ridecamp@endurance.net: Newbies and Attire

Newbies and Attire

David Bennett (benamil@juno.com)
Thu, 17 Jul 1997 00:20:14 EDT

Although it may not have come across well, there seems to be some wisdom
in what Kat had to say about horse and rider attire. Apart from some
basic stuff, the things that one may wear or carry while doing the Tevis
are likely not the same as what Glenda will find is optimum in southern
Alabama.

One pleasant thing I learned very quickly (by doing rides as Kat is
suggesting) is that there are no hard and fast rules about what is
"proper" for an endurance rider and his/her horse. Of course there are
some definite things that you hope most people will not have to learn the
hard way. However, many clothing and equipment details are personal
preference options based on what is comfortable and benefits the rider
and/or horse. You just have to experiment to see what is best for you.
It took over a year's time for my personal 'system' to evolve so that it
works well for me. Since then it has stayed essentially the same.

For example, I learned that jeans with inseams can be *pure hell* and
loose sweats don't do much better. Either can work for short training
rides, however, if I also wear half chaps. Tights are very comfortable
and I don't need a mounting block like I would if I were wearing
tight-fitting jeans that don't let my knees bend! Water bottles are
probably excess weight on the first loop of a ride but I'd better have
several along with my fanny pack-bottle holder for the remainder of the
ride. Although I almost never wear one on a training ride, it is a good
idea for me to use an elastic back support during long competitions.
This helps shorten my recovery time by reducing the 'day after
competition' soreness. Others might find a totally different system that
works for them.

This system/routine thing holds true for the horse as well. Vet checks
go much smoother if we have everything organized and do it essentially
the same way at every check/ride. I do a lot of rides without benefit of
a crew. Having everything together and knowing what to do and in what
order is very important for efficiency. The routine is also very
comforting for the horse and mine are even able to nap a few minutes
after vetting through and eating/drinking because everything goes pretty
much as they expect it to go. This did not happen just because I read
how to do it - but that does help get you started. Most of it came by
going to rides and changing things over time as we learned what worked
and what did not while we were competing. Yet, I am amazed to see many
people going in circles at vet checks because they cannot find something
they need.

So, go to some rides and have fun - and learn what works for you!

Dave Bennett
Ben Amil & Rocketeer
Chickamauga, Georgia
email: benamil@juno.com

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