Long Shot 50: Fort Howes, many years ago

by Jennifer Leipold Alexander

Ft Howes, MT many years ago...

Hauled horse from virgina to ride 50. At briefing was asked to sponsor 2 sister juniors who had more mileage than I, so sure!

One pony tied up about 10 miles out so we 3 waited for trailer & vet but sure was not 10 by road for them... + an hour. Eventually I (badgered) group of adults to let other sister go with them as was not far to check, in camp & then mom could sort out next step.
 
Eventually i rode to camp with a very rested horse. Left with a friend & made the mistake of letting horse keep up with her, well for awhile.
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In 2nd check older sister's new sponsor got pulled & no-one would take her so she waited for us off we went. Few miles later my horse got a belly ache (well he had tried to tell me not to go so fast earlier) so i grabbed another adult for the jr & off they went.

I ambulated, horse grazed until we got to more water, hooray! poop! That took more than an hour. Was having trouble holding onto him so on I got but minus bit. Big mistake, he knew the feed bucket was close & was all i could do to stay on trail & not shortcut thru fields.

Hooray!

​Poop!

I got fussed at on arrival as crew was having trouble with my gut story. Someone (crew) was sure i'd pull & so workers had been told not to wait for me & they went out to close gates on the last 5 miles. Well, i did not drive all those miles to pull & vet said horse was fine.

If you have not had the questionable experience of opening & closing Texas gap barb wire gates in tights with an inexperienced horse...
​I do not recommend it.

If you have not had the questionable experience of opening & closing texas gap barb wire gates in tights with an inexperienced horse...i do not recommend it and there are no sloppy loose gates on that ranch, no sir, tight as man can make them, i was jumping on, pushing, cursing and some never got top & bottom on. Probably 8 of them. ​

We got a lovely Dead Ass Last painted rock & a good sport jacket. Pony recovered. Crew apologized. I still feel like i should have handed out parts of that jacket (sleeves maybe?) to the other adult who helped the sisters.

I recommend Ft Howes as a well managed & friendly ride with great trail & worker-bees. Hope I can get back there! And take a jr riding with you !

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