Riding in the Rain

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Riding in the Rain

By Patty Wilber

Last week was crazy busy, so the blog is late!

Thursday was the day that made the blog late! We had a Back Country Horsemen pack-in project. We drove to the Borrego Trail (150) trailhead. We were warned that the road was rough up through Pacheco Canyon, but that the other road (104, I think) has steep sections with hairpin turns, so Pacheco it was. Nine miles in 4WD low to creep up the rocks and ruts. We drug (“dragged” is probably more correct but, “drug” sounds more western) our bumper-pull hitch a few times. It took about an hour to go nine miles. It was not an especially tricky road, but it was slow. Also, it was fairly narrow, so we were happy not to meet anyone going the other way!

Jim and I hauled Penny, (Cometa has a foot abscess and an eye ulcer, but is getting better), Gette, and LT.

Gette, ready to pack (after doing well at two shows a few days earlier! Good pony!), LT ready to ride, and Penny on the other side because she tends to crab at any horse except Cometa! You can see the Kingsbury’s rig and the stuff we were getting set up to load! We loaded five animals. Many Ende, one; us, one; Kingsburys, three.

Mary Ann asked if I was going to bring my Muddy Creek raincoat. It was totally clear skies at the time. I haven’t had to ride in significant rain in years! I said I was just bringing rain pants and a jacket, because despite my lucky no-rain streak, it is always good to be somewhat prepared!

As we rode in on trail 150, that turned to 163 on our electronic maps and then back to 150 (a little confusing at first), we crossed a beautiful little creek, then climbed out of that drainage, into another and across Rio Nambe, then out of that and into the third drainage where the trail crew was camped. Some of the trail was pretty narrow with steep drop-offs (which I do not love), but LT is athletic and experienced, and never took a bad step. Also, I was leading, so I didn’t have to witness any potential missteps by anyone else! There was one steep (but short) rock section with a wash-out that made me pause, but we all got down it no problem. It was, overall, a nice rice. I thought about taking a photo or two, but then thought we didn’t need yet another photo of horse ears on a trail in the trees…

All this time, the clouds were building to the east of us, and the thunder started grumbling in the sky. We were still in the sun. As we reached camp, the clouds crept over us, and the thunder kept arguing with the clouds or the sky or something! No lightning strikes were streaking to the earth, so that was a relief. And there was no actual rain, either. Until about 10 seconds before we were going to mount up. At that point we all put on rain gear. I did not put on my waterproof gloves. They are kind of hot. I left them in my pack. I stuffed my extra jacket and vest in my saddlebags.

Jim took the lead, and Penny motored up and out of the camp. It is always a bit disconcerting to climb higher in a thunderstorm, but we were leaving camp at 3:30 pm, we had five miles to cover, and a drive back on that road, possibly in a downpour. The lightning was staying up in the sky, also. The rain became steady, but there was no wind, and it was still warm, so it was not unpleasant.

But it kept raining, and it rained harder. The narrow trail with the sloughy sections was decomposed granite, not slick clay, so that was a comfort. My rain pants seemed to be leaking at my crotch! I could feel water running in! The waterproofing on my boots was also non-existent–they USED to be waterproofed! I decided to put on some neoprene gloves that I keep in my pommel bag–but they are REALLY hard to pull on when my hands are wet. Fortunately, LT follows the trail well, so I could ride no-handed and mess with the gloves. They are not ideal, but they do not leak–once you get them on. Unfortunately, they are also hard to get off.

The horses were all fantastic. No complaining and willing to push the pace.

We reached the last creek, and it was no longer a cute, clear rivulet. It had risen a foot (so it was one foot two inches deep). But, it was pouring down the trail in a silty rush! It was fun to see, and we were happy that it was just a tiny stream, so we could safely cross!

The rain stopped just as we approached the trucks at 5:15 pm. One hour and 45 minutes for the five miles! We were happy untack in the dry. When we got our rain pants off, we looked like we’d peed out pants! The crotches did leak! I ordered new pants on the way home.

Jim and Penny. Jim’s rain pants are still shiny with rainwater, and his boots are waterlogged!

The road out was still slow, but all the rock was useful since rock does not turn to mud when it rains.

At home, we found that EVERYTHING was wet. We draped the tractor and draped stuff in the house as well.

To be better prepared for the next time I ride in the rain: New rain pants, re-waterproof my Muddy Creek jacket (that I didn’t use, so maybe actually bring it), put the easier to don waterproof gloves in the pockets of my rain jacket (oh and maybe a pair in my Muddy Creek jacket, too, I mean you can never have enough gloves), Sno-Seal my boots, and put a dry sack in my saddle bags and put my extra jackets in it. I, fortunately, already keep my emergency kit and my first aid kit in dry sacks!

It was type two fun. A little stressful while doing it, but I’d do it again in a minute!

The busy week:

Saturday (4/17) was a Paint show with Gette and Patty S. Sunday was a Buckskin-sponsored All Breed Ranch show with horses Gette and Chica (first show and she was competitive when she wasn’t too distracted!), and people Monica, Hadleigh, and Boyo. Monday, I hauled Arrow (24 rides with me) out to Mary Ann S., and she, Gayle, and I rode in the Sedillo Hill Open Space. Arrow was great! Friday, I hauled Trigger and Jessica, and Chica to the Sandias. We rode out of the Cienega parking area for 5.5 miles. Chica was fantastic.