ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: starting the older horse

Re: starting the older horse

RUN4BEAR@aol.com
Tue, 29 Apr 1997 09:22:06 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 97-04-29 02:40:52 EDT, you write:

<< I am aware of how to condition him as if he were a starting 5 year
old..I'm
just curious about input on him being able to do 50's. I know most books and

info. seem to say not to purchase an older horse for endurance, unless he
has
been a seasoned endurance horse; conditioned to do so. But, again...wouldn't

it be OK to do LSD rides and some 50's as long as I train properly ?

Thanks,
Kathleen
>>

I like older horses, especially if they have been used for SOMETHING in thier
lifetime. I got a 12 year old mare some eyars ago...borrowed her for
breeding, but when everyone else had a problem, I pulled her out of the
pasture (after 6 months) and did a 2-day 60 CTR (easy) and came in second!!!
This mare had had no one on her back in two years but before that had been
fox-hunted, pony clubbed, jumped to death..etc. She turned out later (this
was August) the next May to do her first 100 and finished 5th...three weeks
later 3rd on a 75 and BC, two weeks after that 6th on the OD 100. I bred her
that spring, had her checked in Sept. (stopping time if she was pregnanat)
but vet said she wasn;t. Did 2 more 100's and a three day 150 that fall..had
a friend ride her on my 2-day 100 the next April...2 weeks after that she
dropped a foal!!!! These are amazing creatures....

The point is, it can certainly be done. I like the idea that the older horse
usually has a base of some kind and has maturity, physically and mentally.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Teddy

PS: I don't consider 12 to be "old".

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