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<< Anybody with ex race horse turned endurance horse expierence?
I'm going to look at a Arab 6 year old gelding that has been raced for
several years. Any input on what to look for
other than the obvious would be appreciated, or is this not a good idea? >>
Dear Chris (or) Nancy,
This is an EXCELLENT idea. Race horses are bred for athleticism after
all. My David is an off-the track arab. He did only race one year. We have
not enduranced yet-I spent the past summer teaching him how to be a trail
horse (still have long way to go.) But he is showing enourmous potential. (He
would've made a darn good rodeo mount too, so I have learned!<g> Whoever it
was that said arabs can't buck hasn't met David.)
With an ex-race horse LOOK AT THOSE LEGS WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB!!! Leg
injuries are endemic to race tracks. Also favor a horse with a "distance"
conformational build over the "sprinter" conformational build. More and more
racehorses--of all breeds--look like sprinters, due to the nature of racing in
this country. Modern TBs are not, generally speaking, the classic distance
runners they once were, but are built much more along QH lines.
The french bloodlines in racing arabs are more likely to produce this
"sprinter" build than are the russian/polish bloodlines. I'd stay away, in
general principle, from french lines. Fortunately those are rare in this
country.
If the horse is healthy and sound, I'd say, go for it. Many ex-
racehorses endurance.
Trish
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