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RE: [RC] off-horses and LD's - heidiI agree that many horses with chronic problems are happy out on the trail. But I have to agree with those who have said that there is no point in subjecting such horses to an LD ride. There are many stressors involved in riding in a competitive situation (even if one is not personally riding "competitively") that will cause a horse to push himself past his limits, often without the rider even being aware of it. It simply isn't fair to ask that of a horse that is already biomechanically compromised.
By all means such horses should be ridden out on trails, as much and as long as they are comfortable. But let them do it in a low-stress environment where they are more apt to "tell" you when enough is enough, and where it is easier to quit and go home when they reach that point.
Gaining fitness on trails is good for nearly all horses. But not all horses need to come into competitive situations--or should.
Heidi
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