Re: Rain, Rain, I Want To Train!

[K S Swigart <katswig@deltanet.com>]

On Mon, 6 Apr 1998, Lauren Horn wrote:

> Is ANYBODY on the west coast able to continue training with all this
> rain? I guess it is O.K. that we have had two rides cancelled 'cause no
> one is able to ride with all the mud, damaged trails and rain.
> 

I must confess that I have been riding pretty much every day.

> Anyone has suggustions on how to keep your horse fit and any "secret"
> areas to train in So. Cal?


Well, Lauren, you can come out to my place...if you go down from where I
am there is clay....if you go up...there is DG.  The main divide is pretty
much always dry.

However, your other option is to understand the going in mud is a good
"schooling opportunity" and that you can get a pretty nice "workout" with
a bit of hill and a bit of mud and a lot of walking.

If you stick to the "hills" (where the water runs off instead of pooling
and creating a bog), then the footing remains pretty good.

Chino Hills State Park (was out there yesterday) is fantastic.  The
footing is perfect (just the right amount of moisture to get some give
without it being so wet that it's slippery) with loads of grass for
grazing, loads of water for watering...and lovely weather (if you don't
mind getting wet once in a while).

I have NOT been riding the Santa Ana River Bed (as it is now a river, not
a river bed and loaded with quicksand).

Irvine Park is also very nice (as long as you horse can cross water).  A
few wash outs here and there...but these too are "schooling opportunities"

I am considering having an endurance rider's training ride in the State
Park next weekend...anybody want to come?

kat
Orange County, Calif.