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RE: [RC] was drafting, now -- how the heck to start safely! - Alison FarrinI use Angie's trick, with the exception that we have learned to aim for the bottom of the top 20. The horses in this group are not going hell bent for leather, but are setting a nice, usually controlled pace. There is very little jockeying for position and everyone in this part of the pack is going the same speed. If my horse is silly, its easier to get him to settle at 10mph than it is at either 15mph or 5 mph. Not to say that with my current horse I didn't spend the first couple rides on the ground walking until he decided that forward was better than bucking, because I did! Alison When it's time to start, I may trot to the far end of the strip where we're warming up, and try to arrive just as everyone is leaving. I just drop into the back of the pack, but I don't wait till they're gone because that's what everyone who has a crazy horse does! If my horse is sane, but I'm afraid he'll try to go too fast, why would I want to get behind a bunch of horses that are skittering sideways, circling, kicking, or whatever with my forward horse who now has to get around them? If these horses are scared it's not going to help that in their mind the entire herd just ran away, which means there's lions or wolves probably getting ready to eat those left behind! They know those horses are up there and they want to get to the safety of the herd. If my horse is willing to trot within the herd that's where I'll put him. If you can't stand the fact he's trotting 10mph and you trained at 7 this may not satisfy you. As the pack spreads out it's easier to ease him on down. They seem to figure out that all those horses are just trotting along businesslike, not running away from anything. Angie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- CONFIDENTIAL This communication (including any attachments) may contain privileged or confidential information intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this communication and/or shred the materials and any attachments and are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this communication, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited. Thank you. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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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