QH Endurance....

So I have a 6 y/o quarter horse, His registered name is Cageys Drifter, you can look him up and see his awesome bloodlines. I have always wanted to do endurance. I know QH aren't the best for endurance but I trust my horse (Samurai) with my life. He seems to be able to keep up with my other horse who is a Appendix. Yes I know she may be a better breed to use, but I don't trust her as much as I do Samurai. So what do you think about him doing endurance? How should I condition him? Do you think he would even have a shot at finishing? Any information or opinions would be great, thanks!

For some reason it won't let me upload a pic, so hopefully this link will work: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...139_n.jpg?dl=1

If it doesn't work you can look at my horses on this site, he is the Dun named Samurai.

Oh the pic did upload! Yay

I've got a QH too. Long slow distance to get in shape. There's a newish book, Endurance 101 that I like. Basically, what I've heard most is Yes, you can do endurance riding with a QH! You may not place top-10 and you'll have to watch them if its warm since their heavier muscles make it harder for them to cool compared to the lithe little arabs, but you can certainly ride and finish if you're both fit and up to it. The ride I helped out (in WA state) had lots of QH along with the arabs and a even a few draft crosses too.

I don't see why not if he enjoys it. I have a registered Doc O'Lena/Peppy San Badger lines gelding, and we have had him do a few LD's (even though he'd probably rather be cutting cattle). He can do OK because he is long legged and lean, not a stout guy, but it does take some convincing to get him to travel at a trot for 3-6 hours! He's pretty smart and conserves his energy well and will go no faster than he feels he can maintain, but I do get the feeling he's always thinking "Why the heck are we trotting along when there's no danger?". He his a super safe bomber horse in the head, so we keep him in good enough shape to do a few LD's if one of our kids wants to ride the race - he's perfect for them because he doesn't care if he gets passed and doesn't get excited to lope off with the mass start pack. Only because he isn't super psyched about it do we keep him out of more races and/or longer races. He does it because he's good natured, but he doesn't love it. But if your horse loves it and tries hard, AND you feel safe, that is really what matters. He sounds like your best buddy, and that makes it so much more fun than anything!

Okay, one other odd question. Do you have to stay the night at the ride site the night before it starts? For check-ins and stuff?

"Have to" no, I don't think there's generally a rule that you must. However, it would be darn difficult if you didn't, since usually they're out somewhere odd, so it's quite a drive, you have to get your pre-ride paperwork and vet check in, and the riders meeting is the evening before, so you really ought be there then anyway. Listen to others though- to help crew, I just showed up that morning, but everyone riding was definitely there the night before.

Okay thanks.

Samurai and I will be doing our first ride in April, it's just a 12m one, short I know, but it's to see how well we do. Any could conditioning tips???

Yes. Not a requirement, but a must. The night before, you need to attend the ride meeting and vet in as well as do any pre-ride paperwork. If you were trying to do this the morning of, you're going to run into trouble, especially since I'm sure the ride manager will be worried about other things. Usually, the ride start times can be anywhere between 5-8AM, with the longer rides starting first. Even if you were close, you would NOT be setting yourself up for a good ride if you drove your horse to the ride the night before to vet in, drove home that evening, then got up early enough to get ready for the ride and make sure your horse is, too. My ride day starts in the dark at 4AM - and I'm already THERE - if you were to try to drive in , you'd have your horse up and loaded and then get there and pray your horse settles down. With all the stress that is usually at a ride, you'd already be setting yourself and your horse up for failure in the transportation back and forth and the rush to be ready on time. In addition, there's so much chaos going on in ride camp, you'd have a lot of people pissed at you trying to trailer in horses before the ride, which will probably interfere with other people getting ready and at the start line.

If you're showing up for a trail ride, they usually start around 10, which is much more reasonable to trailer in the day of. But don't try trailering in the morning before an endurance ride.

As far as breeds - some breeds are better built than others for distances. However, ANY breed can do it (though not every horse), and MANY breeds, including QH's, can do well. A friend of mine rides a big grade quarter horse and consistently top 10's with great vet scores. That horse is just built to MOVE!