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Re: [RC] Question for all of you riders... - rides2far

I've always wanted to break into the sport, 
but> as a tall woman, I didn't want to do it on a little arab.  I love 
arabs,> but always feel undermounted.  Recently, I purchased a Belgian
draft
horse with an excellent vet check and high ratings on all of her
lameness/prepurchase exam. 

Elly,

Did you happen to come from the dressage/fox hunting/ or hunter jumper
ranks? If so, it's easier to understand you having a liking for not only
*tall* horses but *big* horses. My biggest misgiving would be...have you
considered whether this draft horse will enjoy endurance riding? You are
a long distance runner...do you look like a competitive weight lifter? 
Do you see any long distance runners who have chosen to run because they
enjoy it, who look like power lifters?  

That said, if you consider your horse's body type and the limitations it
comes with (heat build up, greater chance of tying up, etc) there's no
reason you can't train it for the sport, and do some competitions. If it
were me I'd shoot for cold weather! There's more to the vet check than a
lameness exam. The metabolics are something you'll really have to work
at.

I started out on an Appaloosa. I had no intention of riding Arabs (and
I'm short). My App had a very good time for 25 miles. He vetted through
fine, but after 25 miles he quit having fun. I did not enjoy riding a
horse that wasn't having fun. We had a 3/4 Welsh 1/4 TB who had the body
type, but hated trail riding. Hated climbing hills, had no fun. He's now
a very happy show jumper. I now ride Arabs...just because the ones I've
had never get enough of the trail.  If that Belgian enjoys endurance,
more power to you. Have fun. I think we have just seen a few people who
were determined to be "different" who were like the dad who's forcing his
kid to play football when he'd much rather be in the band. By the
way...you won't be the first. There's already been a Belgian on the cover
of Endurance News. :-)

Angie McGhee (who's ridden Apps, Arabs, a Standardbred, a Mule, an Anglo,
and wants to  complete on a pony.



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