RE: Gaited horses & endurance

["Dawna Bynum-Boyd" <dawnab@pdx.wantweb.net>]

Rachel,

	We have a MFT mare who has competed for two years in endurance.  She has
wonderful stamina, willing attitude, and she takes care of herself (eating,
drinking, etc.).  I have to confess that I don't know a great deal about
this breed's history, this is my first and I don't know how they compare to
other gaited breeds, but what I do know is that she is more than capable of
doing long distance riding.  She walks at speeds at which most horses trot
and gaits even faster.  Her gaits are quite smooth, I feel like I'm just not
doing enough work when I rider her (strange huh?).  There are a couple of
people who ride Fox trotters in the NW region and do quite well with them.

	We originally purchased the mare for my husband, but he lost interest when
I started doing more distance.  He's a very thoughtful guy and rode to spend
time with me, not because he loved it.  He drew the line at 50 milers...
This mare carried him all last season and since she is too nice to be a
pasture ornament I have been riding her this season.  But alas, I'm a
Arabian person, and she's for sale.

Good luck with the gaited guys you have, my guess is that properly
conditioned they will do great.

Dawna


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