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Re: [RC] training - FXLivestock

In a message dated 11/09/2008 9:21:53 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, nutzo4horses@xxxxxxxxx writes:
think even the best trained horses are subject to "losing their marbles" with that level of excitement.  Don't forget, they often mirror their riders and I'm sure they were all extremely excited as well, and I'm sure the tension was pretty thick.

 
 
I wasn't going to even comment on the training issue but after reading some of the posts I am going to give my perspective because I ride a horse that has major control issues at the start. He is a really successful horse (9 out of 11 100 mile completions, 2007 National 100 mile award winner, 5th in the 2007 National BC championship, and 2007 AHA  High Point 100 mile pure bred).  I am not mentioning his accomplishments to brag but to emphasize he has been very successful at a competitive level  AND  he has issues that I would never put up with if he were a less talented horse. 
 
First, I think it is wrong to make the assumption that you can "train" each and every horse to be perfect at the start.  I don't believe that.  I think some horses are hard wired a certain way and in certain circumstances they are going to fall back on that default behavior regardless of how much training they have had.  In my situation with Ben, the key is finding ways to manage this particular weakness.  With most training and conditioning situations, you try to simulate "race" conditions in training.  Unfortunately, it is difficult to simulate the energy/stress levels that would or could be present at the start of a ride at this level. 
 
Before going down the road and making the blanket statement that "all horses should or could be trained to be perfect at a start", I would want to know if these horses displayed any of the behavior/recovery patterns before or was this just out of the blue.  If the riders and coaches knew that particular horses had issues, what was done to mitigate or manage these issues so they would not be as much of an issue on race day? Even with the best management techniques and coping skill behaviors in place sometimes *hit just happens.  
 
 In my situation with my horse, I have found ways to be very successful in competition without letting him run at a full gallop in the front or be a danger to others.  Yet, there have been times when absolutely no management or coping skill would have made a difference.  Does this mean I should not be competing with this horse?  I certainly don't think so.  But I would love to know if this kind of start is typical at the WEC level and if the horses having problems had a history of this.  If they did, what types of management techniques were used to mitigate this weakness?  Some horses are so talented that you do try to find ways to manage excitement/stress issues.  The question is, if management strategies were put in place, why they did not work, and how can you make improvements or adjustments to minimize in the future.
 
Just the opinion of someone who has huge starting line issues.
 
Kim Fuess
AERC #6648