Owyhee Spring 60

I'm going to be brief and skim over the highlights. I may regret it later, but it's too much of a task to undertake four days before graduation.

Amanda and I rode with Karen Bumgarner and her horses Thunder and Blue. Amanda aboard Blue and Karen aboard Thunder. Blue is quite the character--at the start he was dancing and prancing and couldn't wait to GO! I can't decide if his acting "up" caused Jasper to act like he was way too mature for that, but Jasper was an ANGEL on the first loop. I tucked him in behind Thunder for this loop and he didn't attempt to head toss but a few times down near the river when the flies were bad (they weren't really bad, tho, compared with other seasons). I put his new Quiet Ride mask on (by Cashel) and he seemed to appreciate how the knats weren't able to fly up his nose as they have in the past. We were able to ride by the petroglyphs, which is something I've wanted to do since first volunteering at Owyhee rides all those years ago. They were humbling!

Approximately 5 miles into the first loop, my left shin started hurting. At water stops I would try to adjust my socks/tights/half chaps to relieve the pain, but nothing was working. Finally, I ditched my half-chaps altogether which only seemed to help a little. Towards the end of the loop, my right shin started hurting. At the time, I was afraid it was shin splints, as that's exactly where they would show up. However, after years of running track and cross country and no hint of shin splints, I was confused why it would show up now. I was told that "now I'm old", they may be a problem. Now I think it was the top of my socks rubbing and pulling across my shins as the bruising is focused around this area. Figures the only time I forget to wear my Smartwool knee highs I get a problem. Oh, well. Live and learn!

The second loop made Jasper a little more excited, as we were no longer in our little pocket at the start. I'm not sure if he remembers I usually let him go a little more in the second loop of LD's since he's usually saved plenty of energy for it or what, but he pulled a lot through this loop. Amanda used the martingale for the start of the second loop, and it didn't take long for Jasper to realize he was free and started headtossing again. Mostly, though, it had to do with riders coming up behind us or other horses getting too close. Either way, about 10 miles into this loop I borrowed it back, which ended the problems. The boots were doing well, he was eating and drinking like an endurance horse, and he came into the second vet check looking excellent. I think the funniest part of the day was as we were coming into the second vet check, Jasper just strolled on in like he was all done for the day. It was hilarious--he was actually strutting.

Leaving for the third loop was hard--I'd been icing my shins at every check (LOVE my iceboots!) and the hail and rain and wind kicked up just in time for us to leave. When I mounted, Jasper asked me if I was doing illicit drugs and danced and pranced a little in the direction of the trailer. I replied with firm leg pressure that I wasn't insane and we really WERE going back out there, and he grudgingly picked up a trot and followed Blue and Thunder. On the trail leading out of camp, there were several riders trotting in and Jasper attempted to turn and follow each and every one. Very soon, though, he settled into place, although he still had a look of utter confusion. We laughed at him a bit, as he had his ears back listening very closely for me to tell him I was just kidding.

The last loop went by fairly quickly, but the wind was miserable. It battered us from just about every direction, and just about cancelled out any pleasure we could derive from the sun's rays. Jasper was STARVING on this loop, and much of our disagreements revolved around when was an appropriate time to snatch a bite of the Owyhee's plentiful spring grass. We compromised--if we were walking, he could pause momentarily whenever to grab a bite or two. Otherwise, no dice.

Coming into the final vet check was glorious. I knew that unlimited ibuprofen and icing awaited me at the trailer. Jasper vetted through with all A's (a B on gut sounds--typical) and looked AMAZING. I was very, very proud of him, although I didn't have time to bask in my happiness or glory as another bout of rain, wind and hail had blown in.

All in all, an excellent first foray into real endurance. The boots worked incredibly well (and were tough to get off the next day), Jasper did incredible with plenty of "go" until the end, and I was able to tough through the shin pain. The only things I'll change in the future are my socks, as all our other equipment worked out incredibly well.