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RE: [RC] re: posting/balance from rc guest - heidi"......Getting off and walking or jogging (I try to do it at least once every 10 miles on a ride) can really help. Wiggle your toes! If you continue to suffer, see a foot specialist..." [Kathy Ramspott] Another potential gem of advice. I'll ask for a poll again, do a lot of you folks out there get off your horse prior to vet checks and walk or trot with them to give yourself and your horse a break? I assumed on 100's people did but did not occur to me to do it for less distance. I also know a lot of people who get off prior to walking into camp to the vet check. I do think it can be a good idea, but being a "limited" rider myself when it comes to walking and remounting, I rarely get off and walk. I suffer occasional numbness in my right foot as well (and yes, did switch this year from irons to EZRide stirrups, which has been a good move). Mine is due to sciatica, and is best addressed by my chiropractor or acupuncturist. I am my horse's biggest handicap at this point in my life, and I just have to grudgingly admit that and make do as best we can. I have to cut him some slack because he cuts me a LOT of slack. I'd also say that with regard to walking the horse into the vet check, it also depends on the horse. I intentionally select horses that pulse right down and are calm at the checks, so I tend to ride straight in, get them through the check, and get on with the business of eating, drinking, and relaxing. Given horses like that, it is also a good way to get a "jump" on all those folks who get off and walk in if one IS competitive. That said, if you are spending even a few minutes waiting for your horse to pulse down, you can probably help him a lot by getting off and walking in--not only is he slowing down, but you are usually helping him to get into a more relaxed mindset that way. So you really have to gear that to your own horse. Heidi ============================================================ The two best drugs to have in your kit are Tincture of Time and a Dose of Common Sense. These two will carry you through 99.999% of the problems associated with horses and endurance competition. ~ Robert Morris ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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