Physical attributes of an endurance horse?

[Romantic_Rider]

[QUOTE=rainechyldes;2513033]
southerhighlander—

not to be prickly, but you do realize…

Aussie Walers for one-- their bloodlines were -dominated- by arabian bloodlines in the 1780’s . which is when the breed was developed.
TBs, -well we all know that one,.
Mustangs- many were derived from barb/arab typed stock.

If you are going to spout off how much you think the arab breed sucks in comparision to other breeds, that doesn’t bother me one bit—but get your research right:)

The arabian breed is and has been used for countless years to refine and help improve breeds. To me that says something. I have a few arabs and part arabs yes, however I don’t necessarily think they are the best at all disciplines, but you can’t knock the influence they’ve had worldwide on many horse breeds. And however you want to put it, you can’t deny they are hands down the best for endurance. the facts you keep trotting out aren’t holding up I’m afraid becaue they are incorrect.[/QUOTE]

Yes, yes, exactly my opinion. And also, there is a huge difference between straight, clean legs, which are a must for endurance riding, and upright pasterns. Good grief…

[southernhighlander]

yet all horses come from america before people went there to live and the horse shifted from america to the rest of the world and the proof is out there in the musems of america.

[gothedistance]

southernhighlander –

I really can’t decide if you are merely determined to dig yourself into the deepest hole possible to exhibit how clueless you are, a 5th grader with a juvenile fixation and a overwhelming fascination bordering on the extreme for Zane Gray’s fictional romantic wild west cowboy and his trusty mustang when you should be studying grammer and spelling and not playing on the internet posting stuff that proves you are totally ignorant … or a troll.

Hmmmmm.

I’m going to opt for all three.

There is no “proof” in any American museum, including the Smithsonian. There is only subjecture, and educated guesses.

[Romantic_Rider]

Horses did not come from America. Europeans brought horses to America. And if your are trying to say that the Mustang was the earliest breed it is a very sorry try. Any knowledgeable horse person knows that the Arab is in fact one of the oldest and purest breeds on earth, and it’s influence is incalculable.

[southernhighlander]

[QUOTE=Romantic Rider;2514626]
Horses did not come from America. Europeans brought horses to America. And if your are trying to say that the Mustang was the earliest breed it is a very sorry try. Any knowledgeable horse person knows that the Arab is in fact one of the oldest and purest breeds on earth, and it’s influence is incalculable.[/QUOTE]

guess you guys better read this then hey.

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/features/109-fossils.shtml

it proves that the horse ancestory is from america and also many native america indian tribes believe this as they use to say that horses would be coming home.

[Auventera_Two]

I find that article a bit humorous, being that the proper way to extract bones from an archaeological dig site is NOT to let a child chip away at them with a hammer and chisel as shown in the picture!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Proper archaeological digs are performed with precision instruments by archaeologists and/or scientists, all bones are photographed, documented, and carefully prepared before they can be touhed or moved. Bones 15 million years old (as this article claims) are EXTREMELY fragile and often break apart to pieces or powder when disturbed. This is why they are delicated cleaned with soft brushes and then coated in a thin glue which strengthens the bone and prevents them from disentegrating when disturbed.

Also, it’s interesting to note that the bones found were a few fragments. NOT a complete skeleton, not even close to a complete skeleton. There is no way to know that those few bones did in fact belong to a prehistoric horse.

[rainechyldes]

southernhighlander–

I have zero probelm with discussing the pros-cons of breeds, and their bloodlines and origins. but as I said earlier. It’s pretty hard to do when you are stating websites that appear to be written by people in fantasy land, and pulling info off of random sites that appear to have -NO- basis in actual fact. (moral of the story being, - just because some put up a website on the internet about their dreamy ideal of mustangs-- doesn’t make it true if they don’t at least have a few letters after their name)

If you want to actually learn about breed origins, there are tons of great books out there, check your school library:)

[prudence]

Regarding the archeological dig conducted by Dick Hilton - Professor Hilton is a much respected paleontologist who would only use correct methods for collecting, preserving, identifying, and catologing specimens. The kid was along for the ride I am sure. I know as a teenager I went along on a similar trip where Richard Leakey was looking for evidence of early man. I got to drive my dad’s 63 Chevy pickup - stick shift for the first time - across the desert dunes. Must have been awful for the passengers. Actually I have been on alot of such trips starting when I was about 10. Nothing better for a kid. If he participated in any of the gathering then he was well trained for the job.

