River Run Ride Photos

I know my blog is super light on content.  I'm hoping that the posting after this one will have some answers about Strider and a plan on forward motion.  Right now, we're just in the holding pattern until tomorrow morning.

But, until then, here's some photos of Strider and I from River Run.

Good morning LHI!!

WTH is with my left foot?!  Ignore that, and instead focus on my really cool "Team Crazy Train" T-Shirt worn in honor of my "Bishes" H, B and L.  :)

Down by the Medina River.  Shaded and soft portion of the trail.

At final hold trot-out.  Still feeling good, still looking good!!  14 miles to go after this!

After this photo, Strider and I spent the last 14 miles pretty much alone.  It was both fun and frustrating as he got annoyed and depressed.  And as we chased the setting sun on the final loop, I realized that it's so rare that it's JUST he and I at the end of a ride, that this was a good lesson for him.  And that I hadn't taken ANY photos.

I looked to my right as we were at the top of this embankment, looking out towards the west, and the sun was this glowing ball on the horizon.  And I made both of us stop, and I paused to take it in.  To take in the sheer wonder and glory of a day spent with my horse as we chased the miles down.  And I felt gratitude for my boy.  He is stubborn.  He can pitch a tantrum with the best of them (so can I).  And I had spent much of the 14 miles reflecting on how he is the mirror of my soul.  How very similar we are.

My view from the top of the embankment as the sun sets.

Badly zoomed in photo of the sun.

Strider.  Hey, Strider, lookit me.  There's NO horses up ahead for you to chase.

Yes, there ARE horses that way.  Camp is that way.  We'll get there soon.

I've had people ask me, of the two Pasos, Dakini and Strider, who do I prefer.  For sheer grit, Strider.  YES, he pulls antics.  YES he is rude.  But, he makes me laugh.  Bunny bucking and all, it makes me laugh.  Sometimes grit my teeth and cuss him out...but I do love him.  And this ride reminded me of that. 

Even if he is 'broken'. 

It isn't always pretty or happy...

So, after taking Rango to his dog training on Saturday morning, and realizing that if I'd just make a left hand turn I could bolt to the barn with new dog in tow and check on my herd, I opted to do so.  And I was so glad I did.

Rango LOVES the barn.  Horse poop is THE BEST EVER!!  Horses are THE BEST EVER!!!  Walking and smelling at the barn is THE BEST EVER!!!!  Horses running and bucking and farting makes him want to run and jump and play which is THE BEST EVER!!!!!!  Suffice to say, he had a good time out there.  Made me laugh to watch him being so silly and stretched out at the end of his lead sniffing and checking it out. 

The downside is that Strider's suspensory is still tender with a gentle pinch.  Dakini appears to be just fine.  Strider, well, not so much.  I'm left to both kick myself, and to scratch my head in puzzlement about the whole thing.  And to accept that he's going to go into a stall for however long he has to go into a stall. 

On an upside, I happened to notice that there's a Scoot Boot fitter coming through the area, so she's going to swap out the pair I have that don't fit Strider, and I'll have her go ahead and fit Dakini instead.  So, at least Dakini can run with boots on the fronts until I can afford boots for her rears.  And, as Strider is outta the game for 6+ months, I can save up for his 2 pairs.  Eventually Socks will end up with his own set as well, though he has good and strong feet.

I thought about riding Saturday, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I couldn't say why.  Fear?  Anxiety?  Just feeling very down right now. 

I used the very real and rational excuse that because the dirt bikers were out on the "good" side of the property, I shouldn't ride.  I don't like the rocky side of the property as much as the other side of the property, so...I lied and gave myself permission to not ride.

I keep thinking maybe I can squeeze in a quick 20-30 minute ride with Socks on Wednesday before the vet shows up, but the reality will be that I just won't.  Maybe I'll go work with him some in the round pen on the "Come Pick Me Up" cue that he doesn't know. 

The truth is that riding always makes me feel better, but right now I fear that when I ride I'm just inflicting pain.  I know, rationally, this isn't true, but I'm feeling that way. 

