The disclaimer: I'm new to endurance, new to gaited horses, but have been riding for 40+ years.
I did two LD's on my Arab before I decided I wasn't young enough anymore to necessarily stay with his six foot horizontal leaps.
I bought a nine year old Tennessee Walker gelding in May and did a very nice easy 25 on a cool day in July. He was idle when I bought him, but very energetic and a horse that acts like he loves to use his body and his athleticism. I conditioned just like I would with an Arab and did all my training rides with my Arab-riding training partners. In the beginning, Hunter fell behind when they trotted. By July, he could keep up with them at the rack, occassionally cantering along in a truly lovely rocking chair canter.
Good luck and welcome to the ranks of the non-Arab riders,
I have a grade gaited gelding that I am considering taking in a LD ride this fall. Right now, he is chunky, and so am I. Any LD we do would be very slow - think 5.5 to 6 hours. I've only ridden Arabs in this sport, and know that an Arab would have no problem being ready for 25 by the Tin Cup Springs ride on September 18 . Can anyone with more experience with gaited and/or horses not inherently suited to this sport give me any advice on conditioning? As blocky as his confirmation is, if it's too warm (think 80 degrees plus for more than one hour in 24), we won't attempt it. I'll train in warmer weather for shorter distances, but not that far that far from home. Thanks for any tips -
