I'm doing some research on endurance riding (for myself and my horses). I have some questions for those of you involved with endurance & competitive trail... I'm sorry, this is only the beginning...

What is a typical breakdown of expenses for being on the road during the peak season?
During off season?
What are the typical veterinary expenses at a ride?
Why type of emergency supplies do you carry, pharmaceuticals, equipment, etc?
Do you continually travel for several weeks/months or do you use your farm as a home base?
It seems like it would be ideal to have a living quarters trailer, temp corrals, water tanks, etc.
What do you usually take with you?
Do any of you have access to a treadmill, eurocizer, walker, pool? How frequently do you use it?
Did you buy a horse specifically for endurance or did you use one that you already had?
How many horses do you take with you on a ride?
If you are using only one horse, do you take a companion horse?

How do you guys feel about Sweepstakes or the lack there of?

I would love to meet you all. Thanks in advance. I've looked into the AERC and have a few books, but if you would share some of your favorite references with me, I'd really appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Sarah

Hi Sarah!!

Good questions, I don't know the answers but interested in the responses you get!

I am just getting started with my gelding. I have a lot of work to do with him before I
go to one, but that is my goal eventually.

And yes there are some really great people on here that are involved that can answer!


Tell us about your horse.

sally

Hi guys,

The horse that I would like to use is my yearling colt. Obviously not right now, lol. The first goal is the track. His name is Kalaloch (Piaff x Ahbliss by Etnar), nickname Klay. He's quite intelligent and has character.

I also have a 3 year old gelding by Solstice, who is a darling, a great mover and going through an enormous growth spurt. He was 14.3 and now 15.1 and still growing rapidly. He is for sale (very reasonably) if anyone is interested. He is also Sweepstakes Nominated, which is a big plus for an endurance horse I think.

I live in Los Angeles currently. My husband and I would like to move back to Washington State where we both grew up. Being in LA has quite a few challenges for horse people. I am more than willing to travel out of town! I spent most of this decade in Lexington, Kentucky in the Thoroughbred industry. Although, I think LA will provide it's own unique possibilities.

Thanks for all the information. I will be sure to read the links you sent. I hope more people respond as well.

Can anyone reccomend a good clinic on the West Coast?

Sally, how did you get interested in endurance and what is your horse like?

i think i remember a NATRC clinic out there, check that www.natrc.org link. also they always need volunteers at both natrc and endurance/aerc rides, you learn ALOT, going out and volunteering, and may find people near you to train with. may even have someone who has an experienced horse that could start you out while you are waiting for yours to grow up. depending on your riding experience.

endurance is www.aerc.org

Hi Slide!

I have always loved to trail ride and thought it would be so challenging to compete in
limited rides or endurance. I keep my horses at a "do it yourself type barn that I rent" and
there is no one else there to ride with.(hubby will occasionally ride with me but not enough,lol)

With the organized rides it would be an opportunity
to meet and ride with others. The more I have read about the rides the more I am interested in
doing them.

My horse is an 11 year old PB gelding. He is a Padron grandson. I got him when he was a yearling.
I just didn't do much with him, I did have him trained at 3 but then ....life made some different turns
and just wasn't able to ride him like I had wanted to. So he is very green. But I have been
taking him on trail rides and getting some "ride time" for him and me!! lol

I think he is going to be really good though. He is big, right at 16h and he can cover some ground.
Haven't conditioned him enough to see how his heart rate is, so I am curious about that.
He has matured so much and seems to take new things in stride, so I am pretty confident that he
will enjoy the rides. He loves other horses and other horses love him so I think that it will be fun
for him.

I am just at the point I just want to do someting with him and the rides seemed to be a good fit. I just
have a lot to do to get ready before we tackle one.....THE big one right now is crossing creeks....he
doesn't want to cross them, but we are working on it!


sally

Hi Slide,

You are in an area with TONS of Endurance Riders.

I am in Ventura County. We have quite a few Endurance horses and riders at my barn. We particpate in everything from LD to Tevis, as well as have a show barn that goes-and wins-at Nationals and Regionals.
Two of our riders are also Vets!!!