Generally I try to remain upbeat and positive.  The reality is I don't always feel that way.  Right now I'm just in a "slump" which I know I will get through.  And I do know the fastest way to get through a slump is to get back on a horse and ride.  My current plan is to either squeeze in a quick ride Wednesday before the vet comes and then ride again on Saturday.  Or, JUST ride on Saturday.

But, I really REALLY need to get in the ride on Wednesday morning.  If just to begin the torture for my body that riding a trotting horse will bring.  For 25 miles.  I have until the end of March to prepare my body for the beatdown.  Socks has got this.  I've got this.  And Dakini's got this too. 

I will overcome the fear and the anxiety and the "blahs" I'm experiencing right now.  Best way to do it is on the back of a good horse.  And Socks is best horse.  And he will restore my confidence and wash away the anxiety.

New plans ahead....

I am starting to wonder about the insanity which drives me.

As my main ride deals with a suspensory issue, my mind turns to the other two. 

The little gray mare, I think has the capability of becoming a 50 mile horse.  I really REALLY do.  It's going to require consistent work and riding and pushing her a little bit harder, but, I think we can achieve it.  Maybe even as soon as Armadillo Run this October.  Or perhaps in April.  My original goal was at the end of March, and, MAYBE I can.  But, now I think I'd rather play it safe.

And my mind then also turns to the bay Arab.  He is, easily, an LD horse.  He can, has and WILL do LDs without a qualm.  Could he be brought along to be a 50 horse?  Is it to much to ask of an almost 19 year old horse to leg up and be truly fit?  Or, should I leave him alone and keep him for my LDs? 

Can -my- body be trained to do 50 miles on a trotter? 

How old is "to old" for endurance?  Especially one that just has a few LDs under his cinch? 

I mean, I know I'll never know until I pull him out and begin the legging up process.  And, due to just his natural athleticism, he'll do fine at LDs (he always has).  He has that beautifully thick bone.  Nice, large feet.  And a passion (now) for chugging down the trails.

So, it appears that I'll at least be doing back to back LDs for the rest of the season here.  And potentially earning my 250 LD mile patch.

Once again, endurance teaches me that no matter what our plans and dreams ARE, we need to learn flexibility and how to roll with the punches.  It will also teach me that I need to NEVER say how many miles I am seeking to earn for a particular ride season.  Because, invariably, I won't. 

But, instead, maybe I'll earn 175 LD miles this season.  And that wouldn't be so bad! 

Actually, that's how many miles I racked up last year!  So, guess it's time to simply re-think the plan and move forward with it.

In the aftermath....

So, as I mentioned, River Run was a mixed bag of more bad than good for Team PasoPower.

I also mentioned I put it out there that I didn't have a good weekend and questioned my sanity.

Had a friend suggest we come up and try an ETS event the second weekend of February.  Talked to Joe about it, and he's game. 

We shall bomb and fail in a most spectacular fashion as I drag Dakini (assuming she is well and didn't stone bruise) and Socks to the event.  We may or may not stay overnight; we haven't decided yet, but we know we will ride on Saturday and see how we do.

Which means I need to find time to clean out the trailer (I kind of just threw everything in there Sunday so I could leave), make sure to go grab a bale of hay and a bale of alfalfa (I like having some to give to them in the trailer) and find a saddle Joe can use with Dakini.  OH, and make sure I have a headstall and hackamore she can use. 

So, a little bit of cross-sport for us.  I've always told Joe I felt that ETS or competitive trail competitions is something that he CAN do without being in the saddle for hours at a time like I do AND he would enjoy it.

Guess this means I need to dig out my training tools and get back to work on teaching my horses how to DO things besides "Rate down the trail" and "Go through the most basic of obstacles."

River Run; The Rundown

Feeling brain dead and wrung out, so this is going to be a brief summation of the weekend.

