Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Marlene Moss <marlene@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

 

This horse is put together pretty well, but she is small.  I like smaller horses, but I am concerned about her legs and feet.  She is about 14.1 with a decent heart girth (bigger than some of my taller horses).  Her cannons measure 7.25? and she has 00 feet all around.  I weigh around 135 ? is it foolish of me to expect her to carry me through reasonably competitive 50?s or possibly an occasional 100?  We live in the mountains and she gets daily hill climbing on pasture ? and she is nicely muscled even though all I?ve done is a couple turns in the round pen on her back so far.

 

I wouldn't worry about size, Marlene. I'm a heavyweight and I ride three different horses... a 15.1 H Arab, a 14.3 H Arab and a 14.2 H Arab. The smallest one also has the smallest feet, but they are proportioned fine for his size. I have ridden him only up to 30 miles, but I'm sure he could carry me on a 50. His metabolics are the best of the three horses. He takes care of himself well. When I first got this little guy for my grandson, my farrier looked at him and said, "this is your Tevis horse." Well, I haven't yet aspired to Tevis, but I have faith this little horse with the big heart could do it with anyone who can ride decently from a featherweight to a heavyweight.

 

 

Also, I got to thinking about a comment Tom made about the horses raced early possibly competing longer.  Really doesn?t make sense to me for 2yo T-breds and racing as I have a hard time thinking about them even being ridden so young.  But I can see something to thinking about starting to stress legs at an ?appropriate? level when they are young so they are strong when older.  

 

In the first place, I don't believe TI's statement. (does that make me a fluffy cow?) I've heard that also from a friend who has TBs for polo, and I've read it on "The Blood Horse," a site for the racing industry. If that were true, then why are so many race horses broken down at the ages of 3 and 4? I've got lots of friends who are involved in rehoming ex race horses. I've yet to hear any of them say they've got a nice, sound ex race horse! There's almost always some kind of leg or foot issue going on. I think you have a better chance of getting a sound exracer from the STandardbred or Arab racing worlds where they aren't raced until they are three.

 

If you mare has lived in a pasture, outside environment, my guess is she got the right amount of stress from her play and self exercise.

 

 

I am hoping to ride her in various environments through the fall, winter and early spring.  I would like to do an easy 25 in April and hop right into slow 50?s after that.  I really want her to learn to take care of herself rather than thinking a 25 is a walk in the park, but I also don?t want to overly stress her legs and I?m really not sure what would be early signs that we?d done too much ? so I could slow down in time. 

 

You've been a distance rider for a while. you'll know if she has done too much!

 

Any advice would be appreciated.  And I would like to hear from people who have competed on smaller boned horses, especially on 100?s.

Marlene

 

Marlene Moss

www.KineticEquineAnalysis.com (saddle fit for the horse in motion)

Available for saddle fitting at Colfax Coalrush endurance ride in NM

www.mphr.org (Mustang Performance Horse Registry)

www.mossrockranch.com (sale horses and more)

719-351-5037 (cell)

719-748-9073 (home)

 

I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. Louisa May Alcott

 

Chris Paus

BayRab Acres http://pages.prodigy.net/paus

Lake Region SWA  http://lakeregionswa.fws1.com