Well, it’s official – Cheefy’s got his 9k!

The AERC office got the results online today from the Grand Canyon ride – so now it’s official – Chief has his 9,000 miles!  Actually, he’s at 9,075.

It’s kind of hard to believe.  I dunno – like maybe it’s not real?  Where did the time go?  Just how did we rack up that many miles when it seems like I just got him?  I feel like I’m in a time warp and maybe this is all a dream.

I’ve definitely been lucky with Chief, that is for sure.  Been spending lots of time with him lately.  His eyelid is healing up nicely and looks like everything is in the correct position.  He’s been such a doll about that.  I never have to catch him, which is nice.  Even when I’ve had to put ointment in his eye three times a day he never once has tried to get away.  I think he knew that I was trying to help him, and it’s clear that he trusts me.

I got Chief’s feet done this morning.  They are looking great going into winter.  Nice tight white line all the way around, tough soles, strong straight, thick hoof wall and healthy frogs.  His angles are all just right and he’s moving nicely barefoot on all surfaces.  I may ride him at Git-R-Done one day this weekend so long as everything looks okay with his eyelid.

I made this video of Chief at the Bryce Canyon ride.  We were there a week early to help out and were taking turns letting our horses loose one at a time.  In this video, Chief was down visiting Dave’s trailer where Tigger was.  I called Chief to come home, and here he comes!  I love how he ends up standing in the same spot next to his trailer (home away from home) that he would be standing in if he were tied to the trailer tie!  He’s such a good boy!  You could say that if he gets loose I don’t have to worry about him wandering off.  Once other horses show up in camp then he loses these privileges.