PACE CONTROL

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

Hi Chelle!

I have the same problem with my Arab gelding.  He injured a tendon
on the June 14th 25-mile CTR in S Woodstock,  VT.  I'm sure that it
was,  at least in part,  due to the fact that he was barely controllable
in the first hour.  In addition we had about 5" of rain and the trail was
steep,  muddy,  rocky and slippery.

The vet says no competition until Jan. so we are doing a lot of pleasure
rides....playing "leap-frog",  and now he will stay at the rear of the pack.
He would NOT do this previously,  even in a pleasure ride.  He FOUGHT
until we were well up in the pack.  Our "animal communicator"  says he was
afraid of being left behind.

In addition we have attended several Richard Thompson Clinics here in
Northern VT and are working on ground and saddle exercises for "Respect
and Control".   Ultimately the horse MUST be trained to listen to YOU!!

I scribed for the VERDA 30-mile CTR in Cornish,  NH last weekend and
several of the "experts" told me that ALL horses are a bit "crazy" at the
start of a competition.

I'll let you know of the next Thompson Clinic if you are interested.
Richard
is a U.S. Citizen but lives in Quebec.  Most all who have attended his
clinics
are impressed.

Keep me posted....I'm interested in ANYTHING that might help.  I'm sure it's
easier to do a 50-mile endurance ride than "jig" for 15 miles. <g>.

John and Meshack  (VT)