Trail Boss Qualities (so much to learn and so few to teach it)

Ponderings on what makes a good trail boss and how I fall  short. More than anything I am pondering how I  never saw that those who were superb were actually doing what they did  on purpose.

I've ridden with several that were quietly great, some I still ride with. They had a plan, but were keenly observant and flexible.  Gene never failed to amaze me at how well he did organizing his days to alternate from shorter rides, to longer rides and a day off, he also only rode in 2 hour stretches (to give the horses a break).  One thing that I find interesting is how well some trail bosses do at stopping for water depending on the weather.  Only after I understood the insight that was being used did I notice that they did not make every stop on the wet cool days and were searching out trails in lower areas that crisscrossed streams on the hotter dryer days. What a skill to keep everyone moving and his compadre's not nose to tail but not always trotting to stay caught up either? Then there are those little things like setting the standard for traversing obstacles, knowing when the sunsets, what the weather is going to do, where the quickest way out is if there is an emergency, and how to get that no I'm not lost we are still on the trail look when your just a  little off course. As I snuck up on being the older rider it occurred to me I had to find my own way around, I thought if I could navigate trails I would have a handle on it but alas that just means I'm not lost, it does little to make me a good trail boss. Luckily there are still a few of the greats left to learn from AND as they say sometimes you learn what to do and sometimes you lean what not to do.

Psalm 23:2-4

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The Arizona Ride Pushed Back

After the decision that April was too soon I excused myself from all of the Arizona Trail plans, but to my excitement and surprise the trip is still on as originally planned with the departure date pushed back!

We had ridden Brad frequently and it was nearing my self imposed deadline of one month. After a final test ride to see where time and riding had taken us my daughters decision was that he needed more of both before he would be "A Grandson Horse" and since she is The Mom that was the final answer.

One more ride with Brad and to tell Amber he would be going back. She had ridden him on most of our trial rides and had fallen in love so now she is giving Brad a chance to see how he will fit in, his short stay here has most likely found him a wonderful home and a boy of his own. I on the other hand am still looking. (I love that there are horse owners who would rather see a horse in his perfect home than demand money now and let the chips fall where they may)

Brad made his ride and was his normal solid self on the trails. But the weekend was wrought with drama, before leaving the camp an elderly gentleman had two falls from his mule, the last one sending him to the ER (he is home now). All of this was like deja'vu  of when Cookie fell from her mule in camp and broke her arm. I would say I stayed in camp for her, but it was as much my nerves as hers that were shaken. And day two just didn't happen which was probably for the best. I did end up walking a long stretch of hiking trail and found that I was in much better shape than I had been just two months ago, very encouraging indeed. I am headed out today to hike and ride  more while we have this unseasonably warm weather for an Oklahoma January.

I would have never guessed when I pulled the shoes off of Cheerio that I would have ridden so much in January, OR THAT he would have done so very well in the rocks for so many days and hours without them. The weather has made me feel double minded, my goal is to ride more so all of this sun and warm temps have played into riding often and long. But the plan was to go to the gym so I could increase my stamina and body control and what I have not had was the endurance to do both. 2011 was the most sever drought in Oklahoma history and the lack of winter moister has been alarming and I have to say I am ready for some wet and cold, for a week or two at least.

I am making small adjustments to my eating habits and doing better on most days. Walking with more regularity, but I still need to get serious about the gym and find where I am so I can workout without making myself too sore. But for today I will ride!

Postponed not Canceled

I have been working diligently trying to be ready for the Arizona Trail spring ride. There is a long list of steps I have taken in preparation written two Blogs ago, also only  2 weeks and  about 7 rides ago. Giving great time in prayer and petition, I know this is not the time God has for me to step out and do this, I am going to have to bow out of the projected April departure date. I have 90%+ of all the gear, even a new pack saddle and horse. I am simply not going to be able to be ready that soon. This decision was not made lightly, the only way I could do a ride is for it to have been with someone and it was very helpful that we would have had ground support. I felt very much like I was giving up my only chance but I have thought this through very carefully. I need a few more months to get into shape, I also really need time for a one if not a two week practice ride before heading out for 6-8 weeks.

