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Bandit, Cowboy & bsms...muddling through together

221K views 3K replies 69 participants last post by  Knave 
#1 ·
Previous threads closely related here:

Mia's last day with bsms

Branded/Brandy , . Final name "Bandit&quot...

This post on the second thread got me thinking:

It may be time to start a thread for Bandit.

Rather than for Mia's replacement.

I'm not suggesting to cease caring and thinking about Mia, or forgetting, or even 'moving on'.

Only to look at Bandit on his own merit. Not holding him up to another.

I grew up across the street from a family with 9 children. The Mother was asked how she managed to divide her love between all of them. Her reply was that she did not divide her love, she multiplied it.
Saying goodby to Mia has been like a grieving process. It has taken a long time for me to stop comparing Bandit to Mia...and I probably will at times always, since Mia was the center of my horse riding world for 7 years.

But Bandit is his own horse. He can get nervous and light on the front and want to move enough to create some buffer space, but he isn't likely to explode out of total calmness. He isn't perfect (and neither am I), but he has a good 'try' in him. He trusts people to do good things for horses. He deserves to be respected for who he is, and not be "Mia's replacement"! Besides...Mia will never be replaced. I made the mistake of looking at the pictures in the thread of her leaving, and danged if I didn't get some sand in my eye again...

I also got a third ride in today on Cowboy. He's 13 hands, gets uncomfortable at times but I cannot imagine him losing his mind. He puts a smile on my face, which is the most important thing a horse can do.

So this thread will be my journal of trying to ride Bandit and Cowboy. Cowboy, for the next week or two. Bandit banged his knee in the middle of the night about a week ago, and his knee is still tender. The next day he managed to cut it in a couple of places and they are still healing. He puts weight on his leg, but there is a slight limp at times. If I was on him and he decided to spin and dance, I'm pretty sure it would re-injure the knee. So he is on corral rest now.

Folks sometimes talk about a good training program. None of my horses have had a "good training program". Never will, now that they are with me. I'm not interested in a dressage horse, reining horse, cutting horse, jumping horse, western pleasure horse or any kind of judged horse.

What I'm after is more of what Barry Godden called (IIRC) a Gentleman's Riding Horse:

GENTLEMAN’S RIDING HORSE.
The horse should :
go anywhere its rider asks:,
at any pace over any terrain alone or in company,

The full description might read:
The horse should readily respond to all of the rider’s instructions.
and to actively pass: over highway, along a road a lane a path or a track
at: ground level or along the top of a ridge, through woodland or open countryside
at any pace: Walk: active or extended;
rhythmic or fast trot: medium or extended
Canter: collected or extended
Gallop : fast or flat out

on any surface ie : tarmac, grass, stoney path, cobble stones or rock,
through puddle, flood water or wadeable stream

alone or in company of: other riders of every ability from novice to expert;
at the front of the line, in the middle of the line or at the end of the line

amongst pedestrians, cars, motor cycles, push bikes, lorries, tractors
under birds, kites, balloons, aircraft or helicopters

in wind and rain or thunderstorm despite plastic bags, umbrellas, road signs, footballs

in the presence of barking & aggressive dogs, goats, pigs, donkeys & mule

The horse should show neither fear nor aggression to any human, be they male, female, child or adult.

The horse , whilst under saddle, should permit the touch of any human
whether male, female, adult or child.

The horse must stand on the kerb, awaiting instruction to cross a busy and fast arterial road.
It must pass over a narrow bridge across a motorway
It must pass through a tunnel laid underneath a motorway
It should hold its line of march down a high street or a country lane with passing places
It must wait upon command at traffic lights or other stops signs.
It must stand attentively whilst its rider converses with passers by
It should move forward and move backwards to permit the opening of field gates
It should never ever, whirl or bolt in fright, in fear or as an evasion.
It should hop over ditches, streams and fallen trees.
It must submit to being tied to a hitching point without pulling back whilst patiently awaiting the return of its master.
It must stand to be mounted.
It must ride on or off the bit.
If the rider loses his/her balance, it must pick it up and compensate.


The rider‘s job is to set the route, the horse’s job is to carry safely both itself and the rider over the terrain, whatsoever that may prove to be.
If asked to trot, then the horse should trot, uphill or downhill until asked to change the pace.
If asked to halt, the horse should come to a halt and then stand awaiting it’s master’s pleasure
Never should it evade the bit nor jerk the reins from the rider’s hands.
If the reins are dropped onto the horse’s neck and no further instruction is given, then the horse should make its way at the walk back to the stable by the shortest.

