Can anyone educate me about endurance horses?

Natch

Natch

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Doing an assignment on endurance horses, and I would love to find out the following:

Is it only arabs who are used (for the serious competitions) or are there other breeds/ mixes competing at top level too?

How much would a top level endurance horse go for? What about a horse with the breeding/confo/potential but not experience yet?

What are the levels in endurance called?

Where would one source a good endurance horse, or a horse suitable for endurance - is there a specific website with ads, or is it all done directly with breeders?

Any good websites on endurance please, I've tried Endurance GB and it isn't very informative for what I need :o got another list to try off a different website but recommendations woudl be gratefully received.

Thank you :D
 
When I sold my standardbred x I got an awful lot of phone calls from people wanting to do endurance with him, and I can confirm that he would quite happily do 10 mile rides in trot under his own steam with me crying (literally lol) "slow down and walk" after about 2 miles.
 
Definitely not just arabs that compete to a high level. Yes it is mostly arabs, however part arabs and Akele-tekes are becoming quite popular, also I think there are a few thoroughbreds on the circuit too. Endurance at a reasonable level (20-40miles) can include anything from shetlands to shires.

You could also try to email Endurance GB as they are very helpful with anything you would like to know. My friend was trying to compare breed with results and they sent her the results for every horse that was registered with them...for the past 9 years!!!

Fluffy_Bunny_Wunny said:
You might find some useful stuff on Arabian Lines.
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Defintely, endurance friend is always using that website.
 
Naturally said:
Doing an assignment on endurance horses, and I would love to find out the following:

Is it only arabs who are used (for the serious competitions) or are there other breeds/ mixes competing at top level too?

How much would a top level endurance horse go for? What about a horse with the breeding/confo/potential but not experience yet?

What are the levels in endurance called?

Where would one source a good endurance horse, or a horse suitable for endurance - is there a specific website with ads, or is it all done directly with breeders?

Any good websites on endurance please, I've tried Endurance GB and it isn't very informative for what I need :o got another list to try off a different website but recommendations woudl be gratefully received.

Thank you :D
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I did my first ride last sunday, it was 25k so 15 miles, we did it in 2 hrs 17 mins. I was riding a Russian Arab and it was a breeze. Hopeing to get to 25 miles next year and hope to aspire to 50 miles the following year. I wouldnt want to do this on anything other than an Arab. His heart rate was 38 per minute when vet checked, they are made fr the job. I am such a novice at this job, and chose a very easy ride for my first go!!
 
We really must update our website but if you don't mind some of the rules etc being out of date, we've got some good newbies information here: http://www.westridingegb.co.uk/

It's not just arabs:
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At the top level, you want something about 15.2, tough, fast, sound, good feet, not too heavy in build, who is prepared to work with you and who remains calm under pressure. A good arab is one such breed that will fit into that description but there are many other breeds that will too. And not all arabs are good at endurance.

It's horses for courses, too. If you want something to go fast over flatter courses, you may well be looking for a different animal to those of us who like the hillier courses. The good old fashioned native and crosses thereof tend to do well on the moorland rides.

In recent years we've had an overheight connemara and a warmblood as our overall national point champions. My friend's old welshies (now sadly no longer with us) are still some of the highest lifetime mileage horses on record.

Horses with potential but no experience go for not much money. We've actually got the perverse situation, particularly with arabs, that an unbroken very pretty horse with pants legs will fetch more because of the showing scene than a decent working arab with a ridden competition record who is maybe less pretty but is much more robust.
 
In answer to your 'levels' question, EGB has 3 levels: novice, intermediate and advanced (in Scotland it is bronze, silver, gold). You have to qualify up the levels and only advanced combinations can compete in endurance rides (as opposed to competitive and non competitive rides at the lower levels). An endurance ride is a mass start/first past the post competition over a minimum distance of 80k (60k in Scotand).

Internationally, the levels are CEI* (90k); CEI** (120k) and CEI***(160k). At 2 star and above there is a minimum weight of 75kg (inc tack). Again, you have to qualify at the levels.

At international level, Arabs and Anglo Arabs do dominate (although many breeds compete successfully at national level). The horses tend to be fairly small (14.2-15.3ish) and extremely light - an international Arab looks like a whippet. They have to be competitive on the trail, but capable of switching off instantly in often very busy and crowded vet gates. At vet gates, the clock doesn't stop until you present and a good horse can overtake the competition at this stage with a fast presentation. It is an enormously technical sport and at the long distances races are won and lost on tactics.

Some studs are producing endurance Arabs - mainly in France or in the Arab nations. A CEI horse can go for a lot of money. One with endurance breeding but no experience is not worth as much as horses in other sports with 'potential' as the horse really has to have the atitude for the sport and that only comes to the fore with a few competitions under the belt.

I hope that helps - any other questions, fire away :)
 
My TB exracer did 160kms at around 19kph.

Also got a little pony that made 50kms seem easy too at 17kph.

