Equine Explorer

Easyboot Back Country Glove first Day of Training

As you know every year, as soon as the snow melts I begin training for my Colorado Trail ride. This spring EasyCare announced a new Back Country Glove boot. It combines the lightness of the Glove and the practicality of the Trail boots. So of course I was really excited to try this on Smoke. Smoke has had some trouble with the Glove gator giving him rubs during long assents and descents. This I determined was due to the angle of his hoof and pastern, by the end of the summer his hair gets so thin he has little hair to cushion his pastern. So day 1, Hills!

 

The boots really did great. No twisting , no rubbing. I did notice a mark on the front of Smokes hoof wall on one front and one back hoof. With closer inspection I realized the one of the screws holding the velcro enclosure was extended past the lock nut on the inside, and was rubbing on the hoof wall. That was an easy fix with a file. So I will add that to my check list when I get new boots. Also at the end of the ride there was some sand and small gravel sitting just above the heel bulbs. After looking at the video, I realize this probably happened when I came down the really sandy hill at the very end. I think for the next ride I will play around with the velcro closures. I'll keep you posted.

 

 

 

 

 

An Amazing Therapy Horse and Rider

Being a Therapeutic riding instructor has been an amazing blessing in my life. I get to witness miracles everyday I teach. One very special day was with a beautiful young woman, Amy and her horse Knickee. Amy is one of my students with Cerebral Palsy. She has been riding most of her life, and now in just the last 6 months has made great strides! Most of her progress is due to her own determination and hard work. Another great factor is her wonderful partnership with  Knickee. The communication between Amy and Knickee is apparent. So much emotion and love passes between them! A truly healing energy is radiated, even to those of us blessed to associate with both of them.

I taught Amy when she was a little girl. An adorable blond youngster with a contagious smile , she would just make you feel good meeting her. After 20 years or so I get to teach Amy again as a beautiful young woman. She is now an ambitious and inspiring adult. She enjoys life, and  helps educate people about disabilities and how to over come and work with them.

Knickee is one of the most skilled therapy horses I have ever worked with. Her wisdom and understanding astound me. She not only adapts easily to all her riders with varied disabilities, but also gives lessons to able bodied riders, and is a very knowledgeable jumper. Patience and love is express though her big brown eyes, truly a priceless animal partner!

 

Colorado Trail Segment 9

Here is another amazing segment of the Colorado Trail. I know, it is out of order. We did this segment in 2010. We drove up to do Segment 8 out of Copper Mt. but the weather had been bad and with driving from Denver we did not want to chance getting caught in a thunder storm over Searle Pass. Our thoughts turned then to Segment 9 starting at Tennessee Pass. I was pretty familiar with this trail. I had ridden this segment with my husband Larry, my son Tyler, and my nephew Zack many years before. We then hiked it with the 40 or so 14 year old girls from out church. You might hear me mention several times in the video the changes that I notice in the route. I must say it is much improved, and easier to follow. The last few miles were much steeper, and routed more to the west than before and it played on our stamina for sure.

 

Hay Problems , Hay Solutions.

Going into this fall the hay situation looked bleak. The drought in Texas, and the rising gas prices were both a clue that the price of hay would skyrocket, and at best it would be very difficult to get. Here in Colorado I was able to buy small bales (about 65lbs.) from a local grower for $7 a bale. That was picking it up and loading it myself. I was happy to get it and stock piled as much as a could. Just after Christmas my pile was looking more like a mole hill ,and I knew I needed to secure more hay, and I knew I would pay much more. Small bales are near impossible to find and if you do, you are paying anywhere from $12 to $15 a bale. Solution: Big Bales. Big square bales come in two sizes 850lbs and 1100lbs. I have several friends who had started buying the big bales and their stories of loading and unloading these monsters helped reassure me. Unloading was my biggest concern. One day I watched in amazement as one gal I know arrived at her barn with two 850lb bales straddling her truck bed. With out as much as a warning she started backing up very fast slammed on her brakes and the two bales tumbled off the back and landed perfectly side by side on the pallets at my feet! I knew I would not be doing that as my barn is on a hill and to back my truck into it requires one to be slow and careful. But as the post in my barn are set in concrete I was pretty sure I could rig a pulley to drag the bale off as I pulled forward. I was able to find the largest bales at the local feed store for $174 per bale , not a great price but fare for the cost in our area. This is equivalent to 17 to 20 small bales. Also it is a very nice Timothy hay. I have to admit it is a bit nerve racking to watch as the fellow loads it in the back of my truck with a front loader. No problem driving it home and the unloading worked like a charm! I was able to put 3 of these big boys in the aile way of my barn. The next challenge was to figure out what a flake of this weighed. It flakes off nice but way to heavy to hold the whole thing. I pulled it apart and stepped on the scale, but had to have someone else read it for me as I could not read the scale over the pile in my arms. One flake appears to be anywhere from 40lbs. to 45lbs. I was not looking forward to tackling this unruly stuff everyday! I decided I would try the hockey net. I have seen info on using nets  to hold hay and get horses to slow down their eating. So off to the local hockey store, you can also order them on-line. A 72inch heavy duty net cost me $26. I wove the tie strings that came with the net to tie together the sides and made a big bag. Ran a rope around the top as a draw string and filled it with one whole flake of hay. First I hung it in the stall and watched . They seemed to be eating it soooo slow. They would take turns going in and out of the stall all day. I was worried because the volume of hay in the bag did not seem to be diminishing ,so the first day I threw a bit of loose hay out to them, and it didn't seem like they where starving.  Here is a link to a site that shows several different methods : http://www.naturalhorseworldstore.com /slowfeed-hay-saver-net/   Today I dragged the bag out and tied it to a tree.They seem to like this better as they both eat at the same time now. So far so good, and I think it will be far healthier for them to eat this way. Let me know if you have tried this and how it is working for you. I'll keep you posted.