Drivers are jerks when you're hauling horses.  Come on people, SERIOUSLY I cannot stop quickly.  One, I just can't due to sheer weight (and I'm only hauling a 3500lb steel trailer and 2 900lb horses...my rig is small, people in larger rigs it's even worse!).  Two, if I slam on the brakes, my poor horses get tossed around like rag dolls as they scramble to keep their feet.  That's not fair nor right to them.  So please people...back off, don't cut us off, and for goodness sake, don't ignore the sign saying a lane is going away and then speed past us on the shoulder as that lane vanishes and start shoving us over.  That's a jerk move.

Anyway...the upside is Strider and I got year 2 towards Decade Team accomplished.

On the downside, his season is probably over.  Same suspensory issue on his left front.  I have a vet scheduled to come out on Feb. 1st for routine vaccinations, so I'll have him look at it and we'll figure out a treatment plan.  I know he can be brought back and be sound, but I'll need to coddle him through it.

Sunday LD on Dakini.  We were strong all day.  After the first 10 miles, the vet who saw us said she was one of the better looking and strong horses he'd seen that day.  We were battling 30 mph winds with up to 40 mph gusts.  She was a little fussy leaving Strider behind, but eventually we got into a groove and moved.  She didn't drink, but vet said she was well hydrated (so much so he asked me if she was drinking well on the trail). 

Second loop we had plenty of time, but set a good steady pace.  I thought perhaps she was getting a little tired, but she would toss in a canter of her own free will.  I -thought- a few times I was getting a near largo from her as she stretched out, but was still very smooth (more side to side action as compared to the more up and down action I get from Strider's corto).  Thought it was some muscle fatigue, so she was switching it up.

The last 1/2 mile, she felt pacey, but, again, thought it was a combo of almost in camp, tired and just over the whole thing.

We pulsed down fine.  Great on capillary refill, jugular, skin tenting...all the good things.  Then we did our trot out.  Bam.  She dragged behind me.  Didn't want to go.  Vet picked her right rear foot; big rock in there.  He cleaned out all 4 feet, told us to go eat and drink and bring her back for a re-check and see if she was better.

She wasn't better.

2nd time a rock has nailed me on the trail.  I forgot to find a rock and toss it off the trail.

So, between 2 lame horses this weekend, I slunk back to my trailer, had a good cry and thought heavily about leaving the sport.  Questioned my motives.  Questioned my sanity to ask this of my horses.  Put it out to the world and got some great and kind feedback.

I don't think we're done just yet.  But for the next, at least, 6 months, my focus will be on Dakini and Socks.  And that will be just fine.  Socks will love the work, and Dakini will too I believe once she understands the game we're playing.  So far, she shows all the signs of a good endurance prospect.  Eats and drinks on trail (after the first 10 miles, she would drink at every water stop), poops on trail.  Now, didn't have her pee on trail, but I know she will as she has on other rides.  So, we'll see if she stone bruises from this incident, will start Durasole'ing her feet and consider getting her hoof boots for all 4 feet as extra insurance.

And, we move forward.  Cautiously.

Why do I do this...?

My nerves are zinging.

I made myself get out my riding clothes and casual clothes and begin the packing process last night.  I'm taking plenty of spare changes of clothes in case I need them.  I tend to overpack clothing on ride weekends.  You just never know what can happen out on trail, and knowing I have clean and dry clothes back in camp is always comforting.

I'll need to wash all my socks tonight as, well, my usually AWESOME zipper mesh bag system got a little screwed up by a well-intentioned husband (in sum; he didn't ZIP the bag closed).  So, now I'm trying to find all of my wayward socks and get them into my "clean sock" bag.  So far, I've only been able to put together like 3 or 4 pairs of socks total.  From what used to be about 8 or 9.  I can't be mad, but I'm frustrated.  Socks are already troublesome beasties, and now I'm trying to locate errant socks.  Not fun.

Also want to just touch up and clean up my half-chaps.  They're a little dirty, but I must admit, I LOVE them!!  There are some cactus out on the trails (I remember the gentleman I rode with last year got some in his calf/knee and had to stop and dismount to pull them all out), so I'm hoping my half-chaps will prevent me from getting stuck.

