Amish Horses

The Boss and I have a couple of horses that we use for pleasure trail riding.  It's also good therapy for her bad back. For us the horses are almost pets. For the Amish horses are tools used for transportation, and making a living.  We visited a farm set up for tourists and observed a couple of things.  A large draft horse was standing there with steel shoes and several large chunks missing from both front hooves.  A mare with a baby had a severely swollen rear hock and was in bad need of a farrier. The Boss told a worker about the swollen hock and was surprised at the lack of concern.  I guess to those Amish, they're just animals.  The Boss and I have always enjoyed animals of all kinds, and take their ownership responsibilities seriously.  Apparently not all are of like mind.

Ohio Amish

Spent a couple days in Ohio Amish country, and noticed something strange, at least to me.  Besides the fact that they are not entirely consistent with the rejection of newer technology, I saw something new this weekend.  I saw a man raking hey with a horse drawn rake, but the rake was being rotated with a small gasoline engine.  Hmmm.

This mini-vacation, as usual, is not much of a vacation for me.  The Boss enjoys shopping in the various craft shops, but it's just boredom for me.

Not Likely

As usual the feds have created large issues when saying they are fixing a small issue.
And now the best fix is to repeal the original.  Not likely to happen.

New Aussie Pad

Just ordered a new Australian saddle pad.  The one I had slips too much to suit my poor riding skills.  A friend gave me an expensive pad, with a woven rubber underside, made for western saddles that fixed the slipping issue.  Western saddles are made quite different and for a thick pad between the saddle and the horse.  Australian saddles are designed around much thinner pads. Correction: Basically designed to have no extra pad at all, since the saddle has extra padding. According to one Aussie saddle supplier.

The western pad solved a big issue for me, but created 2 small issues for the horse.  The thicker pad causes the saddle to pinch her shoulder a little, and leaves the sweat flat exposed to her skin.  As she walks with her long stride she bumps into the edge of the leather.  Occasionally she reaches back as if a bug is biting her.

Hopefully the new thinner pad, with ribbed rubber underneath, and reaches under the sweat flat will cure all of the issues.

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It's now 2 weekends in a row without riding, mostly because of the hot wet weather.  Won't be riding next weekend either.  Heading out of town for a 4 day weekend.

Tough Job

Standing in front of the animals in the WH has to be one of the toughest jobs on earth.  Historically the presidents mouth piece doesn't last very long.  Representing Trump when all are thirsty for blood, has to be the worst. 

Hi-Power

Back around 1990, just before the 10 round magazine limitation went into effect, I purchased a Hi-Power and several extra magazines.  At the time I saw absolutely no need nor particular desire to own the pistol.  So why? Because big momma didn't want me to have one, and besides it was the only double stack pistol the even came close to fitting my hand.

The only issue has been the damn magazine disconnect.  It creates unnecessary trigger travel and a gritty feel.  I corrected mine by removing the shoe and blocking the trigger back.  So my Hi-Power has a shorter, crisper trigger with little take up. 

As stated in an earlier post, the Hi-Power is my second favorite auto-pistol.

Day Off

So took yesterday off to make this a 4 day weekend.  Crawled this old body out of bed and was on my horse before 8AM.  The Boss and I had a good ride, though mine was marred by one exciting moment.  At one point, while leading, my mare suddenly spooked and did an about face.  Came damn close to coming off of her.  Kinda hurt my arthritic left hip joint staying on her.  She went about 30 feet and then turned around again to check out the situation, so I collected myself and we continued the ride.

Don't really know what spooked her, but I have a suspicion.  Later we spotted a car leaving the edge of the woods.  I think a hiker may have been the trigger.

Makes me wonder how long I have until I have another hip replacement. 

Old School Pistol

Slept in a little this morning instead of getting up early to beat the heat riding a horse.  Did a couple of things around the house, then headed to the range.  Yep, it's been a while.

Ran into another elderly guy who is also a fan of the old school pistol called the 1911.  We both agreed that the design is extremely easy to shoot well.  Of all the various handguns I've ever fired the old JMB design works best for me.  The second best, for me, is another old school design called the Hi Power.  I spent some time with it today.

Looking at pure accuracy, I've been below my demonstrated standard for a few years now.  I'll blame it on old age and spending more time with the horses than with shooting irons.  But still, my combat accuracy is quite adequate.  Shooting quickly a clay targets, switching between 25 and 50 yards was satisfying.  The bullets struck within a couple inches, if not hitting, the clays all the time, even at 50 yards.

I didn't try any shooting one handed.  Didn't want to embarrass myself, though no one would notice but me.