righter said:
Roper wrote :I would want ten or twelve. I make my living training horses.
Isn't that kind of like asking a barber if you need a haircut?
I still contend that a few (3-5 would allow for injuries) mature, well fed, well conditioned horses is way plenty.
Think of them like any athlete in training. An athlete sure works harder than an hour a day, to get in condition. Why would a horse be any different?
HAha Well my friends kid rides out at Douglas Lake. Im just trying to remember but I think his string is 5 horses. So im sure 5 is enough for anyone.
If I was cowboying I would "WANT" a dozen. I have trailed cows where I have had to ride the same horse all day. I dont like to do this. Even if the horse is conditioned thats still a big day for a horse and he is going to need a day off. Plus any horse is going to be tired if you ride it all day. Plus they only have so many miles in them. Horses are plenty, so why ride em in the ground?
I would much prefer to switch horses every two hours. This would be ideal.
I also used to be a professional hunter. I still hunt on my own but I dont guide anymore. But packing into the mountains for a week, well your horses are not going to gain any weight if your riding them everyday.
Honestly I ride mainly colts. Lightly start them when they are 3 and then have at them at 4. Generally they get sold by the time they are 5.
An hour a day is a lot for a three year old! Even at a trot the will get gimpy and puffy joints if your not careful. There are way to many performance horses in AB that are washed up at a young age from people trying to do to much with them.
Horses are cheap and plentiful! Why would anybody want to make do with less?
Like around here when there are cattle to be trailed most outfits are small one horse type outfits that often want volunteirs to help with the bigger moves.
For the most part you see big riders show up with unconditioned, bare foot horses that sure were not given any grain"they dont want the horse feeling to good" before the ride.
Even at brandings I have seen riders taking turns "switching off"on the same tired horse all day.
Honestly I dont think much of this kind of stuff. Plus there is no need of it. Horses are cheap and plentiful.