Re: RC: Riding alone?

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

At 12:04 PM 5/16/00 -0400, Linda wrote:
> I'm sure we will be fine by ourselves, but am
> concerned that he may use too much energy worried that he is alone.

I am a person who prefers to condition alone - I like to do this so that
I can really concentrate on my horse, ride my own ride, and when I'm at
an endurance ride I want my horse to be independent of the herd, so to
speak.  Of course at a race it's not always possible to be totally
alone on the trail, but there are times when you are alone.  I feel
that if my horse is used to being alone on a trail, at a race it won't
matter whether or not he/she is alone.

In the beginning, the inexperienced horses I've started surely have
gotten worked up about being alone!  I don't ride with a heart
monitor so I can't say how worked up pulse-wise, but I know it's got to
be a lot.  At that point I don't care!  Let the heart rate rise
- it's good for them!  I've also noticed that at first the horse
might also act more tired - but I'd call it sluggy.  Down at
heart.  Reluctant.  It's not really tired, but just (from your
horse's point of view) unwilling to risk life and limb by not being with
the herd.

It might take a while - it could take weeks, maybe months - before your
horse settles down finally when alone, but the horses I've ridden have
all calmed down eventually and become troopers about going out on the
trail solo.  

I think riding alone is a good conditioning strategy - though of course
there are people who think that riding alone is suicidal and
foolish.  I *try* to give Paul an itinerary, and I always ride with
ID on me & on my horse - but OK, I know it isn't totally smart
anyway.  Especially since I am prone to changing my mind when I'm
out there on the trail.  I'm an explorer at heart.

Anyway - I'd say keep up the solo work if you enjoy it because I think in
the long run it will give you and your horse a little edge to be
"experienced" at being alone on the trail.  Lif

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