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One of the all-time best endurance horses we've ever had was 1/2 Percheron 
and 1/2 Morgan, 16 hands, probably 1100#.  Who knows what a Belgian can do?

Barbara

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rides2far@xxxxxxxx>
To: <egburnett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: [RC] Question for all of you riders...


> I'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.
>
>
>
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