Boggle- USA bound!

[Caol Ila]

Dad said A-Basin has one run open (he may have called it the "White Ribbon of Death;" he doesn't bother skiing when it's that limited). You'll have lots of skiing soon.

I miss the Rockies, the CO culture (it is a chill place), the deserts, the horse culture, and the bigness of it. I don't miss the whacko national politics (yeah, I know, but Britain was less whacko when I moved here) or the fires. But I guess being from Boulder, it was a bubble, and I felt like I wanted to get out of the bubble. Last time I was home visiting my parents, I regretted leaving. OH and I discussed the practicalities of moving back, and they kind of suck, especially for him. Like the holiday allowances of US science-based jobs suck. The whole healthcare system sucks. 90+ degree summers suck. Draughts suck. The politics are more whacko than ever. And we have two bloody horses now.

But weed is legal, so swings and roundabouts. And when you've been away for a while, you realize Boulder is still a pretty great bubble.

Those pens are a great turnout system for horses who don't like other horses. Gypsum loved it. She was pretty horrified by the turnout set-ups at most UK barns. The ones at Boggle's barn look super nice.

CC, youngsters are awkward. You don't know who they are. They don't know who they are. If you've gone from an adult horse who's been your partner for years to a yearling or two-year old, it's an abrupt change. Hermosa, at four, seems to be growing into the horse she is, if that makes sense. The BOGOF foal either accelerated or slowed down the process (who knows), but I feel like I finally know who she is.

You'll form a relationship with your wee guy.

A mustang would be sweet, of course. I fancied one for a wee while.

 

[Michen]

I had a scarey discussion with someone last night about the 25 guns he owned. I have decided to remain open and curious (whilst having my own views that I’ll keep very quiet!).

 

[Caol Ila]

Oh, yeah, the gun culture. Don't miss that either.

 

[Michen]

Wow, well I came in to land in Boise, Idaho and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Snow capped endless mountains on one side of the plain then just open wide plains the other. Wondered into downtown with my laptop to do some work and happily perched at a very nice wine bar drinking the best glass of vino I've had this year!

Very content, this is exactly why I wanted to move here. See more places and experience new things.

 

[SBJT]

I had a scarey discussion with someone last night about the 25 guns he owned. I have decided to remain open and curious (whilst having my own views that I’ll keep very quiet!).

You’re far more quiet than me. I actually got into an debate with a guy from PA on that. We ended up agreeing to disagree.

 

[Michen]

You’re far more quiet than me. I actually got into an debate with a guy from PA on that. We ended up agreeing to disagree.

I figured it's polite to listen and try to understand! And tbf, some of his points, I totally got. It's so ingrained into american culture that it feels silly to not be open to at least hearing different point of views.

 

[Michen]

Lol it will take time for you to adjust, and even after 14 years of seeing the Rockies I still love it every day. Think of it like a great adventure to see a different side of living, and horsemanship too. It’s not better or worse, just very different. Just enjoy the ride and take a wait and see approach, Bog will tell you if he’s not happy with something and then you figure it out. It’s a life changing experience that not everyone gets the chance to make, and we’re all rooting for you.

It's just beautiful!!! I never thought of America as somewhere to "travel" to, but how wrong was I.

 

[Red-1]

I love Colorado. I found everyone so welcoming, even the Hertz hire guy invited me to dinner with his family (his wife wanted to visit England). I was only there a short time the first time, but made contacts that meant I kept coming back. Only stayed in a B&B a couple of times before having invites into people's homes. So different to our culture.

BTW, have you tried a KFC? I was a little nonplussed when my friend suggested it, but they are nothing like the UK version. Proper chicken, beautifully cooked and fresh coleslaw, as in really fresh, made from fresh separate ingredients.

Rather than Denver itself, I loved Fort Collins as a town. It is a university town, so bustling, but just more of a people sized town. I used to travel alone and felt very confident there. It was so relaxed, I could walk the town, find live music, chill with an ice cream.

As for guns, I was surprised to find that friends all had them, and they were normal, rational people.

If you can visit Estes Park it is amazing, the air is so clear. Elk walk right through the town early morning, surreal.

Quite jealous!

If you go to Arizona, another favourite place is Flagstaff.

I rode in 105 degree heat and can only say that the lack of humidity means it is a lot more bearable than it would be here. That said, I stopped for fuel one time in Camp Verde in a sand storm and it was like stepping out of the car and into the path of a hot air paint stripper. Enough to make you gasp behind a scarf. Phoenix was also pretty unbearable in summer.

