Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

In a message dated 12/15/2004 7:22:43 AM Central Standard Time, rene.acker@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> the 2 most important
> things I learned was:
>
>   Remember to have fun with this, it doesn't have to be a job.  If you
>   only ride weekends and then want to do a 25 miler, you should have no
>   problem, just don't be in a hurry to finish; "ride your own ride".
>   (This is exactly why I'm interested in endurance, I'm tired of
>   showing/competing)
>   Your horse should be prepared for the terrain it will encounter on a
>   ride, so if your going to the mountains, yes, you should be riding your
>   horse on like terrain as much as possible, but "flat work" will still
>   help keep your horse fit.


Sounds like you picked up the important stuff.  :)  And when you do your LDs, as several other folks have said, then *those* rides become conditioning rides as well.  :)   Just don't let your horse's brain control the pace.  Horses will tell you they're in shape to go faster at a ride than you've been doing during conditioning.  They're lying.  Ride like you condition, and you'll get there.  

Dawn