The Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride at Huasna Ranch

Last weekend River and I went to the second edition of the Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride at Huasna ranch. It was an amazingly beautiful location. We completed the 50-mile ride on Saturday and the 30-mile LD on Sunday. River did not tie up–my chief worry! She also finished sound–my second worry! Once I realized the danger of tying up was largely passed, I started to wonder if she’d get sore. River is nearing the end of her shoeing cycle, and she has a tendency to get footsore after four weeks in the same shoes. Despite my worries, we completed both days well.

Warning: This blog post is going to be heavy on images and low on writing! In my defense, the Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride at Huasna was truly a visual experience.

Last year the first Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride took place in the Cuyama Valley. It was also beautiful, and very challenging. Honestly I was disappointed to learn from John Parke that we wouldn’t be going back. It’s a good thing Huasna Ranch is just as pretty! (Though far less accessible…)

A gorgeous ride location at the end of a long dirt road

I left for the ride later than usual. As planned (read about it in One way of dealing with a horse tying up: River’s story continues), I rode River early Friday morning, before heading to ride camp. We completed 3.75 miles and 1,027′ of total elevation gain in an hour. I let River eat her mash and relax for an hour before loading both mares. I had to take a very pregnant Fantazia to Pacific Crest Equine just in case she decided to foal while I was gone. (She didn’t.)

I didn’t leave the vet clinic till after noon, and wasn’t in a hurry. I wanted to fill the tank, and kept wandering around looking for a truck stop. (Love’s is my go-to, but there is no Love’s on the route between Exeter and Arroyo Grande!) For the last few rides, I’ve picked up a footlong sandwich at Subway, and I wanted to do that again, in Arroyo Grande. This meant a certain amount of excess wandering around with a truck and trailer, because the first one had no where to park. The second was convenient to the exit for Huasna.

The long slow road starts as soon as you get off 101.

After driving through downtown Arroyo Grande, you turn off on Huasna road and head up into the hills. The road gets progressively narrower until eventually you get to the Huasna ranch. Headquarters is right off the road. Directions to ride camp just said “Don’t turn in at headquarters, just keep driving until you see ride camp.

Wellllll. Five slow miles later I found ride camp. I guess it’s for the best I was not warned about the road! The location, though isolated, is absolutely gorgeous! The ride manager and vet were set up to one side of some stock pens. Everyone else was in a huge field on the other side, full of luscious grass.

Setting up and pre-ride

I had grand palns for driving through the field to a nice tree, but it was so bumpy that I swung round immediately. I parked next to Kerrie Tuley. River would be near Kerrie’s geldings, and we had a big water trough right in front of my truck. The portapotty was close too! River of course was delighted with the tall green grass.

Just as I was about to saddle River for a pre-ride, I noticed Juan and Kent near by. We had talked about tequila at the Cuyama Oaks ride. (Before I went home with a tied-up River!) I had mentioned a bottle of nice tequila I had bought but didn’t love. Surpisingly, I had not forgotten to bring it to Huasna. Kent brought put some shot glasses and the three of us had a tiny afternoon tequila.

I was definitely ready for a pre-ride then! River and I took a leisurely stroll along the road, and then up the hill behind camp. We would finish the first loop coming down that hill the next day.

Above: Ride camp for the Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride at Huasna. River got to bond with Kerrie’s horses Magnum and Garnet. The final picture provides a view of camp from above the meadow.

Riding the 50-mile ride on Saturday

Spoiler: River did great! No tying up, no lameness; we ended up midpack (I think 13th but might be wrong). It was a beautiful ride!

Above: (a) River tied to the trailer just before I started walking her. (b) River was obsessed with eating as much grass as possible before the start.

The start

Because River had tied up at Cuyama Oaks (River’s mysterious tying-up), I was very careful to follow all the strategies I had planned. (Read about how I dealt with River’s tying up.) I had her saddled a full 20 minutes before seven, and I handwalked for 15 minutes. Five minutes before the start, I mounted and rode in the opposite direction. At seven, I turned around. That was perfect timing, because by the time we got to the start, almost everyone was well ahead.

