Several of us sat at the vetcheck under pile of horse blankets waiting for
the 100 milers to come in to the finish - it was getting cooler and they
would come in steaming, warm so we shared the blanket pile for each as they
needed and after they would vet thru they would send blankets back for the
next horse. I watched the BC vet thrus - that was fun. Pat murray and her
horse both looked great as well as most of the horses actually. Ono
Lawrence's horse looked like he was ready to go out again as he drug her
around walking out & waiting for his turn to vet thru. Lots of 100's on that
ride! It was great! How inspiring to see 30 + on a local ride on that dist!
It was a 8 hr haul for us, but I would do it again.
I noted the post about controlling speed - that's a good qst. Any answers
anyone? I was registered to do a 50 mi at Sunriver but moved to the 25 late
Fri night for the team I ride on needed 1 more on the 25. (3 to complete
each distance) We had 4 riders on the 100, 3 on the 50 and with my move to
the 25 - 3 on the 25. Back to the speed qst -
I have been working my horse (Motown) back of the pack. tailend 50's a few
times middle of the pack. Getting ready to try and move to our first 75 -
but finding a pace that he will relax at has been near impossible. He wants
to go, of course, fast like all our crazy endurance horses. Personally I
think to fast for where he is set mentally wise which is why I keep him
paced. We've tried several things, starting out after everyone up to 15 min
later. Staying behind at vet checks. Circling on the trail to let others
get ahead and speeding up to pull away to ride alone, or trying to follow
along with someone elses speed, which he truly hates cuz' then he's not
picking his speed.
The SunRIver Ride, since it was only 25 and SWEET TRAIL, tempature was approx
62 and light mist - no heat problem - I thought we'ld try going out with the
front horses and instead of trying to fight him back let him push 'thru' his
speed and he'ld tire and I would monitor and then he'ld have learned
something new, at least in his head - didn't happen - I found that letting
him go ahead, he was a happy camper, no buck, no pull, no fight, he answered
everytime I cued - no arguement. For the first time ever.
He followed along, wanted in front absolutely, but responded when I said no
during the trail. Allowing him to do this speed was new for us for the
whole dist, & I didn't want him hurt. I figured I'ld listen & he would tell
me. He rode his "window" the whole time. I didn't spend any horse, which
amazed me. They truly do more than we give them credit for. He Never let
the first horse out of sight until we crossed the end line with them. (fast
for our normal ride, I didn't know the time until after we finished & someone
told us - in at 1 hr 45 min)
He wasn't alone, he was happy, he never pushed himself. Physically he looked
like he had hardly been out, ran a low bpm
but that kind of speed isn't what we train for, so now I could be in for a
bear of an argument when we go out and he might think he can canter along all
the time.
The other problem for us, was with giving him room to go faster, he actually
wanted more. He came in and fought and pranced around at the vet check,
which didn't allow him to pulse to 68 right away, although he did in a few
minutes. He didn't want to sit still and kept pulling at us to head down the
trail. The others with us did their job beautifully and didn't move, hung
their head and pulsed down quietly. He still has lots to learn.
Love to hear what others think about when to allow speed - how much fight to
allow or different game plan to work thru it to find that 'just right' pace
-- especially the 100 milers - it is SOOOO different for that distance and
I'm trying to think for my horse and what's best for him.
Also - electrolytes mixed in applesauce - how long will the mixture stay good
if you don't use that day? Next day?
May we all ride Safe and Sound -
Wendy Rude (& MOTOWN)
Washington state