Loving your updates. Especially Bog's dry lot. I can hear the wind in the pines and smell them too.

 

[leflynn]

Love this thread and the journeys you're both on (equine and non), Colarado sounds amazing!

 

[Annagain]

You can definitely find Boggle another Bear in terms of temperament. I don't think Bear's that unusual and I'm sure the Barn Owner will listen to your concerns and match him with the right horse.

Both Archie and Wiggy never put their ears back at another horse. Monty was the dominant horse in Archie's field (although not quite as aggressive - if that's the right word - as Bog). I think he was mainly like that as he was scared so didn't want the others near him. Some would try to take him on and they'd be sent packing but he didn't go looking for trouble.

As Archie was so non-threatening, Monty did let him in and the two became best buds. The other horses in the field push Arch about a bit but wouldn't ever get aggressive towards him, they just don't need to. Now Monty's gone and the herd's re-establishing its pecking order there's been a bit of toing and froing, but Arch isn't involved in it and the others don't feel the need to involve him. They know he'll always be at the bottom so they don't need to keep him down. As a result he leads a pretty happy life - they let him walk past them at the gate without any drama (but will fight amongst each other) and one or two will even let him in for a share of feed - on their terms when they've eaten most of it!

Wiggy's in the other herd and they have a different dynamic - one leader and 5 very subservient horses. None of them ever stand up to the leader or each other. If he's not there it's the politest, friendliest little herd. You can almost hear them saying, "after you" "no, after you" "No, I insist, after you."

 

[Michen]

I love Colorado. I found everyone so welcoming, even the Hertz hire guy invited me to dinner with his family (his wife wanted to visit England). I was only there a short time the first time, but made contacts that meant I kept coming back. Only stayed in a B&B a couple of times before having invites into people's homes. So different to our culture.

BTW, have you tried a KFC? I was a little nonplussed when my friend suggested it, but they are nothing like the UK version. Proper chicken, beautifully cooked and fresh coleslaw, as in really fresh, made from fresh separate ingredients.

Rather than Denver itself, I loved Fort Collins as a town. It is a university town, so bustling, but just more of a people sized town. I used to travel alone and felt very confident there. It was so relaxed, I could walk the town, find live music, chill with an ice cream.

As for guns, I was surprised to find that friends all had them, and they were normal, rational people.

If you can visit Estes Park it is amazing, the air is so clear. Elk walk right through the town early morning, surreal.

Quite jealous!

If you go to Arizona, another favourite place is Flagstaff.

I rode in 105 degree heat and can only say that the lack of humidity means it is a lot more bearable than it would be here. That said, I stopped for fuel one time in Camp Verde in a sand storm and it was like stepping out of the car and into the path of a hot air paint stripper. Enough to make you gasp behind a scarf. Phoenix was also pretty unbearable in summer.

Loving your updates. Especially Bog's dry lot. I can hear the wind in the pines and smell them too.

Hey! Ok so no KFC let but I'll make sure to try it. Can't believe the number of restaurants and the sheer amount of food still.

I definitley want to get to FC. Heading to Boulder at the weekend! I am compiling a list so putting the places you are mentioning on it

I really am loving everything about it so far!

 

[Denali]

I love following along! Michen, do try the kfc. Specifically the chicken bowl. I’ll be in your shoes soon only the opposite with moving to the UK. ? this thread is really great beyond boggle doing so well here. I’m so glad he and you are settled!

I look forward to more boggle/michen updates!

 

[Michen]

I love following along! Michen, do try the kfc. Specifically the chicken bowl. I’ll be in your shoes soon only the opposite with moving to the UK. ? this thread is really great beyond boggle doing so well here. I’m so glad he and you are settled!

I look forward to more boggle/michen updates!

ah thanks I’ll keep them coming! Where are you moving from, sorry if I missed that.


Look forward to where I get on him ? I wouldn’t usually think twice about hopping on after a few weeks off but I have no idea what to expect from him with everything and he’s had this glint in his eye that tells me I may be in trouble.

 

[Michen]

Ohhh no I just had the KFC and not impressed. Though it came with a “biscuit, mash and gravy”’which I did weirdly enjoy. The chicken I didn’t think was any better than the UK and the coleslaw way too sweet!

That said I hadn’t had one in the UK in about a decade so maybe I don’t remember how bad it was ? they did offer it extra crispy which I declined. Maybe where I went wrong…

I did still eat the whole thing though ? had a bucket.

