Mental Checkout

[Spiritdog2 <Spiritdog2@aol.com>]

Dear Campers

Thought I'd share an incident with you and see if I can get some feedback.  My
best friend and endurance partner, Bint Lami Walad, is a great little
endurancer.  Not fast but is the absolute high-torque trackter.  The last ride
we did together (two years ago) was her first after foaling so we were only
doing a 25 to get her back into the swing.  She is very competitive and at the
start of the ride began to fight with me to get to the front.  I however
wanted to maintain a slower pace.  She got so mad she mentally checked out and
I decided to pull her after only 2 miles.  The drag rider talked me into going
on and rode with me to pace her.  She never quit fighting with me however and
at about 10 miles she began to tie up.  I thought i was going to lose her.  We
poured every ounce of water we had over her and when she began to come around
I walked her to the first check.  By the time we reached the check she looked
top notch, like nothing had happened.  I explained what had happened to the
vet (bless his heart, he was waiting for us.  we were only an hour and a half
behind)  He checked her out said she was good to go so we went.  She was now
back in her old familiar style and paying attention to me.  When she left the
second check the vets and aides all said she was in excellent shape and looked
great.  We finished the ride only 15 minutes behind so she made up a lot of
time.  The vet said she looked tired but otherwise was in good condition.  

It has been two years and I am planning to get back to competing this year.  I
do not want to go through something like this again.  Has anyone else had
something like this happen and how do you train through this.  My plan is to
start my races about ten minutes behind the pack and this should woek to keep
her with me but geez, does this mean I'll never be able to start a race like
everyone else?  Someone told me this was typical behavior for the first post-
foal race.  Beats me.  I just know that I am not thrilled with muscling a 900
lb horse around for 10 or 12 miles.

Any suggestions?

Randi/Spiritdog Ranch