Ridecamp: RE: [RC] new topic re green horses

>>Actually depending on the horse (and rider) of course, I find that CTR's can lead to a bigger rodeo than any endurance ride.<<

 

 

On advice from Nancy Twight, I took my green horse to a NATRC novice ride (20 miles in 7 hours) as his first event.  Her philosophy is, everyone (in the novice/CT classes) HAS to go slow, it is a sequenced start (30 seconds apart), and as a result, it is far calmer than the rodeo of an endurance ride.  Based on my experience at this event, I'd have to agree.  Nancy decided to take her young (and very well behaved...er, well behaved except for the vet check in) stallion and we'd do the ride together.

 

We started at the VERY end (last two riders out), and we just walked big circles in the staging area as the other horses left (very good training).  We walked out for about a mile, did some trotting, LOT'S of walking, some more trotting.  People would occasionally pass us, we'd occasionally pass other riders, the horses saw that nothing mattered.  It was SO calm and easy, if exceptionally boring.

 

I think if more horses destined for endurance started this way, they might start out more sensible, might learn to eat and drink better, etc.  I also liked Karen's idea of starting a moderately green (but appropriately conditioned) horse at a multi-day - there is nothing that breeds sensibility like having to work, and no one is racing at multi-days (theoretically).

 

Mike Sofen