I have been riding competitive since 1970.
Yes in the mid 70s I was on a ride in which 2 horses died. One on trail,
and the other back at camp. And about 10 more were treated with
fluids. Both were because of stupidity of the owners and the fact that the
heat index was way out of sight. It simply was lack of knowledge, the game
was new then. But in the 80s, I saw another horse basically founder after
a 3 day 100, again in fairly high temps. The owner refused treatment
because she wanted her completion and a week later the horse died at home.
So it can happen on competitive too. It is true that most of the time one
doesn't see it as horses go at a more reasonable pace. But these horses
were not fit to do what they did. So the main idea behind the pulse
suggestion applies to competitive too. I have ridden under ECTRA rules,
Ohio rules, IAHA rules, and now UMECRA rules. We do go a tad faster than
most NATRAC rules, maybe 7 mph. But as far as I can see, competitive and
endurance are basically the same except for those in endurance who run in the
front. One HAS to have the horse conditioned for the distance no
matter how fast one chooses to go. I like to start my guys in competitive
because it is a more reasonable pace and is wonderful training for the
horse, but the homework must be done. Besides, that little devil doesn't
do any good sitting on my shoulder. If the horse can't recover reasonably
in the 10 minutes, then the homework of conditioning was not done. Jeanie
