blogs: bonnie davis: march 2008: index

Back in the Saddle

March 30, 2008
by Bonnie Davis

Better late than never but I will have to apologize to everyone for being late with my blog. I went to Denver for the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo where I met a lot of folks, gave a couple presentations on "Horsecamping" and found more items to hang in the tack room! Seems I can never go to an expo without finding something that just has to be added to the tack room.....might not need it now, but may come in handy down the road!!

Weather in Denver was nice! Not one snowflake on the ground. Was sort of hoping there'd be snow but it didn't snow until the day I left. Then I didn't want snow 'cause I didn't want the Denver airport closed because of all the snow. Only snowed for a few hours and melted as soon as it hit the ground so no problem getting out of Denver after Expo.

Back home, rode for a couple days and then headed to Southern California to check out some trails and visit friends.

Now I'm getting ready to leave for Paso Robles and Equine Experience, April 4-6. Two clinics on "Horsecamping" and one on "Trail Safety". Since California diesel is now over $4/gallon and gasoline is over $3.50/gallon it's going to be interesting to see how many folks attend. Some shows and events are beginning to see cancellations and have noticed more folks are looking for trails in their own backyards and horsecamps in local parks instead of trailering long distances.

Don't forget to check out the 'Where-to-Ride Guide' in your next issue of "The Trail Rider" (www.trailridermagazine.com). It's got every state in the nation listed with Trail-Riding Destinations, Riding Vacations, Public Lands, Rails-to-Trails, Organized Trail Rides, Overnight Stabling, Horsecamps and more. There's all kinds of ads throughout the publication of where to go camping, riding and even some 'free' vacation offers scattered throughout the pages. Plus great stories and articles. You're sure to find a place in your own backyard where you can go riding and camping!!

For those folks that have e-mailed me, haven't forgotten you. I will get a reply back to you in the coming days. Really like hearing from everyone and the places you enjoy riding. So keep e-mailing me at horsecamping@comcast.net.

And I'll try to get back on schedule with my blogs........

Stay safe!

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From Sun to Snow

March 12, 2008
by Bonnie Davis

I'm heading for Denver this Thursday. According to the newspaper, the weather is cold.

I'm trying to figure out what to pack for Denver; I always have a hard time packing. When travelling with the horses it's easy -- everything they own goes in the trailer, just to be safe. With me, I take only what I need (which I never manage to figure out what that is) because when one flies, there are weight limitations on luggage. Plus I only get two suitcases to get everything into.

Since I'm giving "Horsecamping" presentations, one suitcase is devoted to nothing but demo items -- tree savers, knot eliminators, handouts, books, folding canvas water pail and other horsecamping items.

Even though I put a note in suitcase explaining what all these items are and they'll be used for a presentation, I've found it best to stick with suitcases until they get THROUGH airport security. One would think airport security has seen this stuff before -- but they haven't.

I usually wind up opening suitcases and even having to explain to them what and how a knot eliminator or what a tree saver is. All this show and tell can take up to 45 minutes to an hour to get through.

Next, it's get ME through security. I don't really mind all the restrictions. I learned not to pack anything over 3 ounces and whatever airport security can do to make it safer to fly is perfectly OK with me. But I have also learned to always wear cowboy boots (they slide on and off) and never packers (which have to be unlaced, pulled off and then put back on and relaced!!). Never wear a big belt buckle. In fact don't wear a belt. You gotta take it off anyway. And don't forget to put cell phone, watch, bracklet, and earrings into the tray because they will set the 'sensor' off when you walk through.

Of course I know that regardless how much I leave off in the way of clothes, I'm going to set the 'sensor' off anyway. I've got a replaced left knee which sets it off so I get to be wanded. You know stand there with hands out (palms up) while one of the security folks runs this wand device up and down my body. And everyone who walks by looks at me and wonders "Why?"

I don't mind though. I do a lot of flying. I've just come to the realization that first I have to get suitcases through security. And then I have to get ME through security. This is the reason I go to the airport 2 and even 3 hours earlier than required and will on Thursday too.

If you're in Denver March 14-16, drop by the National Western Complex for the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo and say 'hi'. I'll be there -- hopefully with BOTH suitcases!

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Traveling

March 5, 2008
by Bonnie Davis

I was up in Reno, Nevada last weekend for the American Endurance Ride Conference. And I've discovered that no matter where one may travel, you'll always come across horse owners.

While there decided to take a day and go out to Sparks and visit the Nugget. While having lunch, I noticed this gal sitting next to me with a tablet. On it was written one word, "equine." Of course, I just had to ask, "Noticed the word equine on your tablet, you own a horse?"

"Yes, I do!" and so began a good hour of conversation about horses. She was from Illinois and in Sparks for the International Association of Trimmers. They don't 'shoe' horses. They 'trim.'

We talked about the weather both in California and Illinois. Horses in general. Riding styles. Techniques. Problems facing horse owners from feed availability to trail closures to hauling. As we talked, more folks joined in the conversation and soon we had a whole counter of horse owners, trimmers, endurance riders and backyard equestrians swapping stories, telling tales and in general -- just visiting.

After a couple of hours, some of them headed up to their Conference at the Nugget. Others, like me, continued to talk about horses and then swap addresses, e-mails and phone numbers to keep in touch. Some of us caught the city bus back into downtown Reno where we parted company.

I do a lot of traveling. Both when just trail riding and when giving lectures, clinics and presentations. But it doesn't matter where I'm at, there are always horse owners in the area. And I've found that all one has to do is smile, talk to the other person and you'll find one of those horse owners. That's what I like about horse owners, we're always ready to talk about our favorite 'friend' -- our horse -- and where we've been, the challenges facing each of us in our particular area and how we go about solving them.

So when you're traveling and regardless if having lunch, wandering around or just looking, you won't be far from another horse owner. All you have to do is ask "Own a horse?" and you'll have hours of conversation!

And speaking of traveling, if you're in Denver be sure to drop by the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, March 14-16. Daily at 9:30 am I'll be presenting "Horsecamping -- expanding your trail riding adventures" in the Trail Riders Conference at the Kent Feeds Trail Head in the SW Expo Hall. Come by, say 'hi' and tell me about your travels.......I'm always eager to find new trails and horsecamps for me and Nic!

Don't forget to reset your clocks this weekend. Time changes. We 'spring' ahead......

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