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! <<<<<
Posts
Get in contact with vets and farriers along the ride route. You may need them at some point and they can be a wealth of local info.
ReplyDeleteYou may want to consider EZ boots (or something similar) instead of carrying extra shoes, just an idea.