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Just under 2 weeks to go till the start
and most of the planning is complete. The route is finalised
although not without problems. The kit and equipment is bought
and tested. The saddle is performing well, with no complaints
from either the horse or rider. The saddlebags are taking
a little getting used to. I need to remember to pack them
with an even weight in each. Otherwise with a spot of trot
or canter they start to migrate around Marv’s body.
I have now learnt to secure them firmly to the D-rings on
the saddle to minimise lateral rotation.
Marv is now living outside permanently, and is more than
happy munching green grass all night long. This is to ensure
he is content with his own company when we start. Most nights
will involve him grazing alone in a strange field. Although
currently throughout the day he tends to hang out with his
best friends - a couple of Shetlands.
Marv has really changed shape over the last few months. His
summer coat is evident and showing a good lustre. Fi and I
attacked the feathers on his legs with a pair of thinning
scissors with questionable success. Neither of us showed any
obvious aptitude towards hairdressing. His muscular definition
is really showing after the steady fitness programme we undertook.
It was a pleasure to watch him from a distance when being
ridden by Fi (on the odd occasions). His willingness to work
is a given, however he is faster when returning to the yard
and his mates. One of Marv’s many quirks is that he
stops when I take my feet out of the stirrups. He has learnt
that it means I am getting off, and will be leading him for
a while, on the odd occasion I have not got off he is not
above showing a little attitude. I have been walking up and
down any gradients to ease the pressure on Marv, and riding
where relatively flat. Only really trotting or cantering on
verges or when off road - to minimise the concussion from
the tarmac.
I have decided on numerous hard feed drops, to supplement
his daily grazing and to ensure he has enough calories for
the next day’s miles. I have found out that Marv doesn’t
eat chocolate, but does like wine gums so as a result will
be letting him snack on these and anything else highly energising
to ensure he enjoys the day’s miles. That said Marv
should be sponsored by Flymo as he devours grass at an incredible
rate!
The one problem I did have was his refusal to drink water
when out riding – even on a really hot day. He wouldn’t
contemplate sipping from a ford/stream or even a collapsible
water bucket no matter how hard the day. When out riding with
Fi (on a fantastically natured bay gelding called Tottie)
we came across an opportunity to coerce Marv into drinking
from a stream, using the tried and tested ‘lead by example’
theory. Tottie happily embraced the stream indeed pawing the
water before alternating between playing and drinking. This
obviously embarrassed Marv who had up to that point been the
role model and he responded as I had hoped with the desired
result. I now have a horse that I hope will drink when the
opportunity arises. Marv, apart from that, is exceptionally
well behaved. I can ride with no reins, whilst map reading
or adjusting saddlebags with only him only occasionally diving
for the green stuff. He is happy to react to leg, seat and
voice, and doesn’t need any rein contact to do the miles.
He does travel very economically though, and will walk a tad
too steadily, however experience has shown that if I break
off a small branch and introduce it to Marv without any actual
contact he miraculously seems to speed up. We have been averaging
around 3mph and can do 20miles in just over 6 hours travel
time (with an hour off for lunch, with all tack taken off).
I have adjusted the route to attempt to make the daily mileage
no more than 20 miles.
I have several worries. They have meant many a restless night
as I contemplate the task I have set myself and Marv. I am
concerned about his health – most specifically his back
and hooves and his ability to keep his shoes. Both are show
stoppers if there is a problem on route. I intend to walk
up to 10miles a day to ensure Marv remains in top condition,
and I will ensure the going under foot is suitable for the
speed we are doing. Daily feet checks should ensure any problems
are picked up early. I am worried about the dreaded midge,
especially in the NW of Scotland where the little devils proliferate
in the heather. We will be carrying an anti-midge horse rug
which has a hood to help keep the irritating insects at bay.
Luckily Marv is not fussed when I put the hood on him, but
it does make him look like an extra from Lord of the Rings.
I have bundled up the maps (with route marked) into weeks,
and plan to pre-drop these along the way to try and minimise
weight carriage. My bed will be a lightweight summer sleeping
bag and bivi bag, under an army basha. A tent is just too
heavy, and would mean I could not keep an eye on the hungry
horse as he hoovers up grass at night. My clothing requirements
are minimal and aside from the clothes I stand up in all I
will carry in the way of spare clothes will be of a pair of
shorts, flip flops and a clean T-shirt.
The sponsorship has started to pick up some momentum now.
I have a few thousand pounds generously pledged from contractors
at work. These will not appear on line, nor will the donations
kindly written directly to the charities of choice but they
all aid the final total. Friends, family and people who have
just heard of the trip have all been very kind and donated
money on line for which I am very grateful.
The next diary instalment will be written
by Fi after I have started – via daily phone updates.
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