Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

For several years, I've been thinking I need to give up my Arabians and go to a gaited horse because my knee hurts so bad when I ride, even worse when I dismount to do a trot out at the VC.

 

then I started riding my young mare, Ali. I couldn't believe the difference. I dont' know if it's her body shape, the way my legs drape around her, her gait, or what, maybe all of the above. But I don't hurt nearly so bad. When I ride the Starman, it takes at least a couple of vicodin to get through a ride. I dont' take anything when I ride Ali, other than a dose of ibuprofen.

 

It's taken me a couple of rides to realize that, hey, I'm not hurting so bad! My grandson said it's cause, "Star moves like a rabbit, up and down." Ali sort of glides even at a trot.

 

 

Still can't do much running at the trot out, though, LOL...

 

chris

Nancy Sturm <nsturm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Have to agree with Heidi.
>
> I've always thought that picking horses is like choosing husbands. It'd be
> an awful fight if we all wanted the same one.
>
> My daughter really loves her standardbred. He's a handsome horse and she
> can sit his pace like she is glued to the saddle. I, on the other hand,
> can't decide what to do at the pace. You can't really post and the rocking
> from side to side really hurts my back.
>
> I truly love a big trotting horse and have always thought I could ride at
> a trot all day, but after I managed compression fractures of two vertebrae
> last fall, I bought a little TWH gelding. I love everything about this
> horse, but boy did I miss trotting. Then I discovered (lo and behold) the
> little guy can really trot, too.
>
> So I use him sort of like a five speed horse. He prefers to gait and it's
> fun to ride, but when he (or I)
>  need a break, I will let him trot. The
> horse is hard wired to gait and can walk faster/better/farther than any
> horse I've ever been on and since I own him and don't intend to sell him I
> just figure it's a rider decision as to whether he should be "allowed" to
> trot.
>
> Nancy Sturm

I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. Louisa May Alcott

 

Chris Paus

BayRab Acres http://pages.prodigy.net/paus

Lake Region SWA  http://lakeregionswa.fws1.com