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I guess that I needed to be a bit more exact in my question, because I 
have no problems with the conditioning in the desert...it's the 
competition in the desert that is bothering me.  For conditioning, yes, 
we are definitely finding that the horses need time to build up the 
tendons.  Unfortunately, most riders don't like to ride anywhere except 
the desert, and I wonder if the horses get enough concussion to help 
build up bone just working in sand...but that's another question.  
Personally, I like using a mix of desert and farm road, but I'm a 
minority of about one.

I was more concerned about using raw sand, so to speak, as a surface 
for competition.  Even an old track has more of a firm base than plane 
sand....sort of like competing in snow.  This is why the UAE guys have 
these 4 x 4's run ahead of them in sand races, to pack it down a bit.

Maryanne
Egypt
On Monday, November 17, 2003, at 05:20 PM, Bob Morris wrote:

> Maryanne:
>
> When ever possible we trained our horses off trail and cross
> country. As far as we are concerned it is the best way to
> condition as the footing is not regular as in an arena or on
> a road/trail. The irregularities will strengthen the tendons
> and ligaments and the horse learns to pay attention. Our
> most liked terrain was in downed timber where the logs lay
> like jackstraws. Better than any cavalletti as there is
> nothing regular about the way they lay.
>
> I would say you have a great advantage if you can train
> where there are no trails or paths. Just start our slow and
> work up to a fair trot over time.
>
> Bob
>
> Bob Morris
> Morris Endurance Enterprises
> Boise, ID


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