ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: starting the older horse

Re: starting the older horse

TrotALongK@aol.com
Tue, 29 Apr 1997 13:39:57 -0400 (EDT)

My friend has a 21yr old TB mare that she took on her first (!) 25 mile ride
in January (Warner Hot Springs near San Diego). Not only did she come in
among the first 10 or 15 (there were over 50 entries for the 25er) but she
also won second best condition!!!
This horse has done pretty much anything a Thoroughbred can do: Race Horse,
broodmare, hunter over fences, team penning... and a lot of trail miles.
She's also been sound all her life except for a case of false ringbone (I
think) a few years ago.
When her owner took her to the Ride she just wanted to give her "old" mare
one last challenge (since she's still full of energy) with the goal to finish
within the given 6 hours. We started late together but lost sight of each
other soon. After the vet check half way down the trail my friends horse had
figured out what this was all about and really got into it.
Supprised and encouraged by her horses great shape my friend has continued
conditioning since January and is planning on doing more Rides. Since she's
new to Endurance herself though she's a little concerned not to overdue it
with this aged horse. Therefore my friend (who doesn't have a computer) would
like to hear from anybody who has experience with older horses, especially
those who have not had any previouse Endurance experience. What are the main
problems you need to watch out for? And is there any special feeding and
conditioning programm that you would recommend? ]
Kirsten

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