Fun day- Boots and Saddles

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   Another day of riding. God these farm horses are huge, I am more used to eastern quarter horses.  My mount 'Duke',  as per owner has a bit of an attitude problem, but after a few cups to the back of the head we have an understanding. Loaner saddle was a little to narrow for the big guy, 'Duke' was picked for me based on my weight, and now a reason to lose more weight.  A local makes McClellan Cavalry saddles full package to size for @$700, so not a bad deal. With my artificial knees can not mount from ground, need a mount box, so in the 'battles' I volunteered as mount holder while the rest dismount and do thier thing.

I still can't get over that I am considered an expierianced rider by the group, and one trooper today was day one in a saddle. I learned the erect military ride style years ago, and Duke was not used to me being so far foward in saddle with my weight a straight line from gound to me, putting most of my weight on forelegs instead of back.  I tested out with all commands and movements, the only thing was 'Duke' refused to back up.  Took awhile to get the wheels, and pivots, with voice recognition and differant commands than 'Duke' was used to, but at a paced trot formations were easy.

Had to walk the caisson horse in a caisson harness for the first time, they were not to co-operative.

And then the finale, I tired 'Duke' out and with no warning he went down, and I still remmembered my dismount after all these years, grab one of the head harness straps roll oposite of direction he is going down and kick self away.  Told it was a 'pretty' dismount, and I got s lot of compliments on how well I did. 

Uniforms and such should be in this week, will get pictures up asap.

Edited by oldsoldier - 06 February 2010 at 7:13pm

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oldsoldier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Frequent target of infantile obsessives Joined: 10 June 2002 Status: Offline Points: 6483	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldsoldier Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Fun day- Boots and Saddles Posted: 06 February 2010 at 5:57pm
	Another day of riding. God these farm horses are huge, I am more used to eastern quarter horses. My mount 'Duke', as per owner has a bit of an attitude problem, but after a few cups to the back of the head we have an understanding. Loaner saddle was a little to narrow for the big guy, 'Duke' was picked for me based on my weight, and now a reason to lose more weight. A local makes McClellan Cavalry saddles full package to size for @$700, so not a bad deal. With my artificial knees can not mount from ground, need a mount box, so in the 'battles' I volunteered as mount holder while the rest dismount and do thier thing. I still can't get over that I am considered an expierianced rider by the group, and one trooper today was day one in a saddle. I learned the erect military ride style years ago, and Duke was not used to me being so far foward in saddle with my weight a straight line from gound to me, putting most of my weight on forelegs instead of back. I tested out with all commands and movements, the only thing was 'Duke' refused to back up. Took awhile to get the wheels, and pivots, with voice recognition and differant commands than 'Duke' was used to, but at a paced trot formations were easy. Had to walk the caisson horse in a caisson harness for the first time, they were not to co-operative. And then the finale, I tired 'Duke' out and with no warning he went down, and I still remmembered my dismount after all these years, grab one of the head harness straps roll oposite of direction he is going down and kick self away. Told it was a 'pretty' dismount, and I got s lot of compliments on how well I did. Uniforms and such should be in this week, will get pictures up asap. Edited by oldsoldier - 06 February 2010 at 7:13pm


JohnnyHopper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member I.O.U. a punch Joined: 15 June 2002 Location: North Chuck SC Status: Offline Points: 4664	Post Options Post Reply Quote JohnnyHopper Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 February 2010 at 10:19am
	Jeez OS, how many notches do you need in your mancard? I wouldn't dare go near a horse again and I can still recover from their stupidity ;)
	My shoes of peace have steel toes.

oldsoldier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Frequent target of infantile obsessives Joined: 10 June 2002 Status: Offline Points: 6483	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldsoldier Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 February 2010 at 2:58pm
	Had to give up airsoft/paintball getting too old to run around a battlefield, so now I have a ride. With my love of history this was perfect for me, with a little added 'fun' of riding. I am either going to be the caisson outrider for the 6 lbr cannon they have, guidon bearer due to my erect riding style or the Sergeant due to my booming command voice, and I can ride.....go figure. Owner gave me the whole brief on 'Duke', and I have had hard cases before. This is one of the few things that have really hit my button since all these new issues took a lot of my fun away. I am also part of the Rock Creek Renegades a local 'Mountian Man' group, going to a black powder competition next weekend. Momma is all happy that I am getting out there, being stuck in my recliner is getting old.