Cartfall
Oct. 26, 2009, 09:25 PM
This past weekend was our Zanzer's first CTD!!!
We arrived on Saturday afternoon to the Withlacoochie Forest in Lecanto Fl at the Renab Ranch. This is an campground for horse folks, mostly snow birds who come down in the winter to ride our Florida Trails. The ranch lies back off of the road, down a 1/2 mile driveway, lined with old laurel and live oaks. The weather was an incredible 75 degrees with a light wind off of the Gulf. The weather guys had gotten it wrong again---as the saying goes in Florida--one thing you can count on about the weather in florida is that you can;t count on it!!! We were packed for high 80s, I had only brought a light scrim sheet for the boy!!! It was 55 degrees the next morning!!!
Anywho, we set up our high tie picket line between a couple of trees and proceeded to introduce Zanzer to picketing. He has never been on a picket line as we have no trees on our farm usable for picketing. He took to it like a fish in water. He got so comfortable on the line he slept lying down and even rolled on the line like an old pro. I use a collar with a sliding ring so he can't get wrapped up in the tie line.
We proceeded to vet in and had all 0s and 1s. The horses are checked for a pre-ride condition. Then after the ride are checked against that standard. Metabolics, windpuffs, lameness, etc all are checked for
We then proceeded to the horsemanship judge. This is the judge who decides the special awards--best arabian, best other registry, best rookie horse, best rider/driver, etc.
http://billihenshaw.smugmug.com/Equine-Events-and-Shows/Equine-Events/Spooktacular-25/10118068_JqDww#696207285_JXYgn
ONce that was done, it was time to check all my equipment--add all my pouches to my cart, set my watches, attach one to the cart, put all the harness and gear in a place for tomorrow.
Then it was time to visit with old friends and drink copious amounts of beer!!!
Of course, I was feeding the boy plenty of soaked beet pulp with electrolytes to prehydrate him.
The evening was a barbeque dinner of ribs and chicken. Good old southern fare!!! A short driver's meeting on what to look for and it was time for bed.
I woke up at one point around midnight to check on the boy to make sure he was warm enough. I had body clipped 2 days before the drive. I could see him from the RV window. So got dressred and walked out to the line and
THERE WAS NO HORSE ON THE LINE!!! EEEKKK:eek: Evidently he had played with the knot (he does that a lot in the trailer) and let himself loose!! He was over grazing by some other horses. Turned and walked up to me, hi mom!!!
He was plenty warm, so I went back to bed, retying the line so nimble lips couldn;et let himself go!!!
At 5:45 the next morning, was back out feeding him his breakfast and hay. As we were the 2nd to go out, we had to harness in the dark. 3 big standing lights help immensely. We were in the cart warming up as the sun broke the darkness. We went out in 30 second intervals. The lead driver was right in front of us. It was 55 degrees and these horses were ready!!!
My husband caught a ride with me down the drive to help with the crossing guard. He kept telling me to slow Zanzer down--the boy wanted to catch the horse in front of us. Hubby had to almost jump out--we weren;t stopping!!!
We had to travel along a high way about 1/4 mile before we enter fhe forest,. I was not going to hold him back anymore, and asked permission to pass . It was granted and we were in front for the next 14 miles!!!! I was unsure if Zanzer was in good enough condition to do a full 25. Well, let me tell you, he was a fricking locamotive!!! We are supposed to rate the horses at about 6 to 8 miles per hour. We were running 9 mph by time we had done the first 5 miles. The boy did not walk or even ask to walk until we hit 7 or 8 miles. The riders come out 15 minutes after the drivers.
The trails were lovely two tracks or horse trails through a scrub oak forest, with pine meadows, rolling hills (for Florida) some deep sandy places, some clay road, but mostly lovely trails through the woods. The footing was good for the most part as we have had some rain.
The first water stop was just at a little over 10m miles. We have an enforced 20 minute hold while p&rs are takening and the vet does a metabolic check. Any horse over 64 pulse is held an additional 10 minutes to see if he comes down. Any horse that does not will be pulled by the vet.
We trot out from this water stop under watchful eyes for lameness.
3 of we 4 drivers came in ahead of any riders. I was first in so got to leave a couple of minutes ahead of my cohorts. I have worked out a way to get Zaner to drink on the trail as he has his mama's tendency to go forever without drinking. I carry a soft bucket and drop a cup of beetpulp in it. Then fill it up with water, He smells the beet pulp and dives in. I can get the bucket over his bit and he slurps it up. Got two buckets down him.
We left on time and were stroken out in the woods by ourselves enjoying the morning--saw some hawks, a big fox squiirel and heard other critters in the woods. At our 14 miles, a lone rider asked to pass. Gladly gave him permission and then Zanzer got mad. He wanted to catch that rider and pass him. Thank goodness for bucking straps!!! He really does not like being left on the trail!!!
One of the other drivers caught up with me and we travelled until the next waterstop. This particular part of the trail had a lot of hill work. That is a problem for me as I have no where close to work any hill in the cart. I live in a flat coastal plain!!! I did a lot of walking down those hills to protect the boy's legs.
