[pct-l] Fw: 5 months ride using part of the PCT

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Seriously, MendoRider, your adventure is so interesting it should be  
written down. If not by you, someone should interview you and write  
it all down for you. There are a million trail journals, DVDs and  
books of people walking the trail, but so few accounts of what it's  
like to do it with a horse. Your story is so interesting.

Diane

On May 13, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

>
> Hi Dorian,
>
> My own direct experience riding alone with just one horse?and that  
> of four?other
> Long Riders?that I have communicated with is that horses will begin  
> to?bond with
> thier rider? when there is no other horse.?YOU will become the  
> other horse. This
> will happen gradually during the first 10 days.?They want a buddy.? 
> While they
> would prefer another horse they will accept a human. They will  
> become more and
> more confident and trusting of you and your judgment and  
> leadership. I have
> experienced this with two horses. They will be more willing to  
> follow when you
> lead - even through places that they might otherwise be scary to  
> them. I sang to
> Primo and talked to him both in English and in horse. I learned  
> several horse
> communication sounds from him.? He responded to my?touch and  
> assurance. He liked
> being scratched under his chin and along his mane just?above his  
> withers. Notice
> that horses scratch each other above the withers. The bond will  
> develop. This
> same?level of acceptance won't happen between you and your horse? 
> when he has a
> real horse companion.?