Ran into a hiccup. Actually more the likes of a choke. Still going in though having to adjust.
I've been so focused with panniers on the paint, (Sass) That I did not work with the other, Rio. I was told by the prior owner back late April(?) that he was his back country horse in the Bob for hunting... I don't think I ever asked whether he specifically packed vs just ridden in the back country... well, it is pretty clear he has not packed.
My bad.
Figured today would be a brush up day for Rio... Throw the packs on and go for a walk. He was fantastic, at first. Calmly stood, even resting a leg while I connected the hard sided panniers to their buckles. Placed the cinch for the packs, etc. My mind was so set on Sass, I did the ole' assume Rio was "pack ready"... and getting him setup even furthered my belief he really had been packed.
Well, A TRAIN WRECK commenced. As soon as I began walking Rio with the lead I realized things were about to get... real - and real quick! The sound of the cordura pannier outer material perked his ears, his body began the shakes - the panic dance in place. He was hanging in there as I tried to calm him then -boom! He was off! Ripping down the driveway and off into the trees! Full gallop! I heard him busting through an area I had fell a few trees a couple months earlier and was hoping he would make it out without injuring himself.
Then, out of the thick he proceeded, barreling right towards Sass, (the paint in the first post) and I. He flew by me and ground to a halt! I grabbed the lead that ran the distance with him. I didn't see any wounds. All was in tact. All held their position. My wife came out and took Sass off my hands, who amazingly was calm as heck, just watching the spectacle!
Rio listened though scared poop-less and I mean literally as I walked him into our 2-3 acre pasture. I thought this may turn out okay - so long as it could end on a good note and remove the panniers. Walk him a bit, reduce his anxiety, etc... It was going okay though still very tense for the first 20 steps, then I had a slight trip over a mound and OFF he went.
My dread hit when he routed his full gallop right through the open gate that attached the open pasture to the treed hillside area (approx 2 acres). My pucker factor boomed as he routed through a tight set of trees. I could not see him though heard some heavy crashing noises and knew he met an unmovable set as he did not exit out. Ugh! Then out of that stand of small trees he blew out. That run in spun the panniers off their position and that certainly did not help! Now he was bucking as he ran further along their beat down trails - thankfully pretty open routes through stands of trees. I got up there and began talking to him and he stopped. I think he was more exhausted than listening though I'll take it!
It is never fun for any who have dealt with a slipped belly sided saddle situation. One pannier was side/belly positioned and the other was top/side positioned - if you can visualize. He stayed, sweaty as heck! Not really shaking near the amount he had earlier. The delicate actions to remove the cinch, and other connection points to remove the panniers. The saddle remained in a good position. Jenna worked on one side of him while I worked on the other. He stayed still as the panniers and pack were removed. We decided to pull his saddle as well.
He stood very attentive as I looked him over. In all, he came out clean of injury! Sheesh! Amazing! He has a couple small cuts near one hoof and a rub of skin on his snout, prob from a step yank on the lead rope that pulled his halter harder than ever imagined.
My $400 saddle designed pannier setup took a good beating! The panniers and pannier strapping held amazingly well however the pannier mount fabric that snugs onto the saddle took a beating. Amazing! The force used to tear through the thick webbed straps, yet minimal/superficial wounds!!! I'll take it back to the company - see if the $ damage can bee minimized to replace that part as the rest seems good.
Yup... agree, never assume with horses. Yup also agree, the round pen would be the spot to test out the pannier setting. There are many aspects of hind sight I would agree to. Unfortunately, I broke down the round pen as I use those panels during winter for the covered corral setup. I should have at least tried him in the lower closed gates pasture, at the least. Could have, should have - but didn't. It is what it is... pretty sobering Bob reality check...
This pic does not do justice for the thickness of the straps. They are thick! It is amazing the buckle metal tat pokes through the hole of the straps actually tore the entire length through the webbing!
Hard to tell though he is one sweaty horse! His bottom left shoe area is the location where he has a small cut.
Well, to the drawing board though not out of the trip... It's happening! Just glad Rio is okay. Sass did fine with the panniers and amazingly well her calm demeanor as Rio had his race through the trees!
