Ridecamp: [RC] Newbie Soaking Up All of the Knowledge with Glee!

You guys are awesome! Your responses have been hilarious and helpful!

A couple of questions I have (sorry so long - I am a sponge seeking 
knowledge :o)

1) I am interested in starting endurance riding because I think the goal of 
overall optimum health and fitness is a GREAT one for both horse and rider. I 
feel that conditioning with this goal in mind will benefit us both in all areas 
of life (like climbing the basement stairs without passing out from 
exhaustion!). But I do not want to buy an endurance saddle before I actually 
try a ride. In that case should I borrow one or rough it in my All Purpose?

2) I am planning to start conditioning with my seasoned 12 year old Eventer 
(Arab x QH) that has had a few years off from demanding work. I am wondering if 
once we hit the trail he will think he's on x-country and attempt to gallop 
madly with excitement and attempt to clear any obstacle along the trail. Have 
any of you had experience with using ex-eventers as endurance mounts? 

3) It would be really HELPFUL is someone could share with me (or point me in 
the direction of a site or resource) that breaks down the entire "endurance 
ride" production. You know "Friday morning you do this, this and this...then 
this, this and this". It would help me understand what goes on the days leading 
up to and the actual ride itself.

4) What are the "MUST READ" books for conditioning and endurance? So far I have 
invested in "Principles for Successful Conditioning" (Equus Reference Guide) 
and "Conditioning Sport Horses" (with specific endurance related chapters) by 
Dr. Hilary Clayton, DVM. What others are necessary.

I hope to attend a few rides as a wide-eyed-deer-in-the-headlights volunteer, 
but until then you guys are my best source of the highly priced info. Keep that 
knowledge coming!

Thanks in Advance,

Tamara and her supersteed, Magnum

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