Re: RC: Despooking and trail ride

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/10/99 5:32:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
kmhicks1@juno.com writes:

<< Also, I have decided that people who aspire to ride endurance (haven't
 actually ridden on one yet, but seriously looking at spring) should not
 go on your average trail ride.  At least not on the horse they have been
 training to walk and trot like they mean it.  >>

Oh contrare (sp?)  I think it helps them a lot to learn how to be rated.  I'm 
bringing my 5 year old along and using big group trail riding and NATRC to 
teach him to listen to me and do what I say (what a concept).  I'm probably 
just incredibly lucky, but its working really well and he is coming along 
nicely as a horse that I feel pretty proud of.  Just went on  a 3 day 
"ladies" :) trail riding experience (great catered food, BTW) with him and I 
felt like he came out of it a waaaaay better horse.  Sure he can move out 
fast when asked, BUT he can also slow down when told -- pretty nice feature 
:)  I've also been using some of the "despooking" techniques with my 5 year 
old and my yearling (my 14 year old got despooked on the Tevis and Outlaw 
Trails).  Pretty fun to watch the youngsters teach themselves about the scary 
stuff.  worth trying.  Happy Trails!

Sylvia


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