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Re: [RC] Swinging Bridge - Barbara McCraryIt's been a LONG time since I last rode the Tevis, so things may have changed, but of the three times I finished, once I unsaddled my horse and led him into the river, whereupon he proceeded to lie down and roll in the water. He was so much refreshed by this that after saddling again, he hiked right on up that trail with great enthusiasm. Another horse I simply rode across the river, scrambled out on the opposite bank and proceeded on up the trail. Maybe the banks have changed a lot since I did that, but I had no trouble at that time. Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Abbott" <mabbott@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 8:43 AM Subject: [RC] Swinging Bridge In regards to the question about the Swinging Bridge--- Whether it "undulates" or "swings," I don't know, but I believe it is best for a rider and their horse to cross it by themselves. If, as the case may be during the Tevis, there are a lot of folks backed up there, you might request no more than two at a time cross. Though basically quite sturdy, the more horses on it, the more it swings. The problem is it does give some horses the heebie jeebies--ones you might the least expect--and they might try to bolt right over you (if you are off your horse) or through other horses to quickly get to the other side. So it is worth being careful there. (I have always gotten off of my horse and walked him across the bridge, standing to one side.) Someone suggested it is a good place to stop and cool one's horse. If they are talking about going off the trail and down to the creek there, well, I wouldn't in that location. It looks pretty easy and very tempting, but I have seen horses get hurt going down to, and stepping into, that creek. (There is a reason there is a bridge!) They were most likely, however, referring to stopping at the spring that exists along the trail a little bit past the bridge. The problem with that spot is only three or four horses can fit there at one time, and while stopped, they block they trail. This can cause a big bottleneck which upsets all of the other horses and riders back waiting to cross the bridge! When you reach the bottom of the canyon where you encounter the Swinging Bridge, your horse, obviously, has just gone downhill. The Last Chance stop was not long before that with plenty of water. So, often, the horses are not even thirsty at this point. However, they are about to face one of the worst uphill climbs of the entire ride--maybe their entire lives!--considering where they hit it in the ride (at least, that is my opinion)--the two miles of relentless, neverending switchbacks up to Devil's Thumb! But...guess what. At the top of that climb WSTF has lots of water for the horses--and that's where they want it the most! It is a great reward, and unless there has been a major change I don't know about, you can count on it being there. Thus, I'd plan to cross the Swinging Bridge, as safely as possible, let your horse take a quick drink at the spring if he wants, but if he doesn't, don't linger! Instead, head right on up (and up, and UP!) the trail to Devil's Thumb. This is my opinion. Hope some find it helpful. I have especially shared this because I think a lot of people stop and hang out much longer than necessary at the spring, causing an irritating backup, because they don't know all that water is waiting for them "above." (And yes, when you get to the top at Devil's Thumb--it does seem like Heaven!) Mary Abbott Grass Valley, CA =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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