Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> On Sat, 15 Feb 2003 19:26:38 EST, Marinera@xxxxxxx wrote:
> >I have always wondered whether it is better to walk or trot to the 
> finish if:
> >
> >1. It is a very hot day
> >2. You have 8 or 10 miles to go to the finish line
> >3. There is no water between where you are and the finish.
> >4. You feel your horse is tired.

Hi Julie:  Well, I'll be a little different in my answer than most 
people.  If I feel that my horse is tired (then, he probably is), I am NOT 
going to keep trotting a tired horse in the heat.  If my horse is tired 
with 8 or 10 miles left to go to the finish then I have made a mistake and 
failed on that particular day.  I would get off and walk on foot until the 
horse recovered.

I have seen at least one rider continue trotting a tired horse on a hot day 
and I've seen that horse go down on the ground.  Why take the chance just 
to hurry and get in.  The rider of that horse was fairly experienced (more 
so than I was at the time) and they didn't think the horse was tired (it 
still wanted to go, so it couldn't possibly have been tired). :+>   I don't 
think enough people know the difference, even some that are experienced.  I 
might not even know the difference, and if I am questioning it then we will 
walk, maybe stop under some shade if any is available.  With my horses, if 
they are tired acting or looking, then I know something is wrong.  They are 
running at a deficit in some way.

Karen
& horses w/ 12,000 miles between them (and ZERO metabolic issues)





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