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[RC] re: Why do you do this? - Cindy CollinsHowever, I believe the majority of riders involved in this sport love and care for their horses. Frank S. It's like describing snow to someone on a desert island...To me if is an almost "mystical" experience (forgive me, Lauren) to train and ride a horse on a one day 100 miler over some of the most beautiful country in the world. The feeling when I cross that finish line with a horse still moving forward eagerly with his/her ears pricked forward is just undescribable. Of course, they are tired. They are flesh and blood, but that doesn't mean that they are being abused. I've seen horses ridden on 5 mile trail rides that were exhausted because they were not in any shape as all, that's abuse. Trotting along in the darkness (when I'm not puking) with the stars shining (and the company of friends like Frank Solano, who I quoted above) is rewarding beyond belief. I've never competed on a horse who hated the sport for more than a ride or two. Like Julie S., I've figured out that some just didn't like the sport and found them a different career with some one else. If you think that horses don't love this sport, then you've never seen horses like Khalil, Rio, Easter Charm, Crystal Rock, any of the Duck's Bezatal mares, come across the finish line. They LOVED what they were doing. There are many others, too, but when I shut my eyes I can see these horses moving with all the "attitude" they possessed. For myself, I have completed several marathons and an ultra. I'm very slow, but "to finish is to win". However, I'm not such a snob that I think that someone who is unable to run should be banned from my sport. At this point in my life, I also take dressage and jumping lessons on my endurance horses, but that's not possible for everyone. Yes, there are always examples of people flopping about on their horses with no skills that make me grit my teeth and wish they would go take some lessons, but part of my joy in this sport is that it is so darn free...and like our country's freedoms, there will always be abuses to watch out for, but not at the cost of destroying what we love. I think you need to hang out with some different endurance riders. I know I came late to this discussion, but I just couldn't stop myself from responding. Thank you for listening. Cindy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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