Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

In a message dated 12/12/03 10:35:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
rides2far@xxxxxxxx writes:

<< 
I'm sure there's some good stuff about CT. but monitoring of the horse's 
condition, in my opinion is not superior to endurance rides.

Angie
 >>

I know how you feel about NATRC, as you have posted on this before. <g> 
Since I ride both NATRC, OAATS (ctr) and AERC, I really get a good look at 
all sides of the sport of distance riding. It is true that NATRC tends to line 
up the horses at the P/R checks, and rarely at water.  The smart riders carry 
horse cooling water with them. There is no rule that says you can't sponge your 
horse, it is encouraged, but the P/Rs just don't seem to happen at a water 
spot.  And, you would be surprised at how that little fan, or saddle blanket 
will cool a wet, hot horse. Endurance riders could learn a thing or two about 
how 
to get the pulse down also. It becomes an art form in NATRC. <g> Strategy is 
also a big part of competing in NATRC. I will admit that some die hard NATRC 
riders, even the Open riders are very resistant to new things, Hand Held Heart 
monitors for one, and rarely do I see anyone using an on board HM. And, mostly 
they can't believe that you can ride your horse safely at more than 6mph. 
Here in the SE, or Region 5 in NATRC, I've never ridden in Open at more than 
5.5 
mph. That includes really easy rides. Most of the NATRC rides in the SE, 
though are what they like to call challenging. . .<g> and 5 mph can be pushing 
it. 
The trouble with riding both AERC and NATRC is having a horse so fit that even 
the tough NATRC trails are paced way too slow. Still it is good discipline 
for both of us, and I wouldn't trade the knowledge I've learned though the 
years 
of riding NATRC for anything. Mostly, it comes down to attention to detail. 
We grumble about the 'judging' part of it and sometimes, as in any subjective 
POV, the judges do get it wrong, but it sure makes the rider aware of his/her 
horse and the way it is being handled at every level.
Making the horses stand so close together isn't a good idea, and is usually 
at the urging of the PR captain, so as to not string horse so far up and down 
the trail. Any smart rider makes his horse safe in any situation. Only once 
have I had a dangerous situation occur at a NATRC ride, can't say that for the 
AERC rides.
Did you notice how well the horses were behaved during the check-in and outs? 
If someone isn't able to handle their horse safely, then they are politely 
told how to do so by someone. I have even seen a vet judge and RM ask a rider 
to 
pull themselves out of a ride before she even checked in. The mare was a 
basket case, and was presenting a real danger to everyone including the owner. 
I've seen horses acting that same exact way with the handler not in control at 
all, at and endurance ride, go right on and check in, scattering everyone in 
her 
path. Even kicked out and came within a hair's breath of hitting another 
innocent person in the head. Whew. . .
As to monitoring the horses metabolics during the ride. Only a few times have 
the vets not done a met. check during the ride. Almost always my horse has 
been checked at least once during the ride. I've always felt the vets are on 
top 
of my horses welfare.
The only thing I have yet to truly understand in riding NATRC is why we are 
required to progress forward during the last two miles, yet there is no vet 
check when we cross the finish line. I've been told it to teach one to pace 
one's 
self. But, gracious, I've done that all day, and usually have to wait at the 
two mile marker, still. . . Also, as RM, the rule that all PR checks be out on 
the trail is a real hassle. But, guess that is just my own grumble. . .<g>

Janice ~ SE (AREC), R5 (NATRC)

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