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> But from looking over Karen's data on 10 yr horses, out of the 31 I've
> looked at (the ones with linked files) there are 4 mares and 25 geldings
> (and 2 stallions).  So in that category they are pretty over
> represented, at about 81%!
Well, yes and no.  To determine representation in a select group one has
to compare to the starting group.  That's pretty much the percentage of
geldings that start endurance rides in the first place.  Just for kicks, I
looked at the Tevis starter list--of those entries that have declared a
horse, 77% are geldings.  I suspect that if you do stats on a lot of
rides, you'll find the number of geldings to be generally around 75-85% of
all entries.

If you are comparing to the population at large, then yes, since less than
half of the equine population is made up of geldings.  So if you are
asking which gender emerges from the population as the most desirable
riding horse, then yes, the geldings are over-represented.

If, on the other hand, you are asking which among the group of endurance
starters emerges as the cream of the crop, then a figure of 81% geldings
merely reflects the starting percentage and doesn't give an edge to any
gender.  So the 10-year survivablity does not seem to give an edge to any
one gender, since it pretty much reflects the demographics of ride
entries.  But the stats suggesting that the mares prevail as those that
stick it out on the multidays IS an eye-opener, because that percentage is
markedly different from the starting stats.

Heidi



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