First of all, let me say that I am absolutely overwhelmed at the amount of
mail this list is generating! At the risk of adding yet more clutter to
the list, I have comments on several of the recent threads.
Non-traditional distance horses - I ride regularly (mostly CTR's) with 5
others and none of us ride an Arabian - two Quarter Horses (one is
appendix), a POA, a Belgian/Appy cross, and two Morgans. We have fun and
do well with our multi-breed herd.
Mares and geldings - Star is a gelding and Quark is a mare, never a
problem. We have never thought twice about mixing mares and geldings, they
often get along better than all mares.
Hackamores & Bits - Ah, now this has opened a real kettle of fish! I ride
Quark in a halter, everywhere. Her little nose is very responsive, so even
if she does lose it (a rarity, to be certain), she comes back instantly and
remembers what the leg cues mean. Star, on the other hand, cannot be
ridden in a hackamore other than walking around the field. He tosses his
head, (with both bosal and mechanical) stiffens his neck and is generally
unresponsive. I ride him in an egg-butt snaffle. This is a light-weight
bit and fits him well. With this, I have a prayer of him remembering that
he is a dressage horse (I'm not, I'm not! I am a wild and free trail
horse!). Occasionally, I will remove the bit and ride in the halter,
depending on his state of mind. He has his good days and his bad days.
Rider weight - I bevieve that the weight a horse can carry is very
dependent upon the build of the horse and the skill of the rider. Teddy's
20% is a good starting point, but not a hard and fast rule.
I guess to sum up - every horse is an individual, every rider is different.
Go with what works.
To the one who has sunshine, we are so jealous! It is either too cold to
ride or too muddy. Nothin' to do but walk - slowly and carefully - around
the pasture.
Shannon Loomis and Quail Meadow Star