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[RC] CTR thumbs down post - Jessica BJonni > I thank you for all the information and advice you have given me. However I do not feel that by riding fast LD's I am hurting my horse. As I said before, he has been ridden long distances quite often for 2 years now, and not at a walk or slow trott either. My horse vetted out well and looked good, alert and sound that evening after it. It was only a 35 mile ride, however my horse did eat and drink at both vet checks, plus drank in the river.
I am 21 years old and respect your opinion. However I have gotten many opinions from other riders who are older than I who have done it for years, and they felt that Dodger was physically ready to do a fast LD. I do have my horse's welfare in my best interests. I conditioned him for almost a year before I even entered a ride, went to a CTR clinic (taught me a lot, I highly recommend it to other new comers such as myself), and got advice from experienced riders in my area. I AM NOT a rider who feels my horse is disposable. I have had him since he was 2 (he's 7 now) and plan on using him for endurance for many many years to come.
Truman > "The basic reason was she was 8 years old before she did her first LD"
Very good point!! My horse is 7 years old and physically and mentally fully mature. He has been out on the trails since he was 5, not competing but learning to go through water, over bridges, etc...etc... That was both of our first LD, and I have to say that I am very glad I decided to do it on my "mature" horse. __________________________________________________
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