ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Starting the Young Horse

Re: Starting the Young Horse

Barbara Madill (madill@teleplex.net)
Sun, 14 Dec 1997 09:55:56 -0500 (EST)

Susan, on Sat, 13 Dec 1997 you wrote:

>The CTR rides we've heard of around here sound like a horse show judged by
trail >standards. They score you on how you mount and dismount, how you keep
your trailer, how >you handle obstacles etc. I'm not sure I want all that
subjective scrutiny. That's why >I can't stand horse shows because of the
subjectivity involved.

>I'd like to try a CTR that's not too far away from home. All my endurance
rides are at >least 5hrs away. I live 1 hr east of Pensacola, near
Crestview, FL.

>Susan and Fly Bye

You don't have to COMPETE in the CTR's (particularly NATRC) to get
WONDERFUL conditioning and LOTS of fun! Offer to "Safety" an Open Ride (5-6
MPH) if it's available. Preferably do this with a buddy who has a calm
horse. Ask the vets to do "safety checks" on your horse at the
(interminable) holds -- I ask for a stethoscope as I walk in to the stop.

Mind you, this experience might not be too pleasant, at first, but
getting your young horse to accept the facts that he is NOT going to pass
ANYONE will help you in the future when you let the horse in front of you do
all the worrisome leading for miles and miles UNTIL the right moment to PASS!

My young 7 year old was disgusted with me when he had to go at NATRC
speed and there was a vet P/R stop (3 miles from the finish!!!) on a loop
we'd done 6 minutes a mile two days before!!!! When I made it clear to him
that this was a different game, his numbers dropped fast! His one and only
competition to date has been a 3 day 100 which he "ace'd", placing well
compared to the other horses. However, his internal stress showed in some
"fried brains" antics followed by a couple of "B" gut readings. Despite the
promise he shows, and much as I would like to qualify for Festival of
Champions by June, this fellow is staying in basics (one or two 3 day 100's
and helping at NATRC) for most of 1998.
I feel that chronological age is not as important as the maturity of
all of each horse's systems, so your horse may well be ready to race by 7,
while mine might make it by the age of 9. Sounds as if you have a REAL
PROSPECT!!

Good luck and enjoy,
Barbara

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