Endurance and Long Distance Equine Disciplines

Starting New Mounts

So, how many people on this discussion are actually starting a new mount? How old? How soon do you plan a competition? I've got a 6 year old rescue who I am just starting to walk a mile or so on trail with. Plan to do 50 by next April.

Tags: mount, new, starting

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Permalink Reply by Crysta Turnage on October 6, 2009 at 9:10pm: I have a just-turned-5 in September gelding that's been my project for the last year or so. He's slowly getting more reliable under saddle, and I'm not recovering from some injury he's given me right now (other than some very shaken confidence). I'm hoping to do some local 20-25 mile rides with a little club that puts them on for fun over the winter/spring, and maybe do his first (very slow - 5-6 mph) 50 in April or May. It will depend upon how much snow we get this winter, and if I can schmoosh the neighbor down the road into letting me use their arena.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine on October 12, 2009 at 4:06pm: Hi! Neat Forum, neat topic!

Last November I traded two young mules for a beautiful 8 y/o Saddlebred mare. This would be a new adventure for me, and I was indeed nervous to say the least! I didn't really have a whole lot of info on her... She had "great" papers, (like, what does that mean to me?!) She had been broke, but mainly used as a broodmare, raising Saddlebred 'Mules'. lol! (I love my Mule, don't get me wrong!)

Any way, the whole story in on my Blog... http://cshenefield.blogspot.com

We've been spending the last year 'getting to know one another'... & honestly, I have had nothing to worry about! She has not made one single mistake!

She shows such potential! I'm looking for direction/advice & friends in this forum. Looking foward to it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zach Rabow on October 14, 2009 at 7:58pm: haha, "She has made no mistakes..." That must be so nice :) my thoroughbred is prone to mistakes and accidents! Getting to know each other is a huge part of it. I spend so much time with my mini herd (3 horses) that they are so comfortable with me... Sassy, my main endurance horse, ONLY is really comfortable with me handling/riding her. We were at a vets place having some work done (I'll add a blog post about that soon, it was incredible!!) and when i went to go get my saddle, i handed her to the intern and she whinnied to me, turned and watched me the entire way and troted to me when i came back into the arena :) it made me happy!

Good Luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sally on October 30, 2009 at 1:33am: Two coming three year old. I plan to start Competitive trail at four or five depending on him, and just work our way toward some actual endurance rides. Hopefully by six or seven!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jessica Payette on November 1, 2009 at 8:04pm: Hey everyone, so glad I've stumbled back onto this site!

I have a four year old [she's 4 January 2nd, actually. We think that was her birth date, the last owner was a bit...odd and she might be a bit older. Vet thinks she's anywhere from 4 to 4.5 years]. I have started her very slowly, as I want to do things right. I want to do our first 25 in the beginning of January, and just plan to finish within the time allowed and not try to win.

My whole goal with this horse is Tevis, and the 100-mile rides and XP rides eventually. I know it takes a long, long time to get a horse to that caliber but I am willing to do it. I love to ride, and I love to ride for long hours and distances.

I'm not sure really how to create a 100-miler, but I'm sure I'll find out if I keep reading around here! I'd love to find new people to ride with, as well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Angie Mcghee on November 4, 2009 at 8:48am: Welcome Jessica, always tell where you're from when you say you want riding buddies :-) I'm in Northwest Georgia. To build a 100 miler, I start slow and go straight to 50's. I prefer they never know a 25 miler exists other than in training. I just think it's a whole different mind set. I am starting a new young horse now "Tally". He's a 6 year old rescue. I just started getting on him in August, he's trotting just a bit now, long slow walks, has to learn to eat on trail and lead, follow cross obstacles. I hope he'll be doing his first 50 in the Spring. The way I train for 100's is the same as I train for 50's, just more years. :-) After a couple of years of handling 50's well it's time to just go for it and see what they think of 100's. There are tons of people out there with horses who could do it but they just won't take that step and enter one to find it out. My other horse, "7" is finishing his 2nd year of 50's. We're still ironing out a few issues here and there but if things go well we may jump in and he may try a 100 soon.

Main advice is don't just keep doing things that aren't working. If you get a rub, find a cure, don't suck it up and live with pain. If your back hurts, don't just take Advil, find a way to ride that doesn't hurt. Same with the horse, find the CURES don't just stick on band-aids. You can't fake it for 100 miles.

Angie McGhee; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cindy on November 4, 2009 at 8:55pm: Angie - any new updated pics of Tally? I bet he's great a great sparkle to him now?!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jessica Payette on November 4, 2009 at 8:59pm: Thank you Angie!

I'm in California, the San Diego area.

I've heard many people telling me to stay away from the 25 milers, except for training, because they tend to get used to that 25 miles and hit a wall and cannot go further without some issue. It's been very interesting reading everyone's different opinions! I definitely am open to learning, like I said I've been stuck on the LD's because of my lack of time due to Military moves but now that I'm perm in California I have the time.

Since she is only four, should I just not compete this year and just continue to train and crew? I've been pulling ribbons for experience for her. I also am looking into a 6 year old gelding once I sell my Quarter horse mare and my half arabian filly.

Thank you again for replying, I really appreciate it :)

Jess; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zach Rabow on November 4, 2009 at 9:24pm: I would wait till 5 or 6 years old for some competition... I think allot of people know my opinion of LD's now... I chose not to start my Thoroughbred on a LD, and am SO glad i didn't do an LD with him... The Shine and Shine Only rides are down in that area, and i am gonna try to get down to do them... Hope to see you their next year!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Angie Mcghee on November 5, 2009 at 6:05am: I'm sure there are different experiences in different parts of the country but around here LD tends to be a blend. There's a group up front who never moves up, just races LD forever. Then there are first timers who have never been to any rides, then a group who just enjoys riding at an event every few weeks and they're cool. If I could ride with that last group the whole time it wouldn't be bad. I could wait till the front is gone and be OK, but it's the new ones who just don't know any better than to not wait on your horse to drink, or keep galloping past, then you catch them walking, or just haven't learned many of the other forms of etiquette that I want my young horse to learn...those are the ones I will not train on the trail with. It's not the full time LD people's fault that they have to deal with most newcomers, but that's just where most start.

Personally I don't have enough money to waste it on miles that don't count so I do those 25 milers in training. We have ridden drag with a 4 year old, and I offer to take down and put up ribbons which is great for them. I just save the official entries for 50's.

As for photos of Tally...I'll take some new ones. He's finally getting a nice rear end on him. The front needs muscling up. He's getting friendlier. He was apparently friendly before he hit the starvation ranch then he got kind of sour towards people. He's got a great mind under saddle. :-)))

Angie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maureen Rozzero on November 5, 2009 at 2:13pm: I have a 4 year old Arab who I just started under saddle this past August. She has the basics down but now that we are heading out to the trail she is pulling alot of herd bound attitude. I have been hand walking through the trails for about 30 minutes every other day. Anyone have any training suggestions for me?; ▶ Reply to This