Cindy, I do understand. In fact, I rode my
horses for 2 years in comp, LSD, and then in the 3rd year, I went to
endurance. So between all of us throwing in our 2 cents worth, the general
idea should get across. Most of the horses I have seen hurt were the ones
that went too fast too soon, and the ones that didn't have the conditioning to
back them up. Then another fact to consider is that once the horse has
done the sport for 4 or 5 years, it doesn't take much to bring that horse
back. Another fact to consider is that each horse is different. What
works for one will not necessarily work for another. But the guidelines
are basically the same. We all were beginners at one time or another, and
we all learned thru experience, our own errors as well as other's errors, and by
just plain observation. And usually my sprints are no more than half a
mile, but there is one stretch that is about a mile, that our guys really turn
it on. We just whoop and holler and let 'em rip. And I should
add that it isn't a solid gallop the whole way, it starts as an extended trot,
by the time we round the first corner, we are in a gallop, then back to an
extended trot because of footing, and then back to a gallop when we round the
last corner. What a high!! Jeanie
