Re: TRAINING

["Mary Burgess" <mburgess@theglobal.net>]

> On Monday January 11,  John B. Ayers <ayers@plainfield.bypass.com> wrote:
> 
> > However in competition he gets excited.  I have invested SUBSTANTIAL
> amounts
> > of time and money in training the horse and myself.  I have signed up
for
> > pleasure rides to give him more exposure to other horses. An excited
> horse
> > could be a danger to himself, his rider and other horses and riders. He
> > takes much of the pleasure out of the competition for himself, his
rider
> and
> > others
> 
> First John, let me say I empathize!  I doubt that there is anyone on this
> list that has had a horse go out on his first competition and NOT be
> excited!  If there is such a beast...congratulations to the owner!  We
> start with sensitive, excitable animals, train them until they are super
> athletes, and then the COMPETITION BEGINS!  The rider is excited, the
other
> animals around are excited:  it is inevitable that EXCITING THINGS
HAPPEN,
> which of course, we would all rather avoid!
> 
> 	Dr. Heidi, of course, is perfectly capable of speaking articulately for
> herself, but if I may add my limited perspective to the topic, I have
found
> no additive, homeopathic medicine or "elixir" which ever substituted for
> the hard work and sweat of work, work and work.  My stallion was an
> ABSOLUTE IDIOT  on his first ride...I threatened to geld him with my
> teeth...but hundreds of miles later, I had a HORSE!  At the beginning, we
> started up to an hour behind all other horses and then slowly, race after
> race, we moved up until I could start him with the crowd and expect a
> gentleman.  I personally tried many "tubes" of things in my desperation
> over those early rides, but am deeply convinced now, that time, patience
> and lots of wet saddle blankets were the only cure.  I found that keeping
> his mind occupied with simple dressage lessons while everyone else was
> milling around was useful, we worked and worked to keep his mind on the
> topic at hand.  Eventually he would relax, and we would go on.  I would
> personally recommend NOT allowing your horse to go off like a rocket
every
> time.  Whenever I felt my stud surging like a juggernaut, I would try
> (where trails permitted) to make him circle and regain control.  It is
NOT
> THE EASY WAY, but I am convinced, it is the BEST way.  Don't let your
> expectations get too lofty as well...it takes years and years to get one
of
> these wonderful animals to where the beginning of the race is also a
> pleasure!  
> 	You know, I liken the situation you describe to my eternal quest for the
> perfect endurance diet for myself...this time of year the TV and radio
are
> deluged with "quick fixes" to MELT AWAY FAT without the pain and
suffering
> of diet and exercise!!!  But honestly, the only thing that ever works for
> me (in spite of my incredible desire to find a quick fix) is eating less
> and exercising more!  I wish there were an easy way to solve both of
these
> problems, but GOD keeps them out of MY reach, at least.  
> 	Best of luck, keep the faith, and keep plugging away.  One day your
alarm
> will go off at a ride, and you'll saddle up the nicest horse you've ever
> ridden!  Mary
>