The hackamore I ordered won't be here in time unless some miracle happens (like it makes it from Durant, Ok to my post office TODAY), so I'll need to jury rig my hackamore.  Actually, guess I need to take some supplies to fix it tomorrow once we arrive in camp.

I have the beginning of my packing list; one for the horses, and one for myself.

I feel like perhaps I've covered this before.  I'm not sure without going back through my archives.  Most of what the horses need lives in the trailer.  However, I always make sure I have:
1 bag of grain (currently this is Nutrena's Pro Force Fuel)
1 bale of hay
1 bale of alfalfa (this is a new addition for me to try, but I'm attempting to move away from the cubes and pellets)
Equimax electrolytes
Syringes (I just ordered 10 more to toss in the trailer)
Applesauce (the medium in which I mix my electrolytes)
Liquid calcium (this is one of my newest additions after Armadillo Run and Dakini's minor cramping issue)

Honestly, as long as I have quality food for the horses, I can fake the rest. 

Joe bought me a second saddle stand for Christmas, so that will be going with me.  That way I can have 1 saddle stand at the vet check/hold area and 1 saddle stand at the trailer.  I would like a second step stool/mounting block, but that will come in the future so that, again, I can have 1 at the trailer and 1 at the vet check.  Yes, I like being over-prepared for getting on and off my horse. 

Joe also got me the EZ-up step which goes through the stirrup.  I'm going to take it with me for while we're out on trail.  I am sure that my friend J will want to stop once or twice to slurry her horse with e-lytes, some grain and water on our 50.  And, I have a small collapsable dish that I always carry in my pack that I -CAN- put some grain into.  We'll see how we're doing.  My gut says just pack a syringe of electrolytes and dose him on trail with that and some water.  This ride is just going to be hotter than is normal this time of year, but we're going to get through it! 

Tomorrow once we hit camp the day will be spent braiding and clipping and Hoof Armor'ing and feeding the horses and prepping our hold area.

But for the rest of the work day, I shall sit here....thinking about tomorrow.  And tonight's prep work that still needs to be done.  The loading of the truck.  Loading my water tank, clothes and necessary items so all I need to do is the mad dash to the barn, grab the trailer and horses and then hit the road.

I'll "see you" on Monday!  Maybe Tuesday.

Safe ride to those of you getting in the saddle this weekend!!

48 Hours Down to Ride Camp

It has basically been raining here in Texas, off and on, for almost a week now.

This has my stomach in knots.  I am concerned about thrush in the horses.  I am concerned about them "torquing" something prior to the ride this weekend.

I am concerned because I have NOT been in the saddle as much as I've needed to be to make sure Strider is adequately prepared for this ride.  However, knowing the terrain where we're going is flat, I feel confident that a 50 is doable for us.  I'm a little iffy on the back to back 50/25, yet still feeling confident about him being able to pull this off.

The rain is supposed to stop on Thursday. 

The current plan is to load up Strider and Dakini Friday morning and head on down.  I will decide once we arrive if I want to put Hoof Armor on their feet or not.  I'm leaning towards the extra insurance of putting it on them, just to give them some extra protection. 

I need to go run and buy a bag of grain as well.  I'm not sure how much is left at the barn.  I will probably do that tonight on my way home. 

The temperatures are supposed to be in the 70's Friday through Sunday, so it's going to be a little bit warmer than I had hoped for.  Fingers crossed that the trails dry up quickly so they don't rapidly get torn up with 200 horses going over them all weekend long.

Due to some scheduling changes, B and I will get to ride the LD together on Sunday.  I'm super excited about that!!  This way I can help coach her through it if she needs the assistance, and we can spend the whole afternoon out riding together.

I think I was also slated to ride out with J and her horse Jett on Sunday, so there might be quite a group of us.  Or just B and I.  Any which way, I'm forcing myself to feel confident and not give in to the internal voice screaming panic that's there. 

If it ends up being just B and I on Sunday, we'll go out mid-pack.  Strider does well there, and Dakini, well...she's such a good girl that I know she'll do just fine there as well. 

