How to pick a great endurance horse?

[dresstar]

Hi,
What do you look for in an endurance horse? Gates I would think. But what else? Do you want them to have trail experience? Arab? Or a cross?
I was thinking of getting into to this sport.
dresstar

[saratoga]

You can just start with the horse you have. Assuming you'd start off with Intro rides or 25s, many horses can do that.
Arabs have the most potential overall for endurance, of course. I got both of my horses when they were very young, but I would look for a sound horse with overall good conformation and a willing personality. Trail experience would be good too. Sometimes people who have difficult to control, hot/crazy horses, try to advertise them as "good for endurance" and they may be, but its better to start with one who is easy going and ridable.

[MassageLady]

That is true, but let me tell you-if I was going to do CTR's again, I'd find a horse that had a 'double Bask' background.:yes: My mare's damn was Double Bask (Granddaughter/out of The Cheif Justice and Great granddaughter). She cleaned up, without even having to do a whole lot of work. Took her on a few trail rides,and she was 'good to go'. Tough little thing too-nothing spooked her, I so wish I could clone that horse!

[ambar]

Ask someone who's vetted a lot of rides at the level you want to compete at. I hear a good hip, solid body and correct back rate higher than perfect legs, for example.

[CosMonster]

I too think it depends on what you want to do. I'd say not just many, but most horses can do a 25 miler--maybe not top 10, but finish within the time limits. If you're looking at being seriously competitive at 50 miles or above, an Arab or cross is probably the way to go. Other than that, pretty much what you'd look for in any other equine athlete, with more emphasis on good feet and good bone. Trail experience is a definite plus if you don't have much, but otherwise it's pretty easy to train if you get a horse with a good mind (some people might kill me for saying this, but as a former professional dressage trainer and a current endurance competitor, I think it's easier to train a trail horse than a dressage horse by a long shot--of course in both circumstances you need to choose a horse with the right mind for what you're doing, otherwise you're just treading water). If you're training the horse, you have to be comfortable with varying terrain, water crossings, etc. JMO and admittedly I have a lot more experience with dressage horses than endurance ones, but I have done both.

[ToiRider]

I hear a good hip, solid body and correct back rate higher than perfect legs, for example.

I have heard just the opposite. IMO, correct legs, especially correct front legs, are more important than any other conformational feature. Of course, the rest of the horse's conformation is important, but if the legs break down, the rest doesn't matter.

Other things to look for: a sloping shoulder, thick cannon bones, sloping but not long pasterns, short coupling, well sprung rib cage, apple butt, and sane and sensible personality are good starters. Geldings seem to be preferred over mares, as geldings spend less time on their "issues." Horses with low action are desired over horses with higher action. You want the energy to go into going sensibly and efficiently down the trail, rather than up, down, sideways and backward. Shorter horses have less mechanical breakdowns than taller horses. 15 hands seems to be the dividing line between shorter and taller. Arabians are stronger than many breeds, and a smaller Arabian with a short back can carry a larger load for a longer distance at a faster speed than most or all other breeds. You want a sensible horse who will take care of himself and you on the trail, and this includes a horse who eats and drinks well and is not finicky.

A horse who would win the latest faddish halter competition is not an endurance candidate. Snake necks, wild eyes, long pasterns, thin bones, long backs and long legs all contribute to a horse who does not function well at long distances and is prone to mechanical or metabolic breakdown. You want their plain Jane cousin, who is thick boned and sturdy, with a sensible attitude. In this case, you could say you want the bridesmaid, and not the bride ... In other words, you want an old style Arabian, such as a CMK Arabian or a Polish or Russian Arabian. The words "preservation breeder" are your friend, because you want the type of old style horse that has not been bred to meet the latest fad, but is a traditional working Arabian horse.

Someone mentioned Bask, who was a pure Polish Arabian stallion imported from Poland some time after World War II. He comes from a family of Polish stallions that are welcome in an endurance bloodline, which include Witraz (sire of Bask), Wielki Szlem, and Witez II, especially Witez II. I have a 1/2 Arabian Bask Grandson, and he is superb. He is out of Toi Soldier, who threw wonderful sport horses. My friend won the AERC National 100 Mile Endurance Ride with her 1/2 Arabian Bask Granddaughter, who is also a Toi Soldier daughter. I would buy another Toi Soldier get in a heartbeat.

