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RE: [SPAM] RE: [RC] Proving Stallions (or mares for that matter) - heidiEndurance requires a variety of skills, and a horse can do well if it is pretty good at most of them, even if it does not excel at any of them. For instance, speed--endurance is a timed sport, so an endurance horse must be somewhat swift, but need not have that fraction of an edge required to win races. Endurance requires the sort of agility needed in dressage or cutting or reining--but an endurance horse need not be so good at it as to be able to do Grand Prix, or its equivalent in sports that require similar specialized skills. Endurance also requires a horse that will accept all sorts of situations and not lose his cool--he must take care of himself in all weathers, in all social settings, etc.--whereas the "specialist" can slot into one role with a fragile psyche and not have to adapt. Additionally, a really good endurance horse can cross disciplines into just about anything and do a creditable job, even if he isn't at the top of the game. He can adapt to dressage, reining, racing (usually they do that first), jumping, driving, whatever--because they have the general ability to be overall athletes. Many top endurance horses do have other "careers"--either during off-seasons or at other times in their lives. They are survivalists, and tend to adapt to whatever they are asked. Think about specialization--if ALL a horse can do is run, he won't be good at endurance, even if he is really good at running. If ALL a horse can do is a soft little jog, he won't be very good at endurance, even if he is really good at jogging. If ALL a horse can do is park, he won't make a very good endurance horse, even if he is really good at parking. Etc.... Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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