Re: New Horse

[owens <owensall@sierranet.net>]

Angie Orr wrote:
> 
> Hi again!!  Thank you everyone for you great comments.  I guess the
> general consensus is to only train 3 days a week.  I definately do not
> want to make the mistake of overconditioning.  I was just going by what
> the AERC manual on the website had under beginning to condition the
> endurance horse.  I guess this must apply to horses who have been
> resting over the winter and were already in condition last season.
> Anyways I will plan the condition only 3 times a week and maybe go on
> one slow ride a week.  Not that I'm going to go fast when conditioning
> :) just that my boyfriend, who wants to ride with me some, has never
> been on a horse so it'll be slow!!!  Thanks again for your help.  If
> anyone has any more comments keep them coming.
> 
> Angie
Dear Angie;
My advice to someone just getting a new horse:  walk, walk, and walk
some more!  I don't mean ambling, I mean really a nice, working
walk...practice getting somewhere at a serious walk!  It will serve you
well on endurance rides...a good walk isn't a wasted gait, it actually
improves the other gaits.  It is also LSD work in itself.
Getting a new horse is like starting a new relationship.  What do you do
at first?  Get to know each other...talk, talk, talk...(walk, walk,
walk)..You don't just jump right into the serious stuff, you get to know
each other!  Then slowly, the relationship builds, and then after a
while, you know each other so well that you are a truly partners!  This
is the really great part...where riders are really bonded with their
horses, and vice-versa.  I believe that the best way to achieve this
bond is through many getting-to-know-you hours talking(walking) in the
saddle!
Katee