 From My Saddle
Indian summer in the Northwest always seems like a beautiful time of the year. The leaves begin to turn with the last burst of color, the blue in the sky seems more brilliant and the crisp feel in the air seems like a welcome change from the heat of the summer.
I think I am noticing it more this year because I have spent extended time away at my newly purchased recreation spot at Cowboy Campsite in Hamilton, Washington. The long peaceful trail rides in the beautiful natural setting refreshes my perspective.
As the weather changes there is more time available for reading and watching training videos that have taken a back seat to those long trail rides. In this issue, Jonathan Field gives us step by step instruction on being effective consumers of equine education. See page 4.
On one of my recent get-aways, I had the extraordinary opportunity to test drive the ultimate horse owner’s rig in the environment it was designed for – hauling horses to trail and show.
The GMC TopKick pickup upfitted by Monroe Truck Equipment is quite a truck! It’s flashy, comfortable, safe and designed to pull horses! The particular truck I drove was the C4500 DuramaxTM 300 hp Diesel with an Allison transmission. With 300 hp under the hood, we had plenty of power to spare. Even more amazing, this truck runs quiet with its diesel engine.
This medium duty pickup was loaded. It had an onboard navigation system, pioneer sound system and DVD player with wireless headphones to watch your favorite movie in peace and quiet. It came complete with an electric rear slider window and a rear seat that folded flat for sleeping or storage. The hydraulic system lowers the entire truck to slip comfortably under your gooseneck trailer. Air-ride suspension and leather captain seats make for ultimate comfort. The rearview camera allows a clear view when backing up, taking all the stress out of trailer hook up.
This truck was easy to drive. The sloped nose along with large side mirrors made for easy maneuvering and great visibility. The turning radius was amazing. I made it around the turn at the coffee shop…no problem!
Our first trip with the pickup was down to the first annual barbeque at Cowboy Campsite in Hamilton, Washington. Over 400 visitors, riders and vendors showed up to see this new concept in horse camping! The Topkick pickup drew a lot of interest with the striking red paint, chrome wheels and beautiful interior.
At the end of my test drive this week, filling the tank was painless. I didn’t check the mileage but I spent no more money than I would have in my own 1500 Silverado pickup. This is definitely for the serious horse hauler interested in safety, comfort and style. For more information see the online press release at www.nwhorsesource.com (news-products section) or page 56. Contact Miesha Krueger, Hass MS&L Public Relations at 248-458-8588 or miesha.krueger@hassmsl.com.
The opportunities I have had the past few weeks to experience the latest equipment in an innovative setting like Cowboy Campsite makes me realize how fortunate I feel to be alive and part of the horse world today. Have a great fall and remember to ride! Copyright © 2009 The NW Horse Source |