Conference noted::equitation

1470.0. "Nosey neighbor? or Equine defender?" by KAHALA::FULTZ (ED FULTZ) Wed May 08 1991 09:40

Note 1454.18 asked the following question.  In order to avoid this becoming a
rathole that would then not be available to others, I am moving it to its own
note.  Please make any comments here.

Ed..
Co-Moderator

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Note 1454.18                    Feeding Lindseed                        18 of 19
TOOHOT::SREMILLARD                                   65 lines   7-MAY-1991 12:42
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    I have neighbors that are doing the Chief Joesph Ride this year.  They
    only ride on the weekends (and NOT every weekend).  The ride is going
    to be about 20 miles a day - maybe 4-5 hours of riding per day.  
    
    They are really nice people but when I mention conditioning, they look
    at me with a vacant look....  I mentioned to them that I usually
    condition for at least 4 months for a 100 miler (at least riding 5 days
    a week).  I even offered to give them a copy of my program and some
    books on distance riding..  no takers.
    
    They use the same blankets and girths every time they go out... no,
    the blankets and girths are not clean.  Gosh, put a few 20 mile days on 
    those girths, with the heat, dust and there are bound to be girth sores 
    on their horses.
    
    Their horses are really nice animals (like the people) but when they
    come back from riding the hot animals are Unsaddled, hosed down (cold 
    water), put away and FED!  They are on complete (grain) feed.  Usually 
    the next day I can see that one of the horses is stiff (Usually the same 
    horse).
    
    Gosh,.......... IF I just ripped the saddle off, hozed ma hot nag down 
    and fed him - I would have one DEAD nag in a blink of an eye.  (my luck)  
    
    Now, this it the tricky part.  I am not claiming I know everything. 
    (that is far from it) AND these people have been doing this same thing 
    for years with NO PROBLEMS (that I know of..)  Granted, they have never 
    done any distance riding - and the max time that they may ride is 3 hours 
    (that I have noticed).  They are both about 5-8 years older then me.  The 
    guy just listens to me (I think just to humor me!)he is sorta new to 
    horses but she is not (she has lived here for 8 years).
    
    I hate to see something happen to them or the horses.  I can already
    see that one horse is _going_ to have problems if they continue this 
    same way.
    
    Should I just take my nosey nostrils off their horses and just let what
    will happen, happen.  I know it is none of my business what they do.  I 
    hate to let someone find out the hard way.  Like I said they are nice
    folks, but things are really done different out here in Arizona...
    
    Lately I have just kept my mouf shut about all this, but it bothers me
    terribly.
    Thanks for your thoughts on this...

    Susan-
    
    As you know, my friends and I do several long distance rides in Vermont
    each year.  If you've dropped hints and offered help, I'd say you've done 
    what you can, with out becoming a pest.
    
    We've seen horses which arn't trained properly for the long rides, and 
    for the most part, they are sore for the next day.  Maybe the experience 
    will teach them they need to read up on training for endurance and distance.
    
    Michele

    re:1 and others that have responded off-line.
    
    	Thanks for comments.  I feel better about this and have heard of some
    	real bad situations!  
    
    	Time will tell.
    
    	Susan