training, conditioning, and riding cross-country

[Erika R Achberger <eachberg@sophia.smith.edu>]

Hi, I've been on this list several times, for periods of time, but because
I am a college student and can't keep filtering all this info all the
time, miss a lot.  I really like learning about endurance riding and other
things through this list.
	I need to get a book on endurance riding, and will look forward to
reading it this summer.  In the meantime, I thought I would share a few of
the things I have been thinking about and see if I could get in touch
with any of you who have similar interests:)

1)	I am a dedicated TTEAMer, have learned a lot about working with
horses from using the methods and especially the TTOUCH in all kinds of
situations.  Any of you who are very "into" this method and would like to
share with me, I would love to have more contact with people in this area.

2)	I also am a HEMPFLING enthusiast, any of you who are familiar with
his methods, or (hesitatingly) Parelli's (I like some of what he says,
but other stuff seems wrong), I would love to hear from
you, as I have few people I can talk to about these.

3) 	I am looking forward to working with and riding my 16 year old Arab
gelding, Kashan, when I get home in a couple weeks, and am planning to
keep rides at the level of long walks in the beginning, because he doesn't
get ridden very much when I am away, just plays in the pasture all day. 
Does anyone recommend otherwise, or think that it is okay to do trotting
and cantering right away too?  I have always understood to start with lots
of walking, but my horse love to canter-- I should say, gallop-- and if I
let him do so, gets really wound up and wants to do nothing but. 

4) I plan, this summer, to do many long rides just in the area (dirt
roads)  around where I keep him (in Minnesota), but have long-term dreams
as well.  I would love to take him on a journey across part of the country
after I am done with college.  Does anyone know someone who has done this? 
I am from Northfield, MN, home of Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges, and I
have been told that not too many years ago (when Carleton still had a
stables), some woman from the West Coast rode her horse all the way to
Carleton.  When I've taken the train home from the East Coast, and get
that inside peek at all the country passing by, and communities we pass
through, I think how nice it would be to be riding along down there... 

5) 	I am wondering if there is anyone on this list from my area of
Minnesota? Or if any of you know someone from near me (50 min south of
Minneapolis-- Northfield, Faribault, Nerstrand, Millersburg, Dundas,
Kenyon, Cannon Falls...)?

6)	Does anyone have an exotic saddle (not australian, english or
western) that they use and like?  I like the Spanish Vaquera saddle, and
am also making one of my own.


Thanks, see ya--Erika (with Kahsan in her thoughts as the semester comes
to an end and visions of the Minnesota prairie are in her imagination)

eachberg@sophia.smith.edu