 

[PurBee]

Biscuits and gravy i had in california - i stuffed loads of ‘quick mix’ packets of the stuff into my luggage returning home it was that addictive! ?
I never tried the kfc, but became addicted to veggie burrito’s - the mexican influence with take-out food in california was/is quite widespread…i loved it, fairly healthy ‘take-away’ food options in comparison to uk ‘take-away’ greasy/fatty food.

 

[Northern Hare]

Hi Michen, On the subject of places to visit, we did the "Grand Circle" route in a hired Mini Winnibego RV a few years ago, which was amazing. It was about 3k miles starting and finishing in Las Vegas and heading out to Grand Canyon North Rim, then the route took in a whole host of stunning National Parks (Zion, Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Grand Canyon etc) before heading back via GC South Rim, it was the best holiday ever.

One of our favourites was a town called Moab which is next to Arches National Park, home to the stunning Delicate Arch. Moab is very prosperous which made sense when we spotted the high street was called "Uranium Street"!! It's about 350 miles to the west of Denver towards Vegas, so perhaps if you were heading west it would be a good place to visit?

Also, you can buy a National Parks Annual Pass for $80 to get you into all the NP's - here's the link to their website, showing Arches NP...

US National Parks Service

 

[Moobli]

Wow! Epic thread. I’ve enjoyed every post. Those photos of Colorado are just amazing! Boggle is a star! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the whole adventure so far and can’t wait for updates. I’m especially looking forward to your hacking and hiking pics and really look forward to seeing how Pepper enjoys it when she joins you. What a rollercoaster! I’ll live vicariously through your descriptions and photos. Keep them coming please ?

 

[Michen]

Hi Michen, On the subject of places to visit, we did the "Grand Circle" route in a hired Mini Winnibego RV a few years ago, which was amazing. It was about 3k miles starting and finishing in Las Vegas and heading out to Grand Canyon North Rim, then the route took in a whole host of stunning National Parks (Zion, Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Grand Canyon etc) before heading back via GC South Rim, it was the best holiday ever.

One of our favourites was a town called Moab which is next to Arches National Park, home to the stunning Delicate Arch. Moab is very prosperous which made sense when we spotted the high street was called "Uranium Street"!! It's about 350 miles to the west of Denver towards Vegas, so perhaps if you were heading west it would be a good place to visit?

Also, you can buy a National Parks Annual Pass for $80 to get you into all the NP's - here's the link to their website, showing Arches NP...

US National Parks Service

Amazing thank you!!!

 

[Michen]

Oh man the crazy temps are already screwing with my head. So the barn inside never drops below 4 degrees as it's heated. But outside today its below zero and snowing. I use a liner system which I think is causing the guys who work there (english not first language), a fair bit of confusion lol!!!

I have no idea how to rug him either as he could go out in zero degrees early am then it's 15 degrees by 1pm.

I think as a general rule of thumb he has whatever liner on then a thicker outdoor gets put on when he goes out, and a thinner indoor for when he comes in. But that doesn't really work when the barn dips down overnight.

My brain is fried...and he's not clipped (but not in full winter fuzzies either). He is being rugged way more than the other horses and does seem to be feeling the cold. I'm reluctant to clip him plus no one seems to do a full clip, but he hates getting sweaty! Argh!

I'm sad because there's heavy snow at the barn today but I can't get there until later, I wanted to see Bog's reaction when he went out in it!!!

 

[nagblagger]

And we want pictures of Bog in the snow. (Sorry can't advise about rugs.)

CC are things settling?

 

[SBJT]

Oh man the crazy temps are already screwing with my head. So the barn inside never drops below 4 degrees as it's heated. But outside today its below zero and snowing. I use a liner system which I think is causing the guys who work there (english not first language), a fair bit of confusion lol!!!

I have no idea how to rug him either as he could go out in zero degrees early am then it's 15 degrees by 1pm.

I think as a general rule of thumb he has whatever liner on then a thicker outdoor gets put on when he goes out, and a thinner indoor for when he comes in. But that doesn't really work when the barn dips down overnight.

My brain is fried...and he's not clipped (but not in full winter fuzzies either). He is being rugged way more than the other horses and does seem to be feeling the cold. I'm reluctant to clip him plus no one seems to do a full clip, but he hates getting sweaty! Argh!

I'm sad because there's heavy snow at the barn today but I can't get there until later, I wanted to see Bog's reaction when he went out in it!!!

