Re: Do I still want to do endurance?

["superpat" <superpat@ccountry.net>]

So here I go again....
I think the question you may want to ask yourself (and maybe you have
answered it already as posed in your original question) is: Are you able to
enjoy entering endurance rides and riding for the sheer joy of going down
the trail at a consistant, maybe not the fastest pace? Can you back off and
enjoy the ride without having to be first or top ten? Maybe just easing off
the pedal a bit will be enough to make you feel more comfortable about your
participation in the sport. Talk to some of the folks who are like the
Energizer Bunny with thousands of miles racked up. It's not always about
being the fastest.
Good luck and hope you decide to enjoy the sport some more.
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: <guest@endurance.net>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 11:48 PM
Subject: RC: Do I still want to do endurance?


> Christian Love jlovec@mindspring.com
> You all have heard from me before and many of you from the East know my
horse, Althea (people accuse me of feeding her rocket fuel).  We have been
competing in endurance for five years now.  Here is my issue.  I have now
started to see some wear and tear in her (despite wonderful shoeing,
Cosequin, Adequin, conditioning, great feeding program etc.), dealt with one
mild tie up situation, and have seen some things happening to horses at some
races that I just cannot get out of my mind.  I am considering leaving the
sport.  The pro's of that are: whe will physically not be as stressed, I
will not have to watch stupid people push their horses too hard and then
wonder why aweful things happen, and frankly life would be easier.  The
con's:  Althea loves to go down the trail (and fast!), I love the people I
have met through this sport (the ones who truly love their horses and take
every precaution to ensure their safety and health, and I am an extremely
competitive person who thrives!
>  on the sheer challenge of the sport.  I have not raced since the Fall
Biltmore and actually am now pregnant with my first child.  I have ridden,
but mostly flatwork with just alot of bareback relaxing trail rides since
then.
>
> My point is, am I crazy to be going through this dilemma?  Should I just
buck up and push ahead?  Has anyone else wondered if their horse (whom they
consider a best friend) really enjoys pushing themselves this hard?  And is
it worth it knowing the consequences of arthritis, navicular, or other long
term pounding effects of this sport?  I know I ask my friends who are DQs
(dressage queens) or hunters, some event riders and even some vets who say I
am crazy to put my horse through this if I really want her to last and be
healthy for the long term.  But, what about other endurance riders?  What do
you all think?
>
>
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