Hannah and Meadow's New Gear

Here's the saddle scoop.  In an attempt to do without twenty pounds of saddle, Hannah made it the first thirty miles bareback.  This resulted in a sore lower back, so she was grateful to accept a pair of English stirrups from a kind woman L, who worked at the Hendersonville Lowes.  With these slung over what we fondly referred to as the makeshift pad/saddle thing, Hannah had a better ride for the next 47 miles.  But Meadow's back was more easily rubbed with this arrangement, so the need for a good saddle became urgent.

10/20/2013 in Hendersonville

10/20/2013 in Hendersonville

The first was waiting for us in Pickens, South Carolina, where some of our favorites (P and D) gifted us with an ancient English saddle to match the stirrups; a set up that worked better for everyone.  The saddle fit Meadow initially but over time the tree, softened by age, began to widen on her back.  Restuffing the underside of it only worked so well, which left us again in search of a saddle solution.

Relief came from our generous hostess, EK, who gave us her late husband's Australian stock saddle.  She also gave us new saddle bags, a cantle bag, a new halter and a folding hoofknife among other useful gifts. True, the Harley Davidson bags from D in Hendersonville were oh so stylin'... but the new ones fit past mail-boxes better.  Thanks a million, EK, for your excellent advice and your easygoing company.  We will never forget you.

The Aussie

Serenading EK's cat

The cat's just showing off now… of course, he wanted to play jazz

The most road-ready rig version yet; new saddle and all

The gang is happy

Meadow is ready to roll with her new Australian saddle

New saddle bags, too; thanks EK!

Of course, the puppy ready to do her thing

For everyone who has been so kind to us... this trip couldn't happen without you.  One of these days (years) you're all gonna get postcards from Colorado.

- FCF


"She was just a stable lass but all the horsemen-knew-'er"
   ~ EK

Olive ran alongside the Polaris ATV in which her master sat, corners of her mouth held back in that signature worried-puppy look, until we stopped and invited her to sit on the seat beside Harvey

Meadow, in spite of the coolest-pet-on-the-trek rivalry, always leaves just enough water in the bottom of her bucket for the puppy to drink