Feb 02 2011
Meet Forest, The Pack Horse!
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With all this talk of endurance riding and backcountry horse camping, Asali was beginning to wonder who was going to carry all of our gear (she doesn’t realize we’ll actually have a crew on our 100-milers). In fact, she told me the other day that if she was expected to carry me, she sure as heck wasn’t going to carry all our gear too. So, why not teach Forest to pack??? He’s already the perfect pony horse and loves to come along on our long rides!
Since Mom knows how to pack (she packed and walked her horse, Winnie, more than 300 miles) and she was willing to let us borrow her packing gear, she was the best one to teach us. First, Mom fitted the pack saddle and rigging to Forest. Then we ran him around in the round pen to let him get used to how everything felt. Finally, Mom packed him up with two pillows, so he would have the bulk without the weight.
Forest with the pack saddle on.
Forest checking out the pillow in the pannier.
Mom demonstrating the barrel hitch.
More of Mom’s handy work.
Then… Asali and I took Forest for a ride. Introducing…. drum roll, please… Forest, the pack horse:
Ready to go!
Out on the trail.
From behind.
That sure is a cute pack pony you’ve got in Forest Gumption!
I’m loving the red “wide load” flag:)
Yup, I agree, I think Forest is going to make a fine pack horse!
Hi, Forest. You look pretty sharp all packed up. Are you walking across America?
Oh, no, no. I’m leaving that one up to Winnie.
Forest