Some horsecamps are privately owned and often the owners have a few head of cattle wandering around as well.  Loose cattle can be a real problem if one doesn’t keep feed, equipment picked up and put away plus a neat camp.  Cattle love to wander in around dark and early morning hours to see what they can nibble on!  But this calf went a little to far by taking his ‘own’ chair.

It was last summer up at the Euer Valley Horsecamp (which since has been sold and the horsecamp closed).  John kept his Herfords on the property and they wandered around the camps going and coming to water and just investigating.  As far as anyone could determine, this calf got to wandering around a camp, found a chair he liked and decided to take it with him!

When I first saw him across the meadow, he looked like he was just laying BY the chair.  But when he stood up, could see he had his head through the chair handles!  How he did it is anyone’s guess but figure he got to licking the chair or eating something off it and somehow got his head through the chair.

People would saddle up each day and follow the calf around.  Some felt he might strave to death.  Others felt he might drown getting a drink from the stream.  But just looking at him, he sure was eating nicely.  At one stream Nic and I came upon him getting a drink of water and he’d figured out how to get the chair turned to one side so he could drink.

Seems about the only problem the calf had was nursing.  His mom sure didn’t like that chair pushed into her but they soon worked that out and he was nursing too.  Since he was a pretty good size calf, his mom ran him off after a couple days though and he’d wander around with his chair on his head.

Some folks decided to ‘rescue’ the calf.  They found out the calf could really run with that chair on his head and like a deer or an elk with a full rack of antles atop his head, this calf could duck and dart through the under brush like a pro.  He’d get between pine trees it was hard to get a horse and rider between — even at a walk.

Others tried to rope him.  But that proved impossible.  Getting a loop over calf and chair was a bigger feat than weekend cowboys could accomplish.  Plus horses are used to seeing cattle and chairs — but not connected.  The calf and chair soon became a ‘training’ item as horses snorted and darted around the calf when being ridden by.  Two ‘cowboys’ set on roping him soon found themselves grabbing leather as their horses spun back at the calf and chair standing up — together!  And each morning folks would ride by the bulletin board to read the latest calf/chair report — “Calf and chair are in the far meadow by stream crossing” or “Calf with chair was seen under the bridge” because some of those trail horses didn’t like a calf with a chair hanging on his head either.  A lot of campfire tales were manufactuered from sudden appearances of calf and chair  from the trees or meeting face to face on a trail!

For the three weeks Nic and I were there, the calf and his chair wandered around.  And the calf was quite a hit in his own crowd too.  Other calves and even the cows would come over and lick the plastic, nibble on it and that proved to be the calf’s chair down fall.  They licked and nibbled on it so much, one day it just fell off the calf’s head.

The lose of his chair was another interesting event.  At first the calf bucked and ran around the meadow.  But that night, the calf and a few head of cattle came back to where the chair was laying in the meadow.  They all took turns sniffing, licking and nibbling on the chair.  Then as they bedded in for the night, the calf layed down BESIDE his chair.  For three nights he’d bed by that chair.  He was still hanging around with his chair even if the chair wasn’t hanging around his head.

On the fourth morning Nic and I went into the meadow and there was the chair.  But no calf or cattle.  We went over to look at the chair and one could see the nibble marks where the cattle had eaten through the plastic.  Couple days later when we wandered by the chair again it was still in the meadow except now there were other teeth marks in it — coyote.

Stay safe.

Bonnie & Nic
horsecamping@comcast.net

Spring is here!!  Bet everyone, including me, is eager to hit the trail.  Along with spring cleaning and putting away those winter blankets, don’t forget to take time to check and clean tack.

There is nothing worse than starting to tack up and having something fail like a loose chicago screw on your bridle or worse a thinning piece of latigo.  You know, the one you keep saying you’re  going to replace!  Or tighten!

Take those favorite reins.  The ones that feel so good in your hands.   They will last a long time if you take a few minutes to care for them because what it all boils down to is that there really is no excuse for not cleaning bridles and saddles. There  are saddle soaps out that not only clean but add moisture and waterproofing, all in one application.  Let’s face it, our tack cost us good money – so take care of it.

Remember to tighten all chicago screws, especially the ones that hold the bit on.  I lost a screw when on a trail ride.  Nic took me down a steep hill then at the bottom spit out the left side of the bit.  Not sure how long he carried it but I’m glad he waited till we were safely at the bottom.  I learned my lesson that day about checking chicago screws.  Now I carry a bit of baling twine and Rescue Tape in my saddle bags.  You know, in case ANYONE ELSE has a problem with their tack!

And be sure to look at the ‘back side’ of bridles.  Make sure hair and sweat hasn’t accumulated there which can cause pressure sores on your horse’s skin.

Take a good look at your cinches for cleanliness and make sure your connector between front and back cinch is strong.  You don’t want that back cinch sliding back and turning into a bucking strap!  I saw this happen to a fellow rider.  He did ride the 8 seconds but had an ugly dismount.   Also, back cinches should be snug to your horse’s belly – they keep a saddle from ‘flipping’ forward when going down hill and are meant to be used, not just decoration.

