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RE: [RC] 50 or 25? - Jim HollandCarla, don?t let all this nonsense get to you.? It will eventually get sorted out.? It seems that on a periodic basis (as with barefoot, etc) this has to be discussed all over again.? I doubt that anything will change?.to many diverse opinions. That said, I start my horses on 50?s?.but I TRAIN them more than most people to keep them from turning COMPLETELY into a ?creature I don?t recognize? at their first ride..? In fact, I started Magic in a 50 and intentionally rode at the back of the pack to allow him to ?experience? the 25 milers blowing by?just pulled off the trail at a good spot, got off and let him ?watch?. I also KNOW my horse can do 50 miles before I go?.already done it during training/conditioning here in the mountains. I haven?t done a 25 in many years, but I took Sunny to consecutive rides at Skymont and River Run this month and did 25?s.? Magic needed some time off, I REALLY wanted to go, and Sunny needed to get out there a little, even if he is ?pleasingly plump?.? (Otis casually mentioned that he ?hadn?t missed any meals?) <grin> Skymont is a Boy Scout benefit, great trails, and it was for a good cause.? River Run is kinda the fall ?social event? around here.? Sunny was a little confused as to why we were leaving so late?.stood out there in his paddock and nickered at all the 50 mile horses leaving. Funny!? Then he was just getting warmed up when we quit.? I was a little at a loss as to what to do with the rest of the afternoon?felt that I should have been riding, but we had a lot of time to wander around camp, heckle the 50 milers, and socialize?and I can understand why people prefer that choice. IMHO, it?s a mindset. Here are some thoughts.? If you do a 25, don?t start at the BACK of the pack?.there are REALLY new riders and out-of-control horses back there and your horse may feed off some of the excitement, it?s easier to get kicked, and your horse may have to deal with horses on his butt..REAL close.? Just sorta ?amble in there? somewhere around the middle after the hot shoes have left and let your horse just go on down the trail at whatever speed is comfortable with you. The back of the 50?s will usually be much more ?stable?, but in MOST cases, you will have to deal with the 25 milers blowing by you a little over an hour later.? This can be positive or negative, depending on how ?trained? your horse is to listen to you and deal with the excitement.? In my case, I knew Magic was going to have to deal with it sooner or later, so I just ?planned? for it to happen.? An alternative is to might call around to a few rides and find out if there is one where the 25 milers start on a different loop and go there for your first ride.? Again, this is a personal choice, depending on your comfort level and your horse?s training level. If you are comfortable you and your horse can easily do 25 miles, then where?s the challenge? Go fer the 50! Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic Richard T. "Jim" Holland Three Creeks Farm 175 Hells Hollow Drive Blue Ridge, Ga 30513 (706) 258-2830 www.threecreeksarabians.com Callsign KI4BEN Richard T. "Jim" Holland Three Creeks Farm 175 Hells Hollow Drive Blue Ridge, Ga 30513 (706) 258-2830 www.threecreeksarabians.com Callsign KI4BEN ________________________________________ From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sky Ranch Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 2:59 PM To: Ridecamp Subject: [RC] 50 or 25? Since I already know?my horse and I?can do 25 miles, maybe I should start with a 50 mile.? I have no intention, whatever, of racing, so if the 50's really have a slower pace (?) then that's what I want. ? Carla Richardson Colorado ? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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