Both the 50 and the LD started at 7am, trotting southwest down the road we’d come in on. I asked River to trot after only a few minutes, as she was warmed up. She was calm and happy. Around three miles out, we split off, the 50s heading southeast while the LDs headed north. It was funny to observe River’s reactions as she watched horses go in either direction! She couldn’t decide whom to follow.

Once we’d gone out the gate, we met up with Marci and Nina at the watering trough. River wasn’t thirsty, but I chatted for a bit. Then I let Marci and Nina go ahead. River really wanted to follow closely, but I did not. Eventually we passed them and continued down the trail, though they would catch up later.

Above: Nina and Marci at the trough. Cheeky wondered if that bag had treats in it!

Loop one

Once we bore southeast, the trail climbed up to a ridge then east and slightly north. The trail was steep, but no steeper than the hills River and I do on our training rides. We climbed just over 1000′ in about 1.75 miles. River did it easily. Importantly, the climb started after we’d ridden over six miles. If she were going to tie up as she had at Cuyama (with little elevation gain), she would already have done so.

Above: The trail map John gave us, which had been generated with CalTopo. Sadly, I couldn’t figure out how to get it into my CalTopo app. You can see how the south loop goes along a ridge. My Garmin registered 3,070′ total elevation gain.

Above: Opening one of the more difficult gates. There wree LOTS of gates to open. Some of them had wonderful latches, where you just dropped a hook through a loop. Very easy! Others were wire gates; nothing to do but get off for those! (See below!)

We came off the ridge to wander through beautiful green pastures. River snatched grass as often as she could! At the eastern point of the trail (Waypoint 7 above), we headed north and west, back towards ride camp. The last two miles or so were all downhill. I dismounted and led River. Most of the way, I jogged beside her.

Above:

The hold

River came into the hold jogging eagerly at my side, with her pulse well below 60. (She had after all been led the last few miles!) I don’t usually take the saddle off, partly because it weighs 35 pounds, and partly because I don’t want the horse to think we’re done. This time I was convinced the pad was ever-so-slightly off kilter, so I unsaddled. I then took advantage of a hose to rinse River off. She took advantage of a water trough to dunk her head and try to climb in.

Then mash for River and the last half of my Subway sandwich for me. Saddle back on (oof), bridle, and we headed out feeling rested.

Above: About ten miles into Loop two. I have a moment of befuddlement about where the trail goes 😉

Loop two

The second loop began identically to Loop 1, and broke off to go north along trail the LDs had followed in the morning. It was if anything more beautiful than the trail we had ridden earlier. First we rode through miles of green pastures studded with valley oaks. Later we arrived at what one rider called the enchanted forest: oaks with drooping lace lichen. Finally we followed the power line road along a ridge before dropping down into Ride Camp.

Loop 2 of the Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride at Huasna

Above: Loop 2. It was longer than the first loop, and though it had no long steep climbs similar to that in Loop 2, the total elevation gain was greater (3,255′).

In the morning, the LDs had done most of Loop two, but rather than complete the second loop north at Waypoint 23, they had taken a short cut. We went all the way north and east to waypoint 25. John told us to “notice” something special about Waypoint 25. I completely forgot that instruction, but luckily I took a picture of it anyway!

Above: Waypoint 25 was right in front of a huge rosebush!

Above: Slide show of some of the amazing scenery on Loop two of the Treasure of the Sierra Madre Ride at Huasna.

The afternoon was just delightful. Just the right temperature. I was in no hurry, because I wanted to take pictures of plants. This was fine with River, who wanted to eat plants. We took our time.

Above: Lots of oak trees and a few pictures of redshanks.

The final part of the trail wound up to and along the powerline. When we got to the top of the ridge and joined the powerline, I got off to open a gate. From jjt beyond the gate we could look down at Ride Camp. River wanted to go straight down, which would have been a bad idea. I decided to loosen the cinch and lead her the rest of the way.

