Re: Re: green horses and CTR

["Dyane Smith" <sunibey@sisqtel.net>]

On average, how long does it take for a horse to calm down?  Chelle Sherman
talked about the value of being able to lead an overexcited horse.  I,
myself, have never been convinced it was that safe for me to try to lead a
horse who was doing airs above my head.  On the other hand, Suni never had
to SEE the horses in front, he KNEW (smelled whatever) they were there and
that he should be in front.
    I had heard that the best way to start was with a slow 50 miler.  Given
that I am still not sure about the slow part if you are also a newbie, what
is the general consensus?
Dyane
and Fox, the ex-race horse, waiting for his chance....


----- Original Message -----
From: GESA BRINKS <gesaeqfx@pe.net>
To: Chelle Sherman <cms@fluent.com>; <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 1999 11:14 PM
Subject: RC: Re: green horses and CTR


> Except for the leading/not leading part, you just described the average
> endurance ride. <bg>    In a CTR, ya just gotta use your brain more.
> gesa n clovis
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chelle Sherman <cms@fluent.com>
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Date: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 11:01 AM
> Subject: RC: green horses and CTR
>
>
> >I'm sure it depends on the CTR, and the area where it is held, but I
> >have had the pleasure of starting two green horses in CTR and I feel the
> >format makes it quite difficult for the horse to stay calm. All the
> >horses are basically clumped together, many are quite fast at the start,
> >and as another ridecamper mentioned, most can see another horse in front
> >of them that they want to catch. Pacing is very difficult when you are
> >caught in a pack of riders on horses. It's sort of like be sucked into a
> >vortex and spit out the other end 30 miles later! You can pull over and
> >try to let them go by, but another pack usually follows close behind.
> >Furthermore, if your horse does get overexcited, you can't get off and
> >lead for awhile (without disqualifying yourself). The water stops tend
> >to be very crowded, especially at the start of the ride. You can try to
> >arrange to go last, but my experience with this is that my horse knew
> >she was last, and got more and more frantic as the horses left camp. You
> >can bet that she was ready to go when we finally hit the trail. I have
> >also found on CTRs that many riders don't obey the rules about letting
> >everybody in a group drink before they start down the trail, and letting
> >everybody get to the bottom of the hill before trotting or cantering
> >off. If you're unfortunate enough to be at the back of the pack, you can
> >end the ride with a very sore and thirsty horse. My point in all this is
> >not to bash CTRs - I really enjoy them and support them wholeheartedly.
> >It's just that if you're going to do them with a green horse, it may not
> >be as calm and easy an experience as you think. At least with endurance,
> >you can leave camp when you want - let the whole pack leave and then go
> >out. You can get off and walk when you need to, and you have the option
> >of going much slower if you want to. I plan to do a short CTR with my
> >new green horse late this Fall, and I think I've learned my lesson:
> >train in groups before competing, teach pace control, and plan to ride
> >with a buddy who has a calm horse and a similar game plan.
> >
> >Chelle and Mystik Star
> >
> >
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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
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