Anticipation

Friday morning I took the day off work and tried to make sure all our stuff was packed and ready to go. I went out to the barn about 9 am. I got Sinwaan out of the pasture and wet him down, shampooed him and put a horse whitener on his tail. Once done with his bath, I scraped off the excess water and then went to work on his tail. (In the meantime he ate his hay). It had started forming mini dreadlocks so I got it thoroughly combed out and that took me about half an hour but then it looked spectacular. I also did his mane and spritzed him with Show Shine so he would be handsome for all the mares. I picked out his feet and put on some hoof oil, applied fly spray and got my tack in order. I took an extra bridle, spare reins and stirrups, and my box of grooming supplies. Lara was to pick me up at 11 but she was a little late so I handwalked him and let him graze.

I had taken my rainbow halter home to wash it so it would be nice and clean for the ride. I forgot to bring it back out with me to the barn so I used Dee's old rope halter. When Lara pulled in we loaded him up in the back as she already had Rocker loaded. He is getting better about loading now, or maybe he just prefers the rear section in her slant. She had gotten some neat little hay mangers and they were all in place and ready to go with misted hay. I got my stuff loaded and did a mental and visual check to be sure I had everything.

Then we drove on down towards town and I had to put gas in my truck, Lara made a stop at the feedstore, and then we switched trucks so I could park the trailer at the house to finish loading while she ran more errands. Matt wasn't home yet so I loaded up as much as I could and then once he got home I took a shower. We had SO MUCH stuff! Tent stuff and baby stuff and horse stuff (extra halter, lead, two extra saddle pads) in addition to the people stuff and food. I knew I must have forgotten something but couldn't figure what it might be.

We were quite the little traveling band, with 2 horses, a Pointer and mini-Daschund, my husband Matt, son Levi (13 mo), Lara and I. We aimed to leave town at noon but we were just a little behind schedule.

We made it to Odessa with no problem but once there the directions I had from expedia were no good. They had us turn onto Division and then from there onto May, only there was no May. We finally just stopped at a grocery store and they told us we just had to stay on Hwy 21 up the hill and it would be there about 4 mi up. We could not wait to get there. Lara was getting a little carsick, the drive up was not on a major highway so it was slow going around curvy roads.

The first turn we saw for Lakeview Ranch had a big gooseneck trailer pulling out. Matt pulled in and the driver told us it was the wrong turn for the endurance ride so Matt had to back out into the road. He did a great job and thankfully there was no other traffic at the moment. So we drove on to the second turn for Lakeview. From there it was marked really well. And in all fairness, the first turn did have a neon arrow pointing straight ahead (as in, stay on the main road) but we were just confused. (A precursor perhaps?) LOL

A couple of miles in we crested a hill and below could see the whole ride camp. (about 5 pm) WOW! What a neat sight! My first ride camp! This photo shows it from the other direction, look to the top center of this photo at the gravel road we came in on. This photo was taken from the perspective of the vetting area. It was a little bit of a hike from our camp to the vetting area because we were parked in the farthest possible area from the RM and vet station. We wanted some privacy for our tents. We are just behind the last trailers you see to the left of that last porta-potty.

We got camp set up as quick as possible and once everyone was settled in I walked around and asked everyone where the ride manager was. They all pointed me towards the trees (the only real trees in the area). I first met Dory and she walked me into vet check and introduced me to Patty who wears pink, who then helped me find the Ride Manager, also named Patty. It was pretty amusing, when I would introduce myself they would ask Shana, as in Shana Bobbitt from the internet? I had pre-entered so I was able to pick up my packet right then and I was horse #1! That has to be good luck! They told me to bring my horse back down to get him vetted in. They also showed me the corral available to us that I had rented. It was huge, with high wood panel sides. It would be great for our two horses overnight.

I went back to camp and told Lara and she walked down with me with the horses. I held Rocker while she got registered and she was number 31. For awhile we thought she would be the last one in the 25 mi distance but later on we saw a 34 horse so some other people must have come in pretty late. Once the people working the check-in found out it was our first ride they gave us special treatment by drawing on our horses with the grease stick. First Dory wrote a #1 on each side of Sinwaan, and then she wrote "WON" across the top of his rump and then she came back with a blue stick later and drew smiley faces on his shoulders and arrows down his butt. One gal asked me what that was supposed to mean ("This end up?") but I had no idea. At first I was a little upset that they were greasing up my horse but quickly adjusted my atitude, after all you only have your first ride once and this must be part of the experience, like initiation or something. Lara's horse got a heart on each shoulder but hers was all in blue to match her tack. After all that they started looking like Indian ponies.



