Malvin. O

Hi- Hope all is well back there in TX! Barron and I are up near Chama, NM for the summer and loving the temperatures and views. Just thought you would like to know how he and I are working out. Today we did a 26 mile ride/walk across the border of CO/NM, most of it in some of the more rugged country that I’ve been in with a horse. Let’s put it this way…..we made our own trail. After all my years of riding horses in the mountains of Colorado, northern BC Canada, and even in the wilds of Kyrgyzstan on the border of China, I can honestly say that Barron is one of those horses who is made for the mountains and loves every minute of it. I am extremely impressed with his agility and willingness to go anywhere and try anything. He cannot seem to get enough of going hard and exploring even the nastiest places in the woods. Just yesterday I rode him with a couple other horseback friends and even after 4 hrs of uphill at 9,000 ft +, he still was not wanting to go back to the corrals…even got kind of upset about ending the ride! I don’t know what his previous owners used him for, but if they had used him like I am I doubt they would have ever sold him. From forging a chest-high river while packing our Jack Russell terrier, to sliding down a slippery mud slope on his butt and traversing a very bad patch of deadfall timber, he is truly a joy to ride and be around. All the fresh mountain grasses he can eat, and endless trails and backcountry to explore seem to have put him in horsey heaven. Plus, the cool 45 degree nights and 80’s of the day are very pleasant too. When I get back from my upcoming backpacking trip into Wyoming I’m going to get him used to picket lines and hobbles. I plan on making a couple solo trips with overnights and need him to be able to graze at will during the night. I would just let him be free, but am afraid he would come sniff and harass me all night because I am resting when we could be riding! In three weeks we are helping move 1,000 head of cattle into another pasture here in the CO National Forest. Based on his eagerness to get after those critters today, I could be in for a little bit of “Man from Snowy River” action going after strays. Am getting him shod with cleat shoes this next week for better traction on those steep slopes. I am so glad that the black horse that I was interested in that day sold..…otherwise I probably would never have had the chance to meet Barron and gain a new buddy and unbelievable riding horse. Sometimes horses just have untapped potential. Attached are a few photos of myself and friends with Barron during our big trek today. These were taken in the portion of the ride where I needed the exercise more than him! Our friends are so in love with him….the gal is totally spoiling him with treats. 🙂