[a novel about] Andie + me, Endurance Riding, and Ponying!

[ihorse]

Hi guys! How's everyone doing? :)
ETA: More cuts. :'( Sorry this is so huge!

Comments

[dappled_dreams]

In general, it seems "endurance" gets the cop-out of being the "easy" discipline to do when someone feels they and their horse do not have the finesse/training to do a traditional discipline. I am not saying this is what led to your decision, this is just what I see more often than not. So much goes into endurance, even for those who aren't going into the Tevis Cup - if you want to do it correctly, you still need a ton of preparation. Most riders have/should have pit crews that follow them to rest stops in vehicles to be able to give riders needed items along the way and to cart around electrolytes (capillary refill rates are checked often on rides), food, etc. for the horse. I think just about every rider has a heart montior on the horse nowadays to check heart rate, because that is a determining factor in being allowed out of your hold and onto the next leg of a race. Saddle is also very, very important because even at the most basic events, there are checks for soundness and soreness and if the horse is at all stiff or sore, you're

[ihorse]

I realize that you specifically said you're not saying I'm looking for an "easy" discipline, but I just wanted to clarify that and make sure we're all on the same page. :)

My intent for trying endurance is so Andie and I can do something, with a solid goal in mind, establish a routine, and develop a better bond with each other. I think we're both up to the challenge, granted we prepare for it the best way possible, but that's why I'm here asking for advice before I go out and do a 50-mile ride with my unfit horse. ;)

[dappled_dreams]

Kudos to you for making effort! =) I just hear so many people that talk about trying the sport like, "Wah? I can't get my horse to half-pass, tuck up his legs over fences, or keep contact with me - oh wellz! Endurance is just like a trail ride, right? We can do that!" And I do totally realize that's not your attitude, and that makes you awesome XD. But if you can't do all those things in a ring, people don't realize you're not going to be able to do that when you're dodging random branches in muddy quagmires and trying to go over fallen trees, either. And if you can't get a horse to respect a bit in the ring? Good luck - lord knows how far he'll take you in the great outdoors.

I think you will thoroughly enjoy endurance if you choose to get into it. I can find no greater peace than when I'm out in random woods, and I get a real sense of harmony between my horse and I. Just fantastic stuff - and totally underrated! I sincerely wish you the best of luck once again!

[ihorse]

Thank you! It's nice to know that I can officially separate myself from the poor sports and ignorant nuts. ;) In general, I've always had pretty good control of her, except when she's being all herd bound and scary without a buddy. I'm hoping I'll eventually be able to either wean her off from 'needing' a buddy, or find someone I can regularly ride with. As long as she's fairly comfortable, and I'm confident, she'll pretty much do anything. Her steering is good, she bends pretty well, I can do a sort of half pass, and she's a talented jumper, so I think she's going to be pretty cut out for trail work. She's super smart (used to come up with all kinds of freaky ways to try to time her bucks just right to get me off... COUGH like after a fence COUGH), and knows where to put her feet in tricky spots, so with a little more work and conditioning, I think she'll be fantastic, and have much more fun with endurance than me fighting with her to get her head under control and try to force a better trot out of her

[dappled_dreams]

You're very welcome - as the owner of a very stubborn and barn sour/herd sour app, I totally commiserate with you. My journal is pretty boring now, but it is one of my goals to frill it up a little and record my rides in it - mind if I add you?

[ihorse]

Sure! I was actually going to ask the same question, but forgot. XD I don't really have anything in my journal right now, but I'll probably start updating it once Andie and I start working. :)