So then it was time to vet in. We had our little vet cards from our ride packet and they took the horses' pulse, checked respiration, gut sounds, capilary refill and a bunch of other stuff. Then we had to do a trot out for the vet. Sinwaan did awesome, he gave me no hesitation or trouble at all. When I got my card back I was thrilled to see he had ALL A's! Rocker did almost as well, scoring a B only on gut sounds. Lara had been warned that this mare doesn't like to drink water away from her trailer so that was a concern going into it. With Rocker when they pulled the skin on her neck out it tented and didn't go down. Another vet came over and said the neck is not always a very accurate place to check a horse for hydration. He checked her on the shoulder and while it did tent, it came down. She got an A- on skin tenting.

Matt was around the whole time with Levi in a stroller so he could get some nice shots of us with the horses vetting in. He got this beautiful shot of Sinwaan doing his trot back to the vet.



Once we were both checked in with our horses numbered, and vetted through, we were ready to go! Photo op!!

Well after that we walked the horses back up to the trailer. We have a tie-high system on Lara's trailer for them so they have a little more room to walk around while tied and we set them up with their water buckets and hay bags. Sinwaan did not seem to want to drink from his bucket but when I took it off the clip and lowered it and held it, he sucked some right down. Rocker was also eating and drinking, so far so good.

We went back down for the "novice/newbie" meeting at 7:30 pm. I had barely enough time to throw two hotdogs in some buns and take them down with me for dinner. Matt stayed back in camp with Levi this time. Lara and I sat at a picnic table and waited for the meeting to begin. The real riders meeting was to start at 8 pm but this early session was for us greenies who needed a little extra Q/A time. All the vets were there at another table eating their bbq dinner and reminiscing about past rides and situations that had come up. They started the meeting and it seemed like maybe there were only two other ladies who were new riders. The vets/Patty/Dory (I think) explained a lot of things about rides in general, and then we all had a number of questions that got answered pretty well. After this people started showing up and bringing their chairs and settling in for the regular meeting. I forgot to bring any kind of chair but luckily Patty had two extra ones that no one was using so Lara and I got off the picnic bench and reclined.

They started out by talking about the trails, the 75 milers (there were 9 of them) trail order and things to watch out for. Their first loop was 25 mi and went clear into town with one out vet check. Then they talked about the 50 milers (32 of them), their trail order and ride time for everyone. Apparently they changed some things, like start time. We had thought 25 milers would start at 8:30. Well looking at our packet earlier I had noticed the ride time was 7:30 am. UGH! The 25 milers would be doing the 10 mile trail first, then come in, pulse down/vet check and do a 50 minute hold. Then we would go back out for our 15 mi ride. At the time of the ride meeting there were 31 people doing the 25 mile ride. It was a very informative meeting. I couldn't believe I was really there.

By the end of the meeting darkness had fallen so we went back to camp and got the horses and hay bags and brought them down to the corral for the night. I put a blanket on Sinwaan but Lara came around and started laughing because it was too small for him. Even with some adjustments it was still pretty tight. Darn! Should have checked that before we left. I decided not to keep it on him overnight since the corrals were a distance from our camp and I didn't want him uncomfortable or restricted in any way before his big day. The horses settled in quickly and seemed glad for the space and for each other.

We made the trek back to camp and went to bed. Levi was already asleep so I got changed, made up my bed and tried to fall asleep.

August 28 2007

Tonight I went out to the barn to gather up saddle pads that need washing before the big day, but I also brought Sinwaan in and let him munch on his alfalfa/grass blend hay while grooming him. We have been easing him into the hay diet so he will be able to handle the change over the weekend at the ride, where there is no pasture. Once he was "clean enough" (ie, he could really use a bath but that happens Friday morning) I led him out to the pasture and Matt got some side shot photos for me so I could use them as a reference to learn conformation. I put some fly spray on him and turned him back out to pasture. He took off running as fast as he could go across the pasture, through the gate, and to the other end of the second pasture where the other geldings were. I was worried he would slip and fall with all the wet grass (the water guns were on) but he did just fine and it was really a sight to behold.