In my office at work, I have 4 photos from this ride last year.  It was our very first 50 attempt.  I have since added my Green Bean medal that Strider won for me.  The jacket should be on it's way to me.  I am looking to find a way to add the mileage/points certificate Strider earned as well.  But, I look at those photos and I feel slightly calmer.  Our total RIDE time last year was 8 hours and 9 minutes.  Adding in the holds from last year, etc, it was probably around 2 hours.  So, as I look at our ride time, and add in the hold time, I realize that we still finished with almost 2 hours to spare last year.  And I feel so much better.  Because I know we can get the job done. 

I am SURE he is going to act like a crazy fool at the start, but we're going to pair up with J and Cowboy on Saturday and the group J is with, and we're going to do just fine.  Slow and steady on Saturday and slow and steady on Sunday will earn Team Strider 2 completions and slow and steady on Sunday will earn Team Dakini another completion!

Another challenge as motivator...

So, as I'm sure you've noticed, I skipped some last week.

No one needs to hear me nattering on and on about "What I'm going to do" and "What I'm PLANNING to do".

And with the bitter cold, I just haven't wanted to get out in it.

I had a ride planned for Saturday with my good friend J and her awesome horses Cowboy and Jett...but, after gauging the temps, we decided it was just too cold to toss them into trailers and haul them with the cold air.  They're just not acclimated to these temperatures.  That's not fair to them.

Also, while I WILL ride in the cold, it is not something that I ENJOY or LOVE!!  And, as I promised myself that ultimately I should enjoy and LOVE riding, this didn't fall into those categories.  So, while I LOVE spending time with J, I wasn't going to subject myself to a solo ride on Saturday.  And I had things I could go do with my family, so I opted for that instead.

I will be missing tonight's calendared ride due to a potential new family member; Rango.  He's coming for a home visit with his foster.  I'm HOPING he'll end up being my new barn dog.  He has some anxiety issues around humans, but I think he'll come out of them.  And his fosters have paid for a lifetime of dog training for him, so, I'm thinking on Saturdays I can run to the training for him, then run to the barn afterwards, tether him and either go and ride, or put him on a long lead rope and take him out with me.  Or both.  We'll see.  So I'm excited about it!

I did clear with Joe that I'll be riding Wednesday evening.  Actually, I'll be doing Strider's feet FIRST while I have light, then I'll try and cram in a quick ride.  Or we'll do lots and lots of laps in the arena. 

I signed up Saturday evening for yet another challenge; the 2017 Northwood Farms 12 Week Horsemanship Challenge.

The rules are simple:
"We are each picking 1 special horse (or mule) and in 12 weeks are spending 40 total horsemanship hours and riding 30 times.  Any rides count towards our 40 hours.  5 rides can be bareback the rest need to be saddled.  No minimum ride time but 2 hours minimum between rides."

Well, so basically anytime I hop into Strider's saddle (he's the one I picked as my goal for this year is to FINALLY teach him the sidepass so I can open and close gates), I will be earning time/points/credit towards:
Pasos for Pleasure
The Green Bean Endomondo Endurance Challenge
The Northwood Farms 12 Week Horsemanship Challenge

I'm actually excited.  It kicked off on Sunday at 12:01, but I'll get my first ride in on Wednesday.  Or at least a training session.  But most likely a ride as I think he's going to have energy to burn off.  And with our ride in 2 more weeks...well, I should perhaps at least SIT on him, right?  :|  Maybe try out that rump rug I bought him and see how he takes to it?

Monday Ride at Granger Lake....

How did my ride on Monday go?  Did I -finally- manage to execute the grand plan and get two ridden in one day?

No.  No I did not.

At about 5:30 am I was wrenched awake by the banging and crashing of hail.  Now, I knew it was coming.  For ONCE the weather people we right.  So, it wasn't unexpected, but mildly disappointing as I was hoping that the footing would remain dry, but...take what you can get and be grateful for the experience, right?

So, I laid there listening to the rain once the hail finished banging away.  Thankfully, it too didn't last for very long.  But I didn't roll out of bed until about 6:30ish and still had to get the kiddo to the babysitter's.

