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RE: [RC] mixing the two - heidiBut, I've heard comments on how a show horse has a hard time going on trail because it's too spooky for the horse, etc. because they are too conditioned for the arena atmosphere. I had a mare who was coming along well at CTR's. I entered her in a fun show and she tried to race around the ring to "catch up" to the other horses. Wasn't fun at all. I didn't address this part of the original post in my original answer. You hit the nail on the head with the problem taking the show horse on the trail--they are "too conditioned to the arena atmosphere." This is a big mistake too often made with ring horses, and getting out on the trail is the way to FIX the problem! Likewise, your horse that wanted to race around the arena is telling you that you have neglected a major portion of her education. In both cases, the horses need to go back and become better rounded individuals. The show horse will do better for gaining self-confidence, and the trail horse will do better for having learned the basics of control and rating, and listening to what the rider wants. All too often, endurance horses are "conditioned" and never "trained." And show horses visa versa. Personally, I prefer to bring the training and the trail work along together--so the horse never develops the bad habit of being a one-trick pony. But even if that has already occurred, it can still be remedied by going back to the basics. And again, bravo to the 4-H instructor who has cottoned on to this, and who thinks the 4-H kids will do better for having some trail work. Heidi ============================================================ I don't think you have to join a gym or buy frilly outfits to get some fitness. A decent set of shoes and a 15 minute dismount here and there will help. ~ Jon K. Linderman, Ph.D., FACSM, Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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