What I have found that works for me is to pick the speed and let the horse
pick the gait.
Truman
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>Patti
>
>>The first 21 miles was really wonderful, it was flat even
>>ground and Dulce was feeling great and her long trot was
>>awesome. In fact, I don't think that horse has ever moved out
>>that well.
>
> A year ago I was in your shoes. The first 50 my horse and I
>tried ended up like yours. I think the key is in your first
>paragraph. The long trot at speeds greater than training with a
>new horse sounds like me. The horse is motivated and I allowed
>it to move out before it's body was ready for that speed at
>distance. Some time off and riding with experienced riders at
>closer to the rear of the group has now enabled me to finish the
>next 6 of 7. The other one I got pulled at could be the same
>story again. The footing was good but did have some gentle
>downhills with soft material. We trotted forever with little
>break. I got pulled at 47 miles and even the 1500 mile horse
>with me showed some filling and tenderness in the tendon area
>the next day. Obviously the top 10 horses are going at that
>speed. But my horse is not old enough, strong enough yet or
>built just right to handle it.
>Jim
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The race is not always to the swift, but to those that keep running.
Truman and Mystic "The Horse from HELL" Storm
prevatt@lds.loral.com - Sarasota, Florida
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