Re: The extended trot
Reynolds, Nikki (jakar@aiinc.com)
Sun, 05 Jan 1997 09:07:31 -0800
ROBERT J MORRIS wrote:
>
> -- [ From: ROBERT J MORRIS * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
>
> Linda:
>
> You stated:
>
> <<I what I concur with totally, is that you must have a foundation on your
> horse of classical training, if you want your horse to last using any of the
> lengthened gaits.>>
>
> While the "classical training" may be of some benefit I do not believe that
> this is the proper way to go about conditioning an endurance horse to extend
> its trot.
>
> In my not so humble opinion (I have reached the age where-in I do not have
> to be humble any more) The reason that you, and many others, resort to the
> "classical training" is that you do not RIDE ride your horses as they are
> capable of being ridden. Also you do not condition your horses to be ridden
> in the manner they are capable of.
>
> It is necessary, in order to be competitive, to ride to the capability of
> the horse!!! To do this you must continually challenge your partner by
> riding on difficult terrain. To ride on roads, flat ground, prepared trails
> and such is doing the TRUE endurance horse a great dis-service. You should
> seek out rough terrain, plowed fields, rocky trails, steep hills and true
> cross-country routes. In this way, the horse learns how to handle its body
> with you in the saddle. Even at a walk the horse is testing its muscles and
> senses to the utmost. Work in the ring, no matter at what level, can never
> equate to work cross-country in rough country.
>
> This opinion is based on more than 26,000 miles of endurance competition
> with our horses. Of these miles 96% are top ten completions! Longevity can
> be measured with horses with 8,000 miles, 5,000 miles, 3,000 miles and
> others with one or two thousand. And all are still going strong.
>
> While the use of Dressage or the like can help, it can never be a substitute
> for the actual TRUE conditioning done properly on the trail and cross-
> country.
>
> Bob Morris
> Morris Endurance enterprises
> Boise, ID
Hi Bob,
I'd like to add to your message on trail training. It should be
mentioned that entering into such training should be done very slowly if
your horse has been used for mostly flat going. The added stress on
joints and ligaments in rough terrain requires that the rider add speed
in slow increments. Not to mention, that you could end up underneath a
horse inexperienced in body balancing in the boonies!