Re: Next endurance prospect

[CMKSAGEHIL <CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com>]

Thank you Debby, Shelly, and Susan for your support of those breeders who have
spent countless hours researching bloodlines of horses that are extremely
successful and comparing them to bloodlines of those that clearly don't make
it.  Many of us have spent decades devoted to breeding sane, sound WORKING
athletes and paying attention to metabolic traits and lots of other things
that you can't see from the outside.  There are not a lot of us out there, but
there are a few more of us all the time.  I think some of you would be
surprised at what constitutes a "good" endurance pedigree.  Just like the
Impressive-bred Quarter Horses don't make it in the Doc Bar world of cutting
cows, many of our "well-bred" show horses have inherent problems when
subjected to miles and miles of aerobic exercise year after year.

Many of you have made the points that good ones don't cost any more to keep
than poor ones, and that the purchase price is the least of the expenses you
will have over the years.  I would take that one step further and say that the
good ones cost considerably LESS to keep than the poor ones--less vet bills,
less feed supplements, less trips to the chiropractor, less time laid up (you
might save some on entry fees and travel for the rides you DON'T get to), less
tack and saddles trying for that "right" fit--and perhaps the most important
saving is in the longevity, as with good care, your good prospect should last
you well into his or her teens, and not need to be replaced for a long time.

There are certainly good horses out there at "bargain" prices, as many non-
endurance people simply don't know what they have in their backyards.
However, if you shop for bargains, you have to really know what you need to
look for in a prospect, or it could be the most expensive investment you ever
make.

Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)