[RC] Happy Newbies Horse and Rider, Part 2 - Dean A. Conti
(Part 2)
What more could happen? How about Jimmy loosing a front shoe
minutes later (on the same side as the problem stirrup), and not having an
EasyBoot (forgot to put the darn thing in the cantle bag). But never fear, Jill
again to the rescue! I never saw this wonderful person before she passed me
halfway through the second loop. Yet here she was off her horse and offering me
her EasyBoot as the other riders continued on. She stayed until it was fitted
and then we continued on, reclaiming our positions in the ride. I dismounted
and we ran side by side the last couple hundred yards to the finish (if I was
the horse, I would have been pulled in an instant). Jimmy needed 10 minutes to
pulse down, giving us a 3:12 ride time. He did
the drink/eat/poop/pee thing well, so we did a light 10 mile ride the next day
before going home.
Questions:
1) The farrier has noticed that Jimmies feet are not growing
that fast (and he tends to throw shoes). He has not had any lameness problems
(yet), but I am concerned. He wears shoes year round since we ride during the
winter. The horses get Eastern Washington timothy
hay, Strategy grain and salt supplements year round, and plenty of Western
Washington pasture from April to November (mud the rest of the year).
What supplements have others used that best helps promote hoof growth?
2) I got my Vet and BC cards back and suppose I should be
able to learn something about my horse from the pre/post ride deltas and
overall score (596). How can I learn from them?
3) How different will my horse react when we do a ride on a
warmer/hot/humid day?
4) How should I work electrolytes into my program as I work
up to a 50 miler, and hopefully a 100 miler?
5) How much more cautious should I be with Jimmy since he is
a Quarterhorse as opposed to an Arab?
6) Jimmy lightly clipped the inside of his hind legs (at the
fetlock?). What is the best boot/wrap to protect this area (the vet said it was
fairly common problem), that won’t cause chafing?
Lessons I learned:
1) Stop and help someone if they need it. Your turn needing
assistance is just around the corner.
2) If you know something is wrong with your equipment, fix
it. The stirrup had come off once before. Even though it is coming off because
I am not a smooth enough a rider, it needs to be fixed so it CAN NOT fall off.
3) Ask questions. Everyone was very polite and informative.
All were happy to share regardless of how ridiculous the question. This is good
since I knew nothing (and at least now I know very little, which is an
improvement).
4) Listen to your horse and pay attention to what he is
trying to tell you.
5) There is nothing like banking through the curves on a
nice soft single track trail that wanders through the forest. Just be certain
to stay on the same side of the tree as your horse (At least I managed that).
6) Find a mentor. Erwin has graciously passed on what he has
learned from the Kanavys, which made a big difference for me.
7) Have fun!
So we thank EVERYONE on RC for spending their valuable time
to share their knowledge and appreciation for this sport and their concern for
the welfare of the horse. While the temperature on RC has gotten quite high at
times, there is still plenty of wonderful information for us Newbies out here.
So please don’t get discouraged and sign off, even if the discussions get
a little raucous or personal. Remember that it is the horse that will
ultimately bear the cost of an information void.
Cheers!
Dean (with a 2 week old, large AREC# 33370 and sliding back
into the shadows)