Under no circumstance must the horse, balk, rear, buck or swerve for any reason - except in circumstances when the horse might realize that the way ahead is unsafe for example in land prone to bogs. Neither should the horse snatch succulent plants from the hedgerow however tempting.

All in all, the horse should be judged to be well mannered.

Sadly in the XX1st century , horses truly warranting the title
“A Gentleman’s Riding Horse” are very hard to find.
Invariably they have to be created,

BG
(Post #1 on the thread is also a good read)

http://www.horseforum.com/horse-training/anger-matter-carrot-stick-41675/#post477391

Another thread long gone by with food for thought:

Post Traumatic Fall Disorder - fear and riding

And: Joe a very special horse - one of a kind,

Anyways...I'll never get a horse to a Gentleman's Riding Horse status, but it pretty well sets out my goals. The idea of Cowboy or Bandit being a Gentleman's Horse would probably shock the average Gentleman, who might find them both a bit lacking in appearance:






But then, let's face it - I'm not overly endowed in the looks department either!

So having said goodby to Mia, and then having found her hard to say goodby to, let me try to focus on Bandit and Cowboy & I learning things together - muddling through, since none of us are particularly proper!

:cheers:

:riding:

Mode of transport Working animal Grass Travel Landscape

 
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#3,013 ·
I got these cheap, plastic caged stirrups on ebay and they're actually not bad at all. They are light, but feel tough. The reason I bought them is for the color, and I was hoping they wouldn't seem unsafe.

They are so light they are a little difficult to pick up, but the tread is good so I don't lose them. Here are some pics in case you're interested. The cages are deep, and can be removed. Both the tread and the cages are attached with screws. They're 4.75", which is the size of my other english stirrups.




Horse Riding English Safety Stirrups Durable Light Weight Polymer Plastic Cage | eBay
 
#3,014 ·
They are like taps without the taps! Lol. I hate riding in taps, because they are extremely heavy. So, saddling is heavier, and then moving your legs around is heavy, and you can’t seem to position your foot right…

My husband uses taps in the winter though. People swear by them. I can see why, because they are safe for winter falls, and they keep the wind and snow off of your toes. When you hit wet brush you aren’t soaking your boots. That said, I wear my arctic mucks riding if it is that cold, and I have some bogs when it’s not that awful cold but cold. I’d rather boot the foot for the comfort I guess, and be able to maneuver my legs around easily. I know those boots are heavier, but taps are excessively heavy. Lol
 
#3,016 ·
For me, the basic issue is I can't put my feet as far into the stirrups as I'm used to doing. I could ride in them for 6 months and maybe love them. But...if what you are doing feels good and has worked so far, is it worth trying to recalibrate your feet? I like the cushioned bottoms though, so might try a pair of these:
 
#3,018 ·
@Knave, I think in a canter I tend now to point my toe a little down, using my toe to keep the stirrup on my foot. An issue for me with the caged stirrups and possible with similar uncaged ones is their balance. They have a wide footbed but they are balanced for "heel down" only. I'm not sure that works for me. You may have a point. In this photo, it almost looks like I have BOTH heel AND toe "down". Maybe that is why I feel I have a grip on the stirrup.

 
#3,020 ·
Today's ride I started with the longer stirrups. Partway thru I raised them a hole - still longer than many use but "short" to me. My MIND says that is the safer setting, but habit pattern and my HEART says it is riskier. It takes a while to break a habit so I may try forcing myself to use the shorter setting thru the summer. If I can, by summer's end it will feel "right" to me and the longer setting "odd". I think it would also make using the caged stirrups OK. Used an O-ring snaffle today but I'm going back to the solid curb. The snaffle gives me nothing I don't have with the curb and the curb is so utter simplistic - like my riding.

But...I'll see. My years with Mia have left me with intermittent fear issues and it will be tough to keep my stirrups raised during them. Mia taught me SO much about working WITH a horse, but she was NOT a good horse to learn to ride on.

We got some trots in today using both settings. Shorter is better for the trot. Bandit had a day of "mounted grazing" which he continued when I walked him home. I don't like riding on paved roads:
 
#3,021 ·
Had a few rides at the shorter stirrup. Good news? Feels fine for security. Bad news? My right knee aches after 30-40 minutes. Rode today. Some IDIOT was burning branches in the desert! Had a front loader with him and I hope he had water but that is really STUPID. But...when I've tried calling the fire department before I've gotten no response.

