Crazy? QH as endurance horse?

[Kyzteke]

I have to agree with the others who point out that most people who are really interested in endurance will not be looking at a QH “prospect”. That doesn’t mean that particular horse can’t do it, but “prospect” means nothing really and traditionally QH’s aren’t the “go to” breed for the sport. So serious riders aren’t going to look at her when there are $500-1000 Arab “prospects” all over the place.

However a well-trained, well-mannered, level-headed QH trail horse is VERY marketable, since far more people do trails than endurance.

IF the mare is all that, than market her as such and drop the endurance angle; you won’t have to sell her cheap.

So in other words: she doesn’t freak out often at all the stuff we see on the trails, she does not jig or act stupid when asked to simply WALK, she ties, trailers willingly and stands calmly when being mounted, she crosses water, small logs, etc. without having major conniptions, and she is sound enough (and has good feet) to do the job.

THAT is a trail horse; if she can’t do all of that, she is just a “trail horse prospect” and you are back to square one.

[system]

[QUOTE=Eddy’s Mom;4926743]
I don’t want this to sound bitchy, but there is a lot more to an endurance horse than one that wants to go and go. They have to be sound, sound, sound. Have fantastic feet, straight legs, flat muscle. The heavier-type QH won’t really get looked at by distance riders because they are much harder to cool and just don’t have the endurance. That said, there are plenty of anomalies out there doing things they “shouldn’t” be able to do!

Does this horse have trail experience? Has it camped? What’s his/her resting heart rate? These are all things you will be asked by potential riders. The horse might be better off marketed as a good trail horse over an endurance horse.

Good luck![/QUOTE]

What some might be overlooking is the fact that MANY quarter horses now days are appendix bred…meaning they have TB, sometimes ALOT of TB in their genetic makeup. Just because you hear ‘quarter horse’ dont automatically assume they are 14 hh and 3’ wide bulldogs.

Unless foundation bred or halter type, working qh’s are looking more and more like TB’s. Trust me, I raise and work BOTH breeds.

[DandyMatiz]

True. TB’s aren’t usually chosen as endurance prospects either though. If the horse has already started, and is showing promise at lower levels is a whole lot different than someone’s horse that can trail ride for a long time.

[Auventera_Two]

@DarsMom;4977518

What some might be overlooking is the fact that MANY quarter horses now days are appendix bred…meaning they have TB, sometimes ALOT of TB in their genetic makeup. Just because you hear ‘quarter horse’ dont automatically assume they are 14 hh and 3’ wide bulldogs.

Unless foundation bred or halter type, working qh’s are looking more and more like TB’s. Trust me, I raise and work BOTH breeds.

And even my 14 hh, 3’ wide Poco Bueno bred bull dog did a few 25 and 35 mile LDs and did great. Certainly not a winner, but definitely a finisher with excellent vet scores.

Ok, in the light of FULL disclosure, she is an Appendix - she’s about 1/4 TB, but she sure doesn’t look it.

http://www.hphoofcare.com/M%20(5).jpg

http://www.hphoofcare.com/PinkBlonder.jpg

[wendy]

that she has incredible stamina and endurance. She cannot be worn out. She conditions easily. Naturally forward and likes to go without being crazy. And go… And go…

you don’t mention what her former “job” was, but you DO mention she’s never even done a 10-mile trail ride? so how do you conclude she has incredible stamina? consider I once, without a second thought or any special preparation, cantered a young arab 5 miles to the start line of a 25-mile ride, did the ride just fine, and then cantered the 5 miles home, and the horse didn’t seem to notice anything special had happened.

Does she ENJOY trailriding? cause lots of horses don’t really. They might enjoy going on a lazy hour-long hack in a group, but a horse who really enjoys the trails will eagerly go out alone or in company, will happily peel off from the group while the group goes back and you just keep going, and when you come to a turn where you can go home or further on the horse will if given the choice pick the turn to keep going.

An unflappable experienced trail horse, however, is a very sell-able.

[Auventera_Two]

@wendy;4978198

and when you come to a turn where you can go home or further on the horse will if given the choice pick the turn to keep going.

That’s the biggest way I judge how much a horse loves to “go” and be on the trail. On SO many ocassions, I have given Sweets total rein and let her choose if she wants to turn into the trail head or keep going. Sometimes she can SEE the trailer right there. Or we’re close to home and she can SEE her own barn. She’ll keep going almost every time. Blondie on the other hand - ehhhh, not so much. She’ll try to turn for home if you don’t keep reminding her she’s supposed to be trail riding.

[katarine]

The horse in question would have to be lightly muscled, fabulous footed, brave, sensible, and bottomless.

And advertised as a grade. Promoting QH+endurance will not catch anyone’s eye.

[EqTrainer]

It’s not my horse so I’m not at liberty to give the details but I know this horse has routinely trotted and cantered for hours - four, five - with only very short walk breaks and has incredible heat tolerance. If she can do that with no conditioning to speak of and have no recovery issues at all, that makes me wonder if she’s not more suited to a different job than dressage or hunters. She has a big, flat effortless rhythmic stride in all three gaits and is sound barefoot.

However, no one in my world is going to explore this ( I’d rather have a tooth pulled than ride for 25 miles straight!) so I guess she’ll get sold as a cow pony/backyard trail type. So long as she get taken care of, it doesn’t really matter to her I am sure!