ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] gaited horses
[endurance] gaited horses
Patricia.Gottlieb@garfield.scbe.on.ca
8 Apr 1996 20:25:00 EST
Hi, we've just got on the Internet. My husband (Vic Milne) is the
technophile in our family. We would be interested in hearing any
comments from others who have used gaited horses in competitive trail
or endurance. We have a very gutsy little Paso Fino mare, Maple Leaf's
Ventisca, who has carried Vic to a number of ribbons in the heavyweight
division of CTR's here in Ontario, most notably a second in a tough 30
miler. I usually compete on my Arabian gelding, and Vic sometimes uses
our thoroughbred Mack. However, we have been wondering if other people
have advice on using gaited horses in CTR's.
What are the pros and cons of using a gaited horse in long distance
riding? A very experienced vet officiating at one ride expressed the
view that a gaited horse would obviously suffer less from concussion
but would work the back muscles harder than a trotting horse. Are there
any special techniques that can help a gaited horse on a long ride?
Pat Gottlieb