Conference noted::equitation

    Michele,
    
    It sounds like a blast!  
    
    What do the friends you are going with think about his coming along?
    As far as other people you will encounter on the ride, well, I do a lot
    of organized trail rides.  I have never come across anyone ponying a
    second horse before, but if he was well-behaved and posed no risk to
    me/my horse I wouldn't be in the least bit concerned.  You know your
    youngster, if you trust him to behave when strange horses/riders 
    approach on the trails I wouldn't worry about it.  You may want to
    call the organizers ahead of time, though, just to be sure it would
    be allowed.  
    

    Good point Linda.....maybe I'll call ahead.
    
    All of the ponying I've done has been small groups and horses he's
    known.
    
    My point is that it's another learning experience for him.  But I
    wouldn't want him to become a problem or ruin someone elses fun.
    My girlfriend though that it was great, and said she'd stay behind with
    me if I wanted.

It's one thing to pony somewhere close to an area that the horse 
knows.  How much faith do you have that something won't scare
him and he'd get away from you?  I'd hate to spend my foliage 
ride looking for a scared colt who doesn't know where he is.


k.

    
    I know the GMHA does not allow a horse under 2 to ride on the
    Vermont trails, they say the trails are to strenious on the
    yound horses.
    
    

    Any chance you can take him on a 'practice' run where he will encounter
    stranger horses before you haul him all the way up to Vermont?
    
    I am sure the trails in Vt *are* too strenous for a 2 year to be ridden
    on....why would anyone be riding a 2 year old in the first place (other
    than race horses, but that's a different rathole)? Personally, I'd
    rather see the age limit set at 4.  But ponying is a different story,
    and it sounds like good training for your guy if he's in condition,
    used to it, and she takes it easy. 
    
    How long is the ride, anyway? It sounds like fun, I'd love to go up
    there myself!
       

    Good points folks...
    
    I know the critter, and I think he can handle it, as he is in shape.
    Whenever I go out, he goes too.  He's gotten loose a time or two, but
    he does not stray to far mom (his mom who is also going).  I just can't
    let her into an all out gallop with him attached....it's too much for
    me!   
    
    I'm trying to get some people together for this Sunday to ride in the
    Douglas state forest w/ me.  He know the forest well, but maybe having
    different horses around will cause a different reaction. 
    
    I'll probably toy with the idea from now till then, but unless my
    husband wants to ride a horse....i'll probably take the kid.
    
    
    p.s.
    
    The ride is a blast!  It's a fund raiser for the town.  They do most of
    the meals, so it's even easier....

    
    
    Well, I decided not to bring the youngster with me, and it was
    just as well, the place was so packed full of people and trailers
    that I barely had room for my mare.   
    
    The reason I decided not to take him was that we decided not to camp
    and I didn't want to burden any of my camping friends with the
    possibility of an escaping youngster especially since they don't 
    handle youngstock.  
    
    I'll probably bring him next year to ride the short rides.....
    
    
    Michele
    
    p.s.
    
    I was really suprised at the selfishness of some of the people who
    roped of huge paddock areas (like one per horse for each horse they
    had), and many people were cramped in almost to close for comfort
    situations.  I'm not talking small areas behind trailers or tie lines
    off the trailers, but huge paddock areas!