Linda and Tom:
I quote from the both of you:
<<<riders condition their
horses and ride at a pace where the "last 10 miles of a 50 or the last 30
miles of a 100" are just as much "fun" for the horse as the first mile.
This, to me, is the whole point of endurance riding.
Linda
***************************************
Linda, I don't think this is physiologically possible.
ti>>>>
I offer you the last few miles of the first 150 mile ride that was in
Brothers Oregon 1979. My wife and several others finished in about 24 hours
(they slept during the heat of the day). Those horses had a full fledged
"horse race for the last few miles. No urging from the riders, they just
wanted to run. That made 1000 miles for Arlene's horse Champagne who won on
to over 8,000 miles and the AERC Hall of Fame, the only mare.
She also did a two day 150 in 1984 in Nevada, 100 miles the first day and 50
the next pacing top ten (3 & 6) both days. Never pushed, as it was
unnecessary and the horse really enjoyed it as far as we could discern.
This horse did 132 rides and had only 4 rides entered not completed. So, I
feel that it is possible Tom. Oh yes, I forgot during the time she was in
competition she also had two foals and did a total of 1780 miles while in
foal.
Champagne still likes to go, at 26 years, and is still competitive at the
shorter distances. She really appears to like the distance riding and can
get quite grouchy when not ridden some distance.
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
We firmly believe that some horses really like the endurance riding, become
addicted like the old fire horses. Of course we have seen some that really
hated it and would not leave vet stops with out being led out or in some
cases beat upon to move. Not tired or the like but just not liking the job.
None that we have had though.
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID