Make your own seat saver

Hark!  What is this I hear?

A clamor?  From my readers?  Demanding a post before tomorrow, which starts a black out that will only end after my final on Thursday?

And the dear readers want the post to be both educational, useful, AND entertaining?

I have just the thing!

We shall title this......"How I made my own seat saver with an old woolback"

The fleece covers for my leathers have wonderful....but I need my aussie to feel a little cozier than my english saddle. 

After reviewing my options for seat covers, I kept coming back to the fact that I HAD a very nice full seat cover and I hated it.  Never used it.  Managed to sell it for the same 40 bucks that I paid for it (yes, I got a good deal, and passed that good deal along!) and have never looked back. Chances are, if I bought one I would hate it.

The never fit as well as you hope, my legs always feel trapped because the stirrup leathers/fenders are underneath it, they slide and bunch because the fasterns are elastic, and because I tend to grip with my knees and/or calves, it stretches, moves, and rumples up and down the flap in the most annoying way.

I started wondering whether I might be able to make my own......I had an older woolback pad that I bought a while ago for 30 bucks, not realizing that it won't fit under any saddle bigger than a 16", or a kids saddle.  I couldn't hardly give it away when I was selling my tack, and I was unwilling to just trash it - those old woolbacks are like gold.

I didn't have anything to lose, having stored this pad for years and years and never used it, so spent my evening and afternoon "creatively".



First I decided that the full pad thickness was too much, and have evaluating it, I realized that I could cut apart the layers. Let me tell you.  The saying is that these old woolbacks wear like iron and they DO.  It was all I could do to find something that would initally cut into this fabric so that my sissors could finish the job.


Once that was complete, I cut holes for the poleys.





I eliminated the trim under my leg since it added bulk and a lump.
(can you tell that I went to dinner and it's now dark?)

Then I started figuring out how I wanted it to attach to the saddle.

I'm moving, and mostly packed, so my options were limited.  Fortunately my boot supplies are NOT packed and so I had little tiny zipties at my disposal.

I can replace them in the future with something else, but in the meantime, they would be as permanant as I wanted them to be.

I attached the pad to the seat of the saddle by using the over girth and the last strap folded back on its self that wasn't cut off during the modification process.



Here and else where, I made sure the that pointy ends of the zipties would neither mark the leather nor my hide.

Then, I attached the pad to the front of the saddle using a set of D rings.


At first I attached a panel of fleece to the flap, behind the fenders, but later removed it.  I can always fasten it back on for the rare ride (like a ride and tie) where I'll be wearing shorts.  Placing it UNDER the fender lets the fender swing freely and reduces the chances that the cover will be pulled in a wierd way from my leg.
(what was left after making the seat portion)
 

I attached a long piece of fleece to the outside of the stirrup fender, starting at the level of the end of the seat pad, and secured it at the bottom by wrapping the fleece up.  The bottom is secured with zipties, the top is secured with a combination of zipties and an o-ring that provides some tension and compliance --> it should stay in place, but I can move it if I need to.



By only having the fleece on the OUTSIDE of the fender (which is the only part my leg will be touching) have have eliminated some of the bulk of having a "tube" around the leather, which will be especially important if I do ride with the "flap panel" at some point.


Lasting I attached the back of the seat panel to the saddle by using a free float system utilizing a cotton stretch rotissouri truss tye and an o-ring as an anchor.  Hopefully this will keep the pad from being kicked off the back of the cantle as I swing my leg over it, but provide a enough flexibility in the system to move as needed (since the zipties are static).



There are several advantages of this cover, including providing with full protection while still being able to cross the stirrups over the seat for easy transport, AND being able to access under the flaps and every where else I might need to for switching out leathers etc without having to take the cover off.




There wasn't much left of the pad.


I'm quite proud of my self.

 

Quick Farley update:
Leg looks a little less swollen than yesterday, not painful to touch at all, trots freely after me when I have a bucket of grain and doesn't look lame.  Got on her to do some more saddle fitting stuff and walked around the arena.  Encouraged her to trot, but she's still a bit reluctant so I didn't push it --> she felt even and sound from the saddle with the steps she did take.  I think we are on the right track, and things are taking a turn for the better --> probably ride her lightly at a walk later this week and see how it goes.  Talked to R* at the barn and she mentioned that the polo ponies sometimes do the same thing and it's usually them hitting the pipe while kicking at flies.  I think that sounds like the most logical theory so far and likely what happened.

BTW - this was me "riding" Farley today --> as you might see, I had nothing serious planned, just wanted to see how the gullet/wither clearance was with my mounted.

This is NOT how I dressed for my ride and tie practice today.

No....for that I wore a bike helmet :)  (and shorts, and my barefoot, closed toe shoes (do the Keens in the above picture count as closed toed?).

(Stasi says "get on with it people!  I need to roll ASAP")

Keep your children away from endurance riders!!!!!!  We teach them all sorts of naughty things including cutting up expensive pads for an "experiment", letting the horse drink while hot, and that a little color is just fine. 

Farley update

Hi everyone -

Thought everyone would like a quick Farley update (while I sit in a pathology lecture of course - but I AM taking notes and paying attention at the same time).

Yesterday the leg was much the same, except that I could tell that she was reacting to touch/palapation more on the outside of the leg than the inside aspect, supporting the hypothesis that she wacked it on something.

Today, I *think* there is just the slightest change for the better. My first impression both visually and by touch was that it was a tad less swollen. And she seemed less reactive to touch. Still walking soundly on it.

I started to SORTA panic last night/this morning at the fact it isn't drastically better, since my plan was to call a vet if it wasn't better by the end of the week which is rapidly approaching, BUT I reminded myself I didn't see it until Tuesday morning, so realistically it has only been 48 hours. :). Still plenty of time for it to resolve itself with no lasting effects and without expensive vet bills. Probably will continue to watch over the weekend.

Updates on me? Well, I had clinics yesterday. Finally the first clinic I actually, truly enjoyed. It was, of course, in the livestock barns. I played with goats, did some anethesia monitoring on a pig, and observed a little calf getting cleaned up after being found in pasture all by itself. The vets were great, the clients were great - for the most part, they are *my* type of people. I could probably be happy doing livestock and herd medicine if I did need to practice clinical medicine for a while. I was also introduced to the concept of "fish" as a food animal. I had completely forgotten that part of the food industry! I think small ruminants, fish, and poultry would be my best bet for minimizing injury, and at least in the poultry and fish industries --> there's a lot of work in public health because of their impact on the enviornment, how moble they are, and how their diseases impact human helath and the health of the environment/pathogen control etc.

This block (cardiacrespiratory) ends next Thursday with a final so if I'm a bit quiet, I busy studying in order to get a good enough grade that I can qualify for research funding this summer.

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Fortunately.....but unfortunately.....

Today is a 3 part-er. Brought to you by (or at least temporally at the same time) as "Respiratory Defense Mechanisms and bronchopneumonia", a lecture that is just not doing it for me this morning.

In the "fortunately....but unfortunately..." story that seems to mimic both real life and endurance, this morning was the "best of times" and the "worst of times".

I got my new saddle.....but something happened in the paddock over night or yesterday and Farley is lame.

Yep - my very first non-endurance related horse injury. *sigh*.

Part 1 - My new saddle

It's big. It's heavy. BUT - it's comfortable, and secure, and I really like the weight distribution on Farley's back. I like the more western "underside", it puts me so close to her back and her movement.

Like most saddles, wither clearance is an issue. With my equipedic pad, wither clearance is fine. However without a pad, the saddle is touching the withers. With a thinner pad (my Haf pad that doesn't have thick inserts) I can't tell whether the clearance is OK, which means that it isn't. I've emailed pictures to the company to see what their opinion is. Chances are, I'll probably keep the saddle and use it for as long as the wither clearance is fine with a pad, just like I did with the Duett. At some point I will probably have to sell and move to a different saddle, but for the price, chances are getting my money back out of this saddle won't be an issue.

When trotting the seat puts me in an almost dressage position which is really nice - I'm going to try and construct a seat saver out of an old woolback pad I have (made to fit a very small, like under 16" english seat) to give it a little more cush. Other plans include switching out the irons for my synthetic, lighter irons, and deciding whether I want to stick with these wider leathers, and whether I'll then need to get fleece covers for them, like what I have for my english leathers. I'm also considering whether to get a different overgirth that will switch it to english so that I can use my mohair girths for rides etc.

So, some things I need to tweak and adjust on the saddle. But I'll have plenty of time because.....

Part 2 - Farley is injured

After waking up at 6 am and leaving for the stable at 6:30a in order to try out my new saddle before school, I have to admit I didn't do the best job checking legs. I checked the front legs because I always check the fronts (I'd be a fool not to after Farley's history), tacked up, and took off. The plan was a light walk/trot hack around the orchards. Farley was very forward at the walk, but relunctant to trot after the warm up. Not altogether unusual if she thinks she's missing breakfast back at the stable, but after urging her forward a couple of times and not getting a sustained trot for more than 25 yards or so, I got off and starting feet and legs. Fronts are OK, LH OK.......crap, all I had to do was touch the RH and I could feel it was totally blown up.

Crap crap crap.

Walked home of course (as in, MY feet were on the ground walking). Farley was sound at a walk, ameable to jig and trot when she pretended to spook at some bushes etc., so I don't think it's serious, but hard to tell with the effusion/edema and the fact I have no clue what happened. She's in a pipe corral so it's possible she got a leg caught and banged it up, no obvious wound or break in the skin. Seems to be more sensitive around the top of her fetlock.

So, did some cold hosing, and applied surpass. Then, keep an eye on it. If it doesn't resolve by the end of the week then consider getting a vet out. Assuming it does resolve, then all next week will be light walking around the orchards, and then keeping an eagle eye on it as we return to regular work.

The timing is lucky - we just finished a ride and don't have another planned until November. Assuming that it completely heals up and isn't anything serious, another LD at the beginning of November isn't out of the question. I have finals next week so it's not like I have a lot of time to ride anyways......

It's my first horse injury not related to riding, so a little apprehensive, especially because I don't know what happened. I don't think that I'm being too conservative by deciding to watch it a couple of days.

Part 3 - What's for lunch

Got out the habit of bringing my lunch in a box and what do you think happened? Yep, tried throwing some items in a bag and ended up eating out, overeating in the evenings, craving all sorts of things, and went on a one week ice cream binge. It was fun, I gained a pound which was probably worth it considering how good the ice cream was, BUT obviously not sustainable. Back to boxes!

This lunch has:

-a chunk of homemade banana bread that Matt's mom baked for me

-slices of cucumber

-redleaf lettuce with a lemon wedge with boneless chicken wings from chili's (left overs from Matt's dinner over the weekend)

-string cheese (not pictured)

Annnnnddd....for those of you that have no time, I present a pictoral summary of this post.

 

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Definition of Torture

My new saddle was just delivered to my front porch, 1 hour and 10 minutes away.

I am standing in class take notes on the comparative anatomy of lizards and snakes.

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Rider Fitness - for real this time!

There should be a special term that is used for that moment, 30 minutes into lecture, when you realize that you cannot possibly make it through the last 20 minutes without a hot cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant.

I'm not sure what to call that moment, but I know what to do after returning to lecture with said cup of coffee and croissant - blog!

Most (OK - like ALL) of the tips about my rider fitness program come from that 20 minute fitness book. (amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-First-20-Minutes-Surprising/dp/1594630933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346953861&sr=8-1&keywords=20+minute+fitness)

And like I *might* have mentioned before, I'm quite fond of bulleted lists, especially when my brain is preoccupied with the physics and calculations associated with respiration (so full of cardiorespiratory physics in fact, that I"m not sure where this post is coming from. Probably that primal reptile part of my brain, based purely on instinct, that somehow understands that for me to be sane, I must blog!).

However, in contrast to a simple ride story....this list will have far more than 10 bullet points. I think. Haven't quite thought it through all the way.

First, a quick summary of my work outs. I'll go through the details, probably over several posts, so this will be helpful if you get lost in the details.

-Run about 3-4 times a week, approximately everyother day (alternating days are riding days)

-Typical run is a high intensity interval run that lasts about 30 minutes

-I do a 1 mile timed test about once a month

-I do about 1 long run a month - of about 10 miles or so

-If I miss a run in the morning, I swim in the afternoons

-runs (except long runs and 1 mile tests) are followed by strength training session

- pay careful attention to my body and do not work through soreness or any kind of pain

-I sacrifice workouts if I can't get 8 hours of sleep - for example, I don't get up early to run if I went to bed late at night and can't get up early enough to get in a run before leaving for school and get enough sleep. Sleep is a priority.

-I exercise for my health, I eat for my weight. I do not exercise to lose weight, or to "pay" for a treat. There are many many good reasons to exercise and very few of those reasons have anything to do with weight and everything to do with mental health, stress reduction, ageing gracefully, and staying sharp cognitively.

By following the guidelines above, I've lost over 10 pounds since June, feel better than I have in a couple of years, and have worked out more regularly and had more fun doing so than I have for a long time. Let's get to the specifics!

1. I don't exercise through soreness. If I'm sore, I take the day off from whatever activity. If I'm sore from riding, I do something else with my horse, like lunge work. If I'm sore from running, I don't run that day. I also don't "make up" for not running on my designated run day by running before my next scheduled run (usually run every other day). Same with strength training. What was especially enlightening about DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) research is how ineffective all our "cures" and "remedies" are for it. Taking NSAIDs prophylactically doesn't work. Ice baths don't work. Massage doesn't work. Exercising through it doesn't work. Therefore, I'm choosing to listen to my body, and if it's sore from a workout, it means it is still recovering. Therefore, I'm choosing not to work through the discomfort and perhaps get injuired while doing so, since soreness is my body repairing and getting stronger from the last work out!

***Note - my chosen cardio activity that I enjoy is running. Feel free to sub something else like biking, swimming, running, etc for the running mentioned here!

2. I keep my workout schedule flexible. There are a couple of reasons that might mean me missing a morning pre-breakfast run - not being able to get 8 hours of sleep and get up early enough to run before going to school, having class very early, bad weather. On those days, my "make up" is going to the school pool at 5pm and swimming laps. This happens about once a week that a swim gets substituted for a run. It's important for a routine to have built in flexibility for it to work long term. If for some reason I miss a run/swim day entirely, I don't make it up the next day --> I go see Farley as planned.

3. I run before breakfast. This has a couple of benefits - since running is paired with both getting up AND breakfast, it makes it very likely to happen, since both getting up and breakfast are guarennteed to happen. In addition, the book said that there is *some evidence that running after a fast (like what happens when you don't eat while sleeping for 8 hours or so) that it helps train your body to use stored fuel, rather than energy floating around in your blood stream from your last meal. I've had some problem with nausea with my runs, however for the most part I've gotten used to it, and it helps me learn techniques to keep going through nausea - breathing techniques etc. This will come in handy since the nausea in the mornings during hard runs is EXACTLY the kind of nausea I have at the end of 100's. If I can find out how to deal with during runs (and whether food is in my stomach is only a small part of the equation), I'll have a head start on dealing with it during my next 100. The other benefit of running first thing in the morning is mental. Exercise stabilizes my appetite and makes me actually eat better. If I exercise in the afternoon, I only get that benefit during the end of the day. I also tend to not eat as well in the morning, knowing that I'm running in the afternoon to "make up for it". If I am in a snacky mood in the late evening, I tend to choose more "healthy" snacks because I know it is the last thing I'm going to be able to eat before my fast (sleep).....and that's what is going to be fueling my run.

4. I run harder, less often. The book stated that I could run for 20 minutes daily (or some combination of days/times that would average to 20 minutes daily), OR I could do hard intervals 30min 3x/week for the same effect. Being the time starved vet student, I chose the hard intervals. I've never ever ever trained fast. The base of my running pyramid has ALWAYS been slow, steady runs. I've been able to compare the effects of training more time slower, versus intervals because I'm doing a routine/plan that I've done every other year or so since I was 17. First, get totally out of shape. Then, in July/August start training for a December marathon. Do a 10 mile race in September, a half marathon in October, a 20 mile race in November, in preperation for the December marathon. Immediately take an extended break from running after the marathon until I get so fat, out and shape, and guilt filled that I start running again. Repeat. This year I won't be doing the marathon (too much money, too close to finals, too much planning/logistics). Compared to previous years, here's what I've noticed about putting intervals as my base run instead of slow easy runs.

***Note: High intensity intervals = 1 min of running as hard as I can, followed by 75 seconds of jogging (in the beginning it was walking) recovery. Repeat 8-12 times (in the beginning I managed only 5 repeats...). Lasts approximately 30 minutes

a. I'm getting fitter faster. Without injury. Not even a twinge of anything, including my injuries that were caused by running and are chronic. I'm doing 1 mile tests in times faster than I've seen since I was a teenager. However, I can easily go out and do a 10 mile long run without a problem too. I'm not sure whether the decrease in injury is because I'm mixing up the speed and therefore not subjecting joints/muscles to the same, continuous strain, or if its' the reduced time on my feet? I hadn't done a 10 mile run in a LONG time, and after only doing 3 interval works a week for a couple of weeks, I went out and did a 10 mile run with zero issues. Really impressive.

b. I haven't gotten sick. Invariably a week or two into starting a new running/work out program I get a cold or the flu. I have yet to get sick!!!

c. There's something very empowering about running hard, fast, flying above the ground. Speed workouts were always reserved for "advanced runners" or "racers". To be "allowed" to go fast and feel strong and sexy while pounding down the pavement, Tess in full race mode in front of me is the PERFECT way to start the day.

5. Sometimes I go out and time myself doing 1 mile. The 20 minute book talked a lot about the importance of the 1 mile test in predicting all sorts of health related things. I think the 1 mile test is a good touch point for me - no matter how much or how little I've been running, I try to do this at least once a month. I'm motivated to do this workout, because the days I do a 1 mile test, I only have to run for about 8 minutes, AND I don't have to do any additional work like weight training afterwards!

6. Sometimes I run long and slow. Usually on a Saturday or Sunday 1-2x a month I go out for a double digit run, or a run that lasts at least an hour.

7. I refuel. 1 cup of chocolate milk after every run, 200-300 calories of easily digestable energy for runs lasting longer than 1 hour. Remember me stating that exercise is not for weight loss? By replacing most of the calories burned during the run right after the run, I'm doing 2 things. First, your muscles are uniquely able to take up carbs and proteins in a window of time after the run. I'm taking advantage of that with the chocolate milk (which contains the ideal ratio of protein to carbs) and thus preparing my body for my next run, even as I finish my next run. Secondly by replacing most of the calories burned, I prevent my body from doing a reflex response that says "OH CRAP - we are really calorie deficient and must make up for it!!!!!!!!" and thus have a tendancy to over eat......This is why exercise is not an efficient way to lose weight. Your body is very tuned to make up for calorie deficits, especially those that come from exercise. Better for me to have a daily calorie goal that is set up for me to lose about 1 pound a week and then replace any additional calorie deficits that occur because of exercise so that I still make that daily calorie goal.

8. After a "typical run" (ie - not a 1 mile test or a long run), I do a strength training workout. If there was one weakness over the years with my work outs, it's the lack of strength training. The 20 minute book does a good job of explaining why it's important to include strength training (yes, pilates and yoga counts), and some suggestions for setting up a routine, including doing at least 10 reps of the chosen weight, importance of continually challenging your body, and doing exercises that utilize your body weight.

I've taken weight training classes and the traditional formulas and calculations were overwelming and complicated. The thought that high reps for endurance and low reps for building strength meant that I was always doing really high reps with realitively low weight. Now we know that women especially are not going to build bulk, even if are are doing relatively high weight and low reps. In fact, to increase performance we WANT that strength. Thank goodness. One thing I couldn't stand about weight training was the boredom and prolonged discomfort that came with doing 3x40 reps of whatever exercise was mandated by the teacher. In a nutshell, weight training increases the coordination and recruitment of muscle fibers that are "commandeered" for a specific purpose. At least 10 reps of whatever weight/exercise are being performed are suggested to experience this benefit. In a study cited in the book, two groups of cyclists were monitored, each with identical cycling routines, with one group adding a strength training workout after their cycling workout. The ones that included the strength training work out didn't have a decrease in performance/endurance/cardio etc., but WERE able to generate a lot more power, that therotically translated to better performance.

I can get behind that! Increased coordination and recruitment of muscle bundles? Minimum of 10 reps? Lift something heavy and not have to struggle through the boredom and high reps? Count me in! Since the most effective exercises mentioned were those that integrated body weight, I chose squats (activates most lower body muscles) and pushups (activates most arm/chest/upper body muscles) as the 2 exercises that I could stick with. Here's my guidelines for my strength work out:

Chose a weight or pushup position that I can do at least 10 reps at, but not more than 20.

Complete 3 sets of 10 reps each. On the third set, max out. The number that you max out on becomes your number of reps for the next work out.

Once you can do 3 sets of 20 reps, and max out on the last set above 20, then it's time to increase the weight or difficulty of the exercise.

Example: I do squats with a 30 pound weight and do 3 sets of 12 reps. On my last set, I'm able to do 15 reps! (12 reps, 12 reps, 15 reps). On my next work out, I repeat the 30 pound weight and do 3 sets of 15 reps, maxing out the last set at 20 reps (15, 15, 20). On the next work out my number of reps is now 20. If I can exceed 20 reps on the last set, I increase the weight I use and return to 10 reps per set and repeat the process.

Your body adapts very quickly to exercise and one of my top issues is not increasing the challenge to my body in an incremental and appropriate way. The system I use for the weight training makes sure that I'm continually challenging my body to get stronger.

9. Stretching. When I talk about my work out routine, this is the subject that meets the most resistance. Read the chapter in the book. It explains what stretching does and does not do, and what flexibility of the body really means. I've never been real good at stretching for exercise. However, I've always been flexible and passed the "flexibility tests" with ease. I'm glad I listened to my body all these years because the most current research is that being super flexible, or following the "traditional" stretching programs do not necessarily improve performance. Also, flexibility does not make you a better athlete, and actually may decrease performance in certain sports like running. Stretching and what's appropriate or not seems to has a "cult" like following that no amount of research or data can change. My feeling is that most people will read this chapter and either reject it based on it not matching up to what their belief of streching does, or like me, reinforce an opinion that they already had.

What I have done based on what I read in the book is incorporate "dynamic" stretching into my running routine. I run slowly for 5-10 minutes and then spend about 5 minutes skipping forward and backwards, doing "toy soldier" walking, and butt kicking sprints. I feel that this routine of stretching is useful and actually does my running some good, which is in contrast to other stretching routines I've done in the past.

10. Listen to your body. Suprise to suprise. You don't need fancy little gadgets and formulas to gauge your heart rate, effort, whether the weight your lifting is enough, or whether you need a rest day instead of your scheduled run. This is incredibly freeing --> you are the expert on your body, and if you listen to it, you will be able to accomplish 90% of what you need to accomplish for your fitness. Run your intervals with "percieved effort" instead of a heart rate monitor. Don't bother calculating your max lift weight and sets and reps based on it. Pick a weight that you can do at least 10 reps of, but not more than 20. Listen to your thirst and drink when you are thirsty. If you are sore, take a day off. If you are having a hard time getting up for your morning run, sleep in and get another hour of sleep (and then go to bed an hour earlier....). If your workout schedule can't accomodate this kind of flexibility, then I think that's sad :)

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Boots!!!!!!!

Here's a post I wrote last week before my LD ride that I never posted because it took me a bit to get the video and pics off my phone. Enjoy a look back to last week, before I knew that Farley and I were going to be just fine going 30 miles :)

The naughty puppy (not Tess, another similar naughty puppy :)) Stole a boot and led me on a merry chase around the barn for 5 or 10 minutes. After getting the boot back, the puppy sat next to Farley and tried to figure out how to get the boot away from Farley.


Shiny, new, ORANGE florescent boots from Renegade.

Now, some of you may be saying, "you are a dealer. You see new boots all the time. What's the big deal?". The big deal is that these are MY boots. I haven't had a new set of boots since summer of 2010. I've been using the same old ones, with over 500 miles on them. In fact, because I'm really bad about maintaining boots, AND because I figured that Farley's feet hadn't changed THAT much (just figured out she's a FULL size BIGGER on the fronts and the backs now), I figured it was my own fault that I could only get the boots half way on. It was OK because then if I got on a trotted a mile or two, everything would shift into place, I'd hop off and fasten the straps, and then continue on my ride.....

This my friends, is NOT the recommended nor proper care and use of the Renegade Hoof Boot. It is a however, a testament to the old saying about the cobbler's children.....

Anyways, I pulled the new boots out of the box and put them on Farley --> not bothering to adjust the cables or anything. Would I let a client wander into the wild blue yonder with straps flapping? Absolutely not. It looks tacky. Apparently I'm a tacky person.

Then I took a little video, assuming I'd get some pretty arab-y floating trot in new orange boots to show you folks. And I would be far enough away not to have to explain the tacky flapping strap tails....

Instead I got this: Pony on the Rampage

I eyed the boots after that little tirade and was pleased to see that not a hair was out of place. OK. I was more than pleased. I was infuriatingly smug about the whole thing. And a little disbelieving. It STILL seems like magic to me that I can take these boots out of the box, apply in less than in a minute, and have them survive that sort of abuse. Thus, I decided to take a picture of Farley's magic boots. I was also a bit relieved......I haven't used boots much in the last year or so and the fact that they are still magic is one less thing that I have to worry about this weekend.

I should show this video to all the people that ask me if these boots really stay on

pic is post rampage


Went out for a ride - our last major one before the LD this weekend (7 miles in an hour), finished after dark under the moonlight.
Boots stayed on, even up steep hills - a situation that I've had some hind boot losses on in the last couple years. Apparently when you have a boot that is a size too small it can cause issues --> seriously, do I even listen to the advice I give my clients and friends?

I think one reason that I'm TOTALLY excited about the boots is that it represents the reality of me getting back into endurance. This is for REAL. I have a ride THIS weekend. Farley is sound, and this is really happening.....

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A CFW image

I laugh at Farley as she spooks at the photographer and ask her what the hell she is doing!". She has all "4 off the floor" in this picture in her "magic boots"

Photo was taken by Bill Gore --> this is a photo of the photo, but wanted to share an image of us on the trail.

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A camp far west story

After two days you think I would be recovered enough to tell the story of camp far west. And you would be well. Not even two pints of ice cream has cured what ails me - mainly the aches of pains of a rider who will be sticking with ld's for the foreseeable future - at least until spending 4.5 hours in the saddle doesn't render me incapable of doing the simplest things, like rolling over in bed during the night.

As most of you know, my mind works in bullet points. So, here's CFW LD in 10 bullet points (because every good list has 10 bullet points).

1. Electrolytes

 

Ever since the AERC convention in early spring, I've followed Dr. Garlinghouse's recommendation of consistently and gradually increasing the amount of electrolytes in Farley's mashes that I provide at home. Adding salt/elytes to the water bucket hasn't worked so well, (not as consistent, and not riding hard enough/hot enough for her to be motivated to drink the first bucket she sees). However, at home Farley will eat a mash that contains 1 tablespoon of elytes per 1 cup of pellets (feeding stable mix by EGM) without blinking an eye. In fact, it's probably time to increase the amount. The real test was going to be CFW --> while Farley has eaten elytes in her mashes at home (although I've never been able to add as much as I do now), in the past she would turn her nose up at ride mashes containing elytes.

Both the night before the ride and the day of the ride, Farley sucked down mashes spiked with elytes. SUCCESS!!!!! I probably should have packed elytes on the saddle and elyted on the trail, however I was so scattered brain just trying to prepare for this ride on a basic level, thinking about adding one more factor was too much for my pea-sized brain to handle. So, the elytes she got in her mashes pre, during, and post ride were the only elytes she got.

Now that I can rely on her eating 2-3 doses of elytes during the vetchecks in a mash (and in water if I can acclimate her) I can be more conservative giving them via syringe. Yeah!




2. My food

This was the BEST I've ever done on food for the rider. As I shared in a previous post, my saddle food was grouped into ziplock baggies that each contained a form of electrolytes, carbs, and protein. I would finish one ziplock baggie before going onto the next, so that I wouldn't just eat my favorite stuff and I continued to consume appropriate nutrients throughout the ride. I knew how many calories were in each baggie and my goal was to eat 200-300 calories per hour in the saddle, based on the 20 minute book's recommendation for refueling during exercise. Post ride I calculated out the number of calories I consumed and it came to EXACTLY 300 calories per hour. PERFECT.

I kept the ziplocks in a saddle bag near my right thigh. Anytime I thought about food, or I took a walk break I would reach down and grab something out of whatever ziplock baggie I was working out of. Most items I was able to eat one handed, and quickly, although some required me to use 2 hands to open the package. During a walk break, I usually had time to eat 2 different things out of the bag. Here's some of my favorites from each category that I'll make sure are included next time:

Electrolytes: SCaps are still a fabulous source. I found that the electrolyte "blocks" work better than Gu's for me. I like the "Honey Zinger" brand better than Gu or cliffshot brand --> they are less sweet and and don't stick in my teeth as badly.

Carbs: The applesauce packets with the twist off lids were a clear winner. If I hadn't had everything portioned out in baggies I would have eaten all my applesauce in the first hour. Honey Zinger's "waffles" were quite good - chocolate was the best - when I wanted something that kind of felt like a real food desert. Wasn't impressed with the non-chocolate varieties. My favorite close-to-real-food fav was something called "Simple Squares". The rosemary one was absolutely incredible. They are dense calories and were included in baggies for longer loops.

Protein: I packed almond butter packets and jerky as my protein sources. The almond butter was much more palatable on the trail. I sorta choked the jerky down.

The prepared boxes for lunch and post ride also worked out well. They were full of fruits and veggies like bananas and avacodos, and a hard boiled egg. It went down well and was a nice compliment to my saddle bag goodies. I could visit with the box on my lap and mindless consume my food without thinking about it.

3. A break is a chance to simplify everything

I realized at this ride that taking a break from something allows you to simplify when coming back. My horse set up was the same --> mash pan, low pan that holds at least 5 gallons of water, muck bucket with hay, small bucket for a water topper, sponge bucket (5 gallon). However, my camping set up was drastically reduced. I slept in my truck cab with Tess. I brought an ice chest full of food that required zero prep, 3 gallons of drinking water, and a chair. Next time I will remember to bring a sleeping pad, and perhaps plan on heating some water for coffee. However, it was good to get back to the basics.

 

4. Blue moon so bright I didn't sleep

I did this ride "under a blue moon" and that moon was so bright through the windshield of my truck I didn't sleep. Ugh. Not to mention that Tess was throughly invigorated by all that moon-shiny-brightness AND felt like she wasn't being given her fair share of the bench seat in the truck (there was not a share to give her!). Fortunately the ride didn't start until 8:30 so it wasn't like I couldn't catch up on some sleep post-dawn.....or I would have been able to, if it hadn't been opening day of quail season! I can happily say that Farley hasn't forgotten her gun fire training and Tess, living up to her gun dog nature, couldn't have cared less about the caucaphony that we were greeted with at dawn.

5. Changed saddles half way through

I rode the first 20 miles in a saddle that I borrowed from a friend, that we have done the majority of our training in. By the end of 20 miles my knees were KILLING me, probably a function of the knee rolls. Although I've ridden a lot of miles in knee-roll-containing-saddles, I think that my future miles in them are limited. It puts too much strain on my poor abused IT bands. So, I switched to a borrowed aussie (from my dad). I had done exactly 2 rides in this saddle over the previous week and knew the following:

- It's totally secure and would probably take me falling unconscious to fall out of this saddle

-The seat is hard as a rock and after riding for an hour in it during a ride last week, I wasn't able to sit down the next day AND had visible saddle sores.

-It fit Farley's back at least as well as, if not better, than the english saddle I was borrowing.

Riding the last 10 miles in it didn't change my opinion that it needs a sheepskin cushion! But it solidified my decision that for my endurance saddle I am going to move away from an english saddle for the longer rides and into an aussie style saddle.

This was the announcement that I was sure I was going to be ridiculed for. After all, if I can do endurance in a lighter saddle why wouldn't I? I have a horse that I trust, that isn't going to through me to the ground just for the fun of it, so why worry about the extra security?

Near the end of a hard ride, especially near the end of 100's, I have a hard time staying in the center of motion if Farley is changing gaits or adjusting for a technical trail. I fall forward, I fall backward --> each time forcing Farley to compensate for me. She's tired, I'm tired, and the least I can do is make her job easier, not harder by staying in rhythm and balance with her. The aussie saddle will make that easier.