I've been so focused with panniers on the paint, (Sass) That I did not work with the other, Rio. I was told by the prior owner back late April(?) that he was his back country horse in the Bob for hunting... I don't think I ever asked whether he specifically packed vs just ridden in the back country... well, it is pretty clear he has not packed.
My bad.Figured today would be a brush up day for Rio... Throw the packs on and go for a walk. He was fantastic, at first. Calmly stood, even resting a leg while I connected the hard sided panniers to their buckles. Placed the cinch for the packs, etc. My mind was so set on Sass, I did the ole' assume Rio was "pack ready"... and getting him setup even furthered my belief he really had been packed.
Well, A TRAIN WRECK commenced. As soon as I began walking Rio with the lead I realized things were about to get... real - and real quick! The sound of the cordura pannier outer material perked his ears, his body began the shakes - the panic dance in place. He was hanging in there as I tried to calm him then -boom! He was off! Ripping down the driveway and off into the trees! Full gallop! I heard him busting through an area I had fell a few trees a couple months earlier and was hoping he would make it out without injuring himself.
Then, out of the thick he proceeded, barreling right towards Sass, (the paint in the first post) and I. He flew by me and ground to a halt! I grabbed the lead that ran the distance with him. I didn't see any wounds. All was in tact. All held their position. My wife came out and took Sass off my hands, who amazingly was calm as heck, just watching the spectacle!
Rio listened though scared poop-less and I mean literally as I walked him into our 2-3 acre pasture. I thought this may turn out okay - so long as it could end on a good note and remove the panniers. Walk him a bit, reduce his anxiety, etc... It was going okay though still very tense for the first 20 steps, then I had a slight trip over a mound and OFF he went.
My dread hit when he routed his full gallop right through the open gate that attached the open pasture to the treed hillside area (approx 2 acres). My pucker factor boomed as he routed through a tight set of trees. I could not see him though heard some heavy crashing noises and knew he met an unmovable set as he did not exit out. Ugh! Then out of that stand of small trees he blew out. That run in spun the panniers off their position and that certainly did not help! Now he was bucking as he ran further along their beat down trails - thankfully pretty open routes through stands of trees. I got up there and began talking to him and he stopped. I think he was more exhausted than listening though I'll take it!
It is never fun for any who have dealt with a slipped belly sided saddle situation. One pannier was side/belly positioned and the other was top/side positioned - if you can visualize. He stayed, sweaty as heck! Not really shaking near the amount he had earlier. The delicate actions to remove the cinch, and other connection points to remove the panniers. The saddle remained in a good position. Jenna worked on one side of him while I worked on the other. He stayed still as the panniers and pack were removed. We decided to pull his saddle as well.
He stood very attentive as I looked him over. In all, he came out clean of injury! Sheesh! Amazing! He has a couple small cuts near one hoof and a rub of skin on his snout, prob from a step yank on the lead rope that pulled his halter harder than ever imagined.
My $400 saddle designed pannier setup took a good beating! The panniers and pannier strapping held amazingly well however the pannier mount fabric that snugs onto the saddle took a beating. Amazing! The force used to tear through the thick webbed straps, yet minimal/superficial wounds!!! I'll take it back to the company - see if the $ damage can bee minimized to replace that part as the rest seems good.
Yup... agree, never assume with horses. Yup also agree, the round pen would be the spot to test out the pannier setting. There are many aspects of hind sight I would agree to. Unfortunately, I broke down the round pen as I use those panels during winter for the covered corral setup. I should have at least tried him in the lower closed gates pasture, at the least. Could have, should have - but didn't. It is what it is... pretty sobering Bob reality check...
This pic does not do justice for the thickness of the straps. They are thick! It is amazing the buckle metal tat pokes through the hole of the straps actually tore the entire length through the webbing!
Hard to tell though he is one sweaty horse! His bottom left shoe area is the location where he has a small cut.
Well, to the drawing board though not out of the trip... It's happening! Just glad Rio is okay. Sass did fine with the panniers and amazingly well her calm demeanor as Rio had his race through the trees!
