Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

YES, YES AND YES AGAIN !!!

 

All so true.  So why in heaven aren't some of you out there trying it? 

 

If we don't support these 100's they will all become extinct.  I like the multi-day rides, BUT I would rather have one day 100's.  And Dot, you are very right, there is nothing better than the feeling of finishing a 100.  And many people can do it, I have had two knee surgeries, and have nothing left in either one for cushioning, I can do it (with a little help from Jack).  I feel fine when finishing.  I think that one of the mistakes I see first time 100 people doing with their horses is going TOO slow.  You don't have to run thru it, but think about this: If your horse is in good shape for a 100, why make him stay out there until 4:00am rather than finishing at 1:00am, or midnight.  He will become more tired, more quickly if you are sitting on his back for 18 hours, versus sitting on him for 15.  And his metabolic state willl be better too.  He isn't going as long between meals (vet checks) as  he is out there on the trail a long time between checks.  So, I am getting preachy here, the point is:  JUST DO IT !!!!

Dot Wiggins <dotwgns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> One of the reasons folks don't enter 100s may be all the reports by 100 mile 
> riders about how hard they are. Rider exhaustion, hallucinations, 
> throwing up , lost in the dark, no crew, horse not ready. May be true 
> some times but certainly not all the time, or every ride for every person..
>
> Just my experiences;
>
> The horses are tougher than you think. If you don't ask for speed they will 
> cheerfully go many miles, with a stop for food, water, a little break now 
> and then. Use all the gaits the horse has,
>  good walk, jog, big trot, easy 
> canter, even a brisk gallop where possible, just change often. The horse 
> sees welll in the dark, and most are pretty good about knowing where the 
> other horses went and will follow the trail. (And most ride managers are 
> skilled at marking trails for nite riding)
>
> YOU are tougher than you think, just keep going down the trail, be sure to 
> feed and water yourself as well as the
> horse. Be sure your tack and clothes have been tested for fit and comfort. 
> Changing gaits willl keep you fresh as well as the horse.
>
> A crew is nice but not essential. Whatever you need can be sent to out 
> checks, and there is almost always someone who can help a bit if you need 
> it.
>
> The hard part about getting to 100s is having a fit horse, a healthy rider, 
> the time to get to a ride, the money and transportation, and most of all 
> A HUNDRED MILE RIDE within reach when everything else is ready to go.
> The horse doesn't need
>  to be a super horse, you are not asking it to win, 
> just go down the trail.
>
>
> It truly isn't that hard, you and the horse will survive quite nicely. GO 
> FOR IT WHILE YOU CAN. You will have fun!!. And there is nothing beats the 
> feeling of having met a challenge and won like finishing a 100 mile ride.
>
> I wish I could, I've got the horse, the time, there are seveal rides in 
> reach, just no longer have the body for it.
> Rats!!
>
>
>
>
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