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First, in jumping up from a 25 to a 50, I suggested that the
rider conserve the energy of the horse by using a quick formula.
(And using common sense because the formula is only a starting point.)
In a talk by Dr. Matthew Makay-Smith, he suggested that for riding
a 100 mile ride you do the following:
Use 25% of the horse during the first 50 miles,
Use 25% of the horse during the next 25 miles,
Use the last 50% of the horse during the last 25 miles.
So for the person moving up from a 25 to 50, they could modify this
formula to
Use 25% during the first 25 miles,
Use 25% during the next 15 miles,
Use the last 50% during the last 10 miles.
In this way, the rider starts out conservatively. If they need
the extra resources of the horse, due to terrain, weather, or other
concerns, the extra energy is there. At the half way mark, they
should have a fresh and eager horse. And will probably have a lot
of horse left at the end of 50 miles.
Once the horse and rider team have done a couple of 50s and learned
the pacing they need, then they can expend more of the energy earlier
or at a consistent pace.
Second, in the distance for training.
I suggested that you don't have to train for more than half the
distance of the ride. So for a 50 mile ride, your maximum training
distance is only 25 miles. And you can even break that down into
a couple of 15 - 20 mile rides per week along with a couple of
easy days of either fast short work, or ring work.
Kimberly asked me in e-mail, about the folks who say that the rides
themselves are training for the next ride. I agree, but only after
the horse is already in condition. She also asked about recovery
time. My guideline is 1 day off for every 10 miles. So after a 25,
the horse needs 3 days. After a 50, 5 days off. This again is only
a guideline and you need to know your horse to make the right choice.
(Of course, those times might actually be the time *I* need to recover:-)
(Drake seems to be ready to go the next day.)
Third, on when to present to the vet
My strategy is to wait about half the time available if I can.
On some rides you must go from the P&R gate to the vet without
returning to your crew area. So here, you only have a limited
amount of resources, and I prefer to just go to the vet.
If I can return to the crew area, then I'll let my horse relax,
strip the tack, let him eat, and then go to the vet. He'll have
a better CRI than if I went immediately to the vet.
If there is a crowd and long lines, I'll go to the vet earlier,
but take my time, let my horse relax, but not let other riders
cut in front as happened to Kimberly.
Fourth, On other riders,
You have to ride your own ride and try to ignore the other people.
If they actually interfer with you, by running their horse into you,
then speak up. Otherwise, just do what you went out to do.
Don't try to figure out why they are riding the way they are riding.
I'm open to other opinions, I'm just tired of hearing "*You* are wrong."
How about expressing opinions as "I've had the following experience."
-- 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 (898-2182 as of Nov 1.) 3404 E. Harmony Rd. AT&T: (970) 229-2182 (898-2182) Fort Collins, CO, 80528-9599 FAX: (970) 229-2038 (898-2038)
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