But I fail to see why pointing out a “missing link” in horse evolution adds anything to a mustang vs Arab discussion. And so much is the individual horse that makes the ride successful rather than the breed.

[rainechyldes]

the point of the ‘missing link’ conversation is that I do find it interesting, and I’d hazard a guess a lot of us do, when it’s actual fact, which is the point we were trying to make.
Especially when the same fuzzy and non-facts are being used as a basis to support an argument that ANY breed of horse is better then Arabians at a sport that is dominated by Arabians… I mean seriously:)

[mares_tails]

AiG

Actually, it has been proven that “all species of living horses, as well as those that have become extinct since the Flood, are descendants of the two members of the horse kind that God brought to the Ark (Genesis 7:15). Many fossils of horses probably formed in local catastrophes after the Flood.”

Ref.

:winkgrin:

[rainechyldes]

if I had my choice, I’d ride a unicorn and be quite happy coming dead last in endurance, it’s a unicorn!! how much cooler could I get?

[prudence]

Sometimes people fight to be dead last - you get cool prizes! Sounds like a new clique - the one-horn endurance riders…

[rainechyldes]

I like it. I have the prerequisite white horse, now If I just duct tape an empty paper towel roll to the middle of his forehead I might be able to travel in disguise at the back of the pack!

[matryoshka]

Back to the original question…

I ride an OTTB. He’s got a great work ethic and really seems like he moves on down the trail. Lots of other trail horses (even the gaited ones) canter to his trot, so I think he’s pretty good. Until an Arabian comes cruising by us at an effortless trot. Okay, maybe it just seems effortless. Not every Arab is suited for endurance, just like not every TB is cut out to be a race horse. On average, though, I think Arabians have long strides, a natural curiousity that makes them want to head down the trail, and a decent work ethic that makes them excited to start work (unless they get over trained).

I am currently fostering a 14hh, 14 year old Crabbet-bred Arabian mare until she learns better manners. She’s easy to ride, but her ground manners need to match her trail skills. This mare likes to hang back and go second, moseying along at a slower walk. She doesn’t seem to be a horse for any kind of distance riding, since she’s not that interested in moving along. If the lead horse balks, she’ll happily go past and do an obstacle first, but then she wants the other horse to lead on down the trail again. IOW, she’s great for an advanced beginner to ride.

One day I rode her on the trail with an OTTB (another foster horse). The little Arabian mare had hung back and would trot every so often to keep up with his faster walk. Then he started trotting out in the open while my mare was snatching a bit of grass. When she realized he was getting farther away, she went into a beautiful, ground covering trot and quickly caught up to the OTTB, never even breathing hard. The other rider remarked how fast the OTTB’s trot was, and I had to chuckle. Now I know why those Arabs cruise on past while their riders smile and nod at me! At the same speed, my OTTB would have been jarring me on every stride, since he has a strong bounce in his step.

Now, when it comes to a flat out gallop, my boy pretty much passes everybody in his line of sight. But who can gallop for 25 miles? His most efficient gait seems to be the hand-gallop, so we make up for our lack of trotting speed in the open (not necessarily by my choice). I have yet to see whether riding his/my pace will last for 25 miles and whether he will pulse down well, but I can hardly wait to find out.

In the mean time, I will be smiling and waving back to the people cruising by on their Arabs. I’ll stick to my 16hh OTTB, even though we won’t be finishing in the top ten. I’ll be riding for fun, and my OTTB will be going for his own reasons (I think he thinks we are actually racing). :winkgrin:

[Auventera_Two]

Great post Matryoshka!

