Who has a TB?

[starkissed]

Forgive me if there have been posts on this, I didn't check!
How many of you all ride thoroughbreds in endurance?
I would like to try an endurance race (short!) at some point in my life. I don't know if will happen with my current horse though, he is a 13yr old TB.
Arabs rule the endurance scene, as far as I know, are other breeds pretty common at the lower levels?

[certifiedgirl]

I do LDs on my 16 yr old TB mare, I'm hoping to move up to 50s with her son when he's ready.
I've seen all kinds of breeds out there, especially on the shorter distances. Many of my friends ride gaited horses and are competitive on them. True you do see more Arabs, but I think most horses could complete a 25 or 30 if they are reasonably fit.

[decorum]

I just got a coming 4 year old TB that I plan on doing LD with starting next year. I have no desire to do endurance but my mom does so I poke along. :) We will stick out like a sore thumb, he is already 16.1.

Ann Szolas

[baldfaceboyz]

I have a 10 yo OTTB that I bought as a "lead thru" at New Holland two years ago. I am currently prepping him to take to his and my first 25 miler in April at Fair Hill. He is a physically tough, mentally stoic, seemingly bottomless very good boy. The least spooky horse in our barn, very comfy gaits, etc. He was "cold backed" and on the recomendation of FHOTD that I give him a job involving "lots of wet saddle blankets" and he has thrived on it. Good luck with your guy, enjoy yourself out there.

[CosMonster]

I don't do it with my TBs (both old and we stick to light work), but I know a rider who does. She doesn't ride to be competitive but her TB does quite well and I think could be more competitive if she wanted. Even taking it easy they usually finish in the middle of the pack and I don't think he's ever been pulled.

Before Arabs were popular in the US, I think TBs were the breed of choice for distance riding here. Could be wrong on that, but it makes sense. They've got the lean build and stamina for it.

[Gestalt]

TB's can do endurance. What is your goal? Win or finish? I rode my old TB gelding in 60 milers. We were always one of the last to finish, but I ride for fun. And that guy was a blast! Plus we did hunters and a bit of dressage.

[matryoshka]

I tried with one of my OTTB's (pic is in my profile), but I gave up. He bucked a lot, and after three years of trying to find out why, I gave up.

One concern about competing him was that he'd waste too much energy up front in excitement and not have enough to finish. I figured the second ride would go better than the first, and so on.

I had to rider-option out of our first ride (not my horse's fault), and after that we had some issues that kept me from trying again.

I do think he could have done it. His gait of choice was a ground-eating canter (22 mph), so I planned to ride our own pace and not try to do it like the Arabs. He was relaxed and cool while cantering but tense and frustrated while trotting. He would get very fit very fast and had a great work ethic.

Aside from his bucking, his biggest drawback was his flat feet that had soft walls. I suspect he'd also had pedal osteitis either at the track or when we first pulled his shoes. I wasn't sure how those feet would hold up on rockier rides.