Same problem, we rug for towards the upper temp. Temps can increase and decrease 20 deg C per day. Since he’s inside at night then go for the higher temp. So long as he has hay he can eat and run around for a couple of hours to keep warm. If he has shelter too, which he probably does then that should be okay.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[palo1]

Oh man the crazy temps are already screwing with my head. So the barn inside never drops below 4 degrees as it's heated. But outside today its below zero and snowing. I use a liner system which I think is causing the guys who work there (english not first language), a fair bit of confusion lol!!!

I have no idea how to rug him either as he could go out in zero degrees early am then it's 15 degrees by 1pm.

I think as a general rule of thumb he has whatever liner on then a thicker outdoor gets put on when he goes out, and a thinner indoor for when he comes in. But that doesn't really work when the barn dips down overnight.

My brain is fried...and he's not clipped (but not in full winter fuzzies either). He is being rugged way more than the other horses and does seem to be feeling the cold. I'm reluctant to clip him plus no one seems to do a full clip, but he hates getting sweaty! Argh!

I'm sad because there's heavy snow at the barn today but I can't get there until later, I wanted to see Bog's reaction when he went out in it!!!

I hope it makes you feel better to remember that even 1/2 an inch of snow in the UK results in total chaos and the collapse of civilised life as we know it!! The fact that you will be able to get to the barn in SNOW may be a revelation to some folk lol. Sounds wonderful - can't advise re: rugging though advice to rug for the higher temperature makes sense to me, especially if Bog will always be in at night atm and can be warm and dry with plenty to eat then.

 

[Denali]

I haven’t lived in Colorado but New England can have similar temperature swings. I always would rug based on the highest temperature. I would rather have them chilly or a bit cold for a while than overheating for any length of time.

That is interesting about the KFC, maybe I will scratch that off my list of things to try to see the difference in the UK vs the US.

@Michen try a chicken bowl. That’s my KFC go to. It sits heavy after you eat it but I never have regrets ?.

 

[Caol Ila]

Gypsum was not clipped and lived in a rain sheet when we were Colorado. I did not have an insulated turn-out rug - not one - to my name until I moved to the UK.

When I lived in New England, where it is f&(*cking cold, I added a rug liner to my 0g rug.

People here thought I was insane.

KFC, like all American fast food restaurants, sucks.

 

[Michen]

Gypsum was not clipped and lived in a rain sheet when we were Colorado. I did not have an insulated turn-out rug - not one - to my name until I moved to the UK.

When I lived in New England, where it is f&(*cking cold, I added a rug liner to my 0g rug.

People here thought I was insane.

KFC, like all American fast food restaurants, sucks.

well bog is definitely nothing like Gypsum, no point comparing. He runs cold, he always has and he needs all the help he can get to keep weight on

 

[nagblagger]

Pictures of snow and the scenery - i await in anticipation.

 

[Michen]

Pictures of snow and the scenery - i await in anticipation.

Aha fingers crossed I can get to the barn later.... should be fine I'm told!! I am very excited to get on Bog this weekend. I'm sure he is very excited to bounce me around a bit and ensure I have a stitch the entire time.

 

[Denali]

well bog is definitely nothing like Gypsum, no point comparing. He runs cold, he always has and he needs all the help he can get to keep weight on

Keep in mind that rain sheets are great for rain, but not necessary and don’t help if it’s just chilly. They actually do a disservice.

I had a cold running guy and I would do the following:

gortex sheet at 35

sheet and fleece at 20

sheet fleece and Pima loft liner at 10 and below.
Plus all the hay. He wasn’t a big hay eater which was wicked frustrating. But his winter coat eventually got thicker over the years.

just wanted to give you a starting point. Also if the snow just sits on his back he’s warm enough.

 

[nagblagger]

I'll certainly look forward to some action shots or video, make sure someone else is there to record the event.

 

[Michen]

Keep in mind that rain sheets are great for rain, but not necessary and don’t help if it’s just chilly. They actually do a disservice.

I had a cold running guy and I would do the following:

gortex sheet at 35

sheet and fleece at 20

sheet fleece and Pima loft liner at 10 and below.
Plus all the hay. He wasn’t a big hay eater which was wicked frustrating. But his winter coat eventually got thicker over the years.

just wanted to give you a starting point. Also if the snow just sits on his back he’s warm enough.

Exactly, I would never put a rain sheet on for warmth. Just flattens the hair with no insultation!

I will need to be rugging him more, not less, than he had in the UK.