Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

 Ha ha- enjoyed your story. I too conditoned my mostly CMK  arab Rascal for 
2 years, worked on manners took him camping twice, worked on all the 
problems that surfaced, bolting on the trail- , bucking with harh bits,  
tack fitting, crossing puddles ,-(at the time I had to ride alone --unless 
you count the 4 wheelers , dirt bikes, airplanes and helicopters flying the 
power lines. Wild turkerys that fly overhead--suddenly.  (No other riders on 
this side of Atlanta and husband was the only one who could, haul our 3h-- I 
since got a smaller trailer so I could go meet others --eventually)
  Went to a CTR clinic -- rode in a 'group' where 2 riders on appys and 
western saddles, ignored the leader and cantered--which Rascal was 
determined to keep up with--(and I got told to stop circling my horse--- I 
felt it was better than sawing on his mouth and  him  getting frustrated 
into  bucking--circling is much nicer than bucking ;0)-- When he was with 
the group --he jigged-the entire 11 miles--He finally settled down and 
walked the last mile-- the leader turned to me and said --"Weeelll, you 
horse CAn walk....."
   Volunteered at Talldeaga--took him to teach camping and strongarmed 
daughter (who is now a hunter barn  riding instructor and  owner) --who at 
the time evented on her big tb -- We were going to do the 14 mile fun ride - 
so we left last and I had to park Rascal on Champs butt. Champ who was top 
horse  glares if anyone tries to pass (used to race)-  Mine  was ancy the 
whole way-- about 2/3 of the way --- I felt him listening , and  My daughter 
and her tb was getting tired-- we were walking  and some trotting-mainly 
trying to get him used to slow----- Well, then I said , we'd like to go on , 
she said fine- Champ had decided  he wanted to do the Ferdinand thing and  
just smell the roses at a walk--- so I went in the last   part alone.  So I 
figure  you just have to survie the first loop.(BTW- we took 3 hours to do 
the fun ride--don't ask me how)
   A couple people said he looked like he could do a 50----  and I was told 
---later than  that was way more conditioniing  than I needed for an LD --- 
Unfortunately he got diagnosed with EPM  2  weeks before my first offical 
ride.......... He recovered, we started out again, and the trails are now 
subdivisions, we are selling out and have a new place nearer  trails , next 
to an   endurance rider--  so keep ---Enduring---- it may take a while 
:0)---- figure I got another 50 years  posssibly........;0)



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