Re: Fw: Elderly Horses and Distance

["Karen Sullivan" <greymare@jps.net>]

Did you ever take the baby out on the trail when it was older?  I agree that
to overdo
it is cruel, but then again, they would, in the wild, be tearing around with
no controls!
The joints must be able to take that-with no adverse effects. Aren't foals
"constructed" to be able to run with a herd at a very young age (hours or
days?)

I am lucky to be able to have places to take my youngsters where there is no
danger of loose dogs or traffic..

Karen

> I would be very concerned about taking a baby out on the trail.  Do you
pony?
> And how fast are you going?  How old is the baby?  If you are letting the
> baby run free, it can get into trouble any number of ways, including being
> spooked and chased by dogs.  Baby joints are very susceptible to the
effects
> of over-exercise.  I would not think it would be a good idea to take a
five
> month old on a five mile ride.  Babies need lots of rest.  Also what kind
of
> footing?  Rocky? Soft sand?  Might be hard on feet or joints.  I once saw
a
> baby being ponied on a trail ride.  It was possibly 2 months old, and they
> went several miles.  The baby got back to camp looking totally exhausted,
not
> just tired but that head hanging, eyes sunk look.  I thought at the time
that
> it was pretty selfish to take it along.  I rode my mare in the arena
(within
> eyesight) from the time the filly was about 3 weeks old, Then when she was
3
> months old, I would take short (1 hour) trail rides with the mare while
baby
> ate grain or something.  jeri
>
>
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