Check behind your stirrups for dirt and sweat which is up against your horse’s skin as well.  Make sure your latigo leather isn’t thinning or tearing.  Look at your conchos and “saddle strings” used to tie things such as a jacket or saddle bags on your saddle for strength.  Flip your saddle over and feel the lining for sharp points , thinning lining, matted dirt around the skirts.  Take a peek at the stitching on both bridle and saddle. Be sure to pay attention to your stitching when cleaning and protecting your leather.  Stitching can rot from dirt and sweat so give it a good coating.

Lastly, check your horse’s saddle pad for built up dirt/sweat/hair or a broken down shape.  Then if it does need cleaning be careful with detergents.  They can easily irritate your horse’s skin. (I use horse shampoo to wash tack that can be washed.)  Do this for your own personal safety and your horse’s comfort.   And to know that you will never miss a great trail ride because of something your put off.

Happy Trails and Stay Safe!

Bonnie (and Nic)

horsecamping@comcast.net

Three weeks ago went horsecamping down in Nevada and Arizona.  Nevada, out at Lake Mead.  One can camp there and ride just about anywhere in the National Recreation Area they want — be sure to ride to the east above the campground and out towards the Temple.  Beautiful scenery — and not to many cactus to watch for.

In Arizona, over to Kingman and onto to some BLM land for 10 days.  Suppose one could say I was lost for those 10 days because I never really knew where I was half the time.  But just because I wasn’t sure where I was going doesn’t mean I was lost.  Just looking at the country.  I’m a firm believer that one is NEVER lost.  It just may take a few extra hours to get somewhere or even a couple days but in between, you see a lot of beautiful country.  Besides, with a compass one is never lost!!  At both sites, ran across a few streams and round Lake Mead a few blades of grass here and there.  But just because it’s ‘green’ doesn’t mean a horse can eat it!

Out camping, one has to be careful of what a horse grazes.  In fact, in your own pasture and around the barn, one has to be careful what a horse grazes.  Horses fed on dry feed and pellets are always looking for green grass but NOT all green grass is safe to eat!!

A few years back a friend lost her mare when the horse ate some ‘leaves’ that had blown into the pasture.  We all know about oleanders being poison to a horse, but what about Yellow Jessamine?  Or Hydranga?  Even the little yellow Buttercup can poison.  The secret is how much of a plant a horse eats.  And the condition of the horse.  It takes less ‘leaves’ to poison a pony or small horse than one 15 or 16 hands tall.  Plus the older horse will suffer more than a younger horse depending on physical condition and over all general health.

As spring breaks out, horses are ‘hungry’ for green so they begin to graze what is popping up in pastures, around fence posts, by gates and around them.  Which is why one should not only know what poison plants are local to their area but have a book or some reference in their trailer for use when out trail riding and camping in unfamiliar country.

It’s important when putting horses in meadows or strange pastures to check out the grasses growing there.  Horses won’t normally eat toxic plants unless there’s nothing else to eat!!  Horses are grazing animals so they look for plants to graze on — eat.  Also, plants  that can make a horse sick may be mixed in with field cutting, wind rowed, dried and baled with the normal non-toxic hay.  Which it’s why it’s a good idea to check each and every bale as you stack it.  And if buying unfamililar hay out on the road, ask what’s in it?  And where did it come from?

For years I’ve carried a copy of the book “Horse Owners’ Field Guide to Toxic Plants”.  It’s easy to read.  Broken down into sections that cover ‘Trees’, ‘Bushes, Shrubs & Vines’, Ferns & Palms’, ‘Weeds & Wildflowers’, ‘Grasses & Horsetails’.  Each plant has a color picture on one page and on the oppositre, what it’s known as, description, geographic distribution, signs of poisoning and what to do for treatment.  Unfortunately, some trees grow all over the United States and even Canada — Wild Cherry, Choke Cherries, Black Cherry, Pin Cherry, even Peach — can be toxic if eaten in excess.  They all have cyanide in them and it’s this toxic that causes problems so a vet should be contacted immediately.  But before the vet gets there, this book will give you help in what to do BEFORE the vet arrives.  Because when out camping, a vet can be a hundred miles away — if your cell phone works to contact him!!

To read more about this book, go to www.twohorseenterprises.com or ‘wild card’ the title.

Bonnie (& Nic)
horsecamping@comcat.net

The first Horse Events in Pomona at Fairplex was a huge success………..three vendor buildings were full, trailers and rigs sold, clinics were packed and the horse industry looked like it was making a come back with more folks talking about hauling, camping, trail riding and horses in general.  Daily at 1 pm “Horsecamping” drew lots of folks and I guess I should have printed more than the usual 500 handouts because they were gone by Friday.  In case some of you didn’t get a copy, missed signing up for one at Two Horse Enterprises’ vendor boothor just would like a copy, e-mail me at horsecamping@comcast.net and I’ll send you the 12 pages!!

Really enjoy going to expos and events.  Remeet lots of people from the previous years.  Get to talk about my favorite things — horsecamping and trail riding — plus always pick up some new tips and ideas.   This year a gal gave me what she calls the “Extra Gaits of Horses”.  It’s true and funny.  All of us have had a horse do at least one of these gaits and I’d like to share them here.  So sit down in comfortable chair and giggle along with me……..

