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RE: [RC] Gaited Horses - Jim HollandThere is another issue that you should consider here when you decide to participate in Endurance. That issue is the "physical capability" of your equine of choice. There are individuals in every breed who can "participate" in Endurance, and a few perhaps, who can "compete". However, consider the impact on the longevity and soundness of your horse. Would 300 lb athlete be expected to excel as a distance runner? Would a 5'9" 145 lb athlete be an appropriate choice for playing Guard in Football? What would be the long term impact on the health and soundness of an individual who chose to do this? Keep in mind, your horse does not HAVE a choice. The fact that he CAN doesn't mean it's in the best interest of his long term welfare. If most of your travel was in the desert or mountains over difficult terrain, would you choose a Jeep/Hummer/4x4 truck? Or a Cadillac? Here's an exerpt from a post some time back by Jonni that makes the point: "The lighter muscling of an Arabian horse dissipates heat and lactic acid more readily than other breeds. The larger flaring nostrils provide the Arabian with maximum oxygen intake, and its large trachea allows for larger lung capacity. Also, that pretty arched neck has a function besides looks, in which it carries plenty of air to the lungs and helps keep the windpipe clear. They have bigger, stronger hearts for their size, which pumps a higher volume of blood. That blood runs through the blood vessels which are very close to the surface than other breeds, covered by thinner skin, which also aids in cooling the animal when it works. Last, the bone density is known to be greater in Arabians than other breeds, with tougher tendons and ligaments. All of these traits were bred for thousands of years, when the horses were used in their country of origin, to travel great distances in the harsh conditions. Those that did not hold up did not survive." Susan Garlinghouse did a study at Tevis sometime back and I don't remember all of it, but I do remember that the level of success had to do with the TOTAL weight of the horse and rider. The small, compact Arabians, even with a heavyweight aboard, did better on average than the heavier horses. I have owned several breeds, even did a couple of 50's on a Quarter Horse, mare, but I quickly learned by experience that game as she was, I was asking too much. You may not be doing your horse any favors if you ask him to compete in a sport where his physical characteristics and breeding are a handicap. In Endurance, other breeds run "closer to the edge" than the Arabian. In the words of Susan Garlinghouse, "He may not be over the edge, but he can see it from where he is". Remember, it's about the horse.....and he is YOUR responsibility. Don't let your ego or your desire to "prove something" get in the way of the welfare of your horse. I've seen it many times...it's not pretty and it won't get you any kudos from your Endurance peers. JMHO. Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic ichard T. "Jim" Holland Three Creeks Farm 175 Hells Hollow Drive Blue Ridge, Ga 30513 (706) 258-2830 www.threecreeksarabians.com Callsign KI4BEN -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bruce Weary DC Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 1:15 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Gaited Horses Someone explained it to me this way one time: Amongst Arabs, probably seven or eight out of ten candidates could probably do endurance riding successfully. In another breed, say Tennessee Walkers, maybe only two or three could do it. This is probably true of many of the non-Arab breeds. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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