We needed to pass by about 75 feet to one side and Bandit was NOT happy. But he went. At the closest point, we compromised on a quick trot past. Don't think the guy even saw me although I was on top of a horse. We got some cantering in, but because the footing is variable I let Bandit swap back and forth between trotting and cantering and he seems to shift gears every 50 yards or so. Don't know if he needs to but I can only guess at his footing so I hope he is doing it for a purpose.

Other than that we had a good ride. We did some wandering in the desert and I took a narrow wash most of the way back to minimize time near where the guy was burning stuff. Bandit was a little concerned but if I could smell the smoke he could and it just isn't right.

The Wife and I have been doing some hiking on the Arizona trail about 10 miles south of here. They are out and backs, so out 3+ miles then turn around back to the truck. Pretty and good exercise. Average about 2.5 mph but it is uneven footing and not a lot of level ground:

I'd share pictures but Imageshack refuses to let me pay my subscription. When I start to enter my address their website kicks me off. Pretty weird when you try to pay someone and they won't let you enter the information....

But...between hiking on uneven ground, running and riding, my knee gets plenty of use. I don't know if it is me but for some reason, the shorter stirrup is giving me pain in my knee. May try the longer setting to see if I can ride without pain.
 
#3,022 · (Edited)
Using a different browser (Firefox instead of Brave) allowed the payment to go through. Pictures of hiking from 2 different hikes:



The one below was taken about halfway on the second hike. We did another 1.5-2 miles and then turned around. There is about 100 miles of the Arizona Trail south of us and we may work on hiking all of it...in 3-5 mile sections, going out and back, or on some of the longer ones without good access, drop a car off and then do a 7-10 mile hike. On the trail here, one sees another person about once/hour. Mostly serious hikers hoping to hike from the Mexico border to Phoenix or beyond.


If you look carefully, in the middle of the last picture, you can see my wife's white pants.

It would be a good place to ride Bandit if I had a trailer. On the second hike, we found a stock pond that looks like it would have water year-around. We've debated on a trailer and I'll probably debate some more, but our kids have zero financial sense and I'm not sure I see a need to save money for them to inherit...:rolleyes:
 
#3,024 ·
I’m with you on the inheritance issue. I’ve worked hard to have a decent retirement and while I’d like to leave them something, my 3 boys are “recovering” alcoholics. I‘ve helped all of my children at times and I really don’t like the thought of that money being used to finance another downfall for those sons. So while I’m not going out and just spending right and left, if there is something I really want, I will get it. They are all young and healthy and can work for the things that they need and want. It’s helping them to focus and stay out of trouble.
 
#3,025 ·
Our financial advisor tells us: "Our objective is to spend you down to zero, and then you die." He is one of the most cheerful individuals I've ever met, but don't dare get him talking about what kids do to their parents when it comes to inheritance money, especially when they get a chance to manage it before the parents die. He becomes very grim. Suits me. We don't have heirs and had a hard time deciding how to handle anything left, but with that out of the way, and my advancing age, I'm beginning to appreciate the wisdom of his advice. If we want something, and it's reasonable (taking into account taxes on IRA distributions), then it magically appears.

@bsms, from my perspective, all I can think of is why WOULDN'T you buy the trailer! LOL!
 
#3,026 ·
Just finished a ride with bandit using the longer stirrup setting. My knee was still tender when I mounted up. After 40 minutes of riding, including a decent amount of canter and trotting, my leg felt BETTER at dismount. I think the longer setting allows me to let my leg hang loose part of the time. My grounding in the Forward Seat - which I love but which is also oversold - may mean I put too much pressure on with my leg at shorter settings. That's a fault of mine, not a function of stirrup length...but is it really worth worrying about? Bandit doesn't care. We were riding in the strongest winds I've ridden him solo in and he didn't care about my stirrup length. Cantering was fine. Trotting? It was almost easier to sit the trot but I could barely get off his back and...again, Bandit didn't give a rat's rear either way! So why should I?

I'm gaining confidence in Bandit's ability to canter on a less than perfect path. He's always had the ability but I had watched Mia fall without me enough times to make me nervous. But Bandit grew up loose, did uncounted miles of cantering on the Navajo Nation, and he's fine. Happily, he seems to be picking up that we might canter 200 yards and then need to walk the next 15 minutes - and be fine with it. He isn't getting as excited when cantering as he used to and that helps my confidence too. I adored Mia but she really did leave me with some deep rooted fears.

