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Post by midnightrider on Oct 1, 2012 7:03:58 GMT -5
Sorry for my absence. The wife and I have just returned home after a 24 day ride which criss crossed the state of MI. I have to give credit where due. She completed the 520 mile ride with her trusted steed,as I did not complete it due to as stupid move on my part. (hurt my back) I finished out by supporting her by moving the rig, setting camp and breaking camp daily. A real test of endurance on her part as well as Mr Jack her steed. I found that my plans of transportation when SHTF is going to require a get deal more work on my part. 25 miles a day for that long a period is grueling to say the least. I have developed a greater respect for those settlers early in our history who did it without the modern conveniences of today. Approximately 80 people started this ride, and only 27 completed, and only a few completed it with the original horse they started with. It was fun, but VERY trying. My wife has certainly earned a greater respect from me!
I understand this is not the typical posting for this forum but just wanted to share (with you) my absence and her accomplishment. Thanks for reading. Now I have a lot of catching up to do!
PS: The colors here in Northern MI are ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR this year!
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Post by Michael Downing on Oct 1, 2012 7:28:23 GMT -5
The colors here in Northern MI are ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR this year
As I remember you are absolutely correct though they fall just short of the colors of my boyhood home in far northern New England...
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Post by avordvet on Oct 1, 2012 7:45:46 GMT -5
I understand this is not the typical posting for this forum It is the exact reason this forum exists, to share personal knowledge and experience with others, so they can discard what doesn't work and learn about other possible alternatives. Remember what this site is based on... Alarm and Muster was not just about the Alarm Riders of old, it was also about the preparation BEFORE the ride.
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Post by Old Sarge on Oct 1, 2012 9:37:03 GMT -5
Approximately 80 people started this ride, and only 27 completed, and only a few completed it with the original horse they started with. Jaysus, a 66% attrition rate? Something to file away for later. As an 18yo Eagle Scout, I hiked the mountain trails of Philmont near Cimarron, NM. Our party did 80 miles in ten days. We didn't do that constant; a two-day layover at a base camp, and one day was an 18-mile forced march from dawn to dusk. There's no way I could drag my near-50yo hide like that.
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Post by brocktownsend on Oct 1, 2012 9:53:33 GMT -5
Good job!
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Post by hefferman1 on Oct 1, 2012 13:43:54 GMT -5
Sorry for my absence. The wife and I have just returned home after a 24 day ride which criss crossed the state of MI. I have to give credit where due. She completed the 520 mile ride with her trusted steed,as I did not complete it due to as stupid move on my part. (hurt my back) I finished out by supporting her by moving the rig, setting camp and breaking camp daily. A real test of endurance on her part as well as Mr Jack her steed. I found that my plans of transportation when SHTF is going to require a get deal more work on my part. 25 miles a day for that long a period is grueling to say the least. I have developed a greater respect for those settlers early in our history who did it without the modern conveniences of today. Approximately 80 people started this ride, and only 27 completed, and only a few completed it with the original horse they started with. It was fun, but VERY trying. My wife has certainly earned a greater respect from me! I understand this is not the typical posting for this forum but just wanted to share (with you) my absence and her accomplishment. Thanks for reading. Now I have a lot of catching up to do! PS: The colors here in Northern MI are ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR this year! Congratulations to Mr. Jack and your wife. I hope you are OK. I used to love doing things like that. Learn from the experience and pass on the knowledge. What worked and what needs work on it. What shape was the horses in? What training did you and the horses do? What about feeding the horses? Did you take Oats? Did you take other food for the horses, or just graze them? How are the horses and your wife recovering? Tell us about it.
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Post by Cujo on Oct 1, 2012 14:02:29 GMT -5
OK Rider, am I going to step in your horse S$#T when I'm in the woods? ;D
Have you thought about a third one for a pack horse?
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Post by dirtfarmer on Oct 1, 2012 19:48:54 GMT -5
Love it. Congrats to your wife. and I also have not seen Fall colors in many years since my youth in VT.
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Post by midnightrider on Oct 2, 2012 6:41:48 GMT -5
Sorry for my absence. The wife and I have just returned home after a 24 day ride which criss crossed the state of MI. I have to give credit where due. She completed the 520 mile ride with her trusted steed,as I did not complete it due to as stupid move on my part. (hurt my back) I finished out by supporting her by moving the rig, setting camp and breaking camp daily. A real test of endurance on her part as well as Mr Jack her steed. I found that my plans of transportation when SHTF is going to require a get deal more work on my part. 25 miles a day for that long a period is grueling to say the least. I have developed a greater respect for those settlers early in our history who did it without the modern conveniences of today. Approximately 80 people started this ride, and only 27 completed, and only a few completed it with the original horse they started with. It was fun, but VERY trying. My wife has certainly earned a greater respect from me! I understand this is not the typical posting for this forum but just wanted to share (with you) my absence and her accomplishment. Thanks for reading. Now I have a lot of catching up to do! PS: The colors here in Northern MI are ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR this year! Congratulations to Mr. Jack and your wife. I hope you are OK. I used to love doing things like that. Learn from the experience and pass on the knowledge. What worked and what needs work on it. What shape was the horses in? What training did you and the horses do? What about feeding the horses? Did you take Oats? Did you take other food for the horses, or just graze them? How are the horses and your wife recovering? Tell us about it. What shape was the horses in? We keep our horses in shape beginning in spring. (weather permitting) Ice can be fatal. We do not stall them. They are outside all year. If temps dip below 0 we blanket them temporarily. What training did you and the horses do? we just put miles on them, as possible. What about feeding the horses? It was a sanctioned ride with the Michigan Trail Riders Assc. We trailer our living quarters, as well as there hay and grain and supplements. Graze the when available. Did you take Oats? No, we tend to stay with a complete feed 14% supplemented with some vegetable oil to keep weight on (fat). How are the horses and your wife recovering? Very well. Mr Jack only lost appx 50 lbs, The wife lost 10 lbs. She wanted to ride for another week! I was VERY happy to get back home, to much work to do! 3 weeks is an awfully long time. During our trip I was constantly looking at different scenarios thinking about how, what, where, and why. When I got home and read Mosby's article "Organization and Development of the Auxiliary" it kinda all made sense. I need to get more maps, a lot of maps. Thanks for asking Heff.
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Post by hefferman1 on Oct 2, 2012 9:22:06 GMT -5
Maps are a good thing. I suggest topo maps, as they show elevation differences, which can be very improtant at times.
I need to pick up maps for TN, NC, VA, WV, and Ohio to go with my KY topo maps.
I think horses can be very important if we have to fight to restore the Constitution.
Are your horses used to the sound of small arms fire?
I have to get a few things set up first, but I will be looking at an Amish trained horse, that can be used in the field, to pull a wagon, and to ride. Then I will have to train him to be used to the sound of small arms fire.
A horse patrol may not be as stealthy as a foot patrol, but it can cover more ground, and horses can be used to carry communications.
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Post by midnightrider on Oct 2, 2012 9:46:55 GMT -5
I can't say I shoot everyday but frequently. They have come a long way in regards to this. www.mytopo.com/
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