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[RC] My input on riding at night - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: mkornwolf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mkornwolf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== DEFINITELY practice riding at night on your home trails. Start at twilight and pick a return route that's fairly open so any moonlight can help as your vision adjusts. Horses can see better than us, but I've found they're spookier when being ridden at night. When I rode last night to prep for an upcoming 100 miler, my very seasoned horse bolted forward a few steps when he heard the rustling sound of a neighbor's dog under some bushes. I almost came off! He wouldn't have spooked that much in daylight. More creatures come out at night depending on where you are in the US. My friend Jen & her mare had to contend with a curious moose that pestered them last year at Pine Tree (ME). At the actual ride, consider teaming up with at least one other rider. It can be lonely and scary out there! Carry a decent light that casts a strong beam so if glow sticks aren't very frequent you don't have to agonize about being off trail. At the Sand Hills Ride in March, Jonie Brucker was wearing a headlamp and kept us from going seriously off trail when a glow stick was missing at a key turn - her light picked up the color of the ribbons w/o us having to dismount. A couple riders ahead of us had missed that turn and rode about 10 minutes before realizing it. Finally, if the trail has trees, beware low branches! I ended my first 100 with a fat lip and blood all over my face from getting smacked by a branch that my horse went right under. Often the course is designed so you ride the last loop(s) earlier in the day and note any tricky spots, but if not, those would be the loops I'd try to ride if I got to camp a day early. Best part of riding after dark (on summer rides at least) is how the temps drop and your horse will seem fresher and willing to move out after the heat of the afternoon subsides. But be sure to carry some kind of jacket appropriate for the weather! Nothing worse than being cold and tired, even when doing what you love. Best Wishes, Mary ===========================================================The only thing worse than crewing for a female Endurance rider is crewing ~ ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ===========================================================
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