Horses tire differently than humans
Trip Start
Sep 24, 2008
1
3
41
Trip End
Ongoing
Santa Rosa,
Ecuador
Friday, November 14, 2008
I rode Rodrigo´s horse to the farm about a mile down the road. This was the second time in my life to mount a horse solo. His purpose was to carry many of the plantains that we would be loading into the truck for our trip to Quito yesterday. Some of the larger bunches of green bananas weigh more than 80 pounds...having the horse is somewhat helpful. Riding the horse down to Don Ojos Gatos (blue eyes) was pleasant...a simple trot. I left a bit earlier than than Rodrigo for the farm, we arrived about the same time and started the climb to the farm.
The first climb up was easy...the trip down was a different story. I managed to dirty my pants on the ground two or three times coming down. Walking correctly down hill, through mud is a learned skill. Again...rain boots are a beautiful thing when you sink or slide with each step.
The day was absolutely wonderful, the sun broke through the clouds shortly after we started. More unique it stuck around for the afternoon rather than hiding in the clouds after a bit of playtime. By the third trip down the drying path our horse came to the conclusion that it was unnecessary for him to move anymore unless he felt up to it. This lead to slight troubles with the cargo he carried. On each side we balanced the larger plantain bushels, atop these were two more heavy bundles of our fruit. The trouble was not that the weight was too much for him to handle, but rather the quick spurts of unbalance movement that would offset our pyramid of produce. Rodrigo and ojos gatos were in front and behind of the tired animal attempting to keep the horse moving and our money from falling off his back into the mud. On one the the trips back up to the plantation I mounted our horse solo to make my count of successful attempts at horse riding three. Entertaining to say the least.
We left the Rodrigos at about seven AM, at about one O'Clock we were closing the doors on the truck. The sound of the locks taking their places to secure our cargo brought a smile to my face. I sweat more in the sun here...the half gallon of water I drank that morning had left via my skin, to be modest. My only duties for the rest of the day would involve a hammock, pillow and a book. I was looking forward to the easy ride back to the farm in the sun...my fourth horseback experience. Rodrigo positioned the horse heading towards our destination.
As my ass touched the wooden saddle...he slapped the horse´s hindquarter. I quickly learned that horses cool their bodies through sprinting. After four trips up ojos gatos´ muddy pathway our horse was exhausted. My heart pounded, lacking control of the horse´s simple desire to cool down, a bit of stress. Fear of falling increased my desire to encourage my partner to run faster. The faster he ran the more comfortable my ride. Speed was followed by swiftness. My wooden saddle was not comfortable...take two 2x4s horizontally, place a slightly thicker piece of wood in the front and back...you have yourself a homemade saddle. Thus the less bouncing the better on one´s bum. The fear of the unknown combined with what God has provided in all of us...adaptation...is invigorating.
Another thing...transitions between walking and running for people...humans...can be smooth depending on the individual. Horseback is definitely a bit different and involves bouncing. Roughly a mile of distance separated the two farms. I experienced the walking, trotting and running transitions about five times. By the third, my saddle was painfully cutting into my hind end. The horse didn´t want to run the entire time...he was satisfied with an equal amount of all of his speeds. After a few minutes I wanted only for him to walk. With all of my strength I pulled on the reins attached loosely to his face hoping that he would just simply take it easy for the rest of our short trip. To my dismay, every time I allowed my feet to grip the sides of his body, he began running at full speed again. Yelling in Spanish, pulling on the reins, every quickened movement further bruising my ass. Eventually I was able to halt him just short of the farm. Dismount just in time for Rodrigo to round the corner and think that I had fallen off. ¨What happened, did you fall?¨, he asked. ¨No¨, I said, ¨He wouldn´t stop running.¨ I wouldn´t trade his laughter for the world. My experiences all being new, and my blunt manner of speaking at times brings smiles and laughter constantly. I can´t think of too many months in which I have been so funny without trying at all.
I can´t wait for my fifth opportunity to mount their horse. And, I will do so after nothing short of a hard afternoon of good old fashioned hard work...he will run hard and I will have a pillow beneath me. Can´t say as I have had too many experiences like the rush you get having huge animal sprinting in pure instinct. Nothing short of my heart racing, fear of inexperience, but trust in my own instinct. Exhilarating. I love the campo.
