However, in the real world I have found this not always so easy to do. I
have been almost fanatical about taking it easy up and walking down
anything that even resembles a hill as I bring Tony back. Then I go to a
ride and am the 5th horse in a string of about 9 going down a single-track
trail (_nowhere_ to pull over) and the whole group is merrily trotting down
a hill - not a big one and not a fast trot but not what I have been doing
on my own. Theoretically, I would pull up and walk down as that's how I
train. But, now, this would cause those behind me to go my pace with no way
around for quite a ways and would be literally impossible on Tony anyway as
he is very much a group horse - esp. the first 10 miles or so (which is a
training issue I know and not the point of this post). So....I find in
those instances I end up, kind of by default, doing what the group is doing
- sometimes against my better judgement.
Now, I'm not talking about being caught up in a mad race down a steep hill
-I would do whatever I had to to get out of that. I'm talking about ending
up going a little differently that you would if you were alone.
Are all of you as adamant about walking up and walking/jogging down even at
a ride in a situation like this - or am I just the only one to admit it?
:-)
Tina & Tony (you're not leaving me behind to fight those falling leaves alone!)
hickst@nichols.com