Conditioning Begins

My farrier put iron all around on Shalako this past week, so I started the conditioning for myself and Shalako yesterday (Saturday).

We did five miles, which he trotted most of the way. I let him have his head for the most part and he wanted to trot. Of course, trotting is what he grew up doing, to round up cattle in West Texas (big ranch). Myself, I sit a trot, not post. It is just the way I learned to ride.

Today: I AM SORE. Good gravy people. No soreness in joints, just muscles. Sore muscles include: upper back between shoulder blades, inside of thighs, back of thighs (just below buttocks), and abdominals. I guess that is good.

I used my daughter's Dakota roping saddle, instead of my heavy Billy Cook rancher saddle. The Dakota saddle weighs about 30 lbs, versus the 50 lbs of the Billy Cook. Her saddle is definitely not as comfortable as my Billy cook. My knees hurt pretty good when I dismounted, but the pain disappeared by the time I cooled him down and washed him. I admit I was a little concerned about that. I cannot believe the difference in the two saddles. I guess that explains the difference in the price...you get what you pay for.

I have been looking at a Hope Style saddle. They were also called Texas style, and are a hybrid between the stock saddle and the early Mexican saddles. They are half seat saddles, and the one I am looking at is 22 lbs. A good weight for the Long Ride, and yet still functional as a roping saddle. It basically has less leather than modern saddles, and more comfort. I am going to try to find one to use before I buy it. They cost as much as my Billy Cook (about $1,600).

Live free. Be happy.

-GW