Nightmare ride yesterday.  Decided tor explore Wayne's Mountain.  Ground was dry, beautiful morning, still cool although humid.  Started up the steep part and Balthazar started leaping.  Not a problem except he wasn't fit enough to leap to the very top, the path was very narrow with a steep drop off on one side and a wall of rock strewn vegetation on the other.  In other words, again I got us into a dead end situation.  Couldn't turn around, had to keep going.  Then I heard a funny sound.  Looked down and saw the right hind trail boot flapping the ground.  It had come off his hoof and was only attached by the velcro fastener around the pastern.  Pulled him up, still on the steep scrabble and jumped off.
     Balthazar was really blowing.  Not fit enough for this.  Blowing but animated.  Couldn't get him to stand while I tried to reattach the boot.  Gave up and decided he could go barefoot until we got to level ground. 
     Sometimes I had to walk on the sides of my feet to keep from pitching forward.  It was that steep.  Why do I get us into these situations?  Loose rock rolled underneath both of us.  Kept Balthazar to one side so that if he lost balance he wouldn't come down on top of me. 
     Finally got to the bottom.  The boot was ripped and so full of sad and dirt and seed that it wouldn't attach properly.  Oddly enough the front two boots hadn't budged.  Had only put the pads back in that morning.  Walked him all the way home.  Rode a little way but saw I had to reattach the boot yet again so it was just easier to walk. 
     Happily he's fine.  He galloped over this morning when I let the other two out (he's allowed out all night but the two fatties have to be confined).  He's not sore.  He's going to have the day off anyway.  Might take him out for pick this afternoon. 
     Am determined to explore Wayne's Mountain but instead of riding up I'll lead him.