In her defense, she also taught me she wasn't a machine and that she'd work much better if I gave her some freedom. So much of riding theory and teaching is about control. We talk about "creating" impulsion with our leg, rather than asking for it from the horse! Books are filled with info about using the rein to control a horse's shoulder as if a strap of leather COULD "hold the shoulder up"! Mia, like Bandit, wanted to be part of the team - not a machine!

There is a thread where a new western rider is asking for advice on looking up instead of staring at the horse. Wish I could have taken her out with us today. There was simply too much to look out for and to think about to waste time looking at Bandit's feet! I think she would have had a blast riding as a team mate and using HER vision to help her horse instead of worrying about rein length, etc. I'm incredibly lucky to be able to ride out and just worry about what works best for my horse and I and not about riding theory!

And if I can get Bandit used to riding out in the wind, it would increase the justification for a good trailer. It isn't just the Arizona Trail south of me. There are a number of dirt roads going for lots of miles. Places where, if we can adjust our thinking, Bandit & I could canter a mile or two along a mostly downhill dirt road with good footing and places we could stop and Bandit could eat. As the song in My Fair Lady says, "Wouldn't it be loverly!"

"Audrey's solos were synced by Marni Nixon. Here researchers added Audrey's original sound tracks to the film. This is how it would have been if they had allowed Audrey to do her own singing."


This popped up in the sidebar to the above video:

 
#3,027 ·
Spend the money on something you like. I guess I'm maybe about the same age as your kids or a bit older, and my parents are well into their retirement years. I don't think they owe me anything. They raised me and I left home, and made my own way in the world. Honestly I'm more worried about having to pay for them to have medical care than I am worried about them leaving me anything. If they could spend money WISELY on themselves, and leave me nothing, I'd be perfectly happy.

Ha, buy the trailer and then leave it to your kids in your will. There you go, now you've passed them something...
 
#3,028 ·
I'm with the "buy the trailer group". This past year I bought a brand new trailer as the old one was 40 years old and the truck 23 yrs old and I worried every time I loaded up that I might have problems and did not like the idea of being broke down on a highway.
I also upgraded my truck, the old one ran great and no problems but it is 23 yrs old.
I got a nice Ford 150 10 years old but in fantastic shape and only 54,000 Km which is about 33,000 miles.
Now looking forward to trailering up to the conservation areas for some good rides.
If a trailer would make for some good rides for you and Bandit go for it. If the time comes when you don't need it anymore you can sell it and probably get a good price for it (that was the advice my accountant told me)
 
#3,030 ·
What beautiful photos! I love looking at them, but I wish that I could smell the wonderful airs. With all the rain this year, we are having a bumper crop of bushes, the smell is out of this world.

I have California natives in my garden, probably most people would be overwhelmed by the fragrance, but I planted this garden for the aroma. I just sit and smell sometimes.
 
#3,033 ·
What beautiful photos! I love looking at them, but I wish that I could smell the wonderful airs. With all the rain this year, we are having a bumper crop of bushes, the smell is out of this world.

I have California natives in my garden, probably most people would be overwhelmed by the fragrance, but I planted this garden for the aroma. I just sit and smell sometimes.
We have a lot of blacklocust trees that bloom in May. It's like a perfume factory!
 
#3,034 ·
Different ride on Bandit today. He started acting very worried early in the ride. When we cantered down a wash, he was looking 45 degrees to the left as we went straight. It says something about a horse's balance that he could do so and give a comfortable canter in an uneven wash, but I couldn't figure out what he was worried about. We then went deeper along the wash and then zigzagged thru the desert off trail. THEN I spotted what had him worried and turned him to face it: Two strange horses were being ridden along the trail and were catching up with us because of our time off trail. They were about 1/4 mile away when I spotted them so probably 1/2 mile or so when Bandit was concerned. And downwind from us, so he wasn't smelling them.

We'll have been riding for 8 years in May and it was the second time I've ever seen someone else riding here! I knew Bandit would be suspicious so I took him off trail so we'd have good separation. I called out to the 2 women riders. They probably wondered why some idiot was well off trail! Bandit decided to approach the horses but couldn't handle closer than 20 yards so we then went back and forth off to one side while they halted their horses and talked. They said they only saw other riders about 1/year and rarely rode in the area I was in.

