Can't stand it anymore. Folks ride different
mileage for different reasons. Some want to race, some want to finish,
some are new, some are old, some just want to ride a favorite horse on a trail
at whatever distance is comfortable. I have seen folks runs a 25 in less
than 2 hrs. The horse was very fit. I have seen folks run a 50 in 4
hrs. The horse is fit. I did it in the 80s. My horse was
fit. Now I am old, arthritic, but can still eat ice cream, Truman will
tell you that. My horse is NOT in the shape that I use to get a
horse into when I was younger. But, I can still ride, I love to ride, I
love the juniors I get to take, and 25s are comfortable. Folks do the
mileage for all kinds of reasons. Unfortunately, there are always a few
who are going to learn the hard way. Some will learn, others won't get
it. One does the best one can do. I have no problem telling someone
to slow up and I have no problem taking a newbie with me. Most folks do
the same. If one is a newbie, do not be afraid to get out and try this
sport. Never believe the printed word totally. Read it, think about
it, apply it to you and your horse. Remember this, we all started out
as newbies. Some of us learned some things the hard way. But we
learned. So can you. Be smart about it. Don't run the horse
fast whatever the distance, go a nice constant speed. Learn the game,
improve with each ride.. LDs fill a void. If an LD wasn't
offered, I would no longer be riding endurance. But whoopee, it is
offered, I can still come, have fun, and ride my old favorite horse on trail at
a distance that is comfy for me and comfy for my horse. It aint over til
the fat lady sings. Jeanie
