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[RC] Slow walking horses and Tevis - Erica DeVoti - shermanTitle: MessageYes, abosolutely a
slow walking horse can complete Tevis because you won't be doing much walking
(:>) except maybe 5 min. before the vet checks and up the steep canyons.
Most other uphill climbs can be done at a walk/jog or slow trot. Some downhills
are very steep and while some riders get off and lead down, others, including
me, stay on and walk/jog down because it's much faster IF you have a good
downhill horse. If your horse is not a good downhill horse, leading may be a
better choice. You won't make it to Auburn in 24 hours if you spend much time
walking. Someone said (maybe Julie Suhr) to trot as much as possible, walk
only when the footing or terrain demands it, but pick up the trot again
even if it's only for a few feet before you have to walk again.
Regarding the
canyons, most riders do get off and tail up the steep canyons. I've found that
when I'm tailing up those canyons, my horses try to jog. It's a job keeping them
slow enough for me to keep up without feeling airborn.
Are you planning on
Tevis '09?
Kathy
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