Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Dot Wiggins wrote:

> Let's suppose there are a number of 3 year old horses with similar back
> grounds and breeding available.
> How would you select the one or two to put two years of feed, training, and
> conditioning into with the idea of having a good 50 mile horse at 5 years
> old.
>
> None are yet under saddle.
>
> What conformation qualities would you insist on?
> What else would be important to you?
>  
First I wouldn't buy a 3 yo nor do a 50 at 5. Add two years, pick a 5 yo 
to do a 50 at 5 to 7, then the following would be my criteria.

1) Fire in the belly and spit in the eye and focus
This is a sport where attitude and desire are ciritical. I would rather 
have to hold a horse back than push one on. I want a foucsed horse even 
if a little intense. I don't want a "clown."

2) Legs and feet.

3) Resting heart rate.
I'd rather start with a bigger storke volume than a smaller one.

4) Conformation of the back
You are going to be on the sucker for a long time - his back better be a 
good and one you can fit a saddle to.

5) Affinity to bond with me.
We are going to be together for lots of time - we better get along.

Truman
--

"The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. The opposite 
of a profound truth may well be another profound truth."    Niels Bohr 
-- Nobel Laureate, Physics




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