This has been a life changing adventure even just up to this point, it has sharpened my desire to go on living, and heightened my ability to not take any time or thing for granted. The list of things that has benefited would be as long as the list of things my life touches. I am truly not giving up just postponing. God willing it will not be for too long.

Sunday we took off for an afternoon ride but on this day the Oklahoma winds were unrelenting, and the horses were feeling the energy. Most of the ride was enjoyable with little worth mentioning. About half way back to camp my horse spotted the largest bobcat I have ever seen, almost four times what we usually have in central Oklahoma. Most rides have something that makes them memorable and I remember thinking that I would remember this ride forever. Not too far past that my comrades pulling up the rear stopped to water their horses when one of the predicted 60 MPH gusts came unbuffered straight down the creek bed topping a tree that landed squarely in front of my saddle. For the second time in a only a few minutes I was pleased Cheerio took things like a  man. After the tree top rolled off into the trail and I was trying to comfort my horse (truth be told it was me in need of comfort) I turned him just in time to see the horse directly behind me shoot like a rocket out of the creek bank. I can't say if we stopped her or she had just ran out of steam but I'm pretty sure that would easily count for the third good reason for my dear little horse to react and he just took it all better than I could have ever hoped for. He continued to lead and although the winds continued to whip and dip, I was on high alert, there was that minute or two of smoke that I could smell that made me put some pep to the step and move it on in to camp ASAP. Although the ride lasted less than 5 hours, when I got back to my trailer I was exhausted.

We rode Monday too! Yep, that's all, just a good 4 hours and the feeling that I was all used up before we started. But I am working on that stamina and my strength and I will be up to a long ride before you know it. Looking at my horse at the end of those two days I think he may have had all he wanted too.

Just Not Enough Hours In the Day-

My poor little blog has its first follower. I'd better get out and have some adventures! We had a family day just playing and working some with our horses on Fri and Saturday, then Sunday and Monday we went on a trail ride close to home I have to stay close till that grandson makes his appearance. Today was Vet day for Cheerio.

I found that my leather saddle fit Brad better than the borrowed half breed, he is sore from where the half breed was pinching him on the first two day of trail rides. Lately we have been riding him with a dressage saddle to move the pressure points till the soreness goes away.

I brought what will be Brads leather saddle inside to clean oil and condition, it had some needs: replaced four strings, and a rosette, put the rear cinch back on, shortened and turned the stirrups.

Made huge strides in Brads bitting problems. I'm sure parts of it are me learning him and vise versa. Parts are trust, he still seems to be looking for the other shoe to drop. But consistent handling and care seem to be a good remedy for that.

Found how immense Brads barn sour problem is and have set aside 3 days to experiment on repairs. Actually I was told that I can't get on him until we see how bad it is so I am ground support for this. Friday and Saturday my kids came out and rode him and things went very good, good enough we felt safe putting my grandson on him. Sunday we went on a little trail ride with the 8 year old riding him alone and he did perfectly.

There seemed to be problems with the bit hitting Cheerio's teeth, I ended up calling the vet and sure enough I had never had his teeth done. We had an appointment to rectify the situation. That boy was just having an off day, we had to stand in the trailer for 20 minuets waiting on the vet and he rocked the trailer the entire time, once being lead inside he looked like a wild man. You know its impressive when the vet starts telling you how beautiful the bond between the horse and you is because he followed you into something he was that scared of. Yes it was pretty, in the way horses are pretty with a bowed neck and snorting and shaking lol but then I guess he did follow me scared to death.