Basically ANY fit horse can get to the top in EGB.
 
Any horse can do endurance (as my Ardennes x ID can attest!) but the higher levels tend to be horses with lean muscle mass that cools quickly.

Bulky horses would overheat, lose salts and dehydrate.

At higher levels, a horse needs to be mentally tough enough to carry on going through 'the wall', be able to carry on alone and have a competitive spirit without being giddy in a race.

Correct conformation, good feet and legs, a back you can fit a saddle to, short neck and a proportionate head.

They should be schooled to carry their weight properly, long and low but not too collected or on the forehand.

They also need enough manners to vet in and out with lots of distraction without getting too excited and elevating the heart rate. A horse with a naturally low pulse is ideal;)

The levels are Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. The rides are Pleaseure Rides (lower distances just for fun/training), Competitive Trail Rides (within a time limit for your level and distance) and Endurance Rides (aka race rides - higher distances with vet holds and first one home that vets sound with the lowest pulse rate wins). There are different ways of equating the winner but I can't explain them.

Marcy Pavord did a really good book 'Endurance Start to Finish'. The EGB website has alot of info. There is also Sport Endurance.
 
Sounds pretty exhausting (for horse and rider!!).

I always thought Endurance sounded really dull but it actually sounds quite interesting.
:)
 
foraday said:
Basically ANY fit horse can get to the top in EGB.
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This is not strictly true. Yes almost any horse could probably qualify to advanced level, but whether it would be competitive at that level is questionable.

A horse with heavy muscle mass eg. warmbloods, quarter horses etc will struggle purely because they cannot lose heat quickly enough. On a hot day this can make a massive difference between a horse passing the vet with good heart rate and metabolics.

In addition, heavy horses are going to be more prone to suffering soundness problems. I'm not saying that these types can't do it, its just more the exception than the rule.

A good arab type is always going to be one step ahead. About 10 years ago the best type was considered to be 75% arab 25% Australian stock horse.

Another point to consider is the lighter in colour ie grey the horse is, the better they are at losing heat because the coat reflects the sun. A dark colour will absorb the heat, although I wouldn't necessary use this as a base of picking a good endurance horse as there are so many other factors.

My best horse was a 13.1 strawberry roan arab x dartmoor. She was sound, tough and covered the ground as well as horses twice her size. She did quite a few 60 milers and also 100 mile goldern horseshoe.

In my experience the UK tends to produce horses to keep rather than to sell, it is much more commercial in France for example. Quite often there people are keen to get the horse qualified as soon as possible, get 100 miles under its belt and sell it on at quite a profit. To be honest I have no idea how long these horses last but french breds are certainly tough.
 
There is a classified site on EGB, also on the south-west endurance site (google it) for prices. Look at Warren Farm Arabians, Vlaqc Stud & Pearl Island for some pointers.

Just to correct the bit about levels, several years ago 'intermediate' was renamed 'open'.

Quite often people start with a horse that is a bit of a rebel, doesn't want to play at other horsey things so they give a go at endurance, often transforming their little demon to an angel. Once bitten they buy another endurance horse, or like me who bought an endurance bred 4 year old for endurance I have now bred a filly from her again for me to do endurance on. If people her an internationally talented horse they tend to hang onto them, as it takes so many years of effort to get there.

It definately isn't boring, & never think so until you have tried something. It is a fabulous way to experience different areas of the country, & definately not a slow ramble (novice pace is a good trot most of the way with an occasional walk or canter, the higher the grade the higher the speed parameters). Pleasure rides are steadier, but you can push the pace if you wish to (within set parameters). If you want an experience do the pleasure ride over Golden Horseshoe & see Exmoor, or try Brentor over Dartmoor, then there is West Moor over Bodmin, Windsor around Windsor Great Park, the variety is amazing.

Any breed can do lower level with the right training, but as stated before muscle mass at higher level is a huge factor (as is speed in top races). Look deeper than 'arab', there are specific arab type lines. some powerful & muscular, others lean & lithe. The mix found in top horses & the reoccurance of specific lines is very interesting.

If you aren't too far from the south west our group is running another Intro to Endurance day early next year (late jan). It is both talk & hands on practicle (experienced endurance horses supplied for this). Last year it was fully booked, & it was great to see participants at rides in the year confident & having a great time (one I know rides a wb). It was fully booked last year & I would expect the same this year, really great day.
 
I would also add that endurance peeps are genuinely lovely and really welcoming and helpful.

There is a rule that you get time given back if you stop to help someone in trouble - how ace a rule is that? What other sport has that rule:)

I was having trouble once and a woman stopped, rode with me and got me back to the venue safely before carrying on on her ride. She asked if I would be offended if she claimed the time back. Bless!

The views you see when riding are often truely breathtaking.

There is a true bond between horse and rider. You have to trust each other when you're riding along a deserted moor!
 
Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies. Highly interesting, very useful and make me want to get involved one day :)
 
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