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Re: [RC] methods to encourage drinking in ridecamp - Suzi Maiorisi

Regarding the buddy thing...is that the norm?  Holly and I have done several trail rides - nothing endurance/ld yet, but we're getting there - with my sister and her QH.  Holly LOVES my sisters horse.  She lived briefly with my sister when I first got her last year (1 month) and has been here with me alone since with dogs/chickens for friends.  Every ride I've done with her the 'bond' has gotten worse to the point that she totally blew up at the last ride we did together in March.  I've worried that she'll be a space case tied to the trailer alone at a 'real' ride as my sister can't be convinced to go this distance, even tho we've done 25 miles at a walk/occasional trot on one of our trail rides in 8 hours with a ridiculous amount of 'breaks' and 1 hour lunch.  Do they settle more if their buddy isn't there?
Thanks,
Suzi and buddysour Holly
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] methods to encourage drinking in ridecamp

> Now that I've purchased something I must return- (Equi-ade), I need to
> get ideas of how to encourage my horse to drink in camp so he's got a
> full tank on race day. Anyone have a very excited pony who can't focus
> on taking care of himself in ridecamp? I already have a buddy in camp
> with him, but this hasn''t proven to help him take care of himself any
> better.

Do rides.  Do SLOOOOOOW rides.  Do LOOOOONG rides.  Get him used to the
concept that it is gonna be a LOOOONG day out there.

I've seen several that did not get the idea to relax in camp until they
either did multidays (so that they were tired, hungry, and THIRSTY in
camp), or until they did longer distances (may mean 50 miles, may mean 75
miles) so that they did not perceive the upcoming day as being a lark.

And by doing SLOW miles with them, they have a longer and thirstier day,
which makes them think about it a lot more the next time--but also does
not risk overriding them if they are dehydrated.

The buddy thing can backfire sometimes--have you always had a buddy with
this horse?  I am riding a horse now that was a nervous nellie to start
with, and always had a buddy in camp because hubby was riding him at rides
where I was riding another horse.  I was really pleased to see how much
BETTER he was by himself--I was dreading it, but it was actually a big
improvement.

Heidi


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Doesn't mean we won't go on trying to get better at what we do. Besides, if
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Replies
[RC] methods to encourage drinking in ridecamp, Jerry & Susan Milam
Re: [RC] methods to encourage drinking in ridecamp, heidi