LD's training to move up

[terre <tobytrot@bigfoot.com>]

"Here we go again.  OK.  As King of the Rookie LDers I must protest at the 
rocks y'all throw at the 25 milers.   First of all, I'm an ole fart.  I drink 
alot of beer and 25 miles is all I can do.  Second of all, my horse is a 
"race" horse.  And, yes, my goal is to "race" the 25 milers and beat all you 
slim, trim youngens and then talk about it, later, at ridecamp.  lol.

And when we're done, after a couple hours, he gets this glow on his coat that 
shows me he's fine and had a good time.  And that "glow" will stay with him 
for the next two days.  And I know he's a better horse after completeing a 
measely 25 miler.  And I'm a happy camper getting to spend time with my horse 
and meeting people who love their horses as much as I do.
so there,
Rookie Rider"

Personally, I say "good for you--I have no problem with your concept of the
sport".  But you are missing Angie's point, and the "subject" of the
post--which is that training for speed at LD does not equip the horse to
move up in distance.  "Perfecting" your performance at LD (if you mean
placing higher) in fact creates a sprinter not a stayer, and HINDERS the
horse's ability to learn to do longer rides.  If you don't WANT to move up,
and many people don't, then the subject doesn't apply to you.  No rocks.
	Terre


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