Butch at the racetrack

Lots of practice for the Butchinator and myself today. First, loaded all the new saddlebags.

I am a bit annoyed with myself for not finding a clever and cheap alternative to buying this expensive saddlebag set. But some things are best not to skimp on, especially when one has no experience whatsoever; the less likely gear is to fall apart, the better. The set is hornbags, saddlebags, detachable cantlebag, all waterproof with zippers, and insulated removeable foam inserts in all but the cantlebag. I got truly ugly glow-in-the-dark hunter's orange because I want to be visible from a mile away when I'm out on the road.

Also got a scale. I loaded the bags to be perfectly evenly balanced, with pillows, rolled up shirts and water bottles. The cantlebag held my tent (4 lbs.).

My ignorance immediately showed itself. I had no clue how to safely tie on the saddlebags, what kind of knot to use, where the long straps go. I adjusted several times out on the trail because the bags, though the same weight, kept listing to the right. Because the saddle lists a bit to the right. It's the way I ride, my slightly twisted pelvis. Poor Butch... I do my best to compensate, it's always been a problem. Maybe I can find a packer to show me how to tie and keep the packs straight.

The hornbags are too short for my saddle's design. I'll need to lengthen them with nylon straps or something (old seatbelts?).

Other than that, the packs seemed fine. Butch carried them well, walking, trotting, up and down inclines, leaping over a ditch or two. He kept stopping until I removed the crupper, which was rubbing him underneath the bags. Then he stepped out fine (other than slow pokey barn-sour for the first two miles).

Boy, did that orange ever get attention! I've never heard so many comments from passers-by.

About 3 miles on I ran into another rider. He had just come from the racetrack we passed, and when I said how cool was that, said if I wanted to go watch he'd go back with me. So we went up the ramp out of the riverbed and into the parking lot of the Rillito Racetrack. Great training for Butchmule! Big crowd, tons of families milling around and vehicles driving through the crowded lanes, blaring radios, high-strung sweaty horses on hot walkers in the paddock. He acted like he'd been around it all his life. Then we sat on our steeds at the track fence, literally just on the other side of it, when the field came thundering by a few feet away. Butch perked his ears, threw his head up with an utterly surprised expression and backpedaled a few steps. That was all! I was so proud of him. Last race of the day - new friend and I parted ways and went home.

Tonight, called Amy - she of the mustang, SweetPea - and she happily agreed to join me on a 3-day 2-night dry run. Might be one other person along also. Next weekend or the one after.