I also finally connected with my farrier and we talked about some things and decided I will use my boots at the ride and once I get back I will make an appointment with him to come out and try to fix the problem. By then Ollokot will be due for a trim again anyway.

We leave Friday morning! Probably no more posts from me until we return from THE RIDE. :)

Harris Park/South Fork

Tonight Lara picked me up about 5:30 pm at the barn. We loaded Sinwaan up with hardly any fuss at all into the back section of the trailer, as Rocker was already in the front slot. We drove up to Harris Park/South Fork which took quite awhile with all the windy roads and section of gravel road.

We found a place to park, brushed the horses and tacked up. I put Sinwaan's boots on him again and after a couple of funny steps he was fine. This was to be an easy walking ride as the footing was very rocky and there were many water crossings. I had never forded a river before and tonight we crossed it 8-10 times. I lost count after four! In the water we could see LARGE fish, the Chinook were spawning and many of them were black and some were dead (which seemed to really get to Rocker after awhile, Sinwaan I don't think ever even noticed them). The trail was double track winding back and forth across the river with little single track offshoot trails.

We took one of the little offshoot trails and came to a LARGE downed tree across the trail. We dismounted and led the horses over it and Sinwaan did a funny little jump to clear it. Then the trail wrapped around and we never did have to go back over it the other way.

Very soon into our ride I heard the buzz of a dirt bike motor. I was in front so I held up my hand and tried to be as visible as possible. Thankfully this part of the trail was wide with good visibility (some parts are so thick with brush on the sides there are blind corners). The biker slid around to a stop and said "Oh hey, how are you!?" I said, do I know you? I could not ID the person with the large full helmet and goggles. The rider removed his goggles and then I could see it was Miles. He was with another rider and they went on their way. It made us aware of the possibility of more riders.

The horses were full of themselves tonight and Sinwaan was eager to trot. I held him back most of the time due to the footing. He did awesome with the river crossings. I was not sure what to expect but he gave me no trouble at all. About half way into our ride, he started kicking out his foot and shaking it and Lara noticed his boot was twisted. I dismounted and fixed it, and checked the other one but after another river crossing it was obvious they were not going to stay put any longer. I took them off and managed to stuff them into my saddlebags. They are fairly large, I was surprised that they fit. I rolled them up real tight and folded them over and that worked. After about five water crossings I started smelling an odor and realized it was the fishy water that had hitchhiked with us in my shoes. Sinwaan kicked up enough water to soak them and they were starting to get cold too!

Towards the end of our ride out there was a section of crazy deep smooth rocks. It was like a dry riverbed. That led us to a river crossing that looked too dangerous for us to attempt this evening. So we turned around and headed back then. I gave the camera to Lara so she could get a picture of us in the water and she doesn't know if it will turn out, she thinks she cut off my head. We took a number of photos tonight, I can't wait to post them.

On the way back we decided to take one of the narrow winding single-track trails, as it looked less rocky. Turns out it was less rocky but it also had drop-offs. There was one part, the view above was so magnificent, I wanted a photo of Sinwaan and I with the mountain in the background. Lara told us to go up on the knoll in the trail for a better angle. So we did and climbing up there was like a mini Cougar Rock. Well then Sinwaan's butt is to the camera and she wanted me to angle him more into the hill. So I did and his rear foot slipped a little on the edge but it was ok. He got turned around and then I think Rocker tried to walk off or something, anyway Lara didn't get the photo. So then somehow we got turned around again, I don't even remember how and started down the trail. The ledge there at that knoll was making me nervous so I went farther down the trail to turn around again to face the camera. Coming back to the knoll, Sinwaan started walking ON the edge of the ledge and lost his footing (it was soft dirt) and started slipping down! I have never been so scared in all my life (except the time[s] Dee would run away with me) I was yelling for him to get back up on the trail and I could feel him slipping and scrambling below me. I was really close to bailing off of him when he made it back on the safe part. WOWIE! Lara wished she had taken a photo of my horror-stricken face. :-P Sinwaan was a little more careful about where he put his feet after that. We did finally get our photo.

