tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post3430187510966786186..comments2023-11-03T06:05:46.836-07:00Comments on The Reeling: An Unexpected Mareventure: Racing Stripes I Endurance Ride 2/15/14 (Edited to add info about the final score!)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-17684143225029668142014-03-26T08:04:13.823-07:002014-03-26T08:04:13.823-07:00I can't eat first thing in the morning either....I can't eat first thing in the morning either. Just thinking about it makes me nauseous lol! It sucks doesn't it?<br /><br />Congrats on your ride and getting the electrolytes figured out this time around. :D I wouldn't worry about the sore no more and liniment thing. You didn't know, but now you do. It's no big deal. I know it's hard not to get upset when it feels like everyone is bashing you, but I really don't think they meant any harm. It's all a learning curve with a new sport and you will get it all figured out. <br /><br />This does make me realize I'm a looooooong way from ever being anywhere near ready to do a CTR (my truck is broken down right now so it's not even on the radar right now anyway). I appreciate you sharing your experiences so I can learn more about distance riding. I hope you won't give up. You will figure out O's demons in time and it will get better and better every time. :)Achieve1dreamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15401246064499148344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-71314066751325344582014-02-26T00:00:22.494-08:002014-02-26T00:00:22.494-08:00Just wanted to say well done. I can absolutely te...Just wanted to say well done. I can absolutely tell that you have your horses best interests as number one. Seems much friendlier and less complicated in little NZ :). We have a thoroughbred mare who is so similar to O and it is a delicate balance when they just want to go for ever. Francescahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02391032884244494211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-33939407810088546302014-02-23T07:46:37.475-08:002014-02-23T07:46:37.475-08:00There is certainly treatment that would not be per...There is certainly treatment that would not be permissible during an event, including after XC at events (national and international) that run dressage -> XC -> stadium. Yes, the lines are drawn in different places, but I'm sorry, Andrea, I think it's a mischaracterization to say that the thought processes are incompatible.<br /><br />An individual rider's thought processes, sure. Yours? That's fine; that's your call to make. But neither sport -- by rulebook or by custom -- has an anything-goes ethic re: treatment during competition and both offer options to address a developing problem that the rider feels requires treatment beyond what the rulebook allows: withdrawing or retiring on course in eventing, rider-optioning out in endurance. Not very different at all.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12237668899993749427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-15984044621147205022014-02-23T05:43:22.193-08:002014-02-23T05:43:22.193-08:00As a somewhat related thought:
Eventing used to ha...As a somewhat related thought:<br />Eventing used to have an endurance phase, and I think the lack of the long format is part of what is causing more breakdowns in the eventing world. Many newer eventers (and, no, I am not referring to you or anyone in particular) never learn how to take care of their horse over any distance greater than what it takes to run XC. I think it's a shame and a detriment to the sport in general. Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-12742041334577829252014-02-23T05:38:03.149-08:002014-02-23T05:38:03.149-08:00I don't think it's that much of a differen...I don't think it's that much of a difference in thought. My thought as an endurance rider is, "This is a long distance. I better take it easy so the horse can go as long as possible before the microdamage occurs. Then I want the vet to look my horse over to assess how he did, and pull him if necessary. THEN, I want to do whatever he needs to help him recover from the workout." You'll see many endurance riders giving their horses bute or liniment or leg wraps AFTER they stand for BC. If the horse NEEDS that treatment BEFORE BC, they opt out, since the horse is unlikely to win BC, and because they want to prevent further damage. <br /><br />I did not at any point think you were cheating. At all. There are a LOT of rules and regulations to learn. Of course you're going to accidentally miss one here and there in the learning process.<br /><br />My point was just that there's a reason those rules are in place the way they are, and it's not because us endurance riders don't want to do anything to help with the welfare of our horse.<br /><br />In eventing, my thought train is more, "This is a workout against the clock. Let's get 'er done, and then immediately address any fall out."Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-71904779339950144252014-02-23T05:01:16.046-08:002014-02-23T05:01:16.046-08:00Mostly it's that endurance people and eventing...Mostly it's that endurance people and eventing people are incompatible thinkers.<br />My train of thought, after a ride: "Wow that was a hella long way, bodies sustain microdamage after workouts because that's just science, I want to minimize the microdamage in her legs immediately and help her feel better and make sure any minor thing doesn't ever turn into a major thing. (Goes for girth - saw puffiness, panicked and worried that I had overtightened girth, wanted to do something immediately for her because I wanted to minimize it and because I didn't want her to have to hurt for a second, not because I wanted to cheat.)"<br /><br />Endurance people: "Wow that was a hella long way, bodies sustain microdamage after workouts because that's just science, I need the vets to be able to see just how much damage I did or didn't do, all swellings included."<br /><br />I can't sit there and see a problem and not do anything about it. It's not ethical and if I get pulled because I put liniment (that I didn't know wasn't allowed) on my horse, then so be it and who cares because I did the right thing by helping my horse.<br /><br />But, that makes me incompatible with the other people in this sport.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-68108543598426400942014-02-22T19:35:34.420-08:002014-02-22T19:35:34.420-08:00I am sorry that you feel that way. And I am sorry ...I am sorry that you feel that way. And I am sorry if you feel that I was doing anything other than trying to be helpful. I will not do it again.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-13292559244896350662014-02-22T19:33:51.994-08:002014-02-22T19:33:51.994-08:00For god's sake. I am NOT bashing the sport, th...For god's sake. I am NOT bashing the sport, the organizers, the trail markers. The trail had some mush and the trail markers were hard to see, that's what they were and that's just fact. I'm not bashing ANYTHING. I'm just describing what make this particular ride difficult.<br /><br />There is helpful advice and then there is implication that I'm a bad person who doesn't care about this horse. As someone who would quite often rather be dead than anything else - and actually has a really nice horse who is giving me half a reason to not off myself - it pisses me off to NO end whenever people keep implying that I'm doing bad things to her. Constructive criticism and implying abuse and cheating are extremely different.<br /><br />I've had quite enough of endurance at this point. I've seen enough to know that this is not for me. Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-57546589945961732622014-02-22T18:41:35.974-08:002014-02-22T18:41:35.974-08:00For the record, YOU'RE the one doing nothing b...For the record, YOU'RE the one doing nothing but bashing the sport, the ride organizers, the trail markings, and the people who weren't super welcoming of your attitude IRL. As someone who knew O when she was Gabby, all I have to say is that at some point YOU will have to accept some of the responsibility.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-3214115550404517792014-02-22T18:40:14.892-08:002014-02-22T18:40:14.892-08:00I didn't say any of that. I'm sorry I said...I didn't say any of that. I'm sorry I said anything at all. Congrats on your finish. I will keep my opinions to myself. I thought maybe you'd want some input and honest advice. If all you want is a cheering squad, I am happy to post nothing but happy, supportive comments. I'll just scroll past anything questionable. Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-48295702573610921932014-02-22T17:16:29.945-08:002014-02-22T17:16:29.945-08:00Well, if you really think I'm an unethical per...Well, if you really think I'm an unethical person who cares more about winning than my horse, you're welcome to stop reading right now. Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-25293670802146922982014-02-22T16:26:21.505-08:002014-02-22T16:26:21.505-08:00For the record, I have not called you an abuser. I...For the record, I have not called you an abuser. I mentioned that I am concerned about the way you tell of your approach. Maybe your attitude in real life is different than what you reflect on your blog, but what I see on some of your entries makes me raise my eyebrows. Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-16059338508815776442014-02-21T19:33:23.075-08:002014-02-21T19:33:23.075-08:00It's not ill-fitting tack. It's a girth I&...It's not ill-fitting tack. It's a girth I've been using for 6 months that I once before over-tightened and it caused some puffiness and tenderness in her girth area. I was worried that I over-tightened it this time as well. It's a Woolback and it is one of few girths that keeps her rub-free. <br /><br />So far this has been my problem with endurance people. They immediately jump to a conclusion about something they hear a blippet about and then they judge, and they'll tell you right to your face how crappy of a person they think you are. I spent a large part of my ride walking with my feet out of the stirrups, but I still got top 10 and therefore I am a Bad Person. I got High Vet Score and had a fresh bucking horse the next day and I STILL am a Bad Person because now I'm labeled as an abusive racer. They assume that if I am getting top 10s and am new, I am a total horse abuser because how can I possibly know how to condition or train a horse, I must have just galloped it flat out the entire way. <br /><br />Sorry for the vent. I like the help and the constructive criticism but it's hurtful to be told that I care more about winning than about my horse. If people knew ANYTHING about me at ALL, they'd know that was the FURTHEST thing from the truth and THE most hurtful thing they could possibly say to me. Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-31516043024746901002014-02-21T19:11:25.581-08:002014-02-21T19:11:25.581-08:00The horse is supposed to be fit on its own... not ...The horse is supposed to be fit on its own... not because you drugged it to make it so. Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-79592052956636859712014-02-21T19:09:53.821-08:002014-02-21T19:09:53.821-08:00I'm surprised to hear this. I met so many fant...I'm surprised to hear this. I met so many fantastic people when I started the sport. Then again... I wasn't running top ten in my early rides. I just finished tied for first at the FEI level this past fall. On the first loop, we encountered a newbie whose horse was basically bolting with her... going way to fast, and already sweaty just 10 miles in. I'm sure our attitudes put the rider off, but she was about to run her horse into the ground. She wound up getting pulled at the first hold, which was probably best for the horse. Same horse jumped out of her pen in camp... twice. Trust me, our bad attitudes came out of a place of concern for the horse. You see a couple unfit horses crippled by irresponsible riding and you develop a disdain for anyone who puts racing before training. The fast ride times come with time, conditioning, and miles, miles, miles. Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-49098356723968911422014-02-21T19:05:24.018-08:002014-02-21T19:05:24.018-08:00Using SoreNoMore to cover up an issue caused by po...Using SoreNoMore to cover up an issue caused by poorly fitted tack, etc. isn't exactly benefiting the horse. The point is not to compete your horse unless your horse is ready to compete. For example-- if your horse needs bute to be sound, he shouldn't be doing endurance. If your girth doesn't fit, you should get a better girth, not try to fix the soreness after the fact. Etc, etc. Now... CTR doesn't even allow you to put ankle boots on your horse, which I think is taking it too far.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-77865589973063533682014-02-21T13:14:35.367-08:002014-02-21T13:14:35.367-08:00Very interesting stuff in your post and the commen...Very interesting stuff in your post and the comments. LD interests me not to try, but I love learning about it regardless. Thanks for sharing.Boss Mare Eventinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08039910692009593158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-70278233214913817672014-02-20T10:46:37.730-08:002014-02-20T10:46:37.730-08:00I think most of us have seen enough excited newbie...I think most of us have seen enough excited newbies who are so focused on "racing" that their horses end up underneath a tree with bags or worse. You may have better experiences with people if you take a few rides to go slow and set your mare up for success. The people who ride slower are generally more laid-back and not worried about the competition aspect, thus are usually friendlier. People really competing are very focused on themselves and their horses that the attitude can seem unwelcoming. I fully admit this is me, but, I put so much time, effort and money into preparing my horse it is what it is. Is there a ride around there that you can go to volunteer? It's a lot easier making friends without the stress of competition, and people *really* respect newbies who make an effort to help out and learn. It is amazing how much you can learn hanging out at a vet check all day. Regarding the comments below about substances, I understand what you're saying and wish the rules were more along the lines of other disciplines (minus the NSAIDS), but I also understand the danger of opening the door just a little bit to let certain things through. As far as joint supps, the withdrawal time is really only two or three days so not really that big of a deal. You can resume your normal program after completion/BC