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Discussion on First Camping Trip with Levi
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 11:47 am:
Looking for encouragement We are heading off for Levi's very 1st overnight camping and trail riding experience. He is 7, and has had so many various problems over life, that we hardly ever get to even trail ride. But this trip has been planned all year.
Since his WLD, we have not been riding all summer. I have only ridden him at home in our yard,and the round pen, in the last few weeks.
I am, of course having several anxiety attacks. I keep telling myself, that I must take baby steps, and if I back out and don't take him because . . . he has not been ridden much, he has never been camping, he has no experience, and frankly I am not very confident, we will NEVER get ridden much, go camping, get experience or gain confidence!!!!!!
Help > > > Any tips on this trip. We are taking corral panels, so I won't have to worry about tying him to a rail. What can I expect for a horse who has always stayed at home in his cozy stall, to be out in the wilderness??? He will be with his best friend, Cody.
He seems to do well riding when he is with his Cody, his only problem is he likes to be the lead horse. Silly idea, when we don't know what we are doing. It is such a conundrum. How do we get experience, unless we just do it.
DEEEEPPPPP Breath.
Any advice, PLEASE
suz
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 2:04 pm:
Hey Susan - The first (and last) time I took COmet camping was two years ago on a womans retreat ride - he was about the same age and I and He were both pretty green - We Rope tied him overhead with his buddy - Corral mate at the time and another old friend horse of his from the barn we bought him from - Similar to what it sounds like you are doing with Levi & Cody. He was great till we came up to 50 plus horses all getting ready to ride off on a long trail ride. then he was out of his mind. He had to be aced that day. (I was not happy on that...but the vet on the ride insisted and it turned out to be a good thing else he could of hurt him self or someone else)
But the campin part. he just took it in stride. if you take long rides during the day with him and his buddy - they just wanna get a drink an relax when you get back - even laid down the first nite! I was very surprised that he was that relaxed that hey lay down! Are you sharing those corrals? if so has he shared close quarters with Cody before? if no then you may want to think of making two enclosures. just a thought. Bring plenty of Low Energy food for them that way they don't get all hypered out of you know what I mean and spend quality time - as I am sure you will to reassure him that all is cool.
I loved it - haven't done it since cause my husband is not real keen on campin and well been too busy since then with moving out of AZ to NM to do that. I do want to do it again though what a great experience ...
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 3:37 pm:
My answer would be if you don't think Levi can handle it then don't take him.. Why be uncomfortable out camping.. .. I know that my horses would not be a joy to ride, i wouldn't think of taking them camping.. Just my thoughts..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 6:48 pm:
Susan only you can judge if you and Levi are ready. From the tone of your post it seems you are a bit nervous, which in turn can make your horse act up and take advantage.
If you want to take him go ahead remember to breathe and relax. It could be one of the best thing you do with him, especially if his buddy is going. Just be careful and don't let him get the upper hand.
Starting with a shorter ride in park or forest would probably be what I would do just to get their "feet wet" and see how they are going to behave, before commiting to a weekend.
GOOD LUCK!!! You can do it and stay safe
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 7:52 pm:
Susan, listen to Levi and yourself and then practice what you said breath deeeep and think calm and it will be so! That being said the one thing to check is WEATHER if it is a maybe re-think! All the above ideas are wonderful ENJOY, Cindy
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 9:28 pm:
Susan, What about taking Levi along with the goal of only walking him along the trails at the end of a lead rope rather than riding him? That way, he starts to get the experience of an outing without risking yourself? I know it's not optimal, but if you're going to be gone for a few days, you'll have plenty of time to walk him around, let him get used to his surroundings, you can judge his reactions and then perhaps, if all goes well, you can ride on the same trails you walked.
Perhaps, as you're walking, bring a bucket of grain or treats along and every so often along the trail, let him have a special snack as a reward (as long as he's listening to you and soft). Pet him when he's munching and relaxed, sing to him so he learns to associate your singing with everything is OK (plus, when you do get on, you can't hold your breathe and tense up if you're singing).
My mare was an "arena" horse when I bought her - pretty much all she knew. When I moved her to a barn with wide open fields and trails, I wanted to extend our horizons beyond the fences. I started out handwalking, treating and singing, ensuring those first several experiences were good ones. She works beautifully (and frequently better) when we are out in the open fields, but I do try to mix it up so that we are not always training out there. It's been good for both of us and my regret now is that the days are getting shorter and soon I will be limited back in the arena again until the spring.
Good luck!
