ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] tailing, standing, posting
Re: [endurance] tailing, standing, posting
HorseWorks@aol.com
Sat, 9 Mar 1996 19:52:11 -0500
Roger -
My first hundred was wonderful!! You should try it!! At about 80 miles the
vet asked how things were going and I replied, "Great, this is so much fun!"
and with a twinkle in his eye he mumbled "As if you had good sense..." Doing
a 100-miler is all in the attitude (and of course the conditioned horse...but
we're just talking the rider's mentality here). I ride from one check to the
next, never thinking about how far the entire ride is. Focus may be a good
word. Focus on the now and what you can do to help your horse and yourself
every step of the way. I get so focused it is all over before I know it!
(Except it was hard to focus at 11 pm when my batteries went dead on my
headlamp! It was a bit spooky out there, as a matter of fact. Sure glad my
friend's light worked!)
I ride mostly 2-point, occassionaly post for a little variety. I practice
centered riding and loose in the joints, hips, knees, ankles to help absorb
the shock rather than pounding on the horse's back. Donna Snyder-Smith is
fabulous at getting lessons across and has helped me tremendously.
Tailing wakes up your own muscles - you know how they can become numb and
stiff. Tailing is rewarding - especially after you manage to struggle back
up on your horse after a long haul up a hill.
If my horse needs to walk (because of terrain or to rest a little) I get off
and walk. It helps me stay alert. It rejuvenants the rider's body.
GenieSS