We were blasting through the trail at one point where there was a sharp 120 degree turn onto a road, followed by another 120 turn then immediately by a 90 degree turn. It was a lot of bumps crossing a road up and down the rim, then after that 90 the road fell away with erosion ruts and high sides. We got up on one wheel, I correct my weight and we went up on the other wheel, and somehow Zanzer got pulled up a high side of the road right into the trees. Thankfully I got him stopped and had some words for hubby's helpful actions of cleaning and armor-alling my vinyl seat!!! Pretty dicey there for a few minutes.
At the second waterstop, I pulled in and tied the boy to a tree. Gave him a bucket of beetpulp slop and the other driver passed me. We were at about 5 miles to go and I wanted to slow him down. I knew she wanted to go faster than I. Some riders started coming in, so we travelled on. I have found that riders and carts just don;t travel at the same speeds and getting into a leap frog situation is a real pain for all. So I try to stay ahead of the riders.
Someone forgot to tell Zanzer that we still had 5 miles to go, he wanted to trot on. I got some walking from him --and boy did those 4 to go, 3 to go look good. Then we caught up with the other driver. We travelled in the rest of the way. We got ahead during the road crossing and came in behind the rider who had passed us earlier.
Was so very pleased with his effort this weekend. We unhitched, went to the CRI area and passed through the judges. After the last judge, Zanzer dropped in a patch of sand and just rolled and rolled and rolled. He was so dirty. So back at camp, I cleaned him up again, set him up with his soup and hay and went to take care of my own needs. Went back to get him to go up for the final vet in and found a filthy horse. He had rolled on the line!!! Amazing as this was his first time ever on a picket line!!!
Had a short time to try and clean him up, but it wasn;t enough, so we took a hit on horsemanship!!! Usually am in the top 6 but not this time. Oh well, he was a happy relaxed boy.
Time for seeing photos and more beer drinking while watching others getting vetted in.
Finally the award ceremony!! They call the awards from the 6th place up to first-- They called drivers for the positions , I figured we had a chance at 2nd. They did not call me for second--but first!!! Zanzer wins on his time out!!! So very proud of my little man.
Loaded him, a 2.5 hour trip home and he came off the trailer at 8:30. We were both so tired. But I am so proud!!
I have two photos but haven;t figured out how to post them. Have to scan them in. May take a day or two.
http://billihenshaw.smugmug.com/Equine-Events-and-Shows/Equine-Events/Spooktacular-25/10118068_JqDww#696213741_897y4
http://billihenshaw.smugmug.com/Equine-Events-and-Shows/Equine-Events/Spooktacular-25/10118068_JqDww#696214052_7rvFi
Love doing this distance stuff. Ya think?
We arrived on Saturday afternoon to the Withlacoochie Forest in Lecanto Fl at the Renab Ranch. This is an campground for horse folks, mostly snow birds who come down in the winter to ride our Florida Trails. The ranch lies back off of the road, down a 1/2 mile driveway, lined with old laurel and live oaks. The weather was an incredible 75 degrees with a light wind off of the Gulf. The weather guys had gotten it wrong again---as the saying goes in Florida--one thing you can count on about the weather in florida is that you can;t count on it!!! We were packed for high 80s, I had only brought a light scrim sheet for the boy!!! It was 55 degrees the next morning!!!
Anywho, we set up our high tie picket line between a couple of trees and proceeded to introduce Zanzer to picketing. He has never been on a picket line as we have no trees on our farm usable for picketing. He took to it like a fish in water. He got so comfortable on the line he slept lying down and even rolled on the line like an old pro. I use a collar with a sliding ring so he can't get wrapped up in the tie line.
We proceeded to vet in and had all 0s and 1s. The horses are checked for a pre-ride condition. Then after the ride are checked against that standard. Metabolics, windpuffs, lameness, etc all are checked for
We then proceeded to the horsemanship judge. This is the judge who decides the special awards--best arabian, best other registry, best rookie horse, best rider/driver, etc.
http://billihenshaw.smugmug.com/Equine-Events-and-Shows/Equine-Events/Spooktacular-25/10118068_JqDww#696207285_JXYgn
ONce that was done, it was time to check all my equipment--add all my pouches to my cart, set my watches, attach one to the cart, put all the harness and gear in a place for tomorrow.
Then it was time to visit with old friends and drink copious amounts of beer!!!
Of course, I was feeding the boy plenty of soaked beet pulp with electrolytes to prehydrate him.
The evening was a barbeque dinner of ribs and chicken. Good old southern fare!!! A short driver's meeting on what to look for and it was time for bed.
I woke up at one point around midnight to check on the boy to make sure he was warm enough. I had body clipped 2 days before the drive. I could see him from the RV window. So got dressred and walked out to the line and
THERE WAS NO HORSE ON THE LINE!!! EEEKKK:eek: Evidently he had played with the knot (he does that a lot in the trailer) and let himself loose!! He was over grazing by some other horses. Turned and walked up to me, hi mom!!!
He was plenty warm, so I went back to bed, retying the line so nimble lips couldn;et let himself go!!!