They were nice enough not to rudely say anything like, "What is your problem? Why can't you just stop your horse? Why are you dodging cactus off to one side?" After a short talk, they went on. Bandit calmed a little once they moved on but was still a little freaked out. I took him off trail and he wanted to trot off trail - which we rarely do because there are so many little cactus bombs hiding, waiting to stab an unsuspecting horse. Then there was a tiny gully, one he could easily trot across without noticing. But NO! He had to JUMP across this 6" gully. He did NOT "stick the landing" but stumbled. Didn't fall and I turned him around in a circle. His right front foot hit a soft spot and dropped a little into it, causing the stumble.

I got a bit ticked off and yelled at Bandit and became more directive. He settled some, but 5 minutes later he decided he didn't like me being more directive. He tossed his head and acted like he was thinking of bucking.

My "Patience Low Light" had been on for a while and the needle was hitting zero, so I stretched my legs deep, lifted his head and started chewing his butt out, in proper military style with lots of short, 4 letter words to aid his understanding. He considered raising the ante but (happily) decided I was ready to fight back...and he mostly settled. He wasn't happy. He wanted to run but he'd have been running from excess emotion and I figured it would stoke his fear and didn't want it. Managed to keep him at a walk until we were close to our stopping point.

THEN I asked for a canter and got it. We stopped. I dismounted and walked him on the pavement home, as usual. By the time we were home he was apologetic and wanted face rubs so I gave them.

Bandit is weird. Freaking out because of "strange horses"! I could handle that to a point but when he wouldn't settle I got tired of his antics. I suppose that is why people sometimes emphasize "control" and it is probably the cost of having a horse who gets to make some decisions. But today I finally told him to shut the heck up and just deal with it or else. Pretty rare for me.

That said, it is also how I want to ride. It was kind of a pain today but there is a payback in having a horse who is actively engaged in what is going on. Probably a good thing I didn't have a crop, though. I'd have probably used it and it would NOT have made things better!

But I guess even friends have arguments and he was apologetic by the end...but once in a while I would like a "point and go" horse. Although I have one (Trooper) and can't stand riding him, so maybe I'm a weirdo too. :unsure:
 
#3,036 ·
Not a lot happening. Some notes from the last few rides:

At one point, walking down a narrow wash, Bandit stopped, then backed up about 20 feet. Didn't spin violently. Didn't crow hop. Just walked backwards 20-30 feet. Tried him forward again, same thing, same spot. Third time same. I took a careful look, concluded nothing was dangerous, dismounted and led him forward. He went along willingly enough with me in front. Probably assumed he could outrun ME and that would be enough. After a hundred yards, he relaxed and I remounted.

There was a time he would have spun around hard. I greatly prefer a polite, "Nope. This is too much for me. Please come up with a solution!" It was somewhere around the middle of where this picture was taken:
We got a long trot in on the last ride. At my current stirrup length, two point is a challenge but barely doable. I'll never enjoy a sitting trot.

We also got a long canter in - by the standards of this part of the Sonoran desert. I thought about some threads on polishing the saddle (which I've certainly done) or ideas about "sitting tall" at the canter. I definitely lean forward. My heels are NOT down. I don't feel any polishing or leg movement. Maybe Bandit has an uncommonly smooth forward canter (versus a more collected, turning canter). Or maybe being more forward in the saddle, even with a very long leg, means the seesaw motion of a canter just doesn't affect me much since my rump isn't back IN the saddle, even though I'm not hovering above my horse.

Or maybe we've just done enough cantering now that I feel comfortable - happy even - doing it. No way to take a video though so I can't actually see what I'm doing. I just know I don't feel any particular movement in my saddle. It feels very stable and secure ... except it would be tough if Bandit stumbled. But I'm finally starting to trust him to handle his footing, and I do have one hand on the horn to keep my shoulders from being jerked forward in a medium stumble. That isn't exactly "good riding", but I don't see lots of people cantering along rocky washes. As you can see in the picture, it would be tough on the body to take a fall at canter speeds here! Probably would hurt my aging body at a walk!

I could sit further back and not rest my hand on the horn, but I think Bandit's balance is better when I ride forward. Better balance means less likely to stumble or fall. So I'll keep resting my free hand on the horn as a safeguard against a hard stumble.

Also, we've been out in the wind the last 3 rides and he's getting better about it. I've been wearing my helmet because it stays on better than my Tilly hat but the coming summer means my helmet is getting hot and not shading my face very well.
 
#3,037 ·
First, some pictures from a hike on Wednesday in Saguaro National Park:

This is a part of the desert people mostly miss driving on I-10. We're about 10-15 miles north of I-10, on the southern border of the East park. It obviously isn't Vermont...but it isn't exactly what a lot of people think for "desert".

