Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Multi-day Horses

The whole concept of "bone" has been blown out of proportion by too many in the endurance world.  Substance and bone need to be sufficient FOR THE SIZE OF THE HORSE.  eg--A horse that only weighs 800 lbs and has 7-1/4" of bone has OODLES of bone.  By the same token I would not be bragging about a horse that is 15:3, weighs 1150, and has 8-1/2--proportionately, he has LESS bone than the smaller horse.   Cannon circumference is NOT a concept that has any meaning UNLESS it is correlated to the overall size of the horse.

 

Heidi

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Sullivan

To: Lauren Horn ; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 9:53 AM

Subject: Re: [RC] Multi-day Horses

This seems to be on topic and I am also interested in comments.  There seems to be a huge trend towards big-boned horses. While I think horses certainly need sufficient bone to carry their own weight...isn't  the Arab described as more of a "fine-boned" breed anyway?  And, isn't that bone supposed to be of a very fine and strong texture? 

 

As far as the horse mentioned below....how tall and heavy is the horse?

 

Would be great at some time to have a database with statsitics on high-mileage horses, their size, weight, cannon bone measurements, bloodlines, etc.

 

Karen

----- Original Message -----

From: Lauren Horn

To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 8:10 AM

Subject: [RC] Multi-day Horses

Is a larger bone, studier build horse better (stays sounder) then a light bone sleeker built horse for Multi-days??? My goal is to do  multi-days and have a horse that will stay sound for a long, high mileage career. I found a horse that I like but he is small boned (I haven't measured, but I would guess less then 7 1/2") and wears a 00 shoe. I'm a heavy middleweight rider and am concerned that I may have problems in the future. What are the statistics on high mileage multi-day horses? I need to make a decision quickly and this is a big concern.  Anyone riding a lighter boned high mileage multi-day horse? E-mail me privately if you want. Thanks for your opinions.

 

Lauren

4horn@xxxxxxx