper!). I have to thank Patty Peck for managing this ride, we will definately return next year if it is offered again. I thought it was really well run and well marked. The vets were all wonderful and the other riders we had contact with were very friendly and oh so helpful and excited for us newbies. It was a FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE, and I learned more than I ever imagined was possible. We are definately hooked and looking forward to the next ride!

Happy Trails!