Well, this is an interesting conversation. I was one of the fronts
(back of front) that ended up in the back. However, that being said, my
horse is fit, and likes to be in the front. I ended up in the back because I
chose (note, chose) to ride with some folks who were having some issues and
wanted some company and then got some inaccurate information for a jogger and
ended up walking my horse too long preparing for a vet check. In my
particular case I was not interested in a placing at all. At my horse,
even with the heat thru the first canyon we went thru before I pulled due to
time was in great shape. Eating, drinking, the heat wasn't an issue for
either or us etc.
If there were different circumstances for me that day and had I made other
choices I have no doubt my horse and I would have completed. And I am
talking Tevis here.
My horse was also wondering why she wasn't up front as usual, even making
an attempt to climb the hill on the side to get to the front. I wouldn't
let her.
So once again, we don't always know the facts.
As with my horse even when I am in front we pace, not race and have
actually placed pretty well. I will continue to put her in the front from
now as she is happy their, keeps her head, and is happy at a nice pace.
She also does much better metabolically when I don't hold her back a lot.
That is just how she is.
