I personally would not tell a NEW person to
distance riding, that they can take Ol Dobbin out and do a 25 mile ride if they
had been riding regularly on weekends etc. I think that those new to the sport
of distance riding, even if they do some longer pleasure rides on a regular
basis, benefit MORE than the horse does, to starting at a shorter distance, or
in CTR's.
Many of us who have been around the sport a long
time, find we DO prefer to start horses in 50's, or longer CTR's. But, we
hopefully know how to take care of the horse, watch for problems etc. better
than some riders new to the sport.
My current horse, Hank, had never done a days ride
longer than about 18 miles, when I asked Dave Rabe to ride him 50 on the long XP
in 2004. One week later, I had him take him another 50, and a week later, yet a
3rd. I knew Dave would do great at this task, even better than I
ever would. He rode him slow, careful, and the horse got started in the
sport in a way I was very pleased with.
But I would never tell a "newbie" to start out in
this manner.