If you are interested in getting into Endurance, I would recommend volunteering at several Endurance Rides. Make sure you spend a day as a vet scribe. The vets will tell you what to do, and you will spend 12 hours listening to and watching vets evaluate endurance horses. They have some down time between bursts of activity, and they are almost always willing to answer your questions or tell you why they scored a horse the way they did.

Good luck and have fun!

[dresstar]

Thank you so much for all the wisdom. Think that it is a great idea to be a scribe. Now where do I find the endurance calendar? Would it be threw the arab site? Do I need to get hook up with a trainer? How would I go about that? Is there a list somewhere? I am sorry for all the Q's. Where to start.
dressar

[Prieta]

An excellent place to start would be here! Actually, for more information, you can log on to www.aerc.org They do have classified where they do sell endurance horses.

I got mine at a local auction - it was by chance. I think that she is meant for me to get a new direction in life. :yes:

[Auventera Two]

You can find the official ride calendar here:

http://www.doublejoy.com/erol/Calendar/ridesCUSTOM.asp

Plug in your region information to display the rides. Also most regions and states have their own clubs and associations so if you tell us what state you live in, I can help you locate a better website.

There are some "endurance trainers" out there but they're not common like a dressage trainer or a hunter trainer. There are only 2 or 3 in our state that I'm aware of, instead of 2 or 3 in just about every town like other disciplines.

But the best thing you can do is go here: http://www.aerc.org/Education_Mentor.asp

You can find a mentor in your state or if there isn't one, just email some people from your general area for more info. They can tell you about novice clinics available or seminars.

If you want to just jump right in and get your feet wet - you can do what I did - You just take your existing horse and decide you're going to ride a 25LD (25 mile limited distance ride.) Ride your horse regularly and make sure he stands quietly for a vet examination, make sure he trailers well and can stand tied to the trailer or in a portable paddock over night. Take him out on the trail a few times with friends if possible. Make sure he can go down the trail alone, or if not, make sure you have a buddy who can do this ride with you.

Pick a ride in your area via the Ride Calendar at AERC. Call the Ride Manager (listed on the ride flyer) and ask them for details about the terrain, the camping, the vetting, etc. Explain you are brand new to this. They should be happy to spend time with you on the phone.

Take your horse to the ride the afternoon/early evening before the ride, ask the first person you see to identify the Ride Manager or a Ride Volunteer for you. Get to that person and ask them where to park, how to take your horse to the vet, when the pre-ride meeting is, how big can your paddock be, etc.

Tell the vets this is your first time. They will walk you through EVERYTHING and tell you exactly what to do. You get your blue rider card - keep it with you the whole race in a ziploc bag tucked in somewhere it won't fall out. You need this card the whole ride.

You go to the pre-ride meeting where you will get your ride time in the morning and any specific details about the trail.

Ask anyone around you how you should get your horse's feed and water to the vet check. They will tell you whose truck to put it in, or how to drive it there yourself. You will want to pack grain/beet pulp and hay, water (if management doesn't provide it at the hold), food for you, bug spray, a light sheet for your horse if it's cool, water for sponging if it's hot, and anything else you think you might want or need.

Sometimes the halfway is back in camp and that's awesome because you don't have to haul anything out anywhere.

Leave the start line at the back with the slower horses, and enjoy your first 12 1/2 miles to the vet check. When you come into the check, there will be an in-timer standing there wanting your blue rider card. Hand them the card, tell them this is your first time - ask where to go. They will direct you to the pulse taker. Tell the pulse taker this is your first time. They will tell you how to get to the vet and where.

You wait your specified hold time (30 min - 1 hr), you eat drink, pee, take care of your horse, get tacked back up, and get to the out-timer by your specified time. They will release you when you can go.

Enjoy your next 12 1/2 back to camp. Go through the in-timer, the pulse checker, then the vet.

You don't want to come into the vet holds with the horse panting and heart pounding. Walk your horse the last 1/4 mile or so, of it the vet hold just pops up on you and you're cantering, get off the horse, loosen the girth, go to the in-timer, then walk over to the water tank, let him drink, give him a few bites of grain or grain or whatever, take your tack off, throw it on the ground, sponge some water on his front legs and shoulders, THEN go to the pulse checker. Of course you can ride with a heart rate monitor and then you always know if your horse is at pulse criteria or not.

Once the ride is completed and you got through your 3rd and final vet check, go back to your paddock, groom the horse, give him plenty of hay and water, and watch him for the next 1 hour for any swellings, discomfort, or signs of "not being normal." Watch for his EDPP (eat, drink, poop, pee).

