FROM: Petra Keller - Pony Express Nevada
PST
Go Pony!
Rider Report Petra Keller
My horse has a big heart:
We arrived at our first section at the Fredericksburg Cemetery, CA. The weather report called for clear skies and wind – LOTS of wind. And the weather man was right – the flag at the cemetery was flapping, the metal clasps banging against the flag pole, a helium balloon flutters across the street, only the nearby residents are quiet. It’s 8:30 AM and we are saddling up waiting for the incoming mail. My mount Red is alert and feels the excitement in the air as several Pony Members come stop at the exchange spot. Then you hear – “Pony Rider coming in”. Here comes Deby and we do a swift exchange helped by Nevada President Arthur Johnson and Nicky Weiss. Mount up and of we go – down the Fredericksburg Road we go. Our first time on this section – lots of new things to take in, being a thoroughbred, Red is not used to cattle and does a double take on several cows close to the road. As the terrain allows we move out – across the California/Nevada state line. We turn onto Foothill Road and see several folks awaiting us to take photos. As we get closer to Faye Luther Trail – we see deer crossing the road! Red is on a mission to deliver the mail and falls into a nice canter on the shoulder. Here is a video.
There ahead – a sea of Red Shirts awaiting us and the next rider. Many folks there to help with the exchange and of goes the next rider.
Photos from first leg – Fredericksburg Cemetery, CA – Red Barn Ranch NV
After our first leg, we go home and get ready to head off to our next leg near Cold Springs Station in Nevada. We arrive at Cold springs and get camp set up, a wonderful BBQ with the (now) obligatory salsa, great conversation and fun that evening. Mail is scheduled to arrive about 7:30AM and we make plans for our section the next day. Ride Captain Doug will hand over to me at the road to Edwards Canyon.
About 4:30AM Red gets startled by something on his picket line, I incorrectly assumed he was spooked by something. I go out and take him to walk around a bit to settle him down. He calms down, but seems at odds with something and we can’t quite put our finger on it. We load up and go to our starting point to get ready. After saddling up, his first couple of steps are gimpy and he is just not quite himself. We get the mail and I mount up and plan on walking – our thought was that he might be a bit stiff from his ride the previous day. As we walk down the trail, I just notice he is getting worse and worse, I dismount and start leading him. His breathing is getting heavier – I decided to ask the Ham Radio Operator to please drive ahead and ask the next rider to start riding towards me as my horse was not doing well. Of he went and said he’d bring my rig back as well. We walk on a bit more and then Red just stops – I turn around to see him standing there wobbling on his 4 legs. I knew at this point I needed to do what is best for Red, I took the Mochila off as well as the saddle. He just stood there, no movement. Trying to figure out what is going on – some of his symptoms seemed to point toward colic. Here we are hours away from our vet! While waiting for the trailer to come, I start massaging him, which seemed to help – I started hearing loud tummy grumblings. His head picks up and here comes the trailer – I don’t think Red has ever been this happy to see the trailer. When the trailer door opens, he makes his first steps, with a major limp, he manages to get in the trailer. What crazy set of symptoms. We load up the gear and meet up with Corey who then took the extra miles on with his mount to carry the mail on. Needless to say – we delayed the mail on this leg. Thanks to all the riders ahead and behind that helped make up time. Ironically it also includes Red on his first leg – where he ran so strong. I say he has heart as he tried to carry the mail, despite being in extreme pain. He went as far as he could and knew he had to stop going. Thanks to all the support folks that managed to coordinate the exchange and for the Pony Riders that had to take on additional legs for us.
Diagnosis is that he was bitten by something (Black widow, wasp, scorpion) – most likely that is what spooked him at 4:30AM that day and the swelling did not develop immediately. By the time I pulled him out of my trailer at home and vet saw him his leg had swollen a lot. He is now on meds and slowly improving.