I took the tail gate off my truck so then bale would fit down in the bed.

 

Could fit up to 6 bale in my barn .

I like that I can look out my window and see them eating.

Phlame Behind the Mist

My most amazing and creative son made a video book trailer for my dear friend M. J. Evans' first book in her trilogy "Behind the Mist". A thrilling story of a boy and his horse who find them selves in the mystical world of Celestia, where great and noble horses earn their Unicorn horns! So guess who in the trailer plays the part of the Unicorn Urijah,? Phlame of course! Phlame loved learning his part and now every time he steps up on a rock he asks "Where is my glowing horn?" If you ever need video work contact Neil Crisp. neilacrisp@gmail.com Here is a demo reel of his work.

Grandma & Horsewoman

I took Smoke and Phlame out for their New Year stroll, we avoided the ice and trotted when we could. They tossed their heads and pranced in place wishing they could break out and stretch their winter muted muscles. I would have allowed more romping , but just ahead of me tossing sticks and snowballs where my two equally frisky Grandsons.When we would get to close, I would tell the horses to whoa, and wait for the 4 and 6 year old to get a bit further ahead. I was amazed how quickly Smoke and Phlame learned to keep the youngsters ahead of them. When they boys took off in a run the horses would ask to trot and catch-up and as soon as we did they would slow to a walk. If they stopped suddenly to ask me a question, or point out some "deer poop" (they love to say that), Smoke and Phlame would stop in their tracks and listen to the playful chatter.
My days lately have been more Grandma than horsewoman. The horses were happy to get out, but they seem to understand I have other boys in my life and are, greatfully willing to share me.

Horse and Man on Face Book

I would like to recommend a great Face Book Page called Horse and Man, I have read so many wonderful stories on it and here is another one! I love the connections that are made between horses and their owners. I also have a soft spot in my heart for our wonderful veterans. Hope this will bring a smile to your face and a tear in your eye, as it did for me.

Colorado Trail Segment 7 "The Climb"

 

 I just finish working on the video for Segment 7 of the Colorado Trail Debbie and I rode the summer of 2010. The memory of this segment is still fresh in my mind! The climb was so dramatic, the views so spectacular and Smoke and Flame were simply amazing. We climbed to nearly 12,500 ft on a fairly narrow ridge of mountains called the Ten Mile Range. Even though it was August, snow still hung along the highest ridge lines. We mingled with the clouds looking down on Lake Dillon and Breckenridge. After reaching the top-out point at 12,494 ft. we could look just to the west and see  Copper Mountain Ski Resort! Some trails will aways remain with me. This is one that had so many metaphors for difficult challenges, for over coming fears and not giving in to life's worries. I have climbed a few 14-teen-er's on foot and this was every bit as challenging and exhilarating! The fact that your horse and you are a partnership, he carries you, and you must make good decisions in his behalf, has the effect of forever melding your hearts, and minds together.

Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail

Took some time out to do some more editing of video I took on the Colorado Trail summer of 2010. Segment 6 stands out in my mind as a breakthrough. It's 32 miles and top elevation over Georgia Pass of 11,880 seemed daunting. We began our trip at Kenosha Pass Campground around 1pm in the afternoon. Our goal that day was just to knock off a few miles so we would have a easy trip the next day to the pass. After 6 miles we stopped to camp in Jefferson Lake Recreation Area, where a Ranger kindly told us where we could go just outside the boundry to camp with the horses. That year we also had a crew! Ev an old friend of Deb's agreed to help us out . Her background was vast and varied, she had even spent time as she said "on the ice" in Antartica. Ev would  send us off and drive and meet us at the other end of the trail each day. Day 2 took us up and over Geogia Pass, just about timber line.

 

On the pass a helicopter flew just over our heads, and we discovered that they had spotted a herd of mountain goats. Before the establishment of the Colorado Territory in 1861 Georgia Pass was the boundary between the Kansas and Utah Territories. Georgia Pass is a scenic old wagon road that was used to transport supplies from the South Park area to the miners around Breckenridge. Don't be surprised to see 4 wheel drive traffic over the pass. At the top of Georgia Pass you have a nice view of Mount Guyot, which is the treeless cone shaped peak to the west. The peak of Mt. Guyot is 13,300 ft above sea level. On the other side you drop down toward Breckenridge. Ev met us around mile 19.7 on a turn , off of Tiger Rd at the North Fork of the Swan River. There was a nice open area to camp with the horses there. We had heavy rain that night, but woke to just a few sprinkles that cleared later in the day. The last 12 or so miles on the third day was an easy ride passing views of Keystone Ski Resort to the North and Breckenridge to the southwest. The trail ends as you pass through a mountain subdivision and reach Hwy 9.