It turned out to be mm difficult that I expected. First, we had to go through a partch of mustard that was taller than I am. Second, it was a mile and a half. I had led her further at the end of the first loop, but by this time I was tired, and River was comparably fresh. She was certainly eager to job down the hill!

Above: Looking down on Ride Camp from the top of the powerline ridge, about 1.5 miles from the finish.

The finish

Once again, River finished easily. She was pulsed down and sound when we came in. When we vetted through, Dana said I should do the 50 the next day, River looked so good! However, I had decided to do the LD because I wanted to go back to Paso Robles to stay the night with friends. I didn’t want to do that drive late in the evening, as I surely would if I did the 50. I might haveeeee, had the tracks been different, but it was the same as Day 1.

River certainly seemed a lot less tired than I was! I hosed her off and left her eating at the trailer. Then I went back to chat with John and Sarah. John has asked about the ID of a fuzzy plant… by which he meant shaggy tree! Although redshanks (aka ribbonwood) is classified as shrub OR tree. I had identified it with my Seek app, because I’d never seen anything like it. You can see it in two pictures in the slideshow immediately above.

I remained chatting till the ride meeting. It got cold and I picked four ticks off me! Ugh. By the time ride meeting was done, I was cold and tired. I went straight to bed.

A tough 30-mile LD on Sunday

Sunday’s LD completed the same Loop 1 the 50s had completed Saturday. The second loop was eight miles that were mostly the second little northern loop of the 50s loop 2. It was a tough 30-mile LD, and by the end I was glad I had opted not to do the 50.

Early morning

When I got up at 5:30, River was not tied to the trailer. She had not gone far… probably not anyway. She was hanging out with Garnet and Magnum when I got up. However, her lead rope was soaking wet from being pulled through a LOT of grass. At least her gut was ready for a long ride!

The sky was clear and it was cold. Everything was wet. I had left my saddle thrown over the truck, with the pad on top. The pad was soaking wet. I had to use a new one I had been saving for an occasion more special than having been stupid enough to get the old one wet.

Loop One

We began with mishaps…

I started in the middle of the pack this time, as River was calm. I let her trot “fast” down the road (8 mph) with frequent walking breaks. She did fine… but for some reason my back started hurting after a few miles. I slowed down, but it didn’t help. About four miles into the ride, I got off and walked. That did help (ok I took an ibuprofen too), and after about ten minutes I was ready to ride. I tightened the cinch and mounted.

When I asked River to trot she was lame. Weird. I did circles. Lame but not worse. I got off and led her at the trot. Lame. Oh dear. I turned to start walking back to camp. I loosened the cinch. It was quite tight. River started jigging. She wasn’t lame. I tightened the cinch to where it had been. She was lame.

OK I guess the cinch CAN be too tight. (Before I figured out that River had pulled a muscle at the Cache Creek Ridge ride last May, some suggested I needed to tighten the cinch a lot more, and there was a “too tight or not” discussion.) However, the fact it made her lame is a bit of a red flag. When I was on the track, horses would get sensitive to the girth such that even mild pressure would cause them to favor a foreleg. It mainly shows up as not wanting to extend that leg. I can’t remember what it meant. (Sad thing I have forgotten so much about lameness!) I’ll ask my vet, she should know.

But most of Loop 1 went smoothly!

River always tells me when something is wrong. The good thing about that is that when she wants to go, she’s probably fine. (The only exception having been when she tied up at Cuyama and got a bit crazy when we were near ride camp and I wouldn’t let her go straight back!) As soon as I had the cinch to her satisfaction, she was ready to charge up the big hill.

Of course I didn’t let her. But I did listen to her for the rest of the loop. When she wanted to eat, we stopped. When she wanted to charge ahead, I allowed her to go about half as fast as she wanted 😉 River knew perfectly well that we were riding the exact same trail we had the day before. I didn’t have to tell her which way to go (apart from not letting her take short cuts).

