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Re: [RC] Where to start?!! - Chris PausHere's my .02 worth... Get the horse that fits you..your personality, the way you ride, etc. I wouldn't worry about breed or whether it's a mare or gelding, or what color it is. Look for one that is sane and sound that you like! Remember, most any horse that is sound and healthy can DO endurance. How competitively it can do it is another matter. Assess what you really want out of this sport, and realize that what you want right now may change after you have a few years of experience. If you want to get from point A to point B and pass the vet checks and bring home a t-shirt and completion, then just go for whatever horse you really really get along with. If you have designs on being a top 10 rider (which I wouldn't recommend until you have a few years of riding under your belt), then you may want to concentrate your search on Arabs or Arab crosses, or even a good TB. Also consider your health. I'm 52 also and have pretty bad arthritis in my knees. I'm still riding trotting horses (Arabs) but I sure do understand why so many people my age are leaning toward gaited horses. Good luck and happy horse hunting. chris --- Alan Kay <alankay@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: Arab? Morgan? TWH? Mustang? Help!!! I am a 52 year old novice rider (taking lessons and having a blast) who wants to join my wife for trail rides and endurance. She has been riding her whole life - the typical girl story! It will soon be time for me to get my own horse to ride (after using the schooling horses and borrowing a friends for occasional trail rides). Initially I was thinking about getting a gaited horse because I've had back problems; however, I've been doing a lot of physical therapy and exercise and, as others have suggested, riding doesn't really bother my back. So, for a novice like me, how do I direct my search for a horse? Should I look at Arabs and Arab mixes, because they have a proven track record in endurance? Should I just find a horse I like the feel of? I would appreciate any guidelines you can give me to narrow the search a little bit! (I'm near Santa Rosa, CA if anyone knows of that perfect horse!!) Thanks for the help! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ===== "A good horse makes short miles," George Eliot Chris and Star BayRab Acres http://pages.prodigy.net/paus =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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