Ridecamp: Re: [RC] OD's 6th in the 50 was in meat pen 6 wks ago?

In a message dated 06/18/2002 8:44:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
Elite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

>  I guess what is bothering me about it is that a horse 5 1/2 weeks from
>  an auction is running 6th in the OD?   Just doesn't give me a good feeling.
>  We talk here about LSD's, conditioning, correct feeding and the time it
>  takes to make "a top endurance horse".  I'm not to sure this is such a 
"neat
>  story".  (if this is true)
>      Did anyone else pick up on this?
>  

Yes I did and it raised some questions for me while conditioning my horse. 
When we talk of LSD are we assumming the horse is young, just having been 
started, or been idle for a long period of time?

The reason I ask is I am conditioning a 10 yo Icelandic horse that was used 
as a trekking horse in Iceland. He was started at 4, put up a year then 
ridden regularly at age 5. A trekking horse is used to take riders on day or 
multiday riding "tours." One horse is used while another is ponied per 
person...so the horses usually has a half day ride with weight and the rest 
without. Much of this riding is at tolt.

So...my gelding (10 yo.) has this trekking base on him. Much of LSD 
"programs" I have read will begin without him breaking a sweat. So, I am 
assuming he has the miles on him to continue with more distance or speed. I 
am using my HRM to guide me. 

I know this post strayed a bit from your question, but I guess I am asking 
this. How much do we take into consideration a horse's past work to determine 
fitness? Even though he is not in a formal conditioning plan can he still be 
fit, or become fit quickly?

thanks


Melanie Snowhite
Poway, CA.
Check out my Icelandic Horses and Congo African Greys:
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