Dumb question

[RhndLev@cs.com]

Hey I have a dumb question, but can an inexperienced rider make a horse work 
harder on a ride?  I had a friend out to ride with me and put her on my old 
gelding, Laddie.  He's had a number of years off while his hocks fused, but 
I've ridden him a couple of times recently and so has my husband and Laddie 
seemed fine.  I have ridden him for a maximum of seven miles and my husband 
road him for four miles and the horse was really up and eager to go.  

Sunday, with my friend up, however, Laddie seemed to be really laboring.  We 
were doing what I considered a light ride on back roads at a slow pace 
considering both horses are TWH -- five mph for five miles.  Laddie was 
breathing hard, seemed to have a tougher time keeping up and really sweating. 
 My friend doesn't ride well (was pretty much just sitting there) and I'm 
wondering if he was not feeling well or if having a person just kinda 
slouched there would make it that much harder for him to basically just walk 
around the block.

Rhonda and Special


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