ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] NASTR RIDE/EASY BOOTS/RUDE PEOPLE *story*

[endurance] NASTR RIDE/EASY BOOTS/RUDE PEOPLE *story*

Karen Chaton (karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us)
Mon, 10 Jun 1996 11:58:55 -0700 (PDT)

On June 8th I did the NASTR 50 ride in Northern Nevada. It was a great
ride, though it was very hot. The news said it was 98 degrees. This was
the first ride where I decided to let my horse go a little bit. Before now
I was always holding him back and/or starting at the back of the pack. Not
this time - I had a feeling that he was ready to keep on truckin' - and that
is what we did. We started towards the front and finished that way - my
first time top tenning in a 50. I consider that quite an accomplishment for
my horse, as it as the hardest I've ever asked him to work, and in spite of
how hot it was he was great. He came thru the 31 mile vet stop with
straight A's and one B. By the final vet in he was obviously hot and was
not interested in food for almost an hour. He actually passed me up in the
final trot out, and once he rested a little bit he really chowed down. I
was glad that I had brought several of those 2-liter plastic soda bottls,
already frozen solid ahead of time. I placed one in each of a couple of
buckets of water that I used for cooling - they worked great, the water was
nice and cold. Also, when the ice melted in the bottles I was able to pour
that nice cool water all over him. I think that helped him a lot. We did
into the last vet check on the trail (3 miles from finish), and it took him
a few minutes to recover. I was really concerned because his heart rate was
hanging at 64 - and he has never ever gone into a vet check and not
immediately been well below 60. I was giving him electrolytes at every vet
stop and break -it must have worked because he was drinking like crazy!
When we got home that night after the ride he went right out and chased the
other horse around.

So we are starting the final 20 mile loop after having our hour lunch break.
I wasn't 30 yards from camp when the easy boot on his left fore goes flying
off. Wow! I even had easy-foam on. I think that the water we went thru or
possibly the sand got in there and must have loosened it up and boy that
stuff just slipped right of of his foot! It acted like a lubricant and
really sent it flying right off. I was sure surprised, and not too happy
about having to go back down the trail to get it. I rode him the next 17
miles to the vet check before putting it on. His shoe was loose, so I put
it back on. I cleaned out all the easy foam junk first, and the boot stayed
on the rest of the way. I don't think it would have come off if it weren't
for the easy foam lubricating it. I don't think that stuff will work if left
on for very long. Learned my lesson.

Now this you guys won't believe. I hope I don't offend anybody. If I do,
then too bad! Where we were camped this really rude girl and her friend
drove up and parked right next to us, and then talked LOUDLY until at least
12:30 at night. Then, the next day when I'm out riding my husband sees this
girl going over to our neighbors on the other side of us and stealing hay
from them. Then, he hears this girl tell her friend "when I'm gone go over
there and steal more of this hay, it's real good hay". Can you BELIEVE
that??? I won't even say what I think about that, but I consider that to be
very rude and inconsiderate. I mean, if somebody were to ask to borrow hay
from me I would gladly give it to them if I had enough. Glad most riders
aren't like that.

Anybody out there going to the Indian Diggin's ride on the 29th? I plan on
going, and would love to hear about the ride from anybody that has done it
before.

I'm going to see an orthopedic doctor tomorrow for my knee. Is it possible
for a kneee joint to just wear out? Mine is. I don't remember injuring it
in any way, and over the last two weeks it has been giving me real trouble.
This past Saturday I was in the most excruciating pain I've ever been.
However, my horse didn't seem to mind me posting on one leg, so I managed to
get thru the ride, but I can't keep riding in this much pain. Any ideas on
what I can do to manage this would be appreciated. Thank you!

Karen
in Gardnerville
& Weaver
& Rocky