The sun was setting and we knew we didn't have much time left to get back to the trailer before dark. When we got to the end of our single-track offshoot trail we again heard the buzz of motorbikes. We waited where we were since we were off their trail and they went on by. There were three of them and we thought that was the last of them. We started down the double track main trail and heard some more coming up behind us. Sinwaan does great with them if he can see them but he doesn't like them behind him. We turned around and faced them and this guy turned off his motor and waited for us to get out of his way. He thought he was the last one but turns out there was another behind him. Rocker was starting to get really tense and bothered. Lara said we needed to get the heck out of there so we went back across the river again.

At one point there was a little no-hands bridge and I didn't know if Sinwaan would do it but he followed Rocker right over with no hesitation. Shortly after we realized it was a wet, steep and potentially dangerous trail so we turned back again. There are all kinds of options for riding around out there on trails, if you don't want to cross the river at all you don't have to, but then you are stuck with the bike trails which would be really troublesome if a biker came around a corner and ran into your horse.

In the thick parts it was really getting dark and COLD, it was a beautiful day to begin with, and now that it was dusk it was really cool next to the river, and with my feet soaked I was chilly and so glad I remembered my jacket. On our last stretch Sinwaan was getting spooky and jumping at noises in the bushes. We let them trot a little bit on the smooth parts of the trail to get back faster but they were short-lived and we were hesitant to let them go with how jumpy they were then.

We made it back safe to the truck and untacked as fast as we could and loaded them up just before darkness fell. It was perfect timing. It was a great ride full of new experiences and challenges and memorable moments. :)

Less than a week now until the Lakeview Ride!!!

Hard Ride

Today Lara came to the house at 2:45 to pick me up with the horse trailer. On the way to the barn we stopped at Triangle L Tack Shop and happy day they had some Slide-Tec Skid Boots for about $10 less than the online price I found, plus I didn't have to pay tax since it is in OR and also saved myself shipping. I was thrilled. The only downside is the only color they had was black, I wanted red, but I will take what I can get at this point to protect my horse!

We were running a little behind on time for our appointment with Tom Groff the Brand Inspector so we just loaded up our tack and Sinwaan in the trailer and went straight away over there. Lara brushed him for me while I helped with some paperwork on his Lifetime ID Card. Then Tom took a few photos of him. Lara helped me set him up square and I think Tom got one photo of him looking straight ahead but then he wanted one of Sinwaan looking at the camera, so then Sinwaan had moved his feet and looked totally goofy for the other photos. I don't know which one he will end up using but he sends it all in and then the state will send me a little id card that looks like a drivers license for a horse. In the meantime I have copies of the paperwork that is good for 60 days.

We got back on the highway towards the Lake about 4:45. We arrived at Bob and Sue's about 5 pm or a little after and Lara brought Rocker in from the pasture.

Lara thought I should learn some stretches for the horse as she has been doing them every time and thinks we should do it before our LD ride next weekend. I need to learn them sooner since later is no longer an option. So we did that and that took some time. I took a photo of Lara stretching out Sinwaan's hind, she says he is very flexible back there. (Also because it shows him on the tie-hi and this is his first time) Then I got tacked up but had to switch out saddle pads (back to the white one) and saddlebags (back to the front one) and put on the HR monitor. More time.

Then I put some more Corona on Sinwaan's heels before putting on his new black boots. He stood very well for all of this. I put on my helmet and his bridle and started to lead him away from the trailer. He balked and stood on three legs. It was quite comical. He would take one step and then hold his rear leg up high and away from him. I took a photo of that too but these were on my throwaway camera so it will still be a while before they are developed. Lara said I had better lounge him before getting on to give him a chance to get used to the boots. He was acting so weird we didn't want him to buck or anything when I got on (although I really doubted he would go to that extreme). So I took him in the round pen there and lounged him. At first he wasn't even keen on walking but soon he was moving out and doing really pretty well other than a funny little gait in the rear. Then I asked for the trot and he obliged, going into a smoother gait in the hind. He seemed to be getting used to them pretty quick so I took him out and mounted up.

