Just a quick question. This is my first year using boots (well boots behind, shoes in front). When we do the trot outs for the vets, do you go with boots on or off?
ON. Your horse needs to be judged in the same shoes/boots as he will wear during the ride. So vetting in and vetting out he must wear what he will wear during the ride.
Do have your horse clean and looking good when you vet in and vet out. This isn’t a rule, it’s what will make the best impression about your horse care. A dirty, sweaty horse looks more tired besides funky. First impressions count, last impressions count. When I am sponging my horse off before he gets his final pulse taken I keep at it and do some sponging to clean also. At 20 minutes after you finish the ride and get a timer slip from the timer you will go have your horse’s pulse and respiration taken. Then you proceed directly to the judges to do your trot out. Don’t arrive there with a gunky looking horse. Your horse is judged in the trot out for energy, fatigue, etc. Funky just looks worst.
Train your horse to do GOOD, energetic trot outs, BIG BIG BIG circles in both directions. Small circles stifle your horses movement and can make a sound horse look lame or off. Practice this at home. BIG CIRCLES. I can’t run good with old knees so my horses are trained to trot big circles at the end of a long lead while I walk fast in a smaller circle. It’s like lunging without the whip or really long line. Horses really move well if their head is free and you are back out of their way.
I’ve seen some really grubby looking horses vetted in and out at ECTRA and AERC endurance rides and those horse owners should know better. Don’t present your horse in a bad light, ever. This isn’t a horse show but you want your horse to look decent, right?
If you have any questions just drop me a note. I truly enjoy ECTRA rides. Oh, where do you live? I’m in Southern MD
Bonnie
[QUOTE=chicamuxen1;6896633]
ON. Your horse needs to be judged in the same shoes/boots as he will wear during the ride. So vetting in and vetting out he must wear what he will wear during the ride.
Do have your horse clean and looking good when you vet in and vet out. This isn’t a rule, it’s what will make the best impression about your horse care. A dirty, sweaty horse looks more tired besides funky. First impressions count, last impressions count. When I am sponging my horse off before he gets his final pulse taken I keep at it and do some sponging to clean also. At 20 minutes after you finish the ride and get a timer slip from the timer you will go have your horse’s pulse and respiration taken. Then you proceed directly to the judges to do your trot out. Don’t arrive there with a gunky looking horse. Your horse is judged in the trot out for energy, fatigue, etc. Funky just looks worst.
Train your horse to do GOOD, energetic trot outs, BIG BIG BIG circles in both directions. Small circles stifle your horses movement and can make a sound horse look lame or off. Practice this at home. BIG CIRCLES. I can’t run good with old knees so my horses are trained to trot big circles at the end of a long lead while I walk fast in a smaller circle. It’s like lunging without the whip or really long line. Horses really move well if their head is free and you are back out of their way.
I’ve seen some really grubby looking horses vetted in and out at ECTRA and AERC endurance rides and those horse owners should know better. Don’t present your horse in a bad light, ever. This isn’t a horse show but you want your horse to look decent, right?
If you have any questions just drop me a note. I truly enjoy ECTRA rides. Oh, where do you live? I’m in Southern MD
Bonnie[/QUOTE]
Thanks- I think I’ve got the well groomed horse thing down, my horses don’t even go out on training rides unless they are groomed, clipped and spotless (but I work for a big show barn so it’s kind of ingrained LOL!).
I’ve also been working on her trot out- my brother shows WB’s on the triangle and at breed inspections so I’ve had him do some handling work with her which I’m hoping will pay off 
I am in Cecil County about 20 mins from Fair Hill.
You’ll do just fine! It may be a chilly ride this year but hopefully the week leading up to ride day won’t be too wet. Ride management has to exclude some trails if it’s too wet and soft.
There is a crewing area that is used at the mid-point hold and finish. I like to take a folding saddle rack to my crewing spot so that I can set my saddle and cooler/sheet on it and off the ground. I also take a mounting block over and set it out for all the mounting challenged to use like me! There just isn’t time at the VERY short mid-point hold to run to your trailer for something so do have all your might want stuff at your crewing spot, jackets, snacks, horse feed, etc.
Have fun! You are so lucky to live so close to Fair Hill. Great training location! All my local riding places are much smaller in acreage and trail mileage, but I shouldn’t complain. I can ride to my local State Forest.
Bonnie
