Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I almost always sing when I'm riding Mazzie solo (I promise those of you in 
the GLDRA area, if you end up riding with me on a ride this season, I will 
NOT sing - I do not have a very good voice). After my accident, I would 
often get nervous on solo rides, and a friend suggested singing to regular 
my breathing (you can't hold your breath and sing at the same time). Works 
wonders for my nerves. I take my favorite songs and make up new lyrics that 
include Mazzie's name - she seems to appreciate being the center of 
attention.

As an aside, does anyone else ride a talker? I don't mean a horse that 
neighs or winnies, I mean a grumbler. Mazzie does this low grumble/grunt 
kind of thing when we are out trail riding (she does it occasionally during 
arena work, but it is much more noticable on trail). I used to think it was 
just her, but apparently there are certain Morgan bloodlines known for this 
trait. When I'm not singing, Mazzie and I often carry on a conversation - 
she starts grumbling, I start talking to her, she grumbles in resonse... 
I've noticed if I talk back to her, she talks even more. I swear, some times 
she is telling me a story - she'll really get talky when we pass certain 
spots on the trail (almost like "remember last time when that pack of 
beagles came racing down the trail next to use?"). Very entertaining for 
those riding with us. At the very least, keeps both of us from getting silly 
and spooky, because we are focused on each other.

Karen and Mazzie, the talker.

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The very essence of our sport is doing the trail as quickly as practicable,
while keeping one's horse fit to continue.  Taking the clock out of the
equation makes it another sport altogether.  The challenge is how to keep
the sport what it is while honing our skills (both as riders and as those
in control roles) in detecting where "the edge" is for each horse so that
we don't cross it. 
~  Heidi Smith
ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/

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