--- Hibeamer's First Real Trail Ride ---
(Eight year-old Standardbred gelding who did not make it to the races)
(Click on the thumbnail's for a larger view)
In August 2002, Keith took Hibeamer to do some trail riding on the high
desert east of the Sierra's along the California Nevada border near Bodie,
California. This was his first trail ride since we started him under
saddle a few months ago. Until then, all he had done was take a few short
rides around the farm. During these rides he showed a lot of good attitude
and his gait was very smooth, so Debbie felt he might make a good trail horse.
Well - here was a chance to see if she was right.
We camped, as we have for the last 15 years or so, a few miles east of
Bodie, along Bodie Creek. This year the creek was dry due to a lack of
rain, so to water the horses, we had to take them to a spring-fed pond about 1/4
mile south of camp. The first day he just did not want to get his feet wet
and drink, so we took a five gallon bucket and filled it and he got a good
drink. The second day, he walked right into the pond like he had been doing it
all his life. Later that day, I rode him thru the pond to the other side - no
problem. We finished up the ride going toward Bodie, then down the canyon
leading to the stamp mill and old toll house where Mark Twain spent some time
working.
The third day we headed up one of the mountains to a grove of aspen trees
for
lunch.
While we were having lunch we tied Beamer to a tree where he stood
the entire time without moving or fussing and seemed to really be enjoying
himself. On the way back, we got to test his ability to forge his own
trail down the mountain thru the sage brush. As usual, he did a perfect
job - never stumbling.
The next day, we decided to take a longer, more difficult ride to Mexican
Springs, four or five miles southeast of camp. After watering in the pond,
we headed east about a mile where we had to pass thru a wire gate and by some
big tanks for watering the cattle. He was a little spooked when I dragged
the gate, but got over it right away and went thru. He did a pretty good
check of the water tank and then went right up and started drinking next to the
cattle - once again - no problem.
By now, I knew we really had a great trail horse. The ride up the draw was pretty
rough and steep. Add to that, the
rocks, rough spots, cows and a big bull
to stare down and it must have been quite an eye opener for Beamer. On the
way up, we spotted a herd of wild horses. They sort of stalked us as we
went. What a beautiful sight that was. We had lunch at Mexican springs and
had to tie the horses to bushes. Once again - not a problem.
On the fifth day, we headed for a spot that we hadn't been to in all our
trips around Bodie. It was about six
miles north down a large canyon where rough creek and another creek converge.
Some of the going was very tough and we sometimes had to forge our own trails.
About noon, we finally found the creeks and followed them down thru some of the
most spectacular country around. This was another first for Beamer,
fording a running stream, but as usual, he did it without hesitation.
Then, the next obstacle, downed trees. You guessed it, he stepped over and
around the maze like he had done it all his life. The final day of riding
was just a short ride over the lower Mexican Springs trail where we had lunch
overlooking Mono Lake.
Well - that's the story of Beamer's first trail ride. He performed
like a champion and seemed to really enjoy his new "job". After all that
work, he slimmed down and really started looking good. The last night, we
were joined by a bunch of the cattle and they went right over to visit with
Beamer. One of them stuck his nose under the electric wire that we use to
make portable paddocks and Beamer gave him a big kiss on the nose. It was
a sight to see.
Well - Debbie was right - he turned out to be an outstanding trail horse.
