Interesting how we all seem to find a way to keep
riding. I have been riding Arabs for over twenty yrs but just bought my
first TWH. She is only 3 and needs to gain some wt. I have my eight
yo Arab to ride until she is ready. I must admit that the prepurchase ride
I did was a convincing one on my knees. She is sweet and not so 'spooky'
as all my Arabs have been. As I am not getting any younger and neither are
my knees I decided it was time for a change. Inspite of all the grandiose
plans I had twenty yrs ago, life has just not allowed them. I will probably
never get close to the Tevis so what the heck, let's just keep riding and
enjoying the individual challenges of 'RIDING OUR OWN RIDE' and keep the
motto going: TO FINISH IS TO WIN. Seems there is room
for all types of riders. We who are the Baby Boomers are becoming older
but still want to keep going. Happy trails to all, Mary Ann
ps. Seems to me we need to keep track of the use of the
gaited horse in endurance.
The disclaimer: I'm new to endurance, new to gaited horses, but
have been riding for 40+ years.
I did two LD's on my Arab before I decided I wasn't young enough anymore
to necessarily stay with his six foot horizontal
leaps.
I bought a nine year old Tennessee Walker gelding in May and did a very
nice easy 25 on a cool day in July. He was idle when I bought him, but
very energetic and a horse that acts like he loves to use his body and his
athleticism. I conditioned just like I would with an Arab and did all my
training rides with my Arab-riding training partners. In the beginning,
Hunter fell behind when they trotted. By July, he could keep up with
them at the rack, occassionally cantering along in a truly lovely rocking
chair canter.
Good luck and welcome to the ranks of the non-Arab riders,
I have a grade gaited gelding that I am
considering taking in a LD ride this fall. Right now, he is chunky,
and so am I. Any LD we do would be very slow - think 5.5 to 6
hours. I've only ridden Arabs in this sport, and know that an Arab
would have no problem being ready for 25 by the Tin Cup Springs ride on
September 18 . Can anyone with more experience with gaited
and/or horses not inherently suited to this sport give me any advice on
conditioning? As blocky as his confirmation is, if it's too warm
(think 80 degrees plus for more than one hour in 24), we won't attempt
it. I'll train in warmer weather for shorter distances, but not that
far that far from home. Thanks for any tips -
