Ridecamp: Re: [RC] How do you know? (long)

Penelope, you did everything right...and you're worried about the right
things. You're learning every ride and taking it slow. I was  hanging
out at Matthew McKay-Smith's vet/worker briefing at OD this weekend. One
thing he said stuck in my mind..."A horse won't die from being lame, but
he certainly will because of metabolic problems". (I guess falling over
a cliff would be an exception :))

Endurance can be a rewarding and at the same time a frustrating sport.
You can do everything right, and fail. Things happen that are just
beyond your control. You can have all kinds of problems and succeed.
Sunny had all kinds of foot problems in 2000...I was forever patching
his feet, fooling with different shoes and pads, and trying to improve
his eating, drinking and gut sounds, but we had a GREAT year. This year,
his feet are better, he has better metabolics, eats/drinks better, and I
have just been snake bit. 

Best rule to remember is "Know Thy Horse". Learn all you can about him,
what conditions are best for him, what conditions are worse. For
example, Sunny does well at gently rolling rides and cool weather.  He
owns Biltmore...and does well at Big South Fork. Reno needs time to
figure it out and you need time to figure him out. It takes a lot of wet
saddle blankets...be patient. You haven't had him very long.  Remember,
I have had Sunny over 7 years...and I'm STILL working on stuff. 

You're doing great! Try to improve your performance a little bit...and
his...each ride. Continually "tweak" things...but don't make major
changes.  If all goes well, the Top Ten will just happen one day. Don't
ride to Top Ten...take what the trail, weather, and your horse gives you
on THAT day. If and when he is ready, you will know. Looking forward to
riding Biltmore with you.

Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic


>sharp penny wrote: 
>   Okay now what can I do differently to keep those gut
> sounds at an A or A-?  Also can I ever expect to top ten
> with this horse? I realize that it takes 2 years to put a
> base on a horse and I am very happy with just completing.
> I am concerned that his not drinking for the first loop and
> a half may hinder him from ever being competitive. Will
> time and rides change this or are there some things I can
> do to get him to drink sooner?
> 
>   I have become addicted to this sport and even though now
> I'm happy and thrilled to just finish, some day I want to
> think we can be competitive and top ten. I also want to
> move up to 100's one day and am wondering if Reno will ever
> be able to do this? Reno is pretty young (8yrs)so if he has
> the talent I have plenty of time to get him ready. I just
> wonder how you can tell if a horse has what it takes to
> eventually do 100's???
> 
>  Thanks again y'all!
> 
> Penny & Reno ( now with 125 AERC miles :) whoo hoo!!)
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
Richard T. "Jim" Holland
Three Creeks Farm
175 Hells Hollow Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-2830
FAX (706) 632-1271

The Fall Pig is September 21st, 2002


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=