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 - 10:14 pm:
Hi Susan, How about some details, like is it just a weekend? Will you be with just a few people or a lot? Are you expecting long rides or will you have a say about it? I have done a little camping though not in the last several years. My arab gelding handled it very well when I was on a large group ride over 6 days. I got him very fit and every morning I gave him a scoop of electrolytes. It was in early November in Death Valley and we rode about 25 miles a day. We would have 2 water stops and a lunch break. There were some horses who did not do so well but I think it was because they were not fit enough. He was used to riding in rough terrain so the only thing that scared him was the Jack rabbits. They popped out and took off like lightning, literally!, they zigzagged!
Cynthia
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 - 12:12 am:
Thanks Everyone. Great food for thought. Ann, I don't know if it is Levi or me that is "not sure if they are ready". I know that I need to bite the bullet and get some experience under our belt. I have camped with my other horses, and loved it. I took Levi to a horse show, was nervous about it, he tied to the trailer, was nervous at first, before you know it we were walking around jabbering with people and their horses, and Levi was munching away at grass, doing his favorite thing.
I don't think it is a horse problem, it is a me problem.
Great Idea Fran. I think you relieved me of the "I must ride" If things are not feeling right, I will be more than happy to just get away from the kennel, camp, feed Levi lots of hay, and maybe take him for a walk. GREAT idea.
There will be 6 of us going. The campground is new to all of us. There looks to be 30 campsites on the map, and only 16 miles of horse trails, so not a very busy day. We can sure turn around and come back to camp, and just hang out need be. My friend is a 4-H leader and knowlegeable horse woman. Very calm person, unlike spaz-o-me!
Levi lives to eat, so treats in the pocket for a side line won't hurt at all. I sure hope we can enjoy this endeavor. We own a boarding kennel, and can never go anywhere. We live through the adventures of all of you and my customers. I really need a break. Our life is 24/7 puppy care. We are closing down the kennels, so no mental worries at home.
Usually when Levi gets spooked he does the snapping to attention collapsing for a second thing. He does not generally bolt, which has been nice. We have had pheasant jump out and deer appear. So far so good. I do wear my helmut!
The campground is around 3 hours away from home, so we can always turn around and head back, need be.
The weather is still, iffy. It has been raining here, I imagine if it continues to rain, they would close the trails.????
Any more words of wisdom are welcome
Suz
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 - 8:30 am:
Susan,
I hope you have sunny skies, a well fitting helmet, good company, good conversation and the confidence you need to enjoy your time off ranch. Both you & Levi have a great opportunity in front of you and no matter how much you choose to take advantage, will be that much further along than you were yesterday. Relax, enjoy and know that I am appropriately jealous, no matter how little or how much you get to do while out there. How's about a little bit of guilt??? Do it for the rest of us who don't have that opportunity on the table, I have to live vicariously here... don't let us down.
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Member:
36541
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 - 2:43 pm:
Don't forget the wine for around the campfire!! If you are concerned about Levi on trails, you could have your 4H friend pony him for the first little bit, with the halter left on under his bridle. I hope you both have a great time - I take all my horses camping starting about age two. You will learn a lot about him by seeing him in this kind of environment. Look around and smell the roses, and hopefully you didn't read the recent thread about bears... Stacy
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 - 5:31 pm:
Hi Susan, You should be fine, He will have Cody there and they will probably bond with the other horses as well. He won't have to deal with a tie line since you have a corral and that will quickly become home. Have fun and relax!
Cynthia
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007 - 11:08 pm:
Hey Stacy, I did read the bear thread. I hope they don't have bears in Minnesota, but if they do, I want to know about it until after our weekend.
You guys are wonderful. I already feel so much better. I am now excited about a new adventure, kinda like I use to be, before turning into an ole' weenie.
I have packed not only the wine, but the Capt' Morgan and coke as well.
Talked with the campground dnr lady. She said not much trouble with mosquitoes, but the asian beetle bugs are bad. I will pack the boys fly sheets, and lots of bug spray for all of us. The trails are dry, and different degrees of difficulty. We will only do what we are most comfortable with. And if sitting around, drinking wine, listening to horses munch hay, is all I do, thats OK by me. Just not to wake up to barking dogs for 3 days is going to be wonderful.
Thanks all
suz
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 - 9:13 am:
Susan - we want to hear all about it, of course! It sounds like you are with good friends who will be understanding - that is so important.
Have fun,
Lilo
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 1:55 pm:
Hello All! I just want to thank all of you for accompanying Levi and me on our first camping trip. It was totally awesome!!!! The weather was perfect, a bit windy the second day, but beautiful fall weather.
Levi was a champ. He has such a curious personality, that I think he thought this was the next best thing to carrots and apple treats.
