Re: bringing up baby

[Lauren Horn <fourhorn@fea.net>]

susan wrote:
  Do you begin the
> conditioning even before you ride?  I have lovely access to miles of
> trails that I could pony her on and my older gelding would allow me to
> do that, but is there a benefit to doing so?  Any other things you do
> differently with endurance prospects?


I know a few people who pony "youngsters" while on trail. Two, that I
know have been ponied since they were foals. They got experience in all
sorts of terrain and built up muscles that would be needed when carrying
riders. They are now both being ridden and are excellent trail horses.
It is much better to build up their muscles and surefootedness then sit
idle in a stall or flat (terrain) pasture all day. You want a good
endurance horse? Then start exposing them now.

Lauren