Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I'm now convinced that 50 miles is easier to do than 25 miles.  I had read that, but never believed it <G> until I started doing 50's.  Then, it occurred to me, I am so much more relaxed and feel less pressure to finish on time (usually) on 50's than doing 25's.

 

So, your idea of starting horses doing 50's does make sense to me.  My horse did some 25's before we did our first 50, and when we finished the first loop of the 50, he thought we were through.  He's now adjusting to the longer distances, but in some ways I wish I had just started him on 50's so he would "know" that he's going to be out there longer.

 

Carla Richardson

Colorado

 

On 5/29/08, Cindy Collins <c_collins@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Ah, Ed and Truman...isn't it wonderful when we worthless old timers agree on something :)

 

BTW, my best newbie advice, which I realize most people cannot do, is to start a horse on XP style "Duck" rides.  They are laid back.  The starts are incredibly sane.  The horses that are there are mostly very experienced and will "teach" your horse that it's no big deal, just keep moving steadily down the trail.  They learn that you may get back on them the next day, so they'd better drink, eat and sleep when possible, etc.

 

Of course, my REAL downfall as an endurance rider is that I never start my horses on anything but 50 milers...:)  And, I started one horse on a 100 (OMG)!  Although I no longer own her, she, btw, has over 1900 miles, competed for about 8 years and is a healthy, loved horse.  Cindy