<% appTitle="Ridecamp Archives" %> Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Young Horses
Ridecamp@Endurance.Net

[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]
Current to Wed Jul 23 17:34:22 GMT 2003
  • Next by Date: [RC] stuck......again
  • - Linda B. Merims
  • Prev by Date: [RC] Trail Marking
  • - Joan Dowis

    Re: [RC] Young Horses - superpat


    I would always err on the side of taking it easy and slow. That does not
    mean don't begin to put conditioning on your horse, but start slowly and
    remember that it takes at least two years for the bones to become dense
    enough to handle the constant concussion and the tendons and muscles to
    become strong and flexible. I have a training partner who got her new
    endurance prospect two and a half years ago at the age of four. She sent him
    to a wonderful trainer who had him for a month and when she got him home,
    she began to go on conditioning rides. Three or four miles walking with slow
    trot thrown in occasionally. Each week, she upped the mileage by one or two
    miles to the point that after several weeks, he was doing eight miles at
    slow trot and walk, whatever felt comfortable. Lots of stopping to munch
    grass and exposure to downed trees and water crossings. Sometimes with an
    experienced and calm horse and sometimes alone. One to two times per week
    with some arena
    work thrown in occasionally.
    At age five he entered his first slow 50 miler. Of course, by then, after a
    year of conditioning, he was ready. But she took it very slow and easy and
    rode him as though they were on a training ride (and they were). She prefers
    to ride alone on endurance rides and this is, I think a good thing for the
    mind of the horse. He learns that she is his partner and he is unconcerned
    about where another horse is when he goes into a vet check or when he is out
    on trail. (Unlike my mare who will slow and even try to stop to wait for a
    horse that we had ridden with for a short while and who may get elevated
    heart rate when her barn buddy is at the same ride).
    A caution to not enter rides too closely spaced. Allow plenty of time
    between rides for the horse to recuperate and regroup. After a 50 miler, I
    do not ride my horse for a week. She gets plenty of turnout and a chance to
    relax. I also resist the urge to enter her in more than a ride a month. I
    did enter her in eleven consecutive 50 milers in one season to earn a "Sandy
    Bar Award" that's ten rides of 50 or more miles consecutively with no pulls.
    I think this was asking a lot of her even though she is a great horse and
    top tenned many of those rides and even got a best condition at one of the
    toughest (Limestone). I don't ask that of her any more. I enjoy riding in
    the middle of the pack and having her look and feel great after the ride.
    But that's more a reflection of my style than her ability to compete. You
    will work those things out as you go along.
    
    Also, try to learn as much as you can about feeding your horse for endurance
    and hard conditioning. Learn from other endurance riders. Ask lots of
    questions and try what seems sensible and sound to you. Learn to feed beet
    pulp. Help your horse to acquire a taste for it and learn how much is too
    much of rice bran (for flavor mostly and/or fat if you choose) or whatever
    feed you decide upon. This is the most under rated skill you can acquire to
    help your horse to
    perform at his best. It will get you successfully through loads of vet
    checks without worry.A great resource is Susan Garlinghouse's web site at,
    http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/ricebran.shtml
    
    Also, with the help of Ride Camp or an experienced endurance rider, learn
    pre-race protocol; feeding (i.e. free choice grass hay and lots of very wet
    beet pulp starting the Wednesday before the ride), pre-loading electrolytes
    starting a few days before the ride, etc. etc.
    Learn how to get your horse to relax at a vet check. I think  you can learn
    this by going to a ride and watching how the experienced riders care for
    their horses at the vet checks. Watch the 100 milers for really good tips.
    Above all....don't ask too much too soon of your horse because he will try
    to give it to you, even if to his detriment. I made a huge mistake when I
    began with my four year old. After only having him and riding (I was a rank
    beginner rider and horse owner) for only a few months, we entered our first
    25 miler. A tough ride here in the Pacific NW (Headwaters of the Rogue), we
    finished, I think 8th and won best condition. I got a big head. Entered him
    in a 50 miler a couple of weeks later. Three weeks later (or at least soon
    thereafter) we entered another really difficult 50 miler. Had to pull him
    for a suspensory injury. What a dope I was.
    Most endurance riders will tell you that they learned about endurance at the
    expense of their first endurance horse. Hopefully you will never have to say
    that.
    Boy, I got pretty wordy.....sorry. I'm going to bed.
    .......And do not get romanced into riding fast your first few times out.
    Aim to
    finish no further in front than mid pack. Your horse will develop much
    better trail habits and you will not push him too hard in your enthusiasm to
    finish well up in the pack.
    Best to you and your horse. You will learn so much and have so much fun if
    you can take it slow to start and allow your horse time to grow into his
    potential.
    Pat
    
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Rebecca Rae" <beks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    To: "superpat" <superpat@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
    Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 2:10 AM
    Subject: Re: [RC] Young Horses
    
    
    > i mean too much training and rides
    >
    > ----- Original Message -----
    > From: "superpat" <superpat@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
    > To: <beks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    > Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 9:05 PM
    > Subject: Re: [RC] Young Horses
    >
    >
    > > Too much what?
    > > ----- Original Message -----
    > > From: "Ridecamp Guest" <guest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    > > To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    > > Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 1:50 AM
    > > Subject: [RC] Young Horses
    > >
    > >
    > > > Rebecca beks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    > > > Hi everyone,
    > > >
    > > > I'm sure this must've been covered before, but how much do you think
    is
    > > too much with a young horse.  Say a 4 year old?
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
    > > >  Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
    > > >  Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
    > > >  Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
    > > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    
    
    
    
    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
     Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
     Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
     Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
    
    

    Replies
    [RC] Young Horses, Ridecamp Guest