endurance riding horses.

Question
QUESTION: I have a 17 year old quarter horse gelding who seems in good shape.  One fault, he occasionally does a mild stumble.  I want to buy a Tennessee Walker and use the two to do a 500 mile endurance race. Could these two with training do 50 miles a day?  What should I look for in the Tennessee Walker?
ANSWER: Lucinda,
  There are many older horses running in endurance races well into their 20's.  However most of these horses have been racing since they were old enough to legally compete through AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference), which for a middle distance one day 50 mile competition, the horse must be at least 6 years old.  The average age of all horses that competed this past year at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen Germany for the Endurance prtion was 18 years old, with the youngest being 10, and the oldest I believe was 28 or 29.  
  However, getting an older horse into shape for a significant race, such as a 500 hundred mile competition is going to be very difficult especially if you have never competed at any endurance race, and your 17 year old has no prior endurance racing experience.  Also, quarter horses are not really well known for their longevity on longer distance rides.  It would significantly help me assess your situation if you could let me know whether you have ever competed in an Endurance event, or if the horse has ever ran and endurance event.
   As far as you getting a TN. walker to share the load, it would be a significant help to both horses to have a partner to share the load, but again TN walking horses are not hte best candidates for endurance racing.  Though their gait is more comfortable to sit for all those miles, walkers son't have confirmational strengths for long distance stamina.  The most common problems for them is hind end lameness, rubbing sores on the back hocks, and fetlocks, plus back stiffness near their pelvic structure.  The tope 5 breeds for success full endurance or long distance stamina and potential are:
    Arabians, Half Arabians, Morgans (old stock style),   Mustangs, and saddlebreds or national show horses.  

Other breeds that do farely well are Standarbreds, haflingers, Appaloosas, and the slighter built paints, bucksins, or grade horses.  The key with Endurance racing is to cover the most amount of ground with the least effort as fast as possible.  

I would not reccomend that you attempt this 500 mile competition as your first experince especially with an older inexperienced endurance horse.  Try some smaller Competative trail rides (25, 30, 50 or 100 milers) or some limited distance endurance races first, and find a knowledgeable "SPonsor" to help you through at least 3 in case you get stuck with some, and to save you and your horse alot of mistakes which could cost you the competition.
Please let me know if you need further help, or would like further information on contacting AERC for information regarding competitions, and such.

Samantha Brunner  


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I wasn't thinking of it as a race.  I would just enjoy the ride and being with a lot of people.  I have owned horses since 1971 but have been a weekend sometime rider.  I would have five months to prepare.  I can buy a second horse.  Before I would attempt this ride, I would ride at least 50 miles three days out of four. If the horse and I can't do that, I wouldn't try it.  Thank you for the information on Tennessee Walkers.  I have owned them before, but never went more than 6 or so miles at a time.  Several of the breeding farms advertise them for endurance rides, but did not specify the distance.  Perhaps I will look for an Arab.  I'm going to try some timed trails before I get too serious.  I guess I'm in love with the idea of the Santa Fe trail.  Thank you so very much for your valuable time.  You've been very helpful.

Answer
Lucinda,
  No problem, if you need any help finding a nice horse, please let me know, I have several contacts that sell experienced endurance horses.  I also just wanted to remind you that when you are preparing and training for your 500 mile, go out with all the equiptment, supplies, and same tack you will be using on the actual ride.  This will help you better prepare, and will help your horse(s) with getting into a routine.  Make sure that you carry a bag (fanny packs are better, whereas saddlebags tend to put more strain on the horse, and tend to be carried unevenly which could cause hind-end soreness, or back issues over the extensive milage), with a roll of vet wrap, a hoof pick, electrolytes, and a syringe to give the elecrolytes.  Make sure you are carrying an easy boot, just in case you need it, and make sure you carry plenty of water or sprt drink to keep yourself hydrated.  You need a sponge to cool your horse(s) off every opportunity you get (at water holes, lakes, ponds, and streams).  Never pass up an opportunity to for your horse to take a drink.  Plastic shoes are a great consideration, they are lightweight (less effort on your horses to pick their feet up, which in turn will allow them to use that energy elsewhere), and they are great shock absorbers, which will save your horses legs.  Plastic shoes are also no-slip on pavement, but don't have the jarring, unforgiving affect of barium studs.  Plastic shoes can be either nailed or glued on, but for the extensive mileage you'll be covering, nail them on!  And last but not least, start off slow with your training, this week maybe go 10 miles, then next week go 15 or 20, so on and so forth.  Especially on an older horse that is not going to be used to all this, don't push him to hard to fast.  
Please let me know if you need any other questions or concerns answered, or if you would like some names to contact about endurance horses.

Samantha