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Re: [RC] taking an older horse to a 25 - Karen SullivanSuzanne, Back in the early 80's, I had an appy X mare I did a lot of trail riding with. I loved to go many miles exploring and would trot and canter whereever the terrain was good. So, the mare was ridden regularly and very fit. She was boarded in a big pasture and thrown hay, along with the other horses. I knew nothing about distance riding or supplements or electrolytes.....and I never had any problems (mare never tied up, or colicked or anything.) The mare had been sold to be from a horse dealer, was at the time was supposed to be about 12 or 13. A friend challenged me to ride the horse portion of the Almaden Triathalon, which was 25 miles. I had about 2 months prep; and got other friends to do the run and bike part. All I did was step up the distances on the mare, and speed a slight bit...and had her on a definite schedule of 3 rides a week. At one point (Maryben can find this amusing)....I had the friend who challenged me; to haul me down to Rancho San Antonio Preserve. I then rode back over the top and back side of Black Mountain, and down Alpine Road, ending up back in Portola Valley (maybe 20 miles). The day of the race I had another guy haul me down, who spoke of giving bran mash and extra salt (a totally new concept for me), but did bring some for my mare. I did the ride in shorts, and a fleece cover over an ancient Barnsby saddle. The first loop I was hauling back on the mechanical hackamore for all I was worth....and we did it too fast, that mare was having a blast and wanted to RUN. . Took 20 min to pulse down at the half way mark. However the vet said my mare recovered o.k. and to continue. I was able to slow her down some, and finished the second loop.......at the end of the ride they asked me if I wanted a courtesy check. I said sure......vet looked at her teeth, and told me my 13 year old mare was probably late 20';s.......I felt horrible, and totally ignorant. However, I do want to say, I do feel I went into that ride with the mare very fit....and she sure had the time of her life!!! She did get semi-retired after that! Maybe I was lucky, or maybe I did okay becuase the mare was sound and fit....but, if this is something your horse enjoys doing, is fit for distance and terrain, and gets enough electrolytes, I don't see any reason why a 20 year old horse can do 25 miles! Karen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ridecamp Guest" <guest-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 7:13 PM Subject: [RC] taking an older horse to a 25 Please Reply to: suzanne gostsinthemachin@xxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== I am looking for some imput on taking my 20 yr old qh mare to a 25 mile ride in april. she is very "young" and sound and has been used for trail riding for several years with no trouble. I would like to get some specific advice on conditioning her for this ride and advice on feeding(she eats senior/beet pulp/grass hay and a general/joint supplement)I trail ride regularly with 50 and 100 mile riders and she has no problem keeping up, I just want to make absolutly sure that I give her what she needs to make this fun for us both....I have also just purchased a 6 yr old arab who has been ridden very little and I would like to know how best to start him out. thanks !!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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