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Post by kdunham on Jan 5, 2010 21:56:39 GMT -5
Smarter women than I pointed out that Redmond watershed would be closer and with good footing so we are changing the location to the Redmond Watershed. Much closer for me and more convenient for everyone else. Looks like clouds with a 10% chance of rain. Looking forward to it. :-)
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Jan 6, 2010 13:08:14 GMT -5
Cool! Is Jaime still going or will someone be picking Annie up? She takes a while to load so plan on an extra 30-45 minutes getting her ready. Once in, she is fine, just getting in takes a slow and steady approach.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 6, 2010 13:17:45 GMT -5
I think so. I believe she is riding Dexter.
We'll just do my standard loop at the Watershed. I've ridden it several times this year. It's a great winter ride. Minimum mud, blowdowns taken care of. And a lot of great opportunities to trot and canter. The tree farm is more interesting, but its pretty far. I think I may be closer than anyone to it. But the mud can be really bad there. It's too bad that no one has shoes, or Mann Rd would have been a great option. I know a ton of places around Monroe and Granite Falls, but they all require horses to be shod unless they have stellar feet.
Are you excited to ride Fancy? I know Kathleen is excited to ride Annie. It should be a good ride.
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Jan 6, 2010 13:30:06 GMT -5
I am stoked to ride Fancy and I hope Jaime is going to ride Dexter, he'll be a superstar I'm sure! I've never been to the watershed so that will be cool. Annie and Dexter aren't in great shape, Annie gets pretty sweaty after my 1 hr. lessons with Andrea, so it may be a pretty low-key ride.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 6, 2010 13:43:36 GMT -5
The watershed is really forgiving to horses that are not fit because it has very little variation in the elevation.
Both Kathleen and I ride endurance so we've brought horses up to shape, so we're good about knowing what's too much. I've never had any horse get sick or overstressed on me. I have enough vet background to know what I'm doing. Unless your bombing around at the canter most of the time, it would be hard to do there. Even fatty horses that sit around are able to do that loop with trotting and cantering and be just fine.
Since I live so close, its usually where I start horses that I plan on riding pretty hard.
As a matter of fact, I probably will bring my heart rate monitor with me.
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Post by schwung on Jan 6, 2010 14:21:47 GMT -5
And Dexter is even more out of shape than Annie, so I am anticipating mostly walk with a little trot and maybe canter, depending of course on how the horses are behaving as well. Probably not more than a couple of hours either. A heart rate monitor should not be necessary - we aren't training these horses for endurance here.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 6, 2010 14:33:28 GMT -5
I realize Dexter not only has a lesser fitness level, but is also younger. I was planning on a couple of hours, so we are good there. Kathleen and I are going to ride around longer after we drop you guys off.
HRM's are used not only for endurance. I use one just to make sure my horse isn't experiencing any stress. They're a really good reference tool for horse health.
Really, if a horse isn't able to do a Watershed loop with some cantering and trotting, they're underlying health issues. It's really that mellow of a ride.
We're bringing broke horses to make sure the two greener horses are comfortable. But if you are concerned about Dexter, maybe there's another horse you could ride? That way Annie can have a good experience?
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Post by schwung on Jan 6, 2010 14:48:54 GMT -5
We are happy to have anyone join us, but please keep in mind that we will be trotting and cantering on the trail, and that your horse will likely not be in the lead. There are also several water crossings and areas of mud. We are planning to do a good distance, but we will be respectful to Annie's condition. This was the part that concerned me, it seemed like you were warning people that this might be an intense ride and not appropriate for novice horses, of which Annie and Dexter most certainly are. Dexter may be young, but also is only a few months out of being starved down to a BCS of 1 which means complete loss of muscle mass as well as fat, and that needs to be taken into consideration as well. As long as we are all in agreement that we will trot/canter only as everyone is comfortable with that and only go as long as the horses are comfortably able I am fine. I think its a great idea that you and Kathleen do more after we leave so that its not a wasted day for both of you.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 6, 2010 14:55:39 GMT -5
We are happy to have anyone join us, but please keep in mind that we will be trotting and cantering on the trail, and that your horse will likely not be in the lead. There are also several water crossings and areas of mud. We are planning to do a good distance, but we will be respectful to Annie's condition. This was the part that concerned me, it seemed like you were warning people that this might be an intense ride and not appropriate for novice horses, of which Annie and Dexter most certainly are. Dexter may be young, but also is only a few months out of being starved down to a BCS of 1 which means complete loss of muscle mass as well as fat, and that needs to be taken into consideration as well. As long as we are all in agreement that we will trot/canter only as everyone is comfortable with that and only go as long as the horses are comfortably able I am fine. I think its a great idea that you and Kathleen do more after we leave so that its not a wasted day for both of you. I'm glad you brought that up. I try to be cautiously honest anytime I put on a ride. I don't want humans or horses getting hurt. I've put on plenty of rides, and I've realized the more I say upfront the more I can ensure that the group is compatible and aware of what's going to happen and the conditions of the terrain. I've never had a ride where people/horses get injured and I strive to keep it that way; especially when other people's horses are going. I'm more concerned about you taking poor Dexter. We really wanted Annie to get a lot out of the experience, and if you are concerned about him (which I understand, judging his health background) it really may be better to take a different horse and just keep Dexter in the arena to slowly build up fitness. As I mentioned though, we will be respectful to Annie's fitness level. As far as "intense", neither ride was meant to be that way. I take novice riders and horses to both locations. I just wanted to make sure everyone that attended would be comfortable at a walk and trot, crossing water, mud, and blowdowns. I'd hate for someone to drive far out of the way and be faced with a ride that they weren't intending on; neither place is like bridle trails.
