More pics - Overnight + 20 Mile Ride on 7.23/24

Friday evening started off with us maneuvering Sandra's rig into the arena. It was a beautiful semi cool evening.

Here Sandra is setting up her new highline, and showing me how all of the (really great) "dealies" work. The people who designed this equipment certainly knew what they were doing! We only had to tie one knot! It was located on the opposite side of the trailer. On this end, just a couple of wraps on the dealie and it held tight.

Here is the whole set up. You can see how the rope goes up and over the top of the trailer.

We had to tighten the rope several times as it was brand new and still had a lot of stretch in it. The tightener dealie is near Delight's head.

You can see the tightener here a little better. The rope goes between two knobs and then you move the bar horizontally 180* and snap it on to the rope.

The ropes we used to tie the horses to the line were specially designed as well. The lead rope goes through the clip like a pulley and the red bag is filled with sand/rocks so that there isn't a big loop for the horse to get her leg over. This pic was taken before we added the counterweight, so the red bag is at the top rather than pulling the extra rope to the ground.

Delight trying out the feed bags before we were all finished. She probably would stand there all night without being tied if the hay didn't run out.

You can also see the tie rope a little better in this pic.

Tia thought the hay bags were the best part of the whole system too...

... although, she thought she would try to raid the treats first!

After an uneventful night wherein I snored the hours away while Sandra kept a watchful eye on the horses, we left early Sat morn for our ride.

I put Delight's new Renegade hoof boots on for their inaugural ride.

For the most part, I was very happy with them. They were easy to apply and to take off.

Both Delight and Tia will be doing the PF barefoot. They both have great hard feet. The trail is reportedly a nice two track logging road. I bought the Renegades for "just in case."

Heading out on our 20 mile ride.

Going up a draw.









I love Delight, she is my Beauty!

The horses both handled this long ride very well!
 
Sandra, did we ride for 5 or 6 hours?

Anyway, it was my longest ride ever on a horse! It was a little on the difficult side, but I feel pretty confident now that riding 30 miles in 7 hours isn't totally out of the realm of possibility!



 Only TWELVE days left to prepare! I need to get busy on THE List. So many things to remember...

Char