RE: 5 yr. olds

["Dawna Bynum-Boyd" <dawnab@pdx.wantweb.net>]

I currently have a eight year old I'm riding now, but started him very slow
at three with long walks.  I continued to do long walking rides until he was
about five.  Then we transitioned into 25 mile training rides, generally at
the trot.  The LSD work really prepared him, he's strong, athletic and has
great endurance.  He's never been lame and is perfectly willing to trot or
canter for the majority of the rides.  He has a low resting pulse and I have
had no problems with him pulsing in at any of the rides he's been on.  We
started with 25 and 50's the first year, took a year off (my back surgery)
and began competing again this past season with 50 milers.  He's incredibly
strong, which I attribute to all the LSD work we did when he was younger.
Since neither he nor I are tired after the 50's we are planning on attacking
the 75's and 100's this year!

-----Original Message-----
From: guest@endurance.net [mailto:guest@endurance.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 1999 3:11 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: 5 yr. olds




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From: Carol
Email: kroes@jps.net

I would appreciate data from those of you who have riden 5 yr. olds in 25
mile rides. Granted your horse was conditioned properly and riden slowly,
were there any ill effects from being riden 'long' distances at a young
age.Please be specific as to how long you conditioned the horse,miles,
injuries(if any), if the horse is still sound,and what age he is now.