The other horses were seasoned trail horses, so they took it all in stride, so Levi thought he should as well. We followed well, lead sometimes, had trouble figuring out how to go up and down hills, it is totally flat where we have ridden here.
Everytime I would get concerned about technique or calming behaviours, I would recite to myself "Well I remember Dennis said this, or Diane said that, or Holly or Sara or Alden etc. etc. etc. said to do this. So again, you all did not realize that you went camping in Minnesota did you???
I only wish the confines of Pet Resort ownership, did not keep us from going again, but all of the hard work getting Levi's foot in shape, paid off through a wonderful experience for both of us.
The only real problem he had was crossing a highway, which he has never done. He thought those yellow lines would surely wrap around his ankles and pull him under. We made it across though. We went into the river, he blew bubbles with his nostrils, pawed to the point of "oh No, is he going to lay down??????"
Absolutely no aggression issues with other horses. I could not have asked for a more perfect time.
Thanks to all of you for encouraging me and not letting me weenie out!
I will post pics, don't look at the rider, just the horse. Levi looks great, but I was not winning any fashion awards on a camping outing. One pic it looks like I am yanking on his mouth, but I was trying to turn his head into the wind for the picture.
Will post results on his vet visit after the trip, under Levi's WLD. He is still sound, but they keep chopping away at his foot.
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Member:
dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 2:15 pm:
Congrats Susan ... I told you there is absolutely nothing like camping and trail riding. Sounds like Levi agrees with me. Hope you have a chance to enjoy many more.
DT
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 2:52 pm:
Susan, you have the same fashion sense I do and we look just fine! Very glad it went well for Levi and yourself. Curiosity is the best trait a horse can have OK maybe commom sense and .... When is the next field trip ?? Cindy
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Member:
leilani
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 3:53 pm:
Susan,
Great job. You and Levi look relaxed and happy. I think you fashion sense is right on. This weekend we went on a ride in Kohala and I wore a new shirt. Why, don't know. I caught it on a tree I thought was dead and it wasn't. Oh well, good fun anyway. Leilani
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 3:58 pm:
Wonderful, Susan! I'm so glad it was such a fabulous trip for all involved. After all the worry, vet bills and hard work you've put in to Levi, it's great that you finally got a chance to enjoy him from the saddle. Levi deserves an extra apple for being such a good boy.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 4:36 pm:
Can't wait to see more pictures..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 4:36 pm:
Oh Susan congrats!!. I am so glad you were able to enjoy yourself, I was thinking about you this weekend...hoping it was going well. It almost makes all the doctoring worth it doesn't it.
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 - 8:02 am:
Thanks for sharing; where did you go exactly? MN, correct? I am from Southern MN, so just curious.
You all look wonderful! I have to ask, what kind of saddle is that? Looks very comfy...a Tucker?
Can't wait til we own a trailer and can go camp out with horses!
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 - 9:40 am:
Susan - So glad your camping trip was a total success! Lilo
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 - 11:23 pm:
Thanks everyone. It was so much fun. I wish we could go again. We were at Upper Sioux Agency State Park by Granite Falls, and Redwood Falls MN. by the Yellow Medicine River. It was actually very near Walnut Grove, where Little House in the Prairee, Laura Ingalls Wilders homeland. Very cool area.
The saddle is a Tucker, gel cushion seat. Very comfy. It is the Old Timer version, almost too big of a horn/cantle area. I am kinda worried, being so short, that if he gets silly someday, that horn will go right through my zyphoid process (SP) I am wondering how the rounded horn/endurance kind of saddle would be.
I love the gel seat though, butt never got sore.
We are in N.W. Iowa, by Okoboji if you know the area, Angie.
The weirdest thing happened there though, I know people will think I am nutsy, but we went into the ruins of the Agency, basically where the army ripped off the Sioux indians. It was an anniversary of the final uprising, where the army squashed out a rebellion, of hungry, cheated native americans. I read the literature after we visited the ruins. It was such a weird bad energy area. Everyone was riding around reading the plaques, and Levi wanted nothing to do with the area. He was such a good boy the whole time, and when I tried to ride into the area, where the old employee duplex was, the warehouse etc. He just wanted nothing to do with the area. It felt like a horrible energy area, I was very unsettled, and so was he. We trotted off alone, onto the driveway, and just wanted to get back out of there.
Now it could be the signs, the buildings etc. But I swear, it just was an evil, yucky place. Once we were heading off the site, he was back to normal. The rest of the area was very cool. They have teepees set up around for campers, those did not bother Levi.
Anyhow, we must do it again.
Suz
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