At 7:15ish we're loaded and on the road.  Which means I arrive at the barn around 8 once I stop for my traditional ride breakfast; 2 hash browns and a medium Coke from McDonald's.  It is disgusting and gross, and I love it.  TOTALLY justified as I'll be riding all of that fat off, right?  Or so I lie to myself each and every time.

Hook up to Red Draggin' (my trailer), realize it's so freaking WET at the barn that I don't dare drive over to the pens to load.  Best to go catch the ponies and walk them to the trailer.

As par normal, their pen is muddy and gross.  If I could keep them off the front, I'd toss some grass seed, but...I can't, so I guess I'll just hike through the muck to get them.

Now, can someone tell me why on earth, if you see someone attempting to load TWO horses, why you would choose THAT MOMENT to let your dogs out to go run over and start barking at the horses?  Now, these are barn dogs, but come on now!! 

Dakini, who usually loads in less than 2 minutes (she's dainty, has to sniff the trailer every time, put a foot in, think she's gonna die, back up, be told "No, we're doing this thing" and then hops in) took closer to 5 minutes because of that dog walking around barking. 

Strider's on the brink of self-loading.  I no longer have to loop a lead rope through, I can lead him up, grab the clip of the lead rope, keep his head pointed forward and click him in.  Now he ALWAYS has to yo-yo once.  In, back all the way off, then on the second shot, he stays completely in.  I don't know what that's all about, but, from taking 30 minutes and 2 people to get him into a trailer to this?  I'll take it.

But with the dog barking?  Took a few extra minutes of coaxing, and I actually had to shake the end of the lead rope to get him to load.  I was pretty ticked.

On the fly, we turned it into a BBQ and lunch kind of trip, which meant I had to stop for stuff.  One, I needed to hit up Tractor Supply for some Probiotic treats for the horses and some stuff for the mild thrush.  Two, needed snacks for our BBQ lunch.

Suffice to say, I didn't get to the trailhead until about 10:30.  Oh well.

I arrived just a few minutes before B and her mom, so offloaded the horses, tossed Strider into a pen and hooked up Dakini to ride.

H and her family rolled up about 20 minutes later, so we all slapped saddles on horses and headed out.

Now, as compared to last time when it was H on Blondie and Dakini and I, Dakini never uttered a peep about leaving Strider behind.

THIS time though, she cried out for him.  Was compliant, but wouldn't shut up.  Annoying.

We went out, looped back by camp and continued on.  Came back to camp, piddled around some (letting them drink, etc), then went back out again.  She would cry, but would continue down the trail for me.  I suppose if the WORST thing I have to deal with is her being a whiney brat, I can survive. 

Once again, she did quite well, but she CAN be a faker.  She kept trying to convince me that she was DEFINATELY tired, and for a while, I gave in to that.  Until I would ask for her to go, and away she'd charge.  Liar.  LOL!  And she had fun doing it.  Minus that one side-spook because of the bird, she happily cantered down the trail just leading the group and leaving everyone else behind.  Kind of proud of that little girl.

Except that she briefly forgot I was on her and started to lay down.  I was like "Are you KIDDING ME?!  ANOTHER horse who lays down with a rider on their back?!!!!" 

H pointed out that she's noticed lately when I go to ride, I'm not grabbing Strider, I'm grabbing Dakini.  I was like "Pffft, no I'm NOT!"

"Yes, actually.  Yes you are."

She's right.

I rode with L and her mare Dolly. I took Dakini.

At Granger last time with H?  I rode Dakini.

And again at Granger. Dakini.

Now, in the middle of all of that, I did another trip to Granger and only rode Strider.  And had a quick and FUN ride with him.  But it was him ping-ponging down the trail.  Bunny bucking his annoyance.  Turn him around towards camp and he'd want to blast off to get back to Socks.  So I'd make him go past.  And go back out.  Come back and go past.  Over and over and over again. 

I will say this; if the "problem" that I have is I have two FUN, albeit two very DIFFERENT horses, to choose to ride, and a third horse who is sweet as sugar candy but with a jackhammer of a trot but who will dump his heart out in your lap if you but ask it of him...well...I am a woman blessed beyond measure with my horses.  May I always have such "problems" for the rest of my entire life.