My Arab’s trot and canter are so effortless that it literally feels like I’m sitting on nothing. I never get tired from riding that trot. But her walk sucks. She walks 5 steps then jigs 5 steps, then walks 5 and jigs 5. It’s terrible. She does best when I just get her in a nice trot and let her trot it out for as long as she wants to. We have a lot of work to do yet, that’s for sure! The thing I love about the Arab personality is they seem to really LIKE going down the trail. Like it’s just natural for them. Like a natural born jumper from jumper lines really likes to jump. My Arab’s ears are always up and she’s always trotting toward that next curve in the trail. My QH is a fairly good distance horse too, but she lacks the natural curiosity that the Arab has. Even when the QH was a youngster, she was content to work hard for 15 minutes and then quit. But she’s bred for a whole different style of riding, so I wouldn’t “expect” her to have the natural aptitude that the Arab has.

[prudence]

Ok, I just have to add a comment here about the horse’s attitude. My 24 yr old Hanoverian absolutely loves to go down the trail. Put him in a ring and this former upper level dressage horse will stick out his nose and pout. He listens to every sound outside and is always trying to see farther down the trail. I have ridden Arabs and other breeds and have never seen a horse enjoy trail riding as much as he does. He has had some soundness issues recently but I am trail riding him again, just slower which he doesn’t like as much. His last 50 was July 2006 and I know he misses it, particularly when he pushes out of a canyon and looks for more.

Anyway, I am not saying warmbloods rule on the trail by any means, just that attitude is another trait that you should look for in any endurance horse regardless of breed.

[Prieta]

I’ve been reading this thread…

1. I’m currently studying about the Bible and have learned that the Bible has been written by men who did not have a good understanding of science, who had to come up with an explaination of what happened, who had to come up with guidance to help people behave better, etc. It was not meant to be written as word from God. We can just see the Bible as it is one of the manifesation of God just like we see ourselves as manifesation of God. Jesus kept on saying that we need to look around us because miracle is occurring all the time. For instance, horses are here! I will not cite my reference from the Bible on how horses come from North America. Sorry for blowing bubbles on the Bible.

2. Ohhhhh, each horses are unique out on trails. My Arab is super springy and relaxing on walks but her canter is choppy. I do not anticipate on her being on the top ten at races. I think that our Spotted Saddle will do better because she’s got bigger “engines”. Beyond that, I’m still ignorant to know exactly what physical attributes help a horse do very well at endurances even though I know a bit more about what helps TB do well in flat racing; hence, I’m following this thread!

[rainechyldes]

body type is important.-

Big muscled horses such as QH etc, can have trouble with endurance, kinda like imagining a weight lifter trying to run a marathon, to put in human prespective.

thinner muscle base, long lean typey horses rather then bulk
Thin skin tends to mean less hair = easier to dissipate heat.
I like a nice big solid trot, hopefully a comfortable one!
Naturally low resting P/R, might as well start ahead in the dept.
Straight clean legs/ good sized cannon (this really is important)
Big barrel, and I like to see a fair sized chest as well- large eye, large nostril
I prefer the short back more compact type arabs.

A smart tough minded personality- though that’s more personal opinion, I prefer independent horses who can think for themselves. Doesn’t always make life peaceful, but it’s worth it to me to have a horse who doesn’t lose their stack anytime they have to work something out themselves.

[Astraled]

Man, you are all going to feel ridiculous when I cruise past you on the next ride on this sweet ride. Oh yeah, the original American horse can’t be beat.

BTW, NATRC is competitive trail (trail equitation :winkgrin:) and useless for looking up endurance horses. I didn’t see that mentioned but maybe I was laughing too hard.

[matryoshka]

Just be sure to wave cheerfully on your way past and I’ll gladly wave back! Oh, and if you see a big red ribbon, please be patient with the length of time it takes to get a competetive OTTB off the trail far enough to be out of kicking range! Butch hates getting off the trail to let horses pass. You won’t see us on a CTR since they don’t allow boots with gaiters. :no: