Re: Re: Re: green horses and CTR

["Dyane Smith" <sunibey@sisqtel.net>]

Betty,
Thanks!  You and Sylvia have different techniques, but similar ideas.  Main
thing is that as soon as I get my trailer, I need to get Fox out to
experience as many different ride situations as possible.  I know from
riding Suni that no matter how perfect (and he was) in any other situation,
CTR meant RACE RACE RACE! to him.  He did okay as long as he could power
walk or trot, but was in a frenzy if we got onto narrow trails with slow
horses in front and he NEVER relaxed enough to drink.  The not drinking
wasn't life-threatening on a short ride, but very scary.  Fox is
different--I just need to really evaluate what those differences are.
Dyane
N. Cal.

----- Original Message -----
From: BE <betndez@budget.net>
To: Dyane Smith <sunibey@sisqtel.net>
Sent: Friday, September 17, 1999 8:01 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: green horses and CTR


> Dyane:  Here are some  methods which have worked for me doing endurance.
In
> my experience, if you have a horse with a hot exciteable temperament, save
> yourself alot of stress and forget CTR and NATRC.  Some horses never
> acclimate to the controlled timed start and pace of NATRC.
>
> If you do a 50 miler you have 12 hours to do it.  If you take the whole 12
> hours that's a lot of walking and some trotting.  You can truly ride your
> own ride, starting at the back of the pack ALONE.  I firmly believe a
horse
> needs to be trained to handle the trail alone.  Later he can go with
company
> but he should always be able and willing to go the distance alone.  I've
> ridden many rides (even 100s) alone and you form a special bond with your
> horse and he learns to listen and trust you.
>
> >On average, how long does it take for a horse to calm down?
>
>         Some never do "calm down" but you can outsmart them at the start
of
> the ride by riding them alone in a quiet corner of camp, or down a trail
> away from the ride start, keeping yourself very quiet and relaxed, heavy
in
> the saddle position,  back rounded to a cowboy slouch, legs long and
loose,
> as light a contact on the reins as possible.  This all signals him that
"all
> is well".   As someone else recently said on RC, be sure to park as far
away
> from the start line as possible so your horse isn't excited by all the
> horses bunching at the start.  If during your quiet warm up around camp
your
> horse does get really excited and tense, get your lunge line and take him
to
> the farthest corner possible and get his attention going on some ground
> work.  When everyone has left camp, mount up and ride out--if he'll walk,
> good; if he's wanting to trot, let him do a controlled trot.
>
> I discovered years ago when I was starting a VERY hot, exciteable
horse
> that whispering or talking very softly to him all the time I tacked him up
> did wonders for BOTH of us.  Doesn't matter what you say as long as it is
a
> positive statement about how good he is, how perfect the ride will be,
etc.
>
> >myself, have never been convinced it was that safe for me to try to
> lead a
> >horse who was doing airs above my head.
>
>         Agreed--I feel MUCH safer on the back of an excited horse.
>
>         So, hope the above will be of some help.  Let me know how it goes
> for you.
>
> Betty Edgar
> So. Oregon
>
>


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