 

 

Angels in Paradise

My good friend Nancy has a beautiful paint arab mare," Paradise", who had been gathering dust at her barn.  Nancy in her wisdom, and because she has a great heart donated her to the therapeutic riding program where I just started teaching.

Paradise made an impression from the first day she arrived at the ranch. Most the horses are dark bay jumpers, and Paradise with her flowing red mane and tail ,with big patches of red and white stood out. All the staff, and "able" riders have fallen in love with her. I put Paradise through the ropes, and have  worked with her, trying to teach her what her new job is. She was doing well in all areas, except when ridden , Paradise loves to move! Excitement! Head high, she loves life and wants to run all over it! Being led in hand she is a sweet heart, and I was feeling pretty good about putting a student on her if conditions were right. After lots and lots of practise Paradise has proved herself except when we ask her to trot, even being led, it gets the best of her and she will swing around at the end of the rope ,eyes wide ready to head to far and distant hills. OK , we just won't trot.

Paradise's day came a few weeks ago, her first rider was *Ronnie", a little pint size pixie who has been riding since she was 3 years old. Ronnie's speech and coordination has been slow in developing, but she has made lots of progress with her riding therapy. She loves to sit sideways and backwards on her horse, and she will often put 2 or 3 words together and ask her horse to "walk on" or stop!. Lately she has been working on carrying her oxygen tank in her own little back pack that goes with her on the horse. One very striking feature about Ronnie, besides her pink cowgirl boots, is her long red pony tail. Her hair is a perfect match to Paradise's equally long  flowing mane and tail.  So I just put it out there. " Hey, I said to Ronnie's O.T. and her volunteer, Sharon. I would like to try Paradise with Ronnie today....silence. "The problem, is not Paradise, was the reply , but Ronnie's Mom does not like change. It takes her a long time to trust new things for Ronnie especially a new horse. When Mom and daughter came that day I put on my Instructor hat and talked to Mom. What I noticed right away was that Mom's hair was equally long and equally red, so I said...we have a beautiful new horse with red flowing hair just like Ronnie's I would like Ronnie to help train her for the program. Let me go get her so you can meet her.  I led Paradise out of the stall and we walked up to Ronnie's Mom. Paradise in the most gentle way , put her muzzle right in the mother's hands and gently nuzzled her. "Oh she is beautiful!" "Oh she is sooo, sweet," again Paradise nuzzles. "I think she wants to come home with me." I think we can give her a try....perfect. Her day had come, this would be her big test. Nikee, Ronnie's usual horse was waiting in a stall ready to step in if things did not go well.  Paradise walked up to the mounting ramp with side walkers (people who walk on either side of the horse to help stabilize or act as spotters for the rider) The Occupational Therapist, me the instructor, "headwalking", today on her first day I would  lead her. It takes a lot of people so one little girl can ride. Ronnie rides with a pad and surcingle so she can move and do exercise on the horse. The O.T. works her legs and arms by asking her to stretch ,sit on her knees or even to stand as the horse walks. Mind you Paradise has not had all these thing done on her, with people walking on either side of her until a few months ago, and never with a long tube going to an oxygen tank.We take it very slow and are very careful, and after 30 minutes we ended the lesson on a fabulous note. This kind of work though not very physically challenging, (with bigger unbalanced riders it can be) is mentally very difficult for a horse. I was so proud of Paradise! Her first ride had been very successful .

Yesterday was Paradise's second lesson with Ronnie. Again Paradise was perfect in every way, it always amazes me how the horses just seem to know who is riding them. Mom is taking pictures, Ronnie is putting rings on Paradises ears, and laughing when after a few steps she figures out that a good shake of the head and the rings go flying , much to Ronnie's delight! Then someone, I think it was Ronnie's Grandma, who had come along to see Ronnie ride, said the word.."run".."would you like to run with Paradise?" Noooo...we all said , but it was to late Ronnie chanted "run" Par a  dis" run, I want  run! Par a dis" run!" I looked at Paradise , green plastic rings hanging from her ears, she seemed to say "trust me". Then I realized that I was having that "feeling" not only was there on O.T. and a side walker,  me and Ronnie, but angels all around whispering trust Paradise, she knows who is riding her. "O.K." we are not going to run, but we will try a LITTLE trot just down the one side , a few steps and... 1.., 2.. everyone ready?... 3, trot.  Angels wings could not have carried us more gently, this little horse has the smoothest trot,  head low , with soft eyes she came back down to a walk. Then one more time, a little longer , and Ronnie cheered ,"Trot Para dis" Trot! There are priceless, precious moments in life , angels, and a little paint horse made this one for Ronnie (and all the rest of us too!)

*not her real name.