showing. ridinfarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655752419671028149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-45241399533671799172014-02-19T17:38:52.487-08:002014-02-19T17:38:52.487-08:00Hello! I just wanted to drop a quick comment. Firs...Hello! I just wanted to drop a quick comment. First, congrats!!! I remember getting a totally unplanned on 8th in my first ever LD and was sooo happy. My next one I went the exact same pace and came in 2nd to last. Oh well. <br /><br />As for her "race brain" I second keeping off the trail until all other horses are out of sight and long gone. That way she won't have anyone to compete with. In the beginning it is so important to teach them that it isn't a race and to listen to you and keep taking care of themselves. Since you know you wont have an issue completing in 6 hours, you could easily start 10 minutes late and have no issues. That way you are riding your own ride.<br /><br />Everything is banned so that things such as a bad fitting girth (not that yours necessarily was) isn't hidden by placing a drug to relieve the inflammation. Endurance is all about preparation and knowing your horse inside and out. They want your horse to complete "fit to continue" without the need for medication to hide potential problems.<br /><br />Keep with it if you enjoy it. I hear it gets easier and better with time!!Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03346020257901575574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-5334356797233024542014-02-19T13:42:28.951-08:002014-02-19T13:42:28.951-08:00For a sport that is supposed to be all about horse...For a sport that is supposed to be all about horse health, they sure don't want you to give your horse anything to keep it healthy do they? Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-28923746313080263102014-02-19T13:38:53.237-08:002014-02-19T13:38:53.237-08:00I haven't decided if I want to stick with the ...I haven't decided if I want to stick with the sport yet. I've meet a lot of very wonderful bloggers, but most of the actual endurance people I've met have been awful, and they make it very off-putting. I might not stick around long :/Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15902291220984883182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-39043216576051843402014-02-19T11:10:32.505-08:002014-02-19T11:10:32.505-08:00Andrea, stay away from any liniments/topicals/etc ...Andrea, stay away from any liniments/topicals/etc until you are completely finished. If that includes BC showing, then don't use anything until afterward. Sore No More contains Arnica, which is why it's on the prohibited list. Menthol is also prohibited, which is why liniment is a no-no until completely done. While I totally agree with Dom, I don't know your goals. I only do 50-75/80/100's so the first few rides on a new horse for me are huge and actually set the horse up for his or her career, but like I said, if you're only looking for a few LD's a year, then whatev :) ridinfarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655752419671028149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-24662365414883607042014-02-19T10:51:42.513-08:002014-02-19T10:51:42.513-08:00Congrats for such a successful finish! Looks like ...Congrats for such a successful finish! Looks like both you and O are liking this LDs! SarahWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182449850066338574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-47178260135765856612014-02-19T08:16:58.177-08:002014-02-19T08:16:58.177-08:00For training purposes, don't even get on her u...For training purposes, don't even get on her until they call the start. The line stays open after everyone floods out. Ride her out of sight BEHIND all the other horses. Teach her to go slow and steady and listen to you FIRST, then worry about speed. Being able to do fast LD's does not equal being able to complete at the longer distances. That's part of why many riders never move up.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728532494108633757.post-82073066880078130252014-02-19T08:15:17.297-08:002014-02-19T08:15:17.297-08:00Congrats on your finish (and high vet score). Bogg...Congrats on your finish (and high vet score). Boggy paths are part of endurance. If it was all easy, well-groomed trails, it wouldn't exactly be a challenge. I am concerned that you seem more worried about going fast than teaching her to mind her manners and take care of herself. You may be able to get away with it for LD's, but she won't hold up to 50+ that way. Seconding what RidinFar said about SoreNoMore. There are pretty much NO legal substances for AERC. I don't know if she's on any kind of joint supplement, etc., but other than Adequan, everything else is pretty much illegal within two weeks of the ride. If you keep running top ten, you'll get blood tested sooner or later.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.com