No Subject

["Nancy Mitts" <mitts_n@hotmail.com>]

Carol, I (featherweight) rode our stallion Racer (not an Arab) on 3 25's 
in the fall of his 4 year old year.  He had been ridden a few times at 
2. A few times at 3. Only a couple months conditioning before the rides 
at 4. At 5 I started slow 50's.  In the fall when he was 5 I did his 
first slow 100.  All together I put over 2500 AERC competition miles on 
him, including 13 1 day 100's. The last couple years he has carried my 
husband, a heavyweight. He is now coming 12 & has 3200 miles, 14 100's. 
I pulled him twice for lameness (when he was 7). Both we were at the 50 
mile point on hundreds. (We'd probably been sound enough for a 
completion if it was the end of a 50) Once he smacked his shin on a log, 
it swelled & he was off. He was fine by the time we got home. The other 
time was of undetermined origin, but he'd been hauled 2000 miles to the 
ride & it was a tough one. Was fine by the time we got home.
I'm now starting his 4 year old daughter, and have completed 3 25 mile 
rides. I pulled from her 2nd ride due to a stone bruise.
Granted, Arabs typically mature slower, but a controllable horse, 
sensibly ridden, should be able to handle 25 mile rides during their 5 
year old year. If not, I wouldn't consider them a likely endurance 
prospect.
Nancy Mitts 

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com