Re: Starting "Old"

[Leigh331@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/28/99 11:28:04 PM EST, Stealt21@aol.com writes:

<< 
 Also i'm very new to this and was wondering what everyones experience is with
 older horses in endurance riding....say a 18 year old?
 
 thanks >>

I've got to jump in on this one.....I borrowed my farrior's horse for awhile,
and even though he ended up with some non-age related problems, he was GREAT.
I started with him at 17 years old, started slowly, but he caught on real fast
and loved conditioning.  I only do LD, so someone else should post about the
50's or 100's.  This horse only ran two rides, the first was 30 miles at JD's
in SC.  Usually a very fast ride, we came in 9th, but I let my riding buddy
vet through before me to be sure she top tenned.  Officially, I placed 11th.
This is a really great placing at this ride.  The next ride was at Hallelujah,
a 25 miler.  We started about 15 min. behind everyone, caught up and passed
everyone but Vanissa Swain, placed 2nd.  Older horses probably need to be
watched a little more carefully, and prepared more slowly, but they have
advantages also.  Like more stable minds, less spooky, they tend to take
better care of themselves. etc.  I really loved this horse, he ended up with
some tyingup problems that the owners have gotten under control, but since he
was not mine, I just sent him home after the second episode.
Leigh