Rx for SADDR

[Vickie Smith <kiwana@sover.net>]

My husband has come up with 2 suggestions that work fairly well around 
here...  When I get cranky from lack of horse riding, he rents a "western" 
movie where I can fantasize about riding and tell him about lack of 
authentic equipment or critique horses' conformation with popcorn and hot 
chocolate!  His other choice is to send me to an indoor arena for a 
"lesson" - doesn't matter what the style is-just as long as I am on a 
horse!  This year, my Christmas present is 3 mos. board at an indoor arena 
for my horse!!!  Does this man know me or what???  (We just had our 29th 
anniversary and he hardly ever rides!)  I hope everyone is counting their 
blessings this time of year as I am......

Merry Christmas to all,
Vickie Smith
Lincoln, Vermont

PS I wholeheartedly agree that kids under 16 should ride FREE...  I don't 
mind subsidizing future riders-just the adults!  If anyone needs a person 
to ride with their junior in the Northeast, let me know.  No charge and I 
might even truck their horse free.

----------
From: 
	ridecamp-d-request@endurance.net[SMTP:ridecamp-d-request@endurance.net]
Reply To: 	ridecamp-d@endurance.net
Sent: 	Monday, December 07, 1998 1:31 AM
To: 	ridecamp-d@endurance.net
Subject: 	SADDR

------------------------------
Date: Sun, 06 Dec 1998 20:38:28 -0500
From: "Linda S. Flemmer" <bluwolf@earthlink.net>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: SADDR
Message-ID: <366B3194.FE0D406@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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Seasonal
Affective
Disorder of
Distance
Riders

This disease sets in during the initial shortening days and lousy
weather of late fall, early winter.  Riders, with little else to do,
begin to be short tempered (at others beside their crew), grumble, and
easily take offense at other's words.

This is a progressive disease that spreads to non-distance riders in the
same family.

No known cure.  The disease must run it's course, usually resolving
about 1-2 months before the next scheduled ride in the Spring.  Folks in
the area of a rider affected with SADDR should seek cover and attempt to
grow thick skin.  Under no circumstance should you plan any other
activities for the limited hours of daylight on a weekend without
rain/snow/hail/sleet.  The rider needs that bonding time with their
horse to maintain any hint of sanity.

Take heart - it is NOT a lethal disease, even if the family sometimes
wishes that it was.
***************************

Anyone familiar with this?  I've seen some cases floating around!

Linda Flemmer