>In FL it may not be only LD, but in general most horses are brough
along slowly either using CTR's which are mostly 25 or LD's. A year of two of 25
mile CTR's and maybe some LD's thrown it sure doesn't seem to hurt them. Down
here many a horse got it's start doing 25 mile CTR's to build a good base before
he was asked for more.
I've found that one CAN bring horses on slowly on
50's as well. And--one CAN bring horses on slowly at home. Remember,
Truman--not all horses are the same. I would have thought the one I'm on
now could have done LDs forever, but by his 3rd one, he had it down pat and
figured the only thing to do to make it more interesting was to become a real
idiot and try to go faster. My first 50 on him was a real trip,
consequently--but having stepped up to slow 50's, he now leaves camp like
a gentleman again, and is happy as a clam just cruising down the trail at
mid-to-latter-third-of-the-pack completion speed. (Heck, we were even last
on our last ride.) The take-home message is that one size does not fit all
here. I'm not in any way suggesting that those who benefit from more time
doing shorter distances should not do so. I'm only saying that it is not
responsible to suggest that that is how ALL horses need to be brought
along.
