Re: RC: 3rd Loop Blues?

["Truman Prevatt, Ph.D." <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

Susan,

How many 25's did you do before the first 50. I think you should get on
to 50's as soon as possible, even if they are very slow. I sounds like
this horse thinks he is finished at 25.

Truman

Jerry D Milam Jr wrote:
> 
> Hey all! Hope everyone's 4th of July was good.
> 
> I have observed a phenomenon occurring with my horse.
> 
> I finished my 2nd 50 miler this weekend and have observed a strange
> behavior from my horse. I don't know if this is unique to my horse or do
> others go through this as well.
> 
> Both 50's I've done have been at small MW rides of about 15- 50milers
> and maybe twice as many LDers. I don't know if the smaller numbers of
> horses on the trail has any bearing on the behavior. Also, all the loops
> are over the same trail sections without variation.
> 
> Neither ride taxed my horse physically, but his behavior changed on the
> 3rd loop in both rides. Friends warned me about the psychological let
> down there might be as you start the 3rd loop, due to only doing 2 in
> the past with LD.  Anyway, I was ready for some resistance to getting
> tacked up and riding out of camp again a third time, but it didn't
> happen. Both times he just trotted on down the trail as we'd done 2x
> before. Both times we were pretty much alone at the start of the loop.
> About 3 miles into the loop he slowed to a walk in an area that could
> easily be cantered. Then he slowed to a stop and tried to turn around.
> He did this numerous times, more so on our first 50 than this last time.
> 
> Our first ride took nearly twice as long to do the third loop as the
> first 2. This last ride the difference was not quite that startling. The
> first ride's 3rd loop, we were totally alone the whole loop. The last
> ride, we buddied up with 2 other horses at separate times.
> 
> This is what I think happened but I'd like others opinions based on your
> vast reservoir of experience over long distances. I think my horse loves
> to be competitive with other horses. It's hard for him to go hard with
> nobody around to go hard against except the clock and the trail. By the
> third loop, the small numbers of riders is spread out quite a bit.
> 
> Is there anything to prevent this from happening short of riding the
> whole 50 miles with a friend?
> 
> Thanks in advance
> Happy Tails,
> 
> Susan & Fly Bye
> 
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-- 
Truman Prevatt
Mystic “The Horse from Hell” Storm 
Buck's Mystic Karma
Rocket a.k.a. Mr. Misty
Jordy a.k.a. Bridger (when he is good)
Danson Flame - hey dad I'm well now and ready to go!

Brooksville, FL