Re: Base

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Your horse plays baseball??? I guess it achieves base when he is not vetted
out or gets to home base free. 

Now, I hope you are talking about obtaining a modicum of conditioning along
with some basic training. This can be determined by several factors, let's
take the training first. When the horse is capable of being saddled and
ridden in a mannerly fashion then you could call that a base. the next step
is to perform lateral movements and to back readily. That is a bit more of
a training base. 

Conditioning entails the observance of pulse and respiration recoveries
during and after exercise. With more and more conditioning the recoveries
will become more and more rapid considering the level of exercise. The
ultimate is when you ride your horse and obtain the top level of effort
from the horse, on that day,  with no harm to the horse. It is observed
that every horse is an individual and no set formula will suffice to cover
them all. You must first consider what you want to do (25 miles, 50, or
100) and work towards that goal. When you can do a 50 and place in the
upper echelon with a reserve left in your horse then you have a firm base
for that horse for that mileage. This principle applies for what ever you
desire to do with the horse.

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID

----------
> From: Bob & Amber Roberts <mlaboure@flash.net>
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: Base
> Date: Monday, August 17, 1998 4:08 PM
> 
> How does one know when his horse has ACHIEVED BASE?
> 
> Amber
>