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Re: [RC] Question for all of you riders... - rides2farI've always wanted to break into the sport, but> as a tall woman, I didn't want to do it on a little arab. I love arabs,> but always feel undermounted. Recently, I purchased a Belgian draft horse with an excellent vet check and high ratings on all of her lameness/prepurchase exam. Elly, Did you happen to come from the dressage/fox hunting/ or hunter jumper ranks? If so, it's easier to understand you having a liking for not only *tall* horses but *big* horses. My biggest misgiving would be...have you considered whether this draft horse will enjoy endurance riding? You are a long distance runner...do you look like a competitive weight lifter? Do you see any long distance runners who have chosen to run because they enjoy it, who look like power lifters? That said, if you consider your horse's body type and the limitations it comes with (heat build up, greater chance of tying up, etc) there's no reason you can't train it for the sport, and do some competitions. If it were me I'd shoot for cold weather! There's more to the vet check than a lameness exam. The metabolics are something you'll really have to work at. I started out on an Appaloosa. I had no intention of riding Arabs (and I'm short). My App had a very good time for 25 miles. He vetted through fine, but after 25 miles he quit having fun. I did not enjoy riding a horse that wasn't having fun. We had a 3/4 Welsh 1/4 TB who had the body type, but hated trail riding. Hated climbing hills, had no fun. He's now a very happy show jumper. I now ride Arabs...just because the ones I've had never get enough of the trail. If that Belgian enjoys endurance, more power to you. Have fun. I think we have just seen a few people who were determined to be "different" who were like the dad who's forcing his kid to play football when he'd much rather be in the band. By the way...you won't be the first. There's already been a Belgian on the cover of Endurance News. :-) Angie McGhee (who's ridden Apps, Arabs, a Standardbred, a Mule, an Anglo, and wants to complete on a pony. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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