You hit it right on the nail. I rode a Foxtrotter mare for the first couple
years I did endurance. She did great, even winning BC one year at the Bear
Valley Springs LD ride (which is a tough one). Her metabolics were awsome!
My arabs don't do as well as she as far as pulse/respiration, etc. I have
found, though, that gaited horses have a harder time going downhill. Flo
cramped-up one time coming off a steep downhill into the 45-mile vet check.
We were trying to keep up with my friend, who was riding an arab.
Unfortunately, she was pulled. This taught me that you have to take it
easy.
My friend rode her first LD on her four-year-old Foxtrotter at the Sunland
ride. Her horse did great metabollically, too. However, she got a lot of
grief from the vet because she couldn't get her horse to trot-out.
Hopefully, as more gaited horses are used, vets will be a little more
understanding. (In the meantime, she's practicing).
I truly believe there is a great potential for gaited horses in endurance,
especially in the LD rides. I tell you, arab folks don't know how nice it
is to finish a 50-miler feeling like you've only taken a stroll around the
block! Here's to those "funny walkin' horses"!!!!
Carol Barrett
Tehachapi, CA