Re: [RC] [RC] The Numbers Are Running Against Us - Truman Prevatt
You can divide trail riders into a few categories. First is the QH crew
that think a 10 mile all day ride is the cat's meow. Then there is the
walker crew that tend to move much faster than the QH's but a little
slower than a trot of a trotting horse such as a saddlebred, Arab, TB,
etc.
Trying to ride and intermix these paces usually leads to frustration
for all - which is the main reason I ride alone. I used to try. With my
walker an Arab would have to jog to keep up with her walk, but the trot
would be a little faster than her walk. Then I would throw her into an
easly lope which would be faster than the trot but slower than the
trotting horse canter. Then I'd throw her into a canter and she would
be faster than the trotting horse canter. We'd usually end up in a full
gallop where I would say bye- bye (the TB blood in some walkers -
especially mine - is quite strong).
Trying to ride together cross breed just didn't seem to work. So I
don't do it any more. In fact I usually ride alone even when I'm on an
Arab - it's just easier.
Truman
Howard Bramhall wrote:
It certainly is
regional. When I ride up in Tennessee, this group of riders I have
been hanging out with up there all ride Tennessee Walkers. I'm the
only one on an Arabian horse. For endurance riders, our trail riding
might be a little boring (we do a lot of walking), but, considering the
climbing, descending and all of those rocks in those mountains, well,
it's rare to be able to canter.
I don't argue breeds with these folks. It's quite obvious to me they
have already made up their minds and I'm having difficulty selling them
endurance although I'm hoping to be able to get a few to witness
Biltmore since it's close to where they live. For them, the Walker is
the best, and since my Arabs have to walk/trot (a little)/walk/trot (a
little) to keep up with them, they're all kinda wondering what is so
darn hot about Arabs anyway. "Your horse don't walk fast at all," one
of them said to me. Actually, the more I ride with these people, the
better he's getting.
It's only when I take the lead on the trail where I can show them what
my horse can do. But, the funny thing is, when my Arab and I get way
ahead of the pack after awhile we end up waiting for them to catch up
to us. "Don't those horses have any other gait?" I say to myself. I
end up putting my horse at the rear of the line since our running ahead
seems to be a bit rude (hey, I'm the new guy here, don't want them to
catch on to that aspect of my personality the very first day).
Darn right it's regional, in fact, it's a state thing. And, in eastern
Tennessee and the western mountains of North Carolina, Walkers rule. I
doubt if me moving there will change a thing but if I can get a few of
them to the Biltmore (and, hopefully not have any horses on bags that
paticular day) we might get some more Walkers into the sport. I doubt
if any of them will change their minds about breeding.
cya,
Howard
-- "It is necessary to be noble, and yet take humility as a basis
"It
is necessary to be noble, and yet
take humility as a basis.
It is necessary
to be exalted, and yet take modesty as a foundation."
