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Little Manistee/Part 2
Miles 25-38 were much better, even pace, horse that
listened and responded. That hour rest did wonders for his brain.
Very little for my pain!! The last 12 miles were mostly at a walk.
After we left the vet check, Malik just wanted to walk for which I was
grateful. I didn't care if we did walk all the way...it actually gave me
some time to do some wildflower and bird identification and a chance to enjoy
the scenery with the different greens and silvers and reds of the budding
trees. The last 5 miles Malik suddenly perked up and decided it was time
to get a move on. We did trot and even canter a little bit but when he did
his jigging routine which means he wants to go faster, I couldn't handle
that. It hurt too much. My daughter with her faithful little horse,
Max stuck with us the whole way (though she did announce to me about mile 35
that she was done and wanted to go home now!). :) She was in a car
accident and hurt her shoulder in February and it started bothering her on the
2nd half. So, we were both content to mosey and enjoy what was left of the
ride, even at a walk. Fortunately, it warmed during the day and the sun
shone and it was very enjoyable. And so, we finished dead last (thanks for
the applause and cheering by the bonfire, folks!!) but with horses in
great shape...I do believe Malik could have gone back out and done it again (but
not with ME). The vet thinks he's perfectly ready to do the 100 at Grand
Island...I am NOT. I want to be but I don't think I could. I am
simply not ready yet....funny though how endurance riding is kind of like
childbirth...after awhile the memory of the pain lessens and you look
forward to doing it again. This is what I learned... just when I think I am
doing pretty good and feeling pretty smug about how "ready" I am for a given
task, I find out otherwise (though I do admit I hadn't counted on the first 25
miles being so tough). #2, Malik needs more training and I think the only
way I can achieve that is by going to the rides and riding them!
Definitely need something with more control during at least the first 25
miles. Though he's an angel at home (I also ride him in a sidepull at
times) and was good last year when we rode LD, this year he is stronger, fitter
and even more competitive. He has the athleticism and heart to achieve
success in endurance, now if we can just teach him to pace himself....he ate and
drank fabulously all day. Steve Halstead said he had the best gut sounds
he had heard yesterday. His CRI's were 16/13, 15/13 and the final one was
16/17 which we think was because Jenny took Max back to the trailer before we
were done vetting. He still has to learn though and Max won't be with him
all the time.
Stay tuned for the rest of the
story...
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