Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Let's see if I can explain it.

CTR is a fitness, horsemanship and riding skills contest. Injuries to  
the legs and coronet band are seen as a failure of that. Fatigue can  
cause injury through tripping, interference and running into things.  
Answer: bring a fit horse that can use itself properly. Horsemanship  
comes into play through proper hoof care and through watching the  
footing while on trail. Horses with proper hoof angles and hoof  
protection tend to not get injuries as much (horsemanship again).  
Riding skills come into play through balanced riding and riding the  
horse so that it can carry itself without flailing around.

So conformation has something to do with it, but the owner of a  
poorly conformed horse can do a lot through proper horsemanship,  
riding skills and conditioning to prevent leg and coronet band  
injuries. *Something* other than good conformation kept my horse from  
injury! >ggg< And a rider with poor horsemanship, riding skills and  
an unfit horse (or only one of the above) can end up with leg and  
coronet band injuries.

CTRs have a maximum speed of 7 mph, so we're not talking endurance  
speeds here. Plenty of time to watch the footing. Also, unlike  
endurance, horses go out in increments, so they don't get that rushy,  
rushy, "I have to keep up with the herd even if I can't find my feet"  
thing going. I know plenty of riders who don't boot for CTR but who  
do for endurance.

In CTR, points are deducted for what are called "trail lesions" and  
if there is any pain, heat or swelling in the legs whether or not  
it's due to superficial injuries. I think it's fair and a good  
measure. At least one CTR organization (UMECRA) allows boots -- they  
just take the points off as if the horse was injured in the areas the  
boots cover. My CTR organization, Ohio Arabian and All-breed Trail  
Society (OAATS) allows them for miles only. (The horse is ineligible  
for placing.)

CTR is its own sport as someone else said. Some horses and riders are  
suited to it, some aren't. I found that it was a great place to learn  
how to take care of my horse in all sorts of weather conditions and  
over all sorts of terrain. It's a great way to introduce a young or  
green horse to distance riding since the vibe in camp isn't as frantic.

:-)

Deanna


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=