River and I were playing leapfrog with Janine and her horse, who were doing the 50 again. At one point they had gone far ahead, but I found them stuck at a wire gate. Instead of closing it with the rope John had left to facilitate opening/closing, someone had used the wire. Neither Janine nor I could get it open with muscle grease. Fortunately I could use the rope as a pulley. (I’ve had a lot of experience fighting my way through tough wire gates! I want a prise-bar I can carry on my saddle!)

ABove: Slideshow of Loop one, Day 1. It begins with a cool old barn towards the beginning of the trail.

Just as I had the day before, I dismounted when we began the long downhill trek to ride camp. I jogged most of the way, with River trying to pull me faster!

A very short hold

The bad thing about LDs is that hold is only 30 minutes. That’s barely enough time to tend to your horse, eat, refill your pack, and give e-lytes before setting off again. I was quite proud of myself for only being two minutes late. River was in shock. She had no time for a nap afte eating, drinking, and dunking her head in the trough!

Loop two

Above: Loop four was the LD’s second loop on Day two of the Treasure of the Sierra Madre ride at Huasna. It was eight miles, with a total evelation gain of 801′. As you can see in the map, I had already ridden all but a very tiny portion of the loop the day before.

My the time we were heading back out, my back was complaining. River wasn’t too happy either! As soon as we joined the trail we had done the day before, she started dragging her feet. Once we turned back south, she perked up. I actually had to slow her down because we were going downhill and back towards camp. Surprisingly, she wanted to head up the ridge as we had the day before, possibly because camp was also east of us at that moment. Boy was she happy when I turned her towards the road though! River has an excellent sense of direction, and she always knows where ride camp is.

I dismounted to go through the gate at the main road, and I decided to lead her back to camp. It was over a mile and a quarter, but I wasn’t in a hurry. I was also still feeling cautious after our morning mishaps. My back was still giving the occasional spasm, and though River wasn’t lame, I was worried. I hadn’t dared cinch her as much as I usually do just in case. What’s more, she was at the end of her shoeing cycle. That always makes me cautious about pounding down hard surfaces.

The finish

Of course, River’s pulse was down by the time we got in. Despite my worries, she was sound. On Sunday I hadn’t worried about tying up (that would have been very unusual). I was worried about general muscle soreness. I had curried her well the day before, both at the hold and after the ride. She was slightly reactive to the curry along her hamstrings (lower semitendinosus). I wanted to her off, let her dry, and do a thorough curry aka muscle inspection before leaving.

I packed up while waiting for River to eat and dry off. Then I curried her vigorously. No soreness. If anything, she was less sensitive than she had been the day before. I loaded up and headed out around 3:20.

Above: Spot the riders! The first three pictures aer from loop one and the last from Loop 2. All but the second, with a rider on the road ahead, are from day 1.

What’s next?

River ate and rested well in Paso Sunday evening, and we headed home early Monday. It’s only about two hours, but I had to work. River was happy to be home, relaxed and completely sound.

I had considered going to the first Love this Horse ride this weekend. River would certainly have been able to do it. However, I have an important meeting Friday and Fantazia is still pregnant. She stays at the vet clinic during the week while I am in Bakersfield, but I’d prefer to have her foal at home. Preferably Friday night to be precuse! She’s already on the late side… I could feasibly have stopped and presented at my meeting on the way to the desert with River, but the combination of that and Fantazia’s possible foaling made me decide to stay home.

Montana de Oro

Instead, we will aim for Montana de Oro on June first. Last year, I rider optioned because I knew River was Not Okay. So of course now I am paranoid about competing the 50! Jazz and I completed in fourth place two years ago, but we had less than 30 minutes to spare. And Jazz was fit and fast! So we’ll see how River does.

In the meantime…

I’ve got a month to prepare. River gets shod Monday. (She needs it!) I’m going to schedule a complete wellness check with my vet to go over her current state and all my questions. I have one more week of teaching, plus finals week, and then I will be home most of the time and able to ride every day. Given her tying up incident and the challenges of Montana de Oro, River will benefit from rigorous conditioning program.