This year I've been standing for BC because my horse has been finishing in the top 10 so that means you go BACK to the vet a second time for a BC judging, but you might not do this, being it's your first time. Your ride time will probably be slower. But if by chance you "do" just ask the vet on your 3rd and final check about the BC judging and they'll tell you when to come back.

You pack up your camp, and after you are certain your horse is fine, you head home! Or you can stay through that evening for awards, though I never do. If you do that means you're on the road after dark, or going home the next morning.

So far I have only met ONE nasty heifer endurance rider. Everyone else has been amazing. They will hold your horse, give you a leg up, tell you where to go, give you something to eat, sponge your horse, etc. Many times they just do it without hesitation, especially if they know you're new. I've had people come up to me and say "What can I do?" But otherwise don't EVER be afraid to ask anybody for anything!! Competitors in this sport know that it can be high intensity and all of us just want everyone to succeed, have a good time, and be safe.

[dresstar]

Wow! You guys are the best. Thank you! It looks like it would be very fun! I have always dream of doing one. Thanks again for all the help!
dresstar

[psidio]

H H and H

Head, Heart, and Hooves.

They need a good head so they know when to speed up and when to slow doen, and when to eat and drink. That good head helps them listen to you instead of paying attention to other horses, boogers on the trail etc.

They need a good heart so that they will keep going for you when any sensable person would have quit for the day and be sitting back at camp with a nice cool refreshing beverage. They need that good heart so when you fall off or are slow mounting for that last loop, they are kind enough to take care of you.

Hooves are the foundation for it all. If they aren't right, you get a lame horse and it's over for the day. Ask any Endurance rider what their most critical need is and they won't talk about saddles or feed. They will talk about their farrier.


In addition, you should have a horse you really enjoy being with. 'Cause the two of you are going to spend a lot of time together. I't's best if you like each others company.
That's my two bits on the subject. Hope it helps.

Paul N. Sidio
Piper
Spokane Mo

[questisthebest]

Everyone you talk to will have their own opinion and a lot depends on your riding experience/level, and what your riding goals are.

I personally don't like a horse that gets super hot at the rides, they stress themselves out, are more prone to a "stress" tie-up, and are just a pain in the butt to deal with. Although I don't strictly believe bloodlines make ALL the difference, the people I work for stay away from too much Bask, Bey, and a lot of the hot halter lines (although we do have a few from those lines, the ones they have tend to be much hotter and mature later). Certain bloodlines may pass on a lower resting pulse and other things that may come as an advantage.

Movement wise it is nice to have a horse that is smooth, although suspension may allow the horse to cover more ground with less energy, it can take a lot of the rider and can be hard on the knees so you may be making sacrifices there. Some horses slam the ground, this can be hard on their joints and break them down earlier than neccesary. Look for even striding, it is more comfortable in the long run for the rider and the horse. Look for a horse that extends instead of short strides with a fast turnover: Keep in mind younger or less experienced horses may not extend well at the trot but may very well learn to extend out with experience.

Conformation wise varies slightly on your goals (FEI 100 or Tevis?) No matter what your goals you want a horse with straight legs, good bone, good hooves, deep heart girth, a good hip, and a strong back. Generally when we pick out an FEI horse we tend to look for the leaner muscle type and for a mountain ride like Tevis a stronger, sturdier mount.

You want a horse that recovers well, has good stamina, and a horse you wouldn't mind riding 50 or 100 miles with. Really the list goes on and on, but here are a few basic things I have learned.

[patti]

... don't discount how critical it is that the horse takes care of themself, eating and drinking, no matter how stressful the situation.

The ones who take care of themselves make life far easier, so you'll do less worrying about metabolic issues.

My first question when looking for a prospect is "what kind of eater is he?" I won't even go to look at a hard keeper, or one who has to be persuaded to eat.

BTDT.

Good luck.

[questisthebest]

good point patti, we had one horse here fit for 100 but we have yet to take him on one since he needs to learn to eat better on the trail

[Romantic Rider]

In my experience the most important things for an endurance horse are strong, sound legs, and a heart. But you need both. I have one mare that's all heart and has great feet and a great mind, but isn't sound. Then I have one mare that has some of the crummiest feet I've ever seen, and doesn't have the mind for it, but she's incredibly sound and has the heart. She does very well for me, top ten horse. How she does it with her feet I'll never know, and if she'd do more than pick at her food she'd be even better. You can get a horse through a ride on B or C gut sounds. But a lame horse is just lame. An endurance horse has to be sound.