At 5:45 the next morning, was back out feeding him his breakfast and hay. As we were the 2nd to go out, we had to harness in the dark. 3 big standing lights help immensely. We were in the cart warming up as the sun broke the darkness. We went out in 30 second intervals. The lead driver was right in front of us. It was 55 degrees and these horses were ready!!!
My husband caught a ride with me down the drive to help with the crossing guard. He kept telling me to slow Zanzer down--the boy wanted to catch the horse in front of us. Hubby had to almost jump out--we weren;t stopping!!!
We had to travel along a high way about 1/4 mile before we enter fhe forest,. I was not going to hold him back anymore, and asked permission to pass . It was granted and we were in front for the next 14 miles!!!! I was unsure if Zanzer was in good enough condition to do a full 25. Well, let me tell you, he was a fricking locamotive!!! We are supposed to rate the horses at about 6 to 8 miles per hour. We were running 9 mph by time we had done the first 5 miles. The boy did not walk or even ask to walk until we hit 7 or 8 miles. The riders come out 15 minutes after the drivers.
The trails were lovely two tracks or horse trails through a scrub oak forest, with pine meadows, rolling hills (for Florida) some deep sandy places, some clay road, but mostly lovely trails through the woods. The footing was good for the most part as we have had some rain.
The first water stop was just at a little over 10m miles. We have an enforced 20 minute hold while p&rs are takening and the vet does a metabolic check. Any horse over 64 pulse is held an additional 10 minutes to see if he comes down. Any horse that does not will be pulled by the vet.
We trot out from this water stop under watchful eyes for lameness.
3 of we 4 drivers came in ahead of any riders. I was first in so got to leave a couple of minutes ahead of my cohorts. I have worked out a way to get Zaner to drink on the trail as he has his mama's tendency to go forever without drinking. I carry a soft bucket and drop a cup of beetpulp in it. Then fill it up with water, He smells the beet pulp and dives in. I can get the bucket over his bit and he slurps it up. Got two buckets down him.
We left on time and were stroken out in the woods by ourselves enjoying the morning--saw some hawks, a big fox squiirel and heard other critters in the woods. At our 14 miles, a lone rider asked to pass. Gladly gave him permission and then Zanzer got mad. He wanted to catch that rider and pass him. Thank goodness for bucking straps!!! He really does not like being left on the trail!!!
One of the other drivers caught up with me and we travelled until the next waterstop. This particular part of the trail had a lot of hill work. That is a problem for me as I have no where close to work any hill in the cart. I live in a flat coastal plain!!! I did a lot of walking down those hills to protect the boy's legs.
We were blasting through the trail at one point where there was a sharp 120 degree turn onto a road, followed by another 120 turn then immediately by a 90 degree turn. It was a lot of bumps crossing a road up and down the rim, then after that 90 the road fell away with erosion ruts and high sides. We got up on one wheel, I correct my weight and we went up on the other wheel, and somehow Zanzer got pulled up a high side of the road right into the trees. Thankfully I got him stopped and had some words for hubby's helpful actions of cleaning and armor-alling my vinyl seat!!! Pretty dicey there for a few minutes.
At the second waterstop, I pulled in and tied the boy to a tree. Gave him a bucket of beetpulp slop and the other driver passed me. We were at about 5 miles to go and I wanted to slow him down. I knew she wanted to go faster than I. Some riders started coming in, so we travelled on. I have found that riders and carts just don;t travel at the same speeds and getting into a leap frog situation is a real pain for all. So I try to stay ahead of the riders.
Someone forgot to tell Zanzer that we still had 5 miles to go, he wanted to trot on. I got some walking from him --and boy did those 4 to go, 3 to go look good. Then we caught up with the other driver. We travelled in the rest of the way. We got ahead during the road crossing and came in behind the rider who had passed us earlier.
Was so very pleased with his effort this weekend. We unhitched, went to the CRI area and passed through the judges. After the last judge, Zanzer dropped in a patch of sand and just rolled and rolled and rolled. He was so dirty. So back at camp, I cleaned him up again, set him up with his soup and hay and went to take care of my own needs. Went back to get him to go up for the final vet in and found a filthy horse. He had rolled on the line!!! Amazing as this was his first time ever on a picket line!!!
Had a short time to try and clean him up, but it wasn;t enough, so we took a hit on horsemanship!!! Usually am in the top 6 but not this time. Oh well, he was a happy relaxed boy.
Time for seeing photos and more beer drinking while watching others getting vetted in.
Finally the award ceremony!! They call the awards from the 6th place up to first-- They called drivers for the positions , I figured we had a chance at 2nd. They did not call me for second--but first!!! Zanzer wins on his time out!!! So very proud of my little man.
Loaded him, a 2.5 hour trip home and he came off the trailer at 8:30. We were both so tired. But I am so proud!!
I have two photos but haven;t figured out how to post them. Have to scan them in. May take a day or two.
http://billihenshaw.smugmug.com/Equine-Events-and-Shows/Equine-Events/Spooktacular-25/10118068_JqDww#696213741_897y4
http://billihenshaw.smugmug.com/Equine-Events-and-Shows/Equine-Events/Spooktacular-25/10118068_JqDww#696214052_7rvFi
Love doing this distance stuff. Ya think?