As we rode down the driveway Lara realized Flint (the dog) was loose. We have to tie him up before we leave otherwise he will try to follow and then end up wandering in the road. Lara dismounted and went to catch him in the horse pasture. She had to let go to fumble with the gate, and in the meantime he took off over into the other horse pasture. So then she had to go over there and catch him. This time she was able to tie him up in his designated spot, at the hitching post in the shade under a sign that says "Rangerfarthen." Well there are some other words on the sign but I can't remember them right now. It is a funny psudeo-German sign.

Now we're finally off, right! Not quite. Lara was following and noticed the boots had slipped. We had taken them off and shook them out after lounging him since the round pen has a lot of sand. We didn't want the sand to irritate him on our ride. She dismounted AGAIN and tightened them up for me. What a friend! I crossed the road and Rocker was acting up a little. We determined she was just being a mare and our ride officially began about 6:07 pm.

Our goal for today was to do 10 miles - each lap around the lake if you take the longest way is 2 1/2 miles. We aimed to do each lap in 30 minutes or less. We started our first lap at a slow jog. Well Rocker did a slow jog and Sinwaan tried very hard but gained on her quickly and then would drop to a walk. A few times I was able to get him to jog a few paces before breaking stride. This is something we definately will work on since it works different muscles in the horse and gives the rider a chance to ride without posting at something faster than a walk. When we reached the crest of the hill we stepped it up a little to a working trot, slowing to a walk for downhills since Sinwaan was dragging his feet on those. We were at the rear most of the ride, Sinwaan seemed to be moving a little slower at the trot than usual with his new boots.

If memory serves, we made it around the first lap in our goal time and Rocker went right into the Lake, that mare loves the water. Sinwaan got his front feet in this time and put his head down and put his lip in the water but I don't think he drank. I had to dismount to sponge him since my string isn't quite long enough to throw it in from the bank. He seemed to like that. Mounted up and off we went for round two.

I don't remember much from lap two, which means it must have been uneventful. I think perhaps trotting the hills raised Sinwaan's HR so we let them walk for five minutes. I think we ended up coming in 5 min over this time. There was a group of people standing down at the boat ramp this time, it was amusing, it looked like they all had nametags and half of them were Asian. They seemed touisty but of college student age. They asked about our horses, and what we were doing, etc. Lara did a good job of answering their questions.

The third lap the sun was setting and the air was getting cool. We were able to really move them out this time. Sinwaan took the lead for a little while and set a pace (trotting) that Rocker had to canter to catch up to. I saw a number of deer out in the harvested fields that surround the trails and the Lake. Sinwaan saw them too. At one point I saw four on a knoll and was able to get a picture of the deer and Lara, looking off the wrong direction for them. For the most part on this lap Sinwaan had a nice pace of trotting and some cantering staying right about 118 on the HR.

Coming around one bend there was a triple track trail, where a vehicle has made two ruts and people have also walked or ridden down the center making a third, higher trail. We were in the center and Sinwaan was trying to move down to one of the ruts and my seat was not secure and I wasn't being a very good rider. I just started to lose my left stirrup and he sensed it and came right down to a walk before I could even ask. He sure takes good care of me out there!

The last stretch we were having a lovely fast trot/canter interspersed since Rocker mare was back in the lead and man can she move out! We would canter every so often to catch up to her. We were going right along and about 10 car lengths from the parking lot just as Lara went under a tree (that has little leaves that hang down and hit your helmet) Rocker dove to the right and Lara went off on the left and then Rocker backed up real fast and Lara still had a hold of the reins. Sinwaan turned sideways parallel to her and I said "Woah mare, easy" and just then Lara lost her grip on the reins, or let go, and Rocker went backwards right down on her bottom and fell over to one side. She got up and seemed to be fine but that was a scary moment. Lara said she landed on her thigh and was a little tender but back on she went and we walked the rest of the way back to the barn.

By the time we got back it was DARK. Lara noticed all the horses (five of them) were still out in the pasture so decided to bring them in. First she put a warm towel on Rockers back and then rubbed in some lintement and put a blanket on her and put her away. I untacked Sinwaan but we didn't hose them off tonight since it had gotten so cool. I had him do a trot out over to the barn where the lights were so we could see how his back legs looked. No signs of wear or rubbing, I think maybe we have a solution for now! (RELIEF) I let him graze for awhile in the yard while Lara ran about gathering feed for the horses' stalls. She reminded me to grab a bale of hay for Sinwaan this next week to acclimate him to it before the ride. So I tied him back up and managed to move a bale of grass/alfalfa blend from the barn to the truck. ARGH.