My sis and I have gym plans up to 4 days out, and I have a niece who is joining the Navy who is joining us. I'm getting ready to head out here in just a bit, this is going to turn out to be my Achilles heel, if I can get in enough gym time I think that this will be easy if I spend too much time here at the key board there is no hope. I feel safe in saying I will make a longride, but also I do not see any reason to borrow trouble I need to be in some sort of condition before I hit the trail and trust the trail will harden what the gym and local trial rides couldn't. I need to take at the least one or two trial weeks, just to iron things out and buy or loose items. I am going to focus on April but looking at the calendar that is pretty seriously optimistic.

A Bipoler Kind of Day

Amazing the difference a day makes. 24 hours and two negatives and my boot straps are broken. This mornings pep talk (again) is that you will absolutely fail if you give up before you try.

When we picked up Brad he was a bit mentally inaccessible, I think the human term would be distant, a week of good hay, a couple of hard rides, and lots of handling later and you could see in his eyes he was finally starting to be present and alert. Yesterday he decided to do his darndest to get out of work (expected). A few little bucks (since one didn't work) and an attempt to bolt back to the barn. All of this brought on I'm sure by the fact that he was being ridden alone, which I was told he didn't like. BUT my grandsons are really loving him and showing promise to love the idea of just getting out and riding if they could. How awful would it be if they could only follow me?  Actually they are young and male what are the chances that is all they are going to do even if I tell them they  have to?

I started the day with three goals, the to do list, walking, and logging food. Against all odds I accidentally finished the to list. That is it, no walk and I journaled breakfast. So today the food log comes first, I have a friend I plan on walking with, and since my daughter told me to stay off of the horse, I'll just keep praying for him.

I can't imagine anyone follows this but it seems to be of great help to keep me focused in the right direction.

Here is me NOT Giving up

April seems so close and I am starting to fear that my conditioning is not going to be where it needs to be for this to be a success. Considering we had two birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Pigeon Fever, and fungus on my horse, I think I have a chance to make it if only things will settle down a bit and give me a break!  

 But looking at my checked off list!!!

 I have come so far:

q       Completed a month of physical therapy

q       Got off all of the new meds for pain (even when I ride)

q       Purchased indestructible glasses

q       I have a pack horse

q       I have a pack saddle

q       I have compiled a good pack list

q       I have a new Thermorest sleep pad

q       I have borrowed the large items I will need

q       I have a fitness program (albeit a little unused)

q       New Halters for both boys

q       Long lead for ponied horse

q       Sorted through tack and found hobbles, picket lines, scales

q       Found light weight flashing light for any night riding on roads

q       Learned how to fasten headlight on helmet

q       Breaking in hiking boots

q       Started filling emergency medicines

q       Bought cuddle duds

q       Compiled comprehensive check list for horse training

q       Read:

§        Horse Packing by Post

§        The Packers Field Manual by Hoverson

§        Along the Arizona Trail by Fayhee

§        The Cavalry Horse and his Pack by Boniface

q       And I still have, On the Arizona Trail, Biking the Arizona Trail, and Crossing Arizona to read no one can say I am not studying

Here is the list I compiled to use while sorting out horse training. I will print one our for both horses and hope to have covered it all with both horses before leaving.

Lead Horse Qualities

q       Willing leader

q       Lead pack horse from both sides

q       OK with rope under tail sawing or pulling on him

q       Good with crupper esp going down hill with a load

q       Accept pressure from saddle horn pulling any direction

q       Accept rain slicker

q       Do not let your riding horse return to normal speed until the last packhorse crosses the obstacle

Pack Horse Qualities

q       Can be ponied quietly and respectfully

q       Take him on narrow forest trails so that he can learn to follow over obstacles and around trees, exactly where the lead horse goes.

