ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Endurance confirmation

Re: Endurance confirmation

ROBERT J MORRIS (bobmorris@rmci.net)
Sat, 12 Jul 97 21:01:15 -0500

-- [ From: ROBERT J MORRIS * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

I am not sure my horse is interested in church going so I will not comment
on its confirmation, But, it is very interested in going down the trail so
we will talk about conformation.{:p)

Here is what I recently wrote to some one else:

You certainly do not want the so called downhill conformation of the race
horse nor do you want the uphill conformation of the park horse. Really of
interest is the close coupled short back horse for strength along with a
more wedge shaped body (as compared to the barrel shape of the QH). Lean and
mean is what I look for but not every one agrees with me (specially on the
mean side)

Attitude; Guess that is where the "mean" part comes in. We have rejected
several horses "because they were to calm". I like to see a very alert horse
, one that notices the truck on the road a mile a way. One that alerts you
to the fact that there is a new rock in the trail that was not there the
last time. Specially one that knows by smell there is a horse out in front
and wonders when we will catch them.

Both of these factors come to life after looking at a few hundred horses. My
advice to any one interested in horses is to go window shopping every chance
you get. Look at every horse in the region, go to shows (to see some of the
worst) go to endurance rides, ride and ties, competitive trail rides to see
some of the better ones and answer all the ads in the local paper to see
every thing else. Soon you will know what works and what doesn't. (when you
see the halter champion with pads and heart bar shoes do you really think he
is a "top example of the breed"????)

Here is what to really look for.
1. good feet!!
2. As good as possible conformation for endurance riding
3. Attitude
4. Attitude
5. Condition (considering prior use)

It is that simple!!! Of course during this consideration we unconsciously
consider if the horse is of a suitable size (weight and size of rider) But
we always pay particular attention to the attitude of the horse.

Maybe it is just us(me in particular)but the "half wild, on edge" Horse has
the most appeal. Guess it is just the challenge.

When you get down to measuring angles you are just kidding yourself. You
cannot measure them with any degree of accuracy and there are no definitive
data to substantiate any particular degree of angularity other than the
extremes>

Hope we here from many other persons on this as it could get to be quite
interesting. I am very open to discussion

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID.

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