Re: RC: Show and Tell

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated Mon, 6 Aug 2001 11:31:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net> writes:

> Heidi, As I'm sure you know, physical condition is also impacted by a
> lack of mental conditioning. A horse than has learned to control his
> emotions, listen, and is always looking for your guidance burns far less
> energy than an upset, apprehensive horse.  A calm horse is more likely
> to eat and drink and take care of himself. 

ABSOLUTELY, Jim!  And you likely won't have any difficulty believing me when I tell you that countless times I've seen the less fit but BETTER TRAINED individual compete and complete with flying colors, while his fitter-but-more-excited compatriot is left behind, pulled, or worse.  Furthermore, one gets into far less trouble if the training is always one step ahead of the conditioning in the early phases.  We spend hours WALKING our youngsters under saddle, and doing "fun" dressage exercises on the trail and in mountain meadows along the way.  In short, we try to make them pleasant, responsive, and reliable saddle horses before we'd even dream of entering them on endurance rides--even though that is the long-range purpose for us in most cases.

Heidi