What I did last weekend - way off-topic
#1
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept 22 - 24, my wife and I went on a horse drive, taking about 100 horses and mules from Mammoth Lakes, CA sixty miles to Bishop. It was three of the most exciting days of our lives!
There were 53 riders, ranging from those who had never been on a horse before to those who have been riding for 60 years. The basic idea is simple: form a line, ride from here to there, and the herd will follow you. A few riders stay to the sides to pick up the strays, a few stay at the back to push the slow-pokes, and that's about it.
I've ridden once a week since April--not much experience at all. But I got a terrific mount: a Percheron mix named Butch who would do anything I asked him to do. The first morning I was cantering more than I'd ever cantered in my life. Less than an hour into the drive I was on a galloping horse for the first time ever! (Initially, you're terrified at how fast you're going. Then you look around and realize that you're not falling off, so you hang on for the thrill of your life! And it's much smoother than a canter.) Another half-hour later and he was jumping over streams, and I was still hanging on!
We chased down strays, trotted, cantered, and galloped cross-country, darted back and forth through the herd, and scrambled up and down rocks. The dust was incredible: within 30 minutes I looked worse than if I'd changed a clutch by myself.
Then came the downside. Just before lunch I was talking to a woman who'd never ridden before, giving her the benefit of my immense experience. (Right!) Suddenly her horse cut in front of me and kicked me in the shin, just below my left knee. Imagine running full-speed into a dining table and you'll be pretty accurate on the feeling. A few minutes later it felt very strange, so I reached down to feel my leg, and came back with a hand covered with blood. My pant leg was soaked, my sock was soaked, and my boot was filling with blood. I made a mad dash to find my wife and her trusty first-aid kit, then to the front of the herd to let our leader know that I had a big problem. To shorten a long story, I was cut clear to the bone, but eight stitches later I was back, and Saturday and Sunday finished the drive. (I was mainly disappointed that I missed riding Friday afternoon!)
The food was great: grilled chicken, tri-tip, corn-on-the-cob, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grilled potatoes, strawberry shortcake, pancakes, chocolate cake, and more. Beer, wine, soda, juice, water, and other libations as well.
Also, quite a few good-looking, young, single ladies (and gentlemen, I suppose), should that be of any interest.
There are Spring drives to take the stock up to Mammoth and Fall drives to bring them back down. I'm sure this sort of thing goes on all over. If you like horseback riding, or think you do, or think you might, I would recommend it in a trice. I can't wait till the next drive!
There were 53 riders, ranging from those who had never been on a horse before to those who have been riding for 60 years. The basic idea is simple: form a line, ride from here to there, and the herd will follow you. A few riders stay to the sides to pick up the strays, a few stay at the back to push the slow-pokes, and that's about it.
I've ridden once a week since April--not much experience at all. But I got a terrific mount: a Percheron mix named Butch who would do anything I asked him to do. The first morning I was cantering more than I'd ever cantered in my life. Less than an hour into the drive I was on a galloping horse for the first time ever! (Initially, you're terrified at how fast you're going. Then you look around and realize that you're not falling off, so you hang on for the thrill of your life! And it's much smoother than a canter.) Another half-hour later and he was jumping over streams, and I was still hanging on!
We chased down strays, trotted, cantered, and galloped cross-country, darted back and forth through the herd, and scrambled up and down rocks. The dust was incredible: within 30 minutes I looked worse than if I'd changed a clutch by myself.
Then came the downside. Just before lunch I was talking to a woman who'd never ridden before, giving her the benefit of my immense experience. (Right!) Suddenly her horse cut in front of me and kicked me in the shin, just below my left knee. Imagine running full-speed into a dining table and you'll be pretty accurate on the feeling. A few minutes later it felt very strange, so I reached down to feel my leg, and came back with a hand covered with blood. My pant leg was soaked, my sock was soaked, and my boot was filling with blood. I made a mad dash to find my wife and her trusty first-aid kit, then to the front of the herd to let our leader know that I had a big problem. To shorten a long story, I was cut clear to the bone, but eight stitches later I was back, and Saturday and Sunday finished the drive. (I was mainly disappointed that I missed riding Friday afternoon!)
The food was great: grilled chicken, tri-tip, corn-on-the-cob, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grilled potatoes, strawberry shortcake, pancakes, chocolate cake, and more. Beer, wine, soda, juice, water, and other libations as well.
Also, quite a few good-looking, young, single ladies (and gentlemen, I suppose), should that be of any interest.
There are Spring drives to take the stock up to Mammoth and Fall drives to bring them back down. I'm sure this sort of thing goes on all over. If you like horseback riding, or think you do, or think you might, I would recommend it in a trice. I can't wait till the next drive!
#2
Sounds like a blast. I bought my wife a nice horse 3 years ago and I'm around horses several times each week but I almost never ride and I've never even gotten on our horse. I do like riding in the mountains or on trails so I think I'd love this. One thing is for sure, it's hard to be around horses without getting hurt now and then. Glad yours wasn't any worse.
#3
Originally posted by CG
I bought my wife a nice horse 3 years ago . . . .
I bought my wife a nice horse 3 years ago . . . .
Originally posted by CG
One thing is for sure, it's hard to be around horses without getting hurt now and then.
One thing is for sure, it's hard to be around horses without getting hurt now and then.
#4
Magician-
I hope you had a whole lot to drink after getting kicked by the horse. Sounds nasty. I dropped a 70 lb dumbbell on the end of my index finger this morning at the gym. It's purple, swollen up like a balloon, and hurts like hell. Since I type with two fingers, this is hard. I'm trying to keep my posts short today.
I hope you had a whole lot to drink after getting kicked by the horse. Sounds nasty. I dropped a 70 lb dumbbell on the end of my index finger this morning at the gym. It's purple, swollen up like a balloon, and hurts like hell. Since I type with two fingers, this is hard. I'm trying to keep my posts short today.
#5
Originally posted by The Raptor
Magician-
I hope you had a whole lot to drink after getting kicked by the horse.
Magician-
I hope you had a whole lot to drink after getting kicked by the horse.
As soon as I arrived back I was offered a beer. (And help setting up my tent, and the best seat in the house, . . . .) And there was wine, and bourbon, and vodka, and so on.
I was OK.
PS While I don't believe in Karma, the horse who kicked me stumbled and fell that afternoon. His rider wouldn't get back on a horse: she finished the drive riding in a wagon.
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