ridecamp@endurance.net: re: bloodlines

re: bloodlines

Phil Gardner (slsf@foothill.net)
Mon, 12 May 1997 11:36:21 -0700

One of the best kept secrets in endurance riding is that it is the
riders skills and ability that determines the success of a horses
endurance carrer. The most fablious horse that ever lived would do
nothing on a ride if not proply trained and ridden. There are SO many
good horses out there that have the potenital to be brought along to
champion status. What for one rider would be an unmanageable nut for
another could be a winner.

Good horses are found and judged on an individual basis. Then what role
do bloodlines play in finding a good endurance horse. There are times
that I supect that it is just to provide a topic of interest and
discussion for us humans. On the other hand, the factors that go into
giving a horse the atributes that can be brought out by proper training
and riding are genatic. Thus if we take the horses that have proved
themselves in races, even though a large part of their success might be
due to their riders, and breed them to other horses that have proven
themselves on the trail, do we stand a better chance of getting better
horses?

For myself, when I see a horse that I like, I don't give much thought to
what its bloodlines are. I will put it to work as see what happens.
If I am going to go to the trouble of breeding a horse to bring along
for endurance riding, then blood lines become an important
consideration. I have derived a great deal of pleasure of breeding what
I consider to be a top endurance mare to a top endurance stallion and
seeing what comes out. It is a lot of fun, I take a great deal of pride
in it, and isn't that what we are in endurance for?

Phil Gardner

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