I think one of the reasons that it's difficult to stay hydrated and full of calories on the trail is the complicated-ness of attaching saddle bags to an english saddle so that they don't bounce, shift, rub against the horse, or annoy me. Snug pax, Stowaways etc I've tried and do not like. My preference is the "boot bag" draw string type, and a water bottle holder. I can get them on my english saddle by hooking to various rings, tying to the girth etc. It's amazingly easy to put the same saddle bag set up onto an aussie saddle and have them not bounce, rub and do all those other acrobats that annoy me and sometimes leaves my gear all over the trail without me knowing it.

The aussie saddle was a compromise between me wanting more "saddle" underneath me that made being on the endurance trail easy, and still being able to maintain a realtively good "dressage" seat.

I'm not totally giving up the english style saddle for trails. I'll still use one for shorter conditioning rides or rides that I'm not carrying much stuff for. A light uncomplicated saddle that I can just throw on and not feel so confined in. However, I just don't want to work as hard at the end of a 100 to keep a good position, and I want a saddle that doesn't tempt me to do without because I'm too lazy to find a way not to make it bounce or rub.

So what was the verdict? Unfortunately this saddle that I borrowed from my Dad isn't going to work for Farley. There isn't enough wither clearance for her (a reoccuring theme when I've had to go on a saddle search), but I already have some interested buyers for this saddle, and a line on a few other saddles that are priced low enough I can afford them. I'll keep you posted.

6. #5 was long enough that is should count as 2 bullet points.

7. Compliments from the vet

The vet was a little aprehensive when I told her this was Farley's first ride after reinjuring a bow 18 months ago, so when she told me, very seriously, at the end of the ride that Farley looked EXCELLENT, REALLY GOOD, and that I had done a good job --> it made the compliment even sweeter. She also told me that Farley had the best recoveries she had seen in the day so far. We did our completion exam with a CRI of 44/44.

I didn't even know that me and my partner had come in 3rd and 4th until the awards ceremony. No wonder everyone kept complimenting us on how good our horses looked! We had cantered/galloped in part way to camp, not realizing they could see us on the road coming in :).

8. Tess the endurance dog

First endurance ride for Tess and she did great! See pictures in the previous post to see some of the skills she is perfecting! She takes everything in a stride and just acts so darn happy all the time. Except, she wasn't too happy I camped in a field of star thistle and insisted on a sacrifice of my chair and Woolback pad in order to restore her good mood, because she couldn't POSSIBLY be asked to put rest and relax in the midst of such hardship.

9. I hurt so good

I didn't walk for 2 days. 'Nough said. My calves still hurt from protecting my right IT band. Farley on the other hand looks great......

10. Future plans

I'm 55 miles away from an LD patch - which would be my first. I definitely need to do at least one more LD, and hurt LESS afterwards before I consider moving back up to 50 miles or more. Farley definitely had the thought of "Oh crap, what if I have 70 more miles to go?" half way through the second loop, so doing another LD or 2 shouldn't blow her mind for the longer distances. She was hot during the start, but not bad - no bucking, some spooks (just to prove to everyone that she hadn't been out in a while), and just a head toss or two to show me that she still was more than capable of handling the endurance trail and didn't need my meddling (I still meddled....) Farley loves her job and is happy to be back - If anything, she was perkier after the 30 mile finish, than at the 20 mile vet check! She was all business, but also didn't seem to take it TOO seriously, although she was miffed that I kept ignoring her signal to get off and climb up the big hill on her tail instead of in the saddle.

So what are my future plans?

-I'll do another LD or two and if everything goes well.....

-I'll do a 50 or two and earn her 1000 mile medallion.

-And then? We'll take them as they come :) For now I have dreams that might pop like a bubble if I shout them too loud, so I'm keeping them close until Farley can show me what she can do.

In the meantime I have a 10 mile road race the end of September, a 14 mile ride and tie mid-October, and a 20K road race in November. Plenty to keep me busy and fit for whatever comes my way.

 

Posted with Blogsy

The end before the beginning

Still recovering from the ride (when did 4.5 hours in the saddle get so hard?).  The story will be coming but in the meantime I wanted to give you'all a little peek. 

Farley and I had a fabulous ride, finished 3rd with a 4.5 hour ride time.  Had a CRI at the end of the ride of a 44/44 and was complimented by the vet as looking really good with the best recovery she had seen that day. 

All the problems that need to be resolved are on MY end --> more about that in the coming post that tells the "rest of the story"

The best news of all is that I went and saw Farley this morning and she looks better after this ride than ANY other ride that she's EVER done.  Really hydrated, legs are tight, no soreness from tack etc.  WOW.

Tess was an angel all weekend --> here's some eye candy of the snarfer until I can post the ride story. 

-What happens when you try to share the morning mash.  You get slobbered on.