I think NATRC is the best place to start a green horse or green rider. IMO
the emphasis on safety and manners that is in NATRC is good for building
the greenies up to what they can do. In NATRC the rules may seem picky and
arbritrary but they are there for a purpose. Horses are judged separately
from the riders and I think that makes for an interesting comparison of
placings. Specific things I like about NATRC are: emphasis on quiet mounts,
more awareness of the need to pace the animal, no help for the rider or
horse, tied to trailers instead of in corrals at night (most rides), no
boots, bandages or pads,and no forced electrolytes or ice allowed. I think
these things make for better riders and better conditioned horses even if
they then move on to do endurance where those things are different.
NATRC horses are calm and must stand for mounting (the dreaded Sunday
morning off-side mount <g>) They are judged on calmness over obstacles and
that obedience is helpful in stressful situations. Because the rider must
provide all care for the horse (no crewing) the rider learns what the horse
requires. It also forces the rider to get in better shape and I think a
more aware rider is a better rider. By training the horses to stand tied
the rider can see if they have a potential problem with stocking up or a
behavioral problem with a horse. Horses that are allowed to move more may
be hard to handle on pack trips when no corral is available. I also have
seen too many horses escape from corrals to feel comfortable with them but
that is a personal preference. By not allowing any form of boots, bandages
or pads on the horse NATRC horses are required to be selected for good
trail conformation. I think it mitigates the tendency for riders to pick a
horse that may not be ideally suited to the sport but can compete with
boots or pads when in NATRC it is obvious that that animal is not the right
one for distance riding. I am of the firm belief that if the animal
requires boots, or pads to complete then we're doing something wrong.
<smile> Similarly I like not being able to force electrolytes down my horse
and not using ice. I must be more aware of my animal's overall condition
and pace to complete a NATRC ride within the time limits and still not use
these substances. I think NATRC can be an end of itself. (I was a 2 time
IAHA Top 10 in Competitive Trail and that was my goal at the time) If NATRC
is where you or your horse want to stay then that's great.
OTOH endurance provides a faster paced event. I know endurance riders like
to point out it's a ride not a race but I disagree. The winner is the horse
first across the line in good condition. We are all winners when we finish
but the whole attitude since the fastest time "wins" makes endurace a
different sport. Even though I like the restrictions in NATRC and think
they are great for training young horses I also appreciate the relaxed
rules in endurance. We ask our endurance horses to go further and faster
than NATRC does so I like being able to have assistance to care for me and
my mount. The added stress makes the relaxed rule about pads reasonable. At
endurance speeds it's not really fair to require all horses to go across
w/o pads. Endurance horses may need the added assist of forced electrolytes
to prevent problems and maintain performance so it's available to use.
However, even in endurance if the horse and rider have been successful at
NATRC you have a bare bones base to fall back on. Your crew doesn't make it
to the vet check but it's ok because you know what to do for your horse and
are fit enough to do it. You lose a boot or forgot electrolytes or there is
no ice available. That's ok, you can reduce your speed and continue on at a
NATRC pace and to finish is to win so you will have won. Your portable
corral breaks or can't be set up but it's not a problem because your horse
is trained to stand tied and can rest comfortably that way.
The bottom line is I think both types are very good. I think the endurance
only folk could learn some good horsemanship and trail care tips from top
NATRC competitors and I think NATRC riders could learn more about how to
handle horses that have been pushed to the edges of their ability from
endurance riders.
In any case go to a few NATRC rides and have fun. A few suggestions though,
even if you are an experienced endurance rider make your first few NATRC
rides at novice level or if you cannot qualify for novice then do
competitive pleasure. You might be surprised how much there is to learn
when you are being judged on trail care, how you care for your horse at the
trailer and so on. <g> Novice rides introduce you to the sport and provide
a foundation to build on. Most of the Novice rides in the SW region are 1
day rides so that makes it easier. Also, carry at least 2 watches, an
elapsed time one and another for timing trail segments. Pacing across the
trail is very important and it's worth the effort to spend time after the
ride briefing with your topo maps of the area and determine what speed you
should cover each section of trail. Mounted orienteering and map reading
skills are important here. <g> Have someone else do the cooking and cleanup
for you on your first ride. Although you cannot have any help with the
horse and no help on the trail for the rider it is sure helpful at least
the first few times not to also have to worry about feeding yourself. Most
NATRC rides have Sat evening meals but if not or you don';t wish to pay for
it find someone to come camping and do it for you. You will be so busy
caring for your horse that it's easy to forget to care for yourself.
Have fun, Hope to see you on the trails someday. <g>
Oogie
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Ken & Oogie McGuire
Weyr Associates - Computer Consulting, Multimedia Development and Authoring
Desert Weyr Arabians & Mules - CMK bloodlines for trail & endurance
551 Gem Lane, Ramona, CA 92065-3770, (619) 788-6671 FAX (619) 788-6742
URL http://agilemac.saic.com/Oogie.html