[RC] Endurance horse or prospect? - Faustina Duffy
OK, I'm sincerely curious, so since the lists seem to be unnaturally quiet
(or my email's malfunctioning again!): What do you (individually) feel it
takes before a horse should be termed an ENDURANCE horse?
I'm hoping to overhaul my website (it's 3 years outdated, as the disasters
here just keep coming) and am wondering how to term some of the horses I will be
posting (some for sale, some merely kin for reference).
Is it merely that I intend/hope for a certain horse to be ridden for
endurance? Or is it because it has already done endurance? If so,
how many rides? Should I make a distinction between the ones that have
completed 50+ mile rides, or do LDs count? What if it's conditioned for it
but has yet to get to a ride?
Can it be based on what it's parents have done? I have several who
have a daddy that has done endurance, and one who has BOTH parents
competing. Does it even matter?
I have to say, it rankles me when folks who don't know endurance think a
horse is suited for it simply because it has no brakes and always wants to
run. Or because it's a __________ (insert breed here, most commonly Arab)
with no observations about it's soundness, health or history. But I also
want to direct my horses to homes where folks are looking for the qualities I
appreciate in a true endurance horse: Soundness over years of riding,
sensibility on the trail, ability to cover varied terrain. And of course,
if possible, a note of the parameters observed such as resting heart rate,
recovery times, etc. Especially since most of mine are gaited, I know I'm
walking a line when I say "This" will do endurance, as there are so many
variables...
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
I'm still a newbie at this, so please be gentle with my ignorance!