Below, two pictures of Saguaros:


The picture below looks south to where our house is. We're near the foothills of the shorter mountain (Mt Fagin - 6189'). The taller mountain is much further away (Mt Baldy - 11,409'). Again, this is a desert full of life!

BTW, Mt Baldy has been in many other pictures I've shared - from the east of it, taken from an elevation of around 6,000', maybe 50 miles south of where we were hiking this day:

A rare waterhole:

The red just left of center in the photo below is The Wife. This last photo was from near the turnaround point for us. It was an 8 mile round trip.

It was my second hike wearing a new pair of Ariat hiking boots (with nylon ankle hose to prevent blisters). I wore the same boots riding Bandit today. We had a lot of rain last night but the ground was mostly dry by morning. I tried the boots on and tried to force them thru the stirrups on a saddle stand. Nothing I managed to do got the heel to enter the stirrup so I think they are safe for riding. They are a little grippier but still smooth on the bottom.

I liked them. I found myself using more of a "ball of foot" position because they didn't feel like they would slide out of the stirrup. Cushioned the foot well and also good for leading Bandit.

The passing storm had left mostly calm winds, but we were hit frequently by strong gusts coming out of nowhere. But our windy riding days are bearing fruit. Bandit didn't care. I wanted him to have a relaxing ride and he did. I also promised him lots of chances to eat, and he ate a lot along the way. That was fine for both of us. He seemed glad to be out of the corral after weather (and our hiking on the one nice day) had prevented some rides. He was alert but forward and relaxed at the same time, if that makes sense.
 
#3,038 ·
First, some pictures from a hike on Wednesday in Saguaro National Park:

This is a part of the desert people mostly miss driving on I-10. We're about 10-15 miles north of I-10, on the southern border of the East park. It obviously isn't Vermont...but it isn't exactly what a lot of people think for "desert".

Below, two pictures of Saguaros:


The picture below looks south to where our house is. We're near the foothills of the shorter mountain (Mt Fagin - 6189'). The taller mountain is much further away (Mt Baldy - 11,409'). Again, this is a desert full of life!

BTW, Mt Baldy has been in many other pictures I've shared - from the east of it, taken from an elevation of around 6,000', maybe 50 miles south of where we were hiking this day:

A rare waterhole:

The red just left of center in the photo below is The Wife. This last photo was from near the turnaround point for us. It was an 8 mile round trip.

It was my second hike wearing a new pair of Ariat hiking boots (with nylon ankle hose to prevent blisters). I wore the same boots riding Bandit today. We had a lot of rain last night but the ground was mostly dry by morning. I tried the boots on and tried to force them thru the stirrups on a saddle stand. Nothing I managed to do got the heel to enter the stirrup so I think they are safe for riding. They are a little grippier but still smooth on the bottom.

I liked them. I found myself using more of a "ball of foot" position because they didn't feel like they would slide out of the stirrup. Cushioned the foot well and also good for leading Bandit.

The passing storm had left mostly calm winds, but we were hit frequently by strong gusts coming out of nowhere. But our windy riding days are bearing fruit. Bandit didn't care. I wanted him to have a relaxing ride and he did. I also promised him lots of chances to eat, and he ate a lot along the way. That was fine for both of us. He seemed glad to be out of the corral after weather (and our hiking on the one nice day) had prevented some rides. He was alert but forward and relaxed at the same time, if that makes sense.
Those are just the best boots ever. I've got lots of riding time on mine, with still plenty left, but I fell victim to the allure of a pair of cool tall boots! LOL!

I'm not crazy about really grippy boot sole/stirrup tread either. I've used my Ariats with standard rubber pads in English stirrup irons and never felt "stuck".

The photos are beautiful! Our deserts are also mostly "alive" but don't have the cactus (I've only seen a little prickly pear).
 
#3,039 ·
The park is very beautiful, great pics! I've also had those boots and rode in them a lot. I've considered getting them again. When I rode Halla, she put a lot of strain on my ankles so I got boots that went up higher at the time. Those were my favorites for when I had to do a lot of hiking and jogging with Amore when training her for endurance.
 
#3,040 ·
Lovely pictures. when I used to read cowboy novels and often the young cowboy, in disgrace for something, would saddle his trusty steed and ride off into the desert just him and his horse. I would feel so sorry for the young misunderstood man.
But that was until I went to Arizona and saw for myself the beautiful deserts out there.
 
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