Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] protecting the horses...

Terre,
That magic number is going to vary according to terrain & weather in 
different areas. In general I don't like to see longer than 45 min in a 25 
mile ride, 1:30 in a 50 or 3 in a 100.
I actually don't see problems at rides where the ride manager who knows the 
trail well works together with the vets in determining hold number & 
lengths.
It's only after some scary, publicized, incident that managers & vets get 
nervous and think they can stop people from being stupid by throwing in 
extra time/holds/rocks that I foresee problems cropping up. I don't recall 
ever going OT, but I have had some close calls. It can be hard to pace 
correctly when riding a trail for the first time in another part of the 
country from what you're used too.


>         I can't help thinking there is probably a 'magic number' for
> optimum total hold time--maybe 1'30" for a 50, something like that... Also,
> perhaps the riders that are frequently riding close to overtime need to
> learn to ride not "faster", but "smarter".  Many of the OTs I have seen are
> due to people getting lost, etc...and learning how to do a ride without
> wasting any time is what is meant by "strategy"!
>
> terre (any and all tips appreciated!)


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