I helped Lara with the last two horses and she took the dogs in to feed them, I let Sinwaan graze some more. FINALLY we loaded up Sinwaan (he is not great about trailering still, with a little encouragement from someone behind he will get in but I have difficulty by myself)

It was so late, I don't even know. 9:30 pm maybe? We had to make a stop at one of Lara's pet-sitting clients to take care of some more dogs. Then we had to make a stop so I could take care of the pig I am in charge of for the weekend. We finally pulled in to Sinwaan's home about 11 pm. YAWN!! I put him straight out to pasture and he trotted all the way over to the gate with me. Fresh as can be. He must have had a little nap in the trailer while we ran errands. Lara unloaded the tack in the meantime and then I had to unload the hay bale. He will get a flake a day between now and the ride. He should like that.

I was so tired by the time I got home I just wanted to climb into bed. I was exhausted, but surprisingly not very hungry. I had not eaten anything since probably 11:30 am earlier today. I always carry some kind of snacks in my packs, I gave Lara one tonight but I guess I didn't have the energy to chew. Ha ha. I didn't bother eating one myself.

I took care of my dogs and nursed the baby and realized I had left the Rooster's door open so I had to drive back out to the country to close it, finally getting in bed about 12:30 am. What a day!

All told we did about 10 miles today. I think I am ready. I am not as sore as I anticipated with all that trotting (7 1/2 mi). I think Sinwaan is ready too. Time will tell. Our goal is to finish, with the horses fit to continue. Ride our own ride and all that jazz.

New Troubles

Went out tonight to ride and Kittee was ready for me. Dale was not feeling well so did not go. I groomed Sinwaan and gave him a carrot. Checked him over and saw a small injury to his left fore. Looks like his rear shoe clipped the side just above the coronet. Checked his rear and he looked a little beat up back there but nothing fresh. I used my endurance saddle pad again with the rear packs since it was still set up that way from last time.

We rode across the mini creek and up the steep hill into the harvested pea field. Such a glorious evening! We did some trotting and cantering and just had a wonderful time riding up the moutain in the dirt. The horses enjoyed an occasional munch of wheat straw as well. When we came back down, I asked Kittee about the time. She thought we had sun for another five minutes. I didn't think about it then but she was wearing sunglasses. I asked her if we had time to then go up Cache Hollow Rd a little ways and she thought sure. We trotted the horses up a fair amount and then walked for awhile and then let them rest, I would guess about 1/2 mi up. We talked a little bit and then thought we heard Dale calling for us. We turned then and trotted most of the way back down. We saw no sign of anyone. As we pulled back into the ranch we saw Dale sitting in his chair. He had not come out looking for us so it is a mystery as to who the voice in the trail belonged to.

After I untacked Sinwaan and was doing my post-ride groom and check, I noticed he had a bloody spot on each hind fetlock. It is like he is clocking himself with his new shoes. I put some corona on them and made a mental note to call the farrier. This is only the second time I have ridden since his new shoes. I think his hind shoes may be heavier now to try and prevent the overreaching he does. Apparently it is solving one problem and creating a new one. I am freaking out and paranoid and hoping to find a solution to this in the next couple of days.

I also was able to rub his back to check for soreness and found none. That was at least good news. Another carrot and back out to pasture he goes.

Tonight Ollokot was there close to the fence so he got a bite of carrot also and some pats. He seemed taller tonight.

* * * * * * * * *

On a different note, our team t-shirts came yesterday in the mail. WAHOO! They look awesome, they fit great. Well mine does, Lara's is a little tight through her shoulders but will do. Here's a pic.

Brand Inspector

Tom Groff called me today and answered some questions I had regarding brand inspection. I made an appointment to take Sinwaan to him for a lifetime ID card for Friday before our ride.

Time Off

Well, we went camping this past weekend and had a good time. I had planned to ride Sunday afternoon when we got back but it had rained a lot Sunday and I figured Sinwaan would be soaked, also the footing would not be great for all the effort involved in hauling him out to the Lake. So Lara and I decided to ride together next Friday at South Fork for something new, also it will give us a chance to see how the two horses trailer together.