tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post3707590910681419893..comments2023-03-29T03:37:32.212-06:00Comments on BLUE Sue ~ riding and writing, and writing about riding: BluebonnetBecky Burkhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142877898930589440noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-29855177434917999952010-04-30T14:33:29.300-06:002010-04-30T14:33:29.300-06:00Shea, forgot to say. The difference between mares...Shea, forgot to say. The difference between mares and stallions ... other than the obvious gender issues that some individuals tend to exhibit more than others, it still comes down to the individual. <br /><br />IME, either mares or stallions can be 'marish' or 'studish' in company which is the reason many people prefer geldings.Becky Burkhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142877898930589440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-68622788903365472562010-04-30T14:30:58.172-06:002010-04-30T14:30:58.172-06:00Val! LOL! That would have been a good photo. It...Val! LOL! That would have been a good photo. It's a shame he didn't get it. <br /><br />I didn't know he was at the finish, I just always love to run across it. I didn't see him there, I guess until about the time he took the shot.Becky Burkhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142877898930589440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-84288029140683473962010-04-30T14:30:13.077-06:002010-04-30T14:30:13.077-06:00A NasPony! That's perfect.
Actually, that&#...A NasPony! That's perfect. <br /><br />Actually, that's curious what you picked up about him. He really is my main endurance horse. He was bred for it and it's mainly what he's trained and focused on. My own life has held us back more than anything about it.<br /><br />He really does have a good build and attitude for long distance.<br /><br />A 'perfect race'? I guess I have to stay that a bad day in the saddle is better than a good day doing almost anything else. :)<br /><br />Otherwise, any day like last weekend comes close to perfect, cool sunshiney weather and a good horse with lots of energy all the way through the ride.Becky Burkhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142877898930589440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-19969392719756477862010-04-30T11:19:01.267-06:002010-04-30T11:19:01.267-06:00I wish the photographer had gotten a pic of B-boy ...I wish the photographer had gotten a pic of B-boy loping in w/the FEI riders on [what turned out to be] our last loop...<br />[Great photos BTW]<br />He was dislocating my shoulders when I pulled him back & wouldn't let him keep pace w/LE anymore! Wish momma hadn't been such a wimp :-(Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03152215204773184788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-45351588794440870292010-04-30T00:48:36.484-06:002010-04-30T00:48:36.484-06:00Gwaihir the naspony. That is a thoroughly heartwar...Gwaihir the naspony. That is a thoroughly heartwarming mental image.<br /><br />I'm wondering: reading back, you don't favour Gwaihir for the long-distance events as such, but seem to be giving him a really good go in this field, almost like a period of focus -yes?<br />I'm wondering, if my assumption is true, did you choose him because of his strength, or more because of his demeanour / attitude / character?<br />Perhaps to gain insight into what I'm trying to learn, allow me to ask you another question to replace those before it:<br />If he gave you "a perfect race" what would he do?<br />p.s. if it's not over ambitious to enquire: would a mare do differently?Shaenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-15182845970238266672010-04-29T18:21:32.717-06:002010-04-29T18:21:32.717-06:00Hi Shea.
LOL about the name, and thanks! I'...Hi Shea. <br /><br />LOL about the name, and thanks! I'm a total Tolkien ubergeek and it's always nice to meet someone else who is similarly obsessed.<br /><br />The pacing question is good and probably deserves and entire post on it's own.<br /><br />GWAIHIR would love to be a NASCAR, he loves to go fast. He's not hard to keep at a moderate pace, but he has to be checked more rather than less earlier in the ride. As the miles add up, he settles down and will lope along on a loopy rein.<br /><br />To a large degree, once he settles down, I let him pace himself, trot or canter. We switch back and forth depending on the terrain and I think that since he knows it's 'ok' for him to change gaits, if certain muscle groups get tired, it lets him switch and keep going. Of course he knows better how he feels than I do. :)<br /><br />As far as knowing how far they have to go. I think after they've done a few events, they get a pretty good idea.Becky Burkhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142877898930589440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-547899146817683728.post-3486988948455415822010-04-29T16:08:08.513-06:002010-04-29T16:08:08.513-06:00My curiosity is thorough piqued: you mentioned &qu...My curiosity is thorough piqued: you mentioned "Gwaihir" (love that name by the way -I'm a consummate Tolkien lover) was over ambitious setting out on your long race. Do you often need to set the pace for your horse? Do the horses have any idea how long they will be asked to run?Shaenoreply@blogger.com