Thoroughbreds as Endurance Horses

[Paulastk@aol.com]

To get off the subject of being Tom Ivers exercise rider and on to a more 
related but still related topic, (although I for one would certainly count 
myself in the dream job category).  I wonder what all of you endurance 
scientists and breed specialists think is the reason why  there are not alot 
of thoroughbreds competing in endurance.  I ride one, and I love his gaits, 
his size and ability to multitask i.e. jumping, dressage, racing, but, he has 
not "got it" in the long haul.  He appears to be a Carl Lewis type athlete.  
Some what of a 2 miler but too slow for the track, yet he hasn't "got it" in 
the long races either.  Now I'll admit I'm realitively new to the endurance 
sport so I could be his problem (likely), yet, when I look through the 
Endurance News at the breeds that place, I just do not see many pure TBs at 
all.  
Just wondering with the previous thread on the origins of the breeds whether 
the muscle combo of fast and slow twitch has been specifically bred out of 
the TB or it can be developed, or just forget it and make my boy into a nice 
little hunter and sell him to someone in the "A" shows. (ha, never).
I wonder what kind of flames will blow on this one!
Thanks for any incite I mean insight.
Paula and Cosmo the wonder horse