Boots On The Ground

 

Well, at least the back deck of the Compound. Boots, don't you think, are a bit like guns, look after them and they'll look after you. To that end, I apply Mink Oil on these old High Tory Ariats and so should you, it keeps them supple and waterproof.

Of course you might prefer to bull your boots, like a Guardsman, and that has it's own mirror bright satisfaction too. Not as practical though, unless you're on a parade square in Whitehall. That in mind, we're still at war with Iran, you may have noticed, which leaves EL SENOR, our famously anti-war president, in a bit of a conundrum.

Either he wins this war decisively, which surely means boots on the ground in great numbers, or he withdraws in ignominy, like Biden in Afghanistan. You see the catch, punters, he can't do either, but perhaps I'm missing something? As in maybe a naval blockade will work.

Feel free to chime in and, in the meanwhile, here's a photo of the Reform Club. Imagine all those Club Table pundits chewing on this knotty FORPOL puzzle over a lengthy lunch, vaguely terrifying.

As always, your Pal,

LSP 

Get in the Saddle

"For a so-called horseman you sure don't seem to do much riding, LSP," I hear you say, pointedly. Well not so fast. Monday being as good a day as any, I pulled on my Ariats, loaded a Circle Y in the truck and headed off to ride.

Keena

Which is what I did, on Keena, an old Polish Arabian mare who used to race and still has plenty of go. But I didn't push it, just walk, trot and a few short canters around Mesquites.

Front Office

Great to be back in the saddle again and next time I'll open things up a bit for a gallop. Good for mind, soul and body, provided you don't come off and break, obviously.

Ride on,

LSP

Booting It About

Back in August I swapped out a pair of Bates combat boots for a pair of Wolverines, partly because I didn't like the way water seemed to get trapped in the Goretex liner, turning the boot into a squelching, spongelike nightmare. I found their soles had a nasty habit of de-laminating from the upper too, necessitating repairs with the ever handy Locktite; not a disaster, but annoying.

No such problem with the Wolverines. They've seen plenty of use out in the field and so far the soles have stayed resolutely fixed to the upper, they're pretty watertight too, which has been handy while walking across semi-flooded fields in search of dove or rabbit. Then again, I make sure to keep them well saddle soaped and mink oiled, so they shouldn't leak. For the money and the kind of use I give them, a great boot, well suited to the climate and terrain here.

The Wolverines worked for riding but I found they didn't give as much support as I'd like, being fairly roomy, and the soles could have had better traction on the stirrups. So in a fit of self-indulgence I invested in a pair of Ariat Stockmans.

Very sturdy boots, with a good solid heel designed to take spurs and they seem to stick to the stirrups like glue; great arch support also, which is perhaps due to their 'Exclusive ATS Technology', standing for 'Advanced Torque Stability'. Improbable, I know, but it seems to work, making for a much firmer, better controlled ride and posture.

I'd say they have plenty of Lonestar State appeal and what's wrong with that? Nothing whatsoever.

Stay on the horse,

LSP