Questing Veterans update: June 12, 2011. Jean's broken hand, VA fun, Horse Story.

Questing Veterans Update: June 12, 2011  

Who is Questing Veterans?

From Jean's Website, QuestingVeterans:

Questing Veterans is an expedition around the United States via foot and horseback. The purpose of the ride is to provide Veterans a buffer zone and time between Military and Civilian lives.

Hey Y'all!

It's been a fairly quiet 2 weeks since last Major update.

When I went to the VA Clinic I was told I could not be seen since a) they did not see emergencies and b) I was not registered in "their" system. First of all they had x-ray so they could have done that much or at least authorize treatement at local hospital-not that I considered my broken hand to be an emergency. I just wanted to get an x-ray. What really gets me is that they refused to see me unless I went through the whole registration process (including physician exam). I thought I was already in the VA system: hence, the compensation money I get every month. It was hard enough getting in the first time. Now I have been trying to contact "my" VA clinic to set up the billing from the hospital, but can't get through. VA's. ........,..

Well, a cast was put on even though it was a nice break. I let stay on for almost 2 weeks then cut it off a few days ago. It is just now attaching so I have a wrist brace on that covers the bone.

The past couple weeks has been recovery for my broken bones. My right little toe was just starting to heal from when Jabiru stepped on it at Kennedy Meadows. I came across an add on Craigslist for 2 horses for $500. When we checked it out it turned out to be a kind man who knew an old lady who couldn't take care of her horses so he took them in and was selling them for her.

Their health was't too bad. A flea bitten grey had hooves that were longer than my feet and the back feet still had horse shoes on somehow and incredibly. He was just a bit ribby from under feeding. On loading him up my Same broke toe got stepped on by Big Foot while I was still stuck in sandals Fricken hurt it was a twist step and he got me good. My foot was scraped all over and my poor pinky toe swelled like a stuffed sausage. I am just now able to barely bend it. There were numb spots all over from swelling. When it first happened it felt like my toe had been ripped off, but fortunately that was not the case. Well won't be able to wear my current boots for a long time now. I can just put on my five fibger vibrams, but it swells up still if I stand for more than 15 minutes.

The palomino mare, Missouri Fox Trotter, was well fed (no doubt from stealing food from grey) and her hooves were a little short with one with an abscess that got drained when we called a farrier in.

We have our hopes for her as Ryan's mount. Ryan after watching me ride Jabiru easily up hills became envious. I thought he would see the light sooner or later.

We just sold the grey. His easy disposition was nice, but he wasn't up to hard riding. This left us with Moriko still for pack, but despite a number of attempts throughout the week to train her to pack she refused to accept it. So we looked for mules and sold her.

Found a mule who is perfect for us. 17 years old, highly experienced packer, easy catcher, likes dogs, and will allow us to make mistakes while learning to pack with her. Sarah, her name all her life, has quite the distinctive song she sings out. No mistaking her for a horse. Maybe we can scare some campers with her in the early morning.

So now we have two riding Palominos and a mule colored mule. We will be quite the cavalcade.

Right now my saddle is in the shop getting a custom rig set up to imrpove girthing fit issues. My saddle kept sliding too far back. Hopefully it finishes before Monday.

Monday sometime John will take us up to a place he will work at for the summer doing cattle and fencing. It isn't far from here just a long ride on winding rodes. We will spend the week there in luxury then we head up to Monache Meadows unless plans change again.

So as you can see not much has really happened.

Happy trails folk!

Trail Boss Jean Strickler (912) 492-3986

http://questingveterans.us