Re: Next endurance prospects

[Kim Fue <KimFue@aol.com>]

     Picking an endurance prospect is like playing odds.  It's kind of like
that line in one of the Dirty Harry movies "Do you feel lucky?"   I think two
of the most important things to think about when you are looking at a prospect
(whether he is free or $5,000) is what are you going to do with him if he
doesn't work out and how much of your time, emotions, energy and money are you
willing to "GAMBLE" to see if he does turn into your "one in a million".   A
good endurance friend keeps reminding me of her favorite line  "No
Guarantees!!" a quote that seems to be so true in this sport.
      You can take a chance on a "freebie" or close to it and maybe you'll be
lucky and end with a super endurance horse (it's a bit like playing the Lotto
in California - for the last 10 years, twice a week,  winning numbers are
drawn for 3 million 
dollars + ... unfortunately, it has never been my numbers, my husband's
numbers or my friend's numbers) .   You also can try to stack the odds in your
favor by paying a higher price for a prospect that is well bred for endurance
or has perfect conformation or is an exceptional mover...  Unfortunately,
sometimes, even when you think you have found the perfect horse and he passes
the pre purchase check with flying colors and his xrays and ultrasounds are
clean - you may end up with a perfect "non competitor" regardless of how
careful and meticulous you have been in your search.  Many metabolic problems
like thumps and chronic tying up don't show up until you have invested a lot
of time, money and emotional energy in a prospect - only to find out that he
is unsuitable for endurance (or the level of endurance you want to ride at).
Then there is the other scenario - the horse that seems like the perfect
prospect but doesn't have the temperment or "heart" to be a distance horse
(you know, the 100 mile prospect you bought that decides that 25 miles is as
far as he's going to go today or any day...or that "hot" Arabian gelding who
thinks he can gallop 100 miles and never learns to settle down or pace
himself;  who  never has and never will make it past the 30 mile check because
of "burn out".)
     This is not meant to be a downer just reality.  I have been really lucky
(successful) with my "Freebee" horse and I have also been lucky (successful)
with horses that I have bought that were bred for endurance and were much more
expensive  BUT  I have bought and know many people that have bought "perfect
endurance prospects" that have just not worked out in distance racing.  
      As this sport becomes more technical and exacting, as reflected by some
of the recent posts on nutrition, training and the latest in high tech tack
it's easy to forget how sometimes luck or fate can play a big part in our
success or disappointment in endurance riding, especially in picking a good
prospect.