MECHANICAL FATIGUE

["John B. Ayers" <ayers@plainfield.bypass.com>]

We fininished our FIRST 25-mile CTR on May 9th  (GMHA Brown Bag)
with a score of 91.  We lost 6 1/2 points for mechanical fatigue.  Length
of stride and height of stride both -2).  At the 15-mile Mud Ride on Apr
25th
we lost 4 points for the same.

Could the fact that all four shoes are 4-nailed (he lost shoes last Winter
and because he knew we were starting CTR the farrier added the 4th)
contribute to this? How would one recognize whether the horse has
sore feet?

Several riders suggested we work on our trot-out.  We've signed
up for a Ride Clinic on May 23rd to work on this and other whatever
else will help.

What else might we do to improve our score in this area?

John and Meshack (VT)