Re: [RC] Starting the middle aged horse in distance riding - Cindy Simmons88
I just put my 35 year old mare down that did her fastest 50 miler (5 hours)
at age 18. She was still sound after 14 years of endurance riding and at
age 35.
Age 8 was a significant mental shift for her and she was more of a pleasure
to ride. There's recommendations that long slow distance from 4-8 make a
difference in the long run but I know some people who can't keep it in check
while building that structure and cardiovascular system so I agree that age 8 is
a great age but like the young horse that first year should have lots of long
slow distance in it.
Subject: Re: [RC] Starting the middle
aged horse in distance riding
Back several decades ago, before there was
endurance riding as we know it, no one would EVER buy a horse that was older
than 8 years old. That very concept amuses me endlessly now.
My current horse will be 10 next month. I
deliberately bought a horse with a little maturity, figuring, correctly in
this case, that one of this age would be beyond most of the silliness one
finds in a younger horse. Of course, there are horses that are 10 that
are still silly, but that's another story...
Subject: Re: [RC] Starting the middle
aged horse in distance riding
My horse Fox was not broke to ride until she was 9 years
old. She had been a broodmare for all of her life before I bought
her. She is now 15 and has completed over 2000 miles including 6
100s. Her most competitive year was as a 14 year old.
Before the experience with this mare, I never would have considered
that a horse could accomplish so much at 13 and 14 years old. Her
performance improved with every ride season. There was a time that I
would not have considered starting a older horse but this mare completely
changed my mind.
