To say that I have been looking forward to this would be a bit of an understatement.
Just as you and I could not get off the couch and then go hiking in the hills for days on end without some prior conditioning, neither can a horse be pulled out of the pasture for the same. Therefore, Smokey has been on a steady exercise program consisting of a great deal of trotting and loping to firm up muscle and restore aerobic capacity.
And then he pulls up lame two weeks ago. While much of the country is enjoying summer, the damp, cold, miserable weather has been hanging on her in the Pacific Northwest. This wet is the mortal enemy of Smokey's feet. He has an abscess in his left front hoof. While the hoof may heal prior to the start of the trip, the break from training means, quite simply, that he will not be ready to go by the scheduled start date.
While disappointing, all is not lost. I will be taking our ten year old mare Bailey. Until this year, she was DN3's show and all purpose horse. Bailey is burned out on the show ring, which is why we picked up Petey earlier this year.
Bailey is, to be honest, better suited for a long trip than Smokey is. We call her the "Energizer Bunny" because she rarely sweats or breathes hard no matter how hard she works. And, provided she isn't the lead horse, she enjoys the trail, as much as a horse enjoys anything beyond eating, sleeping, and pooping.
DN3 is helping me "learn" how to ride her. While riding Smokey involves legs and use of the bit, Bailey has different, more subtle cues, and all of them involve leg pressure and torso positions. So I'm having to learn not to use my hands. It isn't that she doesn't respond to pressure on the bit, it just isn't necessary. No point in complicating matters.
While she isn't a big flashy buckskin, she is still an excellent horse, and I'm still looking forward to the trip.
6 comments:
It sounds like a wonderful trip. We used to ride the Valle Vidal on the NM/CO border - beautiful, untouched land. But I bet it is even more beautiful where you are riding - have a great trip.
"A good horse is never a bad color"
title of one of Mark Rashid's books.
Have a great trip on your non-buckskin horse!
That's too bad about Smokey having the abscess and missing training... I hope he gets better soon. I also hope your weather improves significantly and ya don't have to wrap up in rain gear on the trail.
Have a great time!
Dave, I've got a lot of blog buds in the NW, and hear the same thing from them all. Too wet, too cold...
Odd for sure.
Smokey is getting on up there. I'm sure he'd love to give it the old college try, but maybe it's best.
Man, I sure hope you have just as grand a time as you anticipate.
Partner, I really miss the West in many ways. Even though I love where I am, and why I'm here, I really do miss the scenery, the lifestyle, and...
The HORSES.
Lou: I will definitely be in beautiful country. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's better than other places...each is fantastic in their own way.
Jill: True words if I've ever heard any.
Buck: 80 degrees today, and initial reports are that the snowpack is melting away, so all should be good.
Andy: Smokey is definitely not a young fella anyomore. I'm very keen to that fact, and while he is generally as fit as horses half his age, I take great care to not push him beyond his ability. And, I think the scenery is what keeps me around.
Bailey is beautiful. I love her color - very nice.
That is a shame about Smokey after all that training - poor boy.
Hope all goes well and you have a great, grand adventure.
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