Like Becky, I bought my first HRM after Provo did a similar
thing to her horse. I took him out in the rain for the first
time ever (come on, this is California... we don't do rain)
and asked him to trot. After a few miles, he started to
really act weird. I couldn't figure out what the problem
was exactly, he just felt completely off. I was on a narrow
single-track, so couldn't even get off and lunge him to see
if I could see anything.
In the end, in a panic, to save us having to go all the way
back the five or six miles we'd just come, I phoned my husband
and had him drive out and move the trailer to a spot just up
the trail - funnily enough, to a location I normally rode from.
As soon as we turned off the trail and started towards the
"normal trailer spot", Provo was miraculously cured of all
ailments and quite able to trot normally. I was especially
sad, as I'd gotten off to walk him and in doing so, let my
sheepskin saddle cover get completely soaked. Wet bottoms
R us.
The HRM was to protect *me* from "dying swan" horses.
* * *
As for "essentials for newbies" - around here, I'd say
a breast collar. Many of the trails around here are
straight up with no room for maneuvering. If you screw
up, you go over the edge. So to have the saddle suddenly
decide to go a different direction to the horse is a
recipe for disaster. BCs are a must.
For the rider, comfortable legs and feet - whatever you
choose to wear, make sure it stays comfy over the time
in and out of the saddle.
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Lucy Chaplin Trumbull
elsie AT foothill DOT net
Repotted english person in Sierra Foothills, California
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