Re: RC: LD AND OPINIONS

[BMcCrary27@aol.com]

In a message dated 01/21/2001 10:09:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
guest@endurance.net writes:

<< I was dismayed however, to listen to the Duck give a 15 minute diatribe 
about how bad LD was
 and how "many more horse deaths occurred from LD than Endurance" how LDers 
overide their horses etc.  What?  I guess I don't understand how doing a fast 
50 on a 5 year old (which in my opinion is way too young to be doing a 50 
since most Arabs don't mature until 6-7)is any different than doing a fast 
25.  >>

I was unaware that there WERE more horse deaths on LD rides than endurance 
rides!  Is there any documentation to prove this?  
I think one of the reasons that LD rides should not be viewed as races is 
that most horses can do 25-35 miles, and some of them can do it fast.  It's 
the last 15 miles that separates the fit and conditioned from the unfit.  I 
just hate to see LD rides used as racetracks, partly becasue I feel it's not 
in the best interest of the horses, and partly because it's pretty disruptive 
for racers to go galloping by others who are out on that trail for other 
reasons.....to introduce young horses (who do not need the stimulation of 
seeing other horses being ridden hard and fast), to return rehabilitated 
horses into competition, or to be out on the trail having a lovely extended 
pleasure ride (for those not inclined to greater distances or unable, by 
physical limitations, to do so).
And I certainly agree that 50 is too young to be doing a 50 mile ride, but I 
wouldn't go so far as to propose making it a rule to raise the minimum age 
limit.  It's just that personally, having raised or brought along several 
Arabs from birth or youth, I would not take the average 5 year old into a 50 
miler.  I guess it depends on the maturity of that particular animal, mostly 
the mental maturity.  I don't relish the idea of riding a horse that is not 
mentally ready for the challenge.  In other words, I want control, not 
hysteria.  It's for my own safety, as well as the horse's wlefare.  I rode a 
home-bred mare in her first 55 at the age of 5 1/2 several years ago, and I 
recently rode a home-bred gelding in his first 50 at age 6 1/2. The was quite 
a bit of difference in physical capability of the two horses, based on their 
respective ages.  The older horse did a much more competent job than the 
younger, and over more challenging terrain. 
Just my opinions and observations.........

Barbara