Overall, it was a great and fun ride.  And, I got B to realize her mustang could indeed be an endurance horse.  So, after giving her my endurance books to read, she's excited to be joining me on the trails this year.  And I'm excited for her!! 

How we doin' 2017?

Well, we're alright.  Not great, but we're alright.

New Year's Day was spent at the barn for about 2 hours with my farrier doing feet on all the kids.  Mildly surprised as we have mild thrush in all 3 horses.  Just a little bit on the fronts.  Easily enough dealt with.

Also had some stomach issues with Socks and a milder version with Dakini.  Could be anything from a new hay source (don't think so as my barn owner prides himself on always buying from the same person) to stress from the frequent weather changes to fireworks being shot off on New Year's Eve (a far more likely culprit as it was about 6 or 7 years ago that Socks colic'd on New Year's Eve when I was boarding with my farrier...due to...weather and fireworks).

Unsurprisingly enough, Strider's feet got away from me, so we're back to rasping toe and pushing it back so we can then focus on lowering the heel.  He's also fixing to shed off a LOT of sole, and I know that will come once I start riding him more frequently.

On the upside, Strider remained amazingly balanced, as did Socks (who managed to wear his feet nicely). 

Dakini wasn't quite as nicely behaved as normal; little thrashy.  Not sure if it was the fact she got fly sprayed before the trim (we've never done it before, but the flies were BAD.  Hello January in Texas where it's in the upper 60's on New Year's Day).  Or if she was still wound up from fireworks or whatever had her stomach upset.  Or who knows.

I had my farrier check the saddles for me.  The Imus 4Beat continues to be the best thing for BOTH of them.  The CTK was a 100% no go for either of them.

My farrier also thinks it's entirely possible for me to get Dakini up and running for 50's with some hill work or backing and some trot poles. 

She pointed out that my two Pasos are, physically, polar opposites of each other.

Strider has a very strong back end.  Dakini has a very strong front end.  Shame I can't just stitch those parts together! 

However, I think once Dakini's butt is strengthened, she's going to be a powerhouse. 

I also suspect the reason her front end is so strong is that she's fino bred.  So her sire had lots of power in that front end for that sewing machine action. 

Suffice to say, it was a nice way to spend New Year's day, with the 3 kids in the glorious sunshine just loving on them.

Nothing new to see here...

...because I'm out riding.

Or at least, that's the plan.

So, as you've guessed, this is a scheduled post.  And as such, I hope in the following day or two I'll be able to share some pictures of a return trip to last week's trail head (Willis Creek at Granger Lake).

Once again, we shall see if I can stick to the plan of getting there early and getting one out for a quick ride before riding out with the group. 

Just to see where he's at mentally prior to our endurance ride in just a few weeks.  Which is shaping up to be quite fun!!

So far, B is confirmed to go ride the LD on Dakini with our friend EB on her appaloosa gelding on Saturday, and while I go out to do the LD on Sunday, they will be going out to do the Intro ride.  B on her mustang gelding and EB on Socks. 

Let me point out how happy it makes me to look at Socks' AERC record and see different names on there.  Mine.  My step-son's.  One of my friends.  And while AERC doesn't post Intros, Socks shall carry EB.  And this makes me happy.  That horse seems to have found his passion; endurance rides.  Sadly, my body has NOT found a passion to ride him for that length of time.  Those 30 miles were kinda tough on me.  I'm sure if I rode him more, I would get over it.  But it sure is hard to saddle up a trotter when you can get on the glider. 

Can you see the pain?  It's why I'm ALL messed up with my legs back, leaning forward.  This is 30 miles with an additional 4 miles, one fall, and me not electrolyting MYSELF enough so that -I- bonked.  However, look how good SOCKS looks!!

So, with all of that, fingers crossed that I'm successful at my plan.  But if not, that's okay too. 

Because I'll also be out riding on Sunday, and I can definitely see where Strider is at on that day!