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Re: [RC] [RC] Man vs. Horse speeds & Shermans Gap at the OD - heidiHeidi said ..."But I've found over the years that unless it is durn near vertical, 4-leg drive beats heck out of 2-leg drive any day!" And Mary is right -- on the OD's steep rocky slopes you can move MUCH faster leading your horse, Only if you are more athletic than the horse. I'm with Barb--one reason I ride is because I have NO business out there on foot. You may think OD is "different"--but I can put you on some nasty rocky trails that are near vertical up here on the Divide, too, and I'll tell you flat out that I will only lead up or down them if I am on a horse that has no business being there in the first place. If you are athletic enough to lead, more power to you. My horses are far better athletes than I am. and lower greatly the risk of loosing horseshoes. I'm a pretty good "downhiller" myself, and leading my horse in hand on the most difficult sections of the OD I've easily passed (at a relaxed jog with my pony jogging behind me) other riders still sitting in the saddle as their horses struggle to pick their way through the rocks. If my horse can jog it beside me, he can jog it with me on him. And odds are, I can't jog it on foot. The OD is like no other ride -- you can't "book" down the slopes of the Massanuttens no matter how athletic and talented your horse, I'm not talking about "booking"--I'm talking about a collected jog for negotiating downhills. And I've also found that unless the horse is naturally talented going downhill, he is actually less of a klutz with me ON him helping him to negotiate it than if I get off. I'm far more concerned about a green horse getting hurt in such scenarios if I'm not aboard to help, quite frankly. Again, just my nickel's worth--having grown up working cattle on mountains with names such as "Cow Face"--named for being steeper than a cow's face... Heidi ============================================================ Every horse can be taught to walk faster than you think. It is one of the most important qualities of a good riding horse. Some have it naturally, others need to learn. On the other hand, if you are riding a tired horse, an easy jog is more efficient, covers more groumnd with less effort. (it's the rebound effect of the two beat trot) ~ Dot Wiggins ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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