[RC] Small horses and endurance riding - Dr. Liz Faletti, DC
Hi,
I'd like to hear what other riders have experienced
in regard to small horses and average riders.
I have a 14 hands Arab mare, 7 years old, very
dainty, double aught shoes. She was raced on the flat one season and even
her original trainers thought she would do better with endurance riding.
Her attitude is great and although my other mare kicked her last August and
chipped her shoulder, Winter (the tiny Arab) seems to be going
well.
I am 5'5'' about 140 pounds, about 185 with
tack. My husband is about 185 without tack. I have a friend who
rides dressage who is adamant that Winter won't carry either of us for the
longer distances. Even my endurance riding friend thinks Winter wouldn't
carry my husband.
Are we just dreaming or can this mare do 50-100
miles with either of us? I have ridden five 25 mile rides over a 12 year
period. My other horse is a 20 year old 1/2 Arab/pinto, 14.3 hands.
She feels like riding a tank after riding Winter. Last year we did the Cascade
Challenge two day 25 miles each day. Meriqa was doing better each day. I
put all this in, because I haven't ridden longer distances yet, and I don't want
to ask this beautiful, good horse to do something that is going to hurt
her. I know she would make a wonderful child's endurance horse, so long as
the child wasn't a rank beginner. My goals are to ride multi day rides and to
ride a single horse 3000 to 10000 miles as I've heard of other people
doing.
