Re: RE: Hold Times

["Maggie Mieske" <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

Just want to tell you guys how much I appreciate this discussion of hold
times...I'm still a newbie and learning how hold times really affect me and
my horse.  This is a case of newbie learning while doing, I guess.  I see
the pros and cons both ways but for now, completion is my goal.  My ride
strategy is to let my horse pick a steady but comfortable pace for both of
us (I do NOT allow the "run like the wind and pull my arms out of the
sockets pace for the first 12 miles!"  That was solved by riding with my
daughter and her horse which is another strategy.)  The other strategy I
employed at the last ride was to simply leave out late at the start.  My
daughter's horse ate like a pig at the first hold (20 minutes wasn't long
enough for him!) and mine kept watching the forerunners leave out and
bumping me with his head as if to say "When are WE leaving out again?" and
refused to eat...20 minutes was too long in his opinion.  The 40 minutes at
lunch (1/2 way) seemed a bit short but we left when we were ready a few
minutes behind our out time and did just fine.  I guess weather, temp,
humidity all factor in and I will learn in time to go with the flow and
adjust.  I figure I can always just stay longer at a hold if I feel I need
to.  Keep up the discussion about these kinds of things.  Also, what do YOU
guys usually feed your horse at a hold?  Just curious...I have a little
gourmet thing going with beet pulp and pellets and a little sweet feed with
lots of carrots and apples cut up in it and soaked with water.  They
generally finish it right off.  Oh, and as much hay as they want, too.  
Maggie





----------
> From: Nancy Mitts <mitts_n@hotmail.com>
> To: MerendiniWS@navair.navy.mil
> Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: RC:  RE: Hold Times
> Date: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 2:55 PM
> 
> Wendy,
> I didn't mean to sound hostile, just persistant in my point! Where we
ride 
> we already have at least 3 hours of hold times in the ride, sometimes
closer 
> to 4 hours. Increasing those times comes out of the overall time we're 
> allowed. Any more than that is taking too much ride strategy from the
rider. 
> Our horses seem to eat about all they want or need (at one time) with 45 
> minutes. It's not good to give them too large a meal at one time when 
> they're working either. Personally, I like 1 hour hold on a 100 to give 
> myself a chance to rest, and the horse gets to rest a little after eating

> too. But if I sit too long, it's hard to get going again. I don't think
we 
> do the horse any favors if they stand around for too long after they
finish 
> eating. Maybe part of my strong feelings on this was that 13 of my
hundreds 
> were with a stallion. Being in camp wasn't really "down time" for him, 
> especially the first couple years. He spent more time looking around than

> eating. I got more food into him out of camp.
> Too many long mandated hold times remove this option from the rider. When

> the ride times are really short (20 min.) I just stay in camp until we've

> had enough to eat.
> Nancy Mitts
> 
> >Wow, I am receiving a little hostility here.  I do not and have not
always
> >ridden in the front "to win".  Just rode a 100 last weekend were I did
not
> >finish until 12:40 am!  I have ridden my share 12 hour 50s and 20 hour 
> >100s,
> >as such I have experienced how shorter hold times have negatively
effected
> >my mount.  I still believe that horses on 100s need time where they are
> >stopped, as in not on the trail.  I am from S. Cal where most of the
rides
> >are "desertry" and there is no "snacking" available on the trail.  When
I 
> >do
> >participate in a ride where "trail food" is available I let my horse
snack
> >along the way even if I am racing.
> >
> >I know it's a different concept and requires different horse management 
> >than
> >running to win. I believe both goals fall under the concept of
endurance,
> >and I wish to see rides managed to allow both types of competitors
fulfill
> >their goals.
> >And your point is...?  Is not the horse going 100 miles whether or not
he
> >wins or finshes last?
> >Why not give the horses more down time at a vet check?  This can only
help
> >them.  I am not saying that unless you do in my way you inconsiderate of
> >your horse - I just think this is an easy way to help our horses out
when 
> >we
> >ask so much of them.
> >
> >I love a good debate!
> >Wendy Merendini
> 
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