Ridecamp: Re: [RC] What else do you do with your horse?

> Aside from endurance, what do you do with your horse? How do these other
> disciplines help you condition or compete in endurance? Are top level
endurance
> horses limited in their performance in other disciplines (for example,
jumping
> or dressage)? I've always been curious because of the difference in
> conformation between the superior athletes in different sports.

We fiddle with dressage, work cows, sometimes help 4-H or pre-4-H kids learn
to ride, pack once in awhile, whatever.  Dressage and endurance are both
"basic" disciplines--they both improve horses for other sports.

As to differences in conformation--there are different faults that may be
more tolerable in one sport than another, but GOOD conformation does not
vary.  The basic proportionate three-circle horse is something that is an
advantage in virtually any sport, because balance is necessary to ALL
athletic endeavors.  A correct neck should be able to be up or down, and
should be able to telescope outward, regardless of discipline.  A correct
hip has some angulation, regardless of the style of croup that is
top-dressing over the top of it.  The laws of physics apply, no matter
what--pure and simple.  Faults such as long cannons are less tolerable when
one has to have the ultimate in speed or efficiency, but may be tolerable in
horses whose work load is minimal and who are only judged on "style"--being
tolerable does not mean they are to be sought after, and that is also the
case with many other faults in many other disciplines.  Horses "get by" with
particular faults, so then people seek out horses that look like that,
thinking that is the norm for the sport, when indeed, the horse would do
even better if he were built properly.

Heidi


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