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Post by schwung on Jan 6, 2010 15:04:48 GMT -5
Wait - first you aren't concerned about Dexter because he's so young, and now you are worried this might be too much for him? I'm confused.
Considering that I am most familiar with the fitness level of BOTH horses, I think both horses will be comfortable with 2 hours of mostly walk with an occasional trot/canter if they are being calm and sensible. That is all that I am comfortable with them doing as well and I am ultimately in charge of their care and well-being.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 6, 2010 15:13:37 GMT -5
Wait - first you aren't concerned about Dexter because he's so young, and now you are worried this might be too much for him? I'm confused. Considering that I am most familiar with the fitness level of BOTH horses, I think both horses will be comfortable with 2 hours of mostly walk with an occasional trot/canter if they are being calm and sensible. That is all that I am comfortable with them doing as well and I am ultimately in charge of their care and well-being. I said I was concerned about Dexter, because he is a younger horse. I don't generally work horses until they are at least 4. I also haven't followed his story, so I didn't know he was recently a body score 1. Both Kathleen and I were hoping to give Annie a nice and meaningful experience. If this is too much of a stress and hassle, it doesn't need to happen. Were trying to do a good thing, not freak anyone out. I was hoping by being honest and open it would help ensure that experience. As I said before, I'm careful with my horses, and I'm even more careful with horses that aren't mine. I am also knowledgeable as far as horse fitness. Very knowledgeable, as a matter of fact because of what I choose to compete in. As I mentioned previously, since Dexter has such a shoddy recent health background along with the fact that he's been with SAFE a very short time (thus his training isn't that well know), maybe it would be wise to choose a different mount? If you want to go, I am more than happy let you ride one of my very broke mares.
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Post by schwung on Jan 6, 2010 15:26:53 GMT -5
Barbara, please. This is starting to give me a headache. I am perfectly capable of determining whether or not this would be appropriate for Dexter. He has had four rides on him so far and obviously had a lot of training on him before we got him, right or wrong given his age. He is now 3 years old and physically quite mature, SAFE's policy is to start horses under saddle at 3 unless they are very slow in maturing, then we might give them a little longer.
Again, I am fine with doing this ride as long as we are flexible on how long and how hard the horses are ridden. Every single one of your posts is coming across like you plan on dictating exactly what happens on this ride and if we don't like it then we can shove it or not come. If that's not how you intend to come across, then my bad. Otherwise then maybe it would be best if we did not go because I am not getting the feeling that you will be respectful of my experience level especially specific to THESE two horses. Neither Annie nor Dexter are fit enough for a very strenous ride, period.
If you would like to respond to this, please do this via PM. This really, really does not belong on Annie's thread.
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Post by fanaberia on Jan 6, 2010 15:41:38 GMT -5
Jamie; I have been totally open to addressing your concerns. We switched the ride to Sunday to allow you to go. We switched the venue to a place you'd be more comfortable with. We shortened the ride. I offered you another horse if you had concerns for Dexter. I don't understand how this is giving you a headache, I have nothing but good intentions here.
As I said before, I'm sorry you are reading this as push to shove. Flexibility always exists because neither Kathleen or I know Annie well enough to judge right now how much she'll be able to do, and as I said, I don't want her hurt. We weren't anticipating on Dexter here. And I'll stand by saying, if you are concerned about his health, then leave him at home. No sense in him getting overly stressed.
I'm sorry you are viewing my posts as an attack. It was an offer, and I wanted to be open and honest about what was happening rather than "hiding" details.
If you would like to cancel, just let me or Kathleen know. I'm happy to go and do a different ride that day that's more suitable to my horse's level. We wanted to do something nice for SAFE and Annie, not start a battle.
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Post by schwung on Jan 6, 2010 16:03:00 GMT -5
Taking to PM as I asked...
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Jan 6, 2010 16:31:24 GMT -5
I don't think Dexter is capable of getting stressed, he is a remarkably laid back horse. Annie would be more prone to stress from the environment so I am glad we are keeping this a small outing with seasoned trail horses/riders leading the way. *I* am in no shape to ride challenging terrain with extended trot/canter periods. I'm an arena princess who thrives on predictable terrain at elevated gaits
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