Breeds

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/13/00 8:27:25 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
mitts_n@hotmail.com writes:

<< We to a real disservice to endurance riding (and people wanting to start 
 out) when we tell people they have to go buy an Arab to get started. 
 Especially if they already own another breed of horse.  >>

I think the original question was something like "What is the best breed for 
endurance".  They were horse shopping, not talking about using an existing 
horse (if I understood/remember the post correctly).  The original poster was 
asking us to choose between a quarterhorse or TWH.  Most people seem to be 
recommending Arabs (me included).  I agree that you can try the sport on your 
existing horse.  My Paint horse is a great trail horse and we did CTR for 6 
years before I got the bug to do 100 milers.  It would have been abusive to 
ask him to go more than 25 miles in a day.  He would have tried till he 
killed himself (doesn't know how to quit), but he just doesn't have the 
metabolic or physical make up to do long distances.  I also agree that 
different breeds CAN do it, the odds aren't as much in your favor though and 
you're going to have to work a lot harder both conditioning and during the 
ride.  If you're specifically shopping for a horse to do endurance distances 
on (50 miles and more) then the Arab sure deserves a closer look.  

Sylvia (This is how I ended up with one 23 yo Paint horse and 3 Ayraaaabs :)