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.

 

 

 

 

 

Cold Turkeys

Thought I would share my snowy day in Colorado with you.
We had nearly 12 inches here at the house, and the wild Turkeys that hang around looked a little cold and wet as they trotted past today. In the Spring, the snow is always wet and heavy. We worry that we will lose branches and trees before it is all over. It is awe inspiring to hear the heavy snow thud to the ground and the crack of a branch snapping!

Ice Storm

Well this has really been a tough winter. I am sitting here in the Arkansas Apartment waiting for the 2010 ice storm to happen. I hope it slides right past us. My husband Larry is trying to fly into Tulsa, which has canceled all flights, so he is hopping around airports waiting for things to improve. I think he is on his way to Minn. right now. Even if he gets to Tulsa he won't be able to drive on the ice back to Fayetteville. This same time last year there was a huge ice storm here. Some people had no power for weeks. Trees and power poles where down all over. A few days after the storm we ventured out and went to check on the horses. I dug up some video I took that day.

Part Two Lady Long Rider.

Part Two of my interview with Bernice Ende.

Lady Long Rider up date.

I have been thinking a lot about my friend Bernice Ende

Bernice was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota, and riding has always been an integral part of her life. After pursuing a career in classical Ballet and teaching dance, Bernice moved to the northwest corner of Montana, to live in a cabin on the mountainside.  She continued teaching ballet and gave riding lessons when dance classes were not in session.

Her retirement in 2003 brought not a lack of activity, but rather a change of focus. Drawn back to riding, Bernice felt the pull of the open road and adventure inherent in serous riding.

In 2005 she made her first long-distance ride on a Tennessee Walking Horse, a young gelding named Pride. 

After her first year of riding, Bernice realized that Long Riding was an occupation she loved and longed to pursue. After her first 2,000-mile ride, she was invited to join the Long Riders Guild, an international organization dedicated to preserving the independent, adventurous spirit of the horse and rider.

Bernice's second ride of 5,000 miles followed, broadening her experience and bringing the opportunity of reaching out to others in public speaking, inspiring them to pursue their dreams as she has pursued hers.

In 2008, Bernice begins her fourth year of riding. This third ride will bring the total miles she has ridden up to 10,000; a remarkable achievement for any rider.
Bernice has ridden all these miles alone, with horse and dog, the kindness and generosity of strangers, and a quality of courage and faith inspiring to all who meet her. who is on her 4th long ride. The weather has been so crazy and she is some where in Texas. I am hoping to meet up with her on our way to Arizona. For the next 2 years she will be riding a total of 7000 miles. She truly is an Equine Explorer! This video is part one of 2 interviews we had with her as she traveled on her 3rd journey though St. Johns Arizona.
Bernice was last seen January 11, 2010 near Midland Texas.

Endurance

Charlotte Barraclough is my new hero. She is an 18 yr old from Axminster United Kingdom. I ran across her videos, and well ,I love them especially this one! Can you guess why?

Horse Trails at Pea Ridge National Military Park

I have been working on my backlog of video footage so I have a new one for you. This is Pea Ridge Battlefield in NW Arkansas. I found out there was a horse trail there, so Larry and I headed out on a cold day, and I dug into the history .

National Park Link

Here is a link to a great site that will give very detailed information on Pea Ridge and Elkhorn Tavern

Timber Mesa Trail White Mt. of Arizona

Yes the last photo was in the White Mountains of Arizona near Show Low. It was the Timber Mesa Trail east of Pine Top. Here is a video we made of that ride.

Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle

My good friend Nancy forwarded this nice cowboy song on to me , I liked it and so I'll post it for you, my horse's would probably like it too.

Download Dont_Ever_Sell_Your_Saddle

Riding in Colorado High Country

When it is too cold out side to brave the elements, I pull up some of my old video and dream I am out there. Oh it will be summer again in Colorado and we will saddle up and ride. This is a Beaver Creek trail out of Jacks Gulch, also rode on Fish Creek and Flowers trail that day. This was a big adventure. We rode 12 hours because we ran into fallen trees up one drainage we had to climb. We came in after dark, but rode again the next day. I love my super horses!