Re: [RC] Small horses and endurance riding - Heidi Smith
Liz, my husband (5'11" and about 205 with tack) is
currently riding a wonderful 14:1 hand gelding that carries him
beautifully. I'm short, but I weigh more (about 215 with tack)--and this
horse carries me beautifully as well. He is so quick and agile that I'm
trying to get some miles and get my balance back on a somewhat more sedate horse
right now--but I plan to steal this guy back from hubby after he has a season or
so under his belt. Look at some of Susan Garlinghouse's weight studies
from Tevis--horses carrying up to over 30% of their body weight had no
significant drop in completion rates. The issue here is whether the horse
is well-balanced and athletic--not its size.
I'd like to hear what other riders have
experienced in regard to small horses and average riders.
I have a 14 hands Arab mare, 7 years old, very
dainty, double aught shoes. She was raced on the flat one season and
even her original trainers thought she would do better with endurance
riding. Her attitude is great and although my other mare kicked her last
August and chipped her shoulder, Winter (the tiny Arab) seems to be going
well.
I am 5'5'' about 140 pounds, about 185 with
tack. My husband is about 185 without tack. I have a friend who
rides dressage who is adamant that Winter won't carry either of us for the
longer distances. Even my endurance riding friend thinks Winter wouldn't
carry my husband.
Are we just dreaming or can this mare do 50-100
miles with either of us? I have ridden five 25 mile rides over a 12 year
period. My other horse is a 20 year old 1/2 Arab/pinto, 14.3
hands. She feels like riding a tank after riding Winter. Last year we
did the Cascade Challenge two day 25 miles each day. Meriqa was doing
better each day. I put all this in, because I haven't ridden longer distances
yet, and I don't want to ask this beautiful, good horse to do something that
is going to hurt her. I know she would make a wonderful child's
endurance horse, so long as the child wasn't a rank beginner. My goals are to
ride multi day rides and to ride a single horse 3000 to 10000 miles as I've
heard of other people doing.
