 |
RE: [RC] Being Forced to Do An LD - David LeBlancI don't completely agree here. Our retired mare did a whole bunch of very fast, mostly top-10 LD with my wife over several years (pre-1995, so won't show in the history). I started riding her in 1999. In 2000, we took her out on a 60, and it completely rearranged her attitudes. All it took was _one_ ride to show her a whole new world, and we did slow 50's (excepting one) and 75's the rest of the year. I had about the same experience with Laser - he started with LD, and he's a very good horse - put him in an LD ride, he'll be up there. I can do 6 hour 50's or I can do 10 hour 50's - my choice (and his - if he feels lazy that day, we just go slow). Last week, we put a child on the horse for her first slow LD ride. Very next day, I rode him in a quick 30. Earlier the same week, we did a slow 50 and a slow 60. We taught the horse to ride the ride we ask him to do. IMHO, it's also up to the rider to pace the horse the way they want it done (yes, easier said than done sometimes). There's nothing that says you have to zoom through an LD. I don't think the distance teaches them to go fast - the _rider_ teaches them to go fast. Same rider can teach them to go slow. Your 30 milers at home didn't ruin the horse, so why should a 30 at a ride be any different? Once I looked up Karen Chatton's record, noticed an alternating pattern of really fast and really slow rides, and asked her about it - she told me that she wanted the horse to always listen to her and not pre-suppose what a ride should be. I think that's a very smart approach. BTW, here's an idea on how to amend the rule they're talking about that might make it more palatable. If you have more than some large number of miles or rides (say 1000, maybe 3000 - something), then we figure you have enough experience to decide how to start your horse, and you can start with 50's if you want. I do understand there would still be exceptions - I rode with one earlier this year. -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dabney Finch Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 1:57 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Being Forced to Do An LD I absolutely agree with Maryben. I have done at least several 30 milers at home before I take a horse to his first 50. I think the way Lew Hollander does--25s just teach them they can go fast because it's so short. For the same reason, once they start getting comfortable (or cocky) with 50s I want them to do a slow 100 to remind them to take care of themselves. (Orzo was a handful at the start of a 50 following Cuyama (short 50s), but after doing Swanton Pacific 110, he was a gentleman at the start of his next ride!) ----- Original Message ----- From: <Merryben@xxxxxxx> To: <AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 1:01 PM Subject: Re: [AERC-Members] Miinutes of the AERC BoD Conf Call Meeting OnlineHoward, I may have to come out there and beat you with awet rider card. I don't want to do LD rides...........yet. I may start a new horse this year at the DVE multi day. I have done 2 LD rides for various reasons but prefer to start with 50. I ride 30 miles to condition, I don't need to ride 25 to start a horse's career. Luckily, I have never had a horse in trouble but that doesn't mean it won't happen and it could happen on an LD ride as easily as any other............mb =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|