One of our Endurance horses just took the Region II Championship in Second Level Dressage!

You might want to check out the Yahoo So Cal Endurance List.

As for vet clinics, in my opinion the best of the best for major ordeals is Alamo Pintado Equine Clinic in Los Olivos, CA (Solvang)

Not sure where in LA County you are, but my vet clinic is well versed in Endurance and Repro and everything else, they do travel to parts of the San Fernando Valley and Malibu area. They are Conejo Valley Vet Clinic
(805) 496-0505

I have not edited my web pages in a long time (my home burned down, and still waiting to rebuild), but please check out the Endurance side of my web page....

http://www.geocities.com/bonnfyrefarms/end...l?1047744055050

and of course you can peek at my regular page if you wish too!
http://www.geocities.com/bonnfyrefarms/index.html



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I'm doing some research on endurance riding (for myself and my horses). I have some questions for those of you involved with endurance & competitive trail... I'm sorry, this is only the beginning...

What is a typical breakdown of expenses for being on the road during the peak season?
During off season?
If I sat there and figured it out I would give up horses.
The old saying, how do you make a small fortune in the horse business....
Start out with a large fortune.

What are the typical veterinary expenses at a ride?
Zero

Why type of emergency supplies do you carry, pharmaceuticals, equipment, etc?
Banamine, Bute, GASTRO NASAL TUBES A MUST!!! In case you have to ship a colicky horse to a clinic
IT CAN SAVE THEIR LIVES. The treatment vets can not give theirs up. FLUIDS, at some rides they can rund out.
NEVER EVER give a horse Banamine or Bute that is dehydrated, and ALWAYS GET Advice from Treatment vet before
giving ANYTHING like that.

Do you continually travel for several weeks/months or do you use your farm as a home base?
Farm is home base

It seems like it would be ideal to have a living quarters trailer, temp corrals, water tanks, etc.
What do you usually take with you?
Living quarters highly suggested. Portable corrals (I also have high ties but prefer corrals), have water tanks
but base camps always have water where I have gone.

Do any of you have access to a treadmill, eurocizer, walker, pool? How frequently do you use it?
Have not used my treadmill in years BUT ONLY USED IT TO FIT HALTER HORSES. Treadmills build the short muscles that we DO NOT need for endurance. Use the hot walker to hot walk not condition.

Did you buy a horse specifically for endurance or did you use one that you already had?
Used horses I already had, but have had clients go out to buy one specifically for endurance.
Your race horse breeding is completely conducive to ER by the way.

How many horses do you take with you on a ride?
We have taken as many as SEVENTEEN on one ride from our barn.

If you are using only one horse, do you take a companion horse?
NO. I do NOT ever want to create co-dependancy issues. It will come back to bite you in the rear at the vet checks in your P and R recoveries.

How do you guys feel about Sweepstakes or the lack there of?
I think it costs way more then it is worth as far as nominating a horse. I have been a participant with the program since its inception, currently own Three Nominated Stallions and a few breeding entries..

Hi BFF,

I live in Sherman Oaks near the 405 and 101 interchange. HOWEVER, I work in Arcadia, which is a little bit of a commute. I think that I may have met you at the Pacific Slope Championships as I was passing out flyers for Equine Insurance. I recognize your horses, and I think I may have one of you above my desk at work. Are you on the Region 2 poster?

To all,

I love everyone's endurance pictures... I've never seen one where some looks like they aren't having a great time!

What are everyone's goals for endurance and ctr???

I would still love to hear more responses...

Sarah

Don and I would like to see each of our current 12 year old purebred geldings named #1 Arabian in NATRC sometime in the next few years.

I'd like to ride the EE 25 endurance on my big SE boy someday.

I hope my grandaughter in 6 years when she turns 10 take up riding the half arab mare trix in CTR.

I want to see an Arabian win the NATRC Presidents cup again, hasn't happened in over 20 years, it would be nice to be one of ours, but anyones would be cool.

when you manage and sec. rides so others get to ride and the sport stays alive it's hard to put in really good competition years.

kate kearby

Thanks for all of the responses!

Anyone else??????


Sarah