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Re: [RC] Endurance - poorly trained horses/riders? - Lynne Glazer

If you're the first to agree with a poster ("me too"), is it a violation of the Ridecamp Oath? Dang, Frank, that is so well said.

Beginning of the season, with 2 rides completed last week, I've been assessing where my coming 9 yr old gelding is developmentally in order to semi-plan the year's activities. Since he hadn't done anything but drag/unmark half a ride since last spring, I just had not fully realized how much the year's flatwork and "trailssage" had prepared him for efficient travel in competition. He had so much more "bottom" than I expected, that I'm still gasping a little at the possibilities, including 100s. And I was barely sore even despite the amount of reining him back that was necessary. :-P Today he saw the chiro for the 2nd time in a year, and almost didn't need it--and no sore spots anywhere from the saddle or girth. :-) Cautious optimism--still getting him dialed in metabolically in terms of ridecamp food varieties (could eat more...hoovers in the vet checks though.) If luck is when preparation meets opportunity, we might have a good year.

Lynne
the plan, the plan! Ride the multidays and shoot the singles--see some of you at Warner Springs!


On Jan 4, 2006, at 4:10 PM, DVeritas@xxxxxxx wrote:

Okay, "partially-trained" horses can successfully do some distance riding.
"Partially-trained" riders can successfully do some distance riding.


Now, when a rider starts "campaigning" a horse, be it at the Limited Distance riding level, or Endurance Riding level, the partially-trained horse will suffer it's training.

It is a truth I've seen time and time again. A misstep on the trail, by a tired horse, who has had benefit of proper gymnastic work, legging up, etc., be it on the trail or in an arena, will result in injury on fewer occasions than the same misstep by a "partially-trained" horse who hasn't had benefit of focused and purposeful strength-building, elasticity-building exercise and rider management.

I love a horse who jumps into the trailer and is eager to go somewhere and do something. I love a horse who can stand tied to a trailer for long periods of time. I love a horse who can go down the trail with manners and without being a danger to anyone around it. Who wouldn't love and treasure a horse like that.

But, in fairness to the horse, Endurance Riding/Racing is the type of endeavor if you're going to ask it of the horse, give it the benefit of true preparation, conditioning and focused management.

Anything short of that is just not fair to the endurance horse...who aspires to the simplest of all goals...to live without undue pain, fear or anxiety, while simultaneously trying to do its job of being a reliable, sound saddle horse.

This is not a topic which should engender defensiveness on the part of riders, but more a topic which should be discussed with the welfare of the horse in mind.

Gosh...
  Frank Solano
  AERC #8422





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Replies
Re: [RC] Endurance - poorly trained horses/riders?, DVeritas