Welcome to the wonderful world of endurance riding.
>I'm one weekend away from my very first ride...an LD of 25 miles. I've
>prepared my horse and mmyself as best I can. I have some concerns I hope
>some of you seasoned veterans can help me with.
Oh sure. I just love giving advice:-)
>1. How do the rides start? Does someone fire a gun or just say giddy-up?
>Does everyone race to get to a narrow trail first?
This depends on the ride. I've never seen a gun being used though.
A shot gun start (minus the shot gun) is not very common. In this type
of start, everyone lines up, some one yells go, and every one goes
off together. It is generally caotic to say the least.
More common is a controlled start. Everyone lines up, some one is
assigned to lead off, and at a quiet pace the leader takes the group
down the trail. After everyone has started, maybe 1/4 mile, the
leader will begin to trot. Then perhaps another 1/4 to 1/2 mile
further, the leader will yell out "Trail is open" and everyone can
pass as they wish.
On a Competitive Ride there is a different start method entirely.
Since you are looking for the optimal time, each rider is given
an exact start time. Each horse will leave in either a small
group (2-4) or alone. Your number will be called out when it
is time to leave.
In most rides, a delayed start is allowed. You walk to the
start line without your horse. When, or if, a roll call is called,
you say "here", and then go back to your horse. After everyone else
has left, you mount quietly and ride off quietly. Make sure that
ride management knows you are starting late.
The 25 milers are a mixed group of people. (Aren't we all?)
Some will race to the front, some will lag behind. It all depends
on what the objective of the rider is. Those folks who are just
starting new horses, reworking old horses, out for a pleasure ride,
will hang back and take it easy. Those folks who are out to win
may crowd the start line and race as soon as they are able.
Make your own ride. You decide before going what you want to do.
>2. My young arab has adjusted to being responsive in just a bosal for
>our training rides- is this going to be enough to get his attention
>during the ride or should I put a bit back in his mouth?
I prefer to use my training equipment on the rides (or is that my
riding equipment for training?). At the start, you might want to hang
out by yourself and not get into the crowd. To warm up the horse, just
walk around, stop, turn, make him pay attention to you and ignore all
the excitement around him. But after that, it will really depend on
how you have trained your horse and what you think he will do.
Here's a key point with me. Demand that your horse act like a
well seasoned endurance horse. Demand proper behavior from your
horse. If you have to revert to training to get that behavior, do
so now. Otherwise, you'll be fighting every ride you go to.
For example, Drake's first ride he was very excited. He wanted to
run with the front runners. I wanted to walk out of camp. We spent
about an hour going less than 1/4 mile. Finally he decided I wasn't
going to let up so he walked. As soon as he started to listen to me,
I proceeded at my pace - not his. At the next ride, it was only
15 minutes, then 5, and now he's ready to do as I say.
>3. At the only vet check at the 15 mile point, is it advisable to have
>something for the horse to munch on for a pick me up or are most horse
>just fine for the whole 25 miles without a snack?
Depends on the horse. If you can, have a bucket of his favorite
grain mix and hay available. Along the ride, let him snack if
you can. And always, no matter what, let him drink at every
opportunity. Even though the horse doesn't need to eat, it is
good training for the longer rides you'll be going to next year.
You might also want to have a snack for yourself.
>Thanks again for your advice!
You are welcome.
-- Wendy\|/ /\ -O- /**\ /|\ /****\ /\ / \ /**\ Here there be dragons / /\ / \ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\/\/\ /\ / / \ / \ / \/\/ \/ \ /\/ \/\ /\ /\/ / / \/ \ / / \/ /\ \ / \ \ / \/ / / \/ \/ \ / \ \ / / \/ \/\ \ / \ / / \ __/__/_______/___/__\___\__________________________________________________
Wendy Milner HPDesk: wendy_milner@hp4000 Hewlett-Packard Company e-mail: wendy@fc.hp.com Mail Stop A2 Telnet: 229-2182 3404 E. Harmony Rd. AT&T: (970) 229-2182 Fort Collins, CO, 80525 FAX: (970) 229-4292