He is out of the same mare as Judy Houle's horse Shatir (finished Tevis 10
straight years, the last time he was 20 years old and if my information is
correct he was in top 10 all 10 years). The dam was also a 100 mile horse
in her younger years, a granddaughter of both *Raseyn and *Serafix. He has
another half brother via the same dam that belongs Susan Evans (horse is
Cato) that has been in endurance and successfully completed 50's. Shatir
was sired by an Arab, Cato by a running Quarter horse that also finished
Tevis. Obviously there is endurance on the dam's side. This was one of the
reasons I bought this young horse -- the other reason is the illogical
attraction one feels for an animal now and then and I just had to have him.
People involved in the sport tell me this horse should be able to do
endurance -- I have no aspirations beyond eventual 50's with him. My
question stems from the sires side which is a Haflinger so he is obviously
going to be a more heavily muscled type. I understand it may take more time
to condition him to get the lower heart rates, he may have more trouble
dissapating heat and am prepared to body clip him even in summer and carry
more water (he is gray so will lighten with age), more warm up time before
starting and will use butt cover in cold weather to help keep muscles warm
and I know he will not be a top ten candidate and that's fine. The
advantages he has are 7.75 cannon and needs a size 3 Easy Boot at 2.5 years
(is 14.1 now) so marvelous bone and feet and he is an extremely easy keeper,
eats anything anytime anywhere and drinks anytime anywhere.
Any tips or hints on conditioning/feeding this type are welcome.
Karen Clanin