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I really appreciate the knowlegeable discussions on conformation. I have
to admit not having gone through all the archives from 95 forward. Has
there been any thing on studies on what constitures an overly angulated or
overly long pastern? I'd be interested in this not just with regards
endurance but all sorts of equine sport. Can an endurance horse for
example 'get away with' a longer, shallower pastern than a jumper? If no
studies, does anecdotal evidence show that sloping pasterns really do break
down faster with endurance riding than steeper, more upright ones?
Rif (one of the two I saved from going to the canners) has a longer pastern
than any other horse I have presently or have had. I also think he is a
bit steeper in the shoulder than my 'old' horse. He doesn't touch the
ground as he flexes but he is low compared to the other horses. His
movement otherwise is good for a very green, unbalanced, uncollected horse
and he is the smootest ride I Ihave ever experienced short of a gaited
horse. I want to ride him in some endurance rides, probably no 100's,
probably a 50 or two, and probably only 2 to 4 rides a year. I also want
to try him at jumping. I don't want to do him damage if his body structure
just isn't suitable.
Have been conditioning on the road for about 6 weeks (too snowy to get
anywhere off-road and snowed again today-what a late spring!) I want to
strengthen (toughen up?) tendons and ligments as well as do cardio work as
soon as possible and I wonder if I should buy some kind of suspensory
support boots. Are they useful? All 4? Just fronts? Should I work him in
the bush in the longer, slower early part of conditioning without boots to
do this 'toughening up' of tendons etc.? Even if they don't do a lot of
good as structural support should I invest in them anyway just to protect
his fetlocks from bruising or grazing? ( And up here invest is the
word-they're pretty expensive in Canadian dollars.) Have any of you used
any brand with more success than any other? Are boots such as these
allowed on rides?
I have done P and R at one ride, volunteered on a competitive trail ride,
and ridden in one 35 endurance and I don't remember whether any of the
horses wore anything other than brushing boots. In considerable
riding-for-pleasure-distance, and that one 35, I have not had to use any
boots on my 'old' horse as she never did herself damage nor ever came up
lame.
Thanks for any advice you people can give me.
Do you folks know there is a ride in the Okanagan Valley, central southern
B.C. each spring? It's the Lil Schmidt Memorial and I think will be held
in May, though I haven't had any notice of it this year. With our late
snow in this valley and a green horse I won't be competitive but I will try
to go anyway just for the experience for both of us.
Ann
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