Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Greenies

Kathy Mayeda wrote:


> You never know how a horse would act until you actually
> do a ride.

I used to believe that, as well (about shows, not about endurance rides,
obviously).

I no longer believe that, because, if you've put in the time training your
horse, part of that training will involve exposing him, incrementally, to
crowd situations, desensitising him to the excitement, and basically
"training" him to keep focused on you in those situations.

I've just done it with an OTT TB.  First show out and he placed.  He got
side-wiped by four ponies in the warm-up arena, stood like a rock while two
riderless horses took off for pastures greener, and didn't break a sweat the
entire day.  And this horse, at the start of his training was "hot".  Did I
know he would behave like that at the show?  Of course I did.  We trained
him for it, didn't we?

Would he be ready, now, for an endurance ride?  No.  He still gets excited
on trail, and is a bit silly in the canter.  Will he be ready in a few
months?  Yes.  And then he'll hunt for a season or so and then go eventing.
And he will be a safe and sensible ride.



Tracey



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