The Boink — One-beat gait with suspension, often exhibited by horses ridden into a field of white-tailed deer.

The Lateral Swoop — A sudden sideways leap with shoulder horizontal to the ground.  Leaves the rider hovering briefly over WHERE the saddle used to be before descending to the ground.  Deer not only start the equine Swoop but so can a tractor starting up, snow sliding off the arena roof, someone sneezing outside the barn and that big rock in the pasture the horse has walked pass a thousand times but on this particular day that big rock turned into bear.  But the most dreaded Swoop producer of all is that litle white plastic bag from a grocery store blowing across the meadow — the one that 10 minutes earlier the horse was trying to eat along with the carrots and apples inside!

The Whirling Dervish — Advanced version of the Swoop in which the horse spins like a top.  A hapless rider can be launched a long distance by centrifugal force in the spin.

The Yahooey — A highly suspended movement exhibited when turned out into the arena or during the first morning canter across the meadow.  This is sometimes accompanied with the “Jet Assisted Buck & Fart” in which a horse achieves maximum height and momentum aided by the loud expulsion of exhaust gas!

The Omigod — Sudden backwards movement accompanied by loud, rolling snorts, ears stiffy forward, eyes bugged out.  These occur most often when a wind is blowing and the horse sees or smells an ‘invisible to the human eye monster’.

The Hot Hooves — Speed gait in which all four legs rotate at high speeds — seeminly in different directions.  Frequently exhibited by runaways, rushing jumpers, at a water crossing or when the horse is returning to the barn.

The Sloth — Typical gait of school/rent horses who have perfected the art of laziness and how to ‘handle’ their riders.  In spite of encouraging kicks, clucks, flapping reins, shouts, descriptions of the horses’ sire and dam and even jumping up and down in the saddle will bring any faster forward movement.

The Flapper — Another school/rent horse perfection.  The horse will suddenly shake like a wet dog from tip of ears to hairs of tail.  Usually terrifying the beginning rider who grabs leather to keep from being shaken off.  Sometimes the grab leather doesn’t work!!

The Wallow — Rotational movement where the horse sinks to his knees, rolls onto a side (with or without saddle) and wallows in the dirt, mud, sand or water.  Often performed after a bath by a turned loose horse or with a full tacked horse who first gets a drink in a stream or river and then decides to take a quick dip and swim — with rider.

The Snail Rocket — When leaving the barn, horse can hardly walk.  A snail will out distance the horse.  Coming back, the horse steps on the snail, pushes a racing rabbit off the trail and perfectly understands the law of the trail — the speed of the walk is direclty proportional to the direction the horse is travelling on the trail.  From the barn or trailer, snail.  And then BACK to the barn or trailer, rocket.

I’ve read the above a few times and have to giggle at it each time.  Over the years, I’ve meet at least one horse who was a ‘pro’ in those different gaits.  In fact, a few who were ‘pros’ at more than one!!

Don’t forget if you’re in the Red Bluff area March 30 – April 1, the Backcountry Horsemen of California will be holding their yearly Rendezvous.  Two Horse Enterpises will be there and me too.  ”Traill Head Camping” is my presentation and I’d like to hear your camp and trailering stories.  So stop by and say “HI”.  And if you miss BCHC, wander over to the Western States Horse Expo in June at Cal-Expo.  This is their 13th year and I’ve been lucky enough to have presented clinics at all  of them.  One of these years I might even get to SEE Horse Expo.  I have never seen ALL of Horse Expo.  Usually spend my time giving a clinic, at Two Horse vendor booth or at the bathroom!!

See ya’ down the trail………

Bonnie (and Nic).

When offering some FREE “Trail Riders’ Comment Cards” I figured I’d get 15 – 20 replies. But I’m happy to say you guys are REALLY interested in saving your trails!! Had 500 printed and requests for those to horsecamping@comcast.net took ‘em all in less than a week. Printed another 500 and have only 18 left. I’m really happy to send them to you folks and will print another 500 in a week or so!!

If any of you are in the Pomona area, please drop by Horse Events at Fairplex and say ‘HI’. Dates are February 2 – 4th. Daily at 1 pm I’ll be giving a clinic on “Horsecamping — where to go, what to take & how to get there”. We’ll talk about trailers and trailering, finding campsites and selecting a campsite, getting one’s horse ready to camp, feeds and feeding (including certified weed free feeds), how to keep a horse in camp (highline, picket ’cause not all camps have corrals or pens), keeping a horse safe in camp, bears, mountain lions, etc. And I get to share some of my experiences and adventures with all of you.

Two Horse Enterprises will be in Building 7, vendor booth numbers 7006 and 7008. If you want some more, will have some “Trail Riders’ Comment Cards” available for you to pick up. Plus after each clinic a 12-page handout of places to go camping, checklists and other items you’ll want to remember when camping.

So drop by when at Fairplex and say ‘hi’………….

Bonnie
horsecamping@comcast.net