Re: RC: Re: Re: green horses and CTR

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/17/99 10:45:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
sunibey@sisqtel.net writes:

<<  I had heard that the best way to start was with a slow 50 miler.  Given
 that I am still not sure about the slow part if you are also a newbie, what
 is the general consensus? >>

Hi Dyane -- My horse, Star, (5 yo) came off the race track about 13 months 
ago and is now doing Looooooong Sloooooow Distance (well Limited Distance, 
that is).  In his particular case, his muscles needed quite a bit of 
re-training before he'll be ready for a 50.  He is getting better, but still 
struggles to balance himself well up hill.  Plus, I worry about bones, 
ligaments and tendons and figure slower is better (a lot of fellow 
Ridecampers have reinforced this idea for me).  I think that when people talk 
about ruining a horse by doing LD on them, they are talking about horses they 
intend to "race" and worrying that the horse will quit in the middle.  I like 
the fact that Star is learning to take care of himself BEFORE it becomes a 
matter that can make him sick (which can happen at a 50 if they don't eat and 
drink and generally take care of themselves).  We're also taking dressage 
lessons which is helping both of us I think.  The good thing that I see with 
him doing LD rather than the 50s at this point is that he is still frisky and 
happy at the end of a 25 or a NATRC ride.  He MIGHT be fine after 50, but I'm 
not sure and don't want to risk his wonderful attitude.  I'm keeping things 
fun for him and moving the distance up slowly.  He probably will never be a 
"racer" (I'm a "chicken") but I like to finish around middle of the pack on 
50s and so far, he looks like he'll be capable.  He'll do his first 50 
sometime next ride season and it will definitely be a slow one.  How old is 
your ex-race horse?  There is also the consideration of their muscles 
changing from fast-twitch to slow twitch (or vice versa, I'm never sure), so 
although ex-race horses have many advantages, they also need some 
consideration as well.  Best of luck to you!

Sylvia


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=