q       He must learn that he can’t take shortcuts

q       Good with breeching esp going down hill with a load

Ø       Pack Saddle

v  Carry panniers

v  Carry panniers with 25lbs

v  Carry panniers with 50lbs

v  Carry panniers with noise and scraping

v  Accept tarp on pack saddle

Any Horse Should do

q       Keep up a good steady pace

q       OK with any odd ball thing found on the trail

q       Accept pulling brush both forward and backward

q       Easily tacked up

q       Easily handle feet

q       Teach him to stop and stand the minute his lead rope drops

q       Cross bridges

q       Accustom to backwoods sights, tents, lamas, backpackers, dogs

q       Extensively used in brush

q       Train your horses to step over big logs instead of jumping over them

q       Training horses to walk on the inside of the trail is a must

q       Cross small streams without lunging

q       Fording a large stream should be practiced

q       Practice dragging a rope and then with things attached to it

q       Accustom  to the sound of bells

q       Save horseshoes when my horses are being shod then the shoes are fit to my horse

q       Practice riding in Renegade boots

Ø       Restraint

v  High lines

v  Two leg hobble

v  One leg hobble

v  >>>>Please feel free to  make any suggestions you think of! <<<<<

Brads Niche

Every ride finds its niche. I thought this ride was just an overnight to start seeing if Brad had what it took to be a pack horse.

Amber came out to ride Brad, she hasn't ridden much lately, and somehow no one mentioned that Quicksand Creek earned its name, but Brad didn't panic, I pointed out where the really deep hole in Tiger Creek was, but Brad found one I didn't know about, again still no panicking. We had  good calm horses and we took it easy for Brad, except one mule, who figured out how to ride with us most of the day anyway. I think we each had an opportunity to give the rider a break and slow the  mule down, again Brad did great.

Day two we found a way to have split into a faster ride, a longer ride and our slower somewhat shorter ride. I was amazed at how much go Brad had after lunch. He helped pull a fallen tree off the trail, and even lead back to camp! Two days in the rocks but his feet were not even 1/8" shorter and no chips.

There seems to be a theme in my efforts to take horses out for a first overnight. This is the second time there was heavy machinery, they were building corrals at the campsites and had a small front end loader zooming around, a roller, and a welder too, that and all of the trucks and men working were just one more thing to see how he would handle and again he was fine.

On our way in yesterday we found several pieces of clothing along the trail. After the jacket with gloves, and a hat someone said, I wonder if we are going to find the pants and maybe a naked man out here? I may have split my attention from eagle watching to looking about in the woods just a little after that ha ha

Sadly Cheerio and I need to learn to pass clothing on the trail, and it would be nice if he could pass the front end loader and gravel without being quite so worried, we may have to practice some tree pulling too. But that is another story.

Meet Brad

I was encouraged to go see this nice  POA Robert had. My  shopping team was a 6 year old grandson who does not ride, and his almost 9 month pregnant mother. Priorities were evident!! Question #1: What is his name? Answer: Brad. You can see we have a firm grip on priorities. Brad was pretty much just quiet, I rode him and tried to see where the holes were and how hard it was to get past them, then I rode with my grandson, the grandson rode alone, his mom rode <--- no we would not have let her had there been any question as to how safe the horse was. Probably before she got on we knew we were buying him but she is the resident horse aficionado.

He has been tried by fire, I picked him up on Sunday, when we got home my daughter rode him, ponied him, then ponied her son, then let her oldest son ride him, trying things like trotting past her out on the trail, Brad's day ended with a bath and hair cut. Day two he was ponied around the neighborhood, and the whole process over again adding a few finer points here and there (like lama). Day three was the vet, needles, teeth floated and the works, day four all he was asked to do was hop in the trailer once, now we are headed out to central Oklahoma's only rocky trails to see how he will do being ridden and ponied there and picketed out for a few days.

Brad is a 14.2HH Appaloosa Gelding, age approximatly 6, and it seems he very much so would like to be my pack horse.  

Rocky is looking at April for The Arizona Trail which seems to be much sooner than it was just two short weeks ago. Cookie is talking about being able to go if we do find ground support, so someone needs to volunteer!

Do we think I need tall cowboy boots? I haven't lived near rattelers since I was 11, are the boots helpful? Would half chaps work as well?