(2 things i am asking about in this thread. also, the FYI is only if you want to know my riding skill/style, so feel free to skip it if you want since it is longish and kinda rambling. just a heads up.)

FYI: i was taught in a different style than most, what i call 'wenglish', because i ride in a western saddle, pretty good a posting and also able to can sit the trot to an extent, and most familiar with plough reining but can also neck rein (just haven't had the blessing of riding a horse that is properly neck-reined) and an unusual skill of riding with one single rein attached to a halter (have to have a calm horse to do this, with the rope swinging around their head) i can also use leg pressure, and i can also dismount in the western or english 'way' other than that, i can ride a canter bareback, as long as it isn't really rough.

now the real topic:
firstly, i am looking for a horse. in your opinion, what are some 'must haves' in the training feild? i am wanting a endurance prospect( not a serious 'make me money' endurance competetor, but more of the lower level comps, for fun and maybe to earn some ribbons) and was wondering if there is something extra or specific to look for in the horse. ( i do hope to find a gaited horse! keeping fingers crossed! )

Secondly, once a horse is settled in after moving stables, what would be a good idea for a program to prepare for a comp, and other exercises in an arena/roundpen to do to get him/her in a good, athletic condition? not planing to do any 50-milers or anything, so not too intense. and i would be able to get out to a stable for an 30 min to a hour or so almost every day if needed, (more on weekends) just depends on my amount of schoolwork until summer (then there is the heat to deal with )

thanks! sorry for spelling and if there is another thread i didn't see that is the same topic!

i think that there is a rule that keeps people from doing this, and not to be a stickler, but:

*please do not try to sell me a horse in the replies. I do not intend on buying for a while anyways. you are welcome to send me an email if you really, really think that your horse is perfect for me, i wont mind, as long as the horse is more than 15 hands. i am 5'9", and don't want to look like a giant in the saddle.*

Hi kristen,

Please dont take offence and I could be wrong but from the way you describe your riding expierence and what you are looking for, I think you would be much happier taking lessons from a credible trainer for a while before striking out on your own. A trainer that specializes in cross country or endurance riding with good horses for lease would be best.

If you are determined to buy your own, look into arabian cross breeds. Yes, thy are normally smaller but Arabians have long been the top choice for distance riders. If you are looking for something that will do smaller distances (less that 40 miles) with no problem, your choices are more open. Instead of looking for a specific breed, look for a horse with good bone, a great head and good feet. Consider mules if there is a reputable breeder in your area. To an extent, endurance is more about conditioning than finding a horse that can do 30 miles on their first day.

Hope this helps,

Sounds like you LOVE horses, so as for a good horse type for you SAFE & SOUND

Now, for the conditioning for endurance.
Not what you want to hear-can't be done with the limited time you have.
For a 15 to 30 mile depending on variables of horse [breed/age/fitness...] lets say you want to compete on April 1-considering we start on Jan 1

Week 1-45 minutes road work @ walk[the harder smooth surface is good for tendons] am
1/2 hour mixture of walk/ trot pm

Week 2- Increase morning session to 1 hour, and add hill work [only uphill] If you live in a flat section of land increase second ride to 45 minutes

Week 3-Increase morning session to 1 1/2 hours with 50% done @ trot, pm session same as week 2

Week 4-Increase am to 2 hours with trot work making up 75 %. Afternoon can add lunging w/ sidereins to increase topline strength

All above weeks have 1 day off

Week 5- Monday
Walk first mile/ Trot 5 min/ walk 3 min/ Trot 5 min/ walk 3 min/ 30 min hacking out

Tuesday- 30 gridwork trot over poles/30 min hacking out

Wed.- 30 min schooling improving paces/rhythm/tempo/1 hour hacking

Thurs.-Walk first mile/3-5 minute trots with 3-minute rests @ walk, canter 570 meters @ 250 mpm

Fri- Walk first mile/30 min schooling/1 hour hack @ all gaits

Sat- Walk first mile, canter sets @ 2 min each/3 5-min trot sets w/ 3-min walk rests in between

Sunday-Day off

This will have both you and your horse fit & ready to compete at a shorter distance ride.
Endurance is not an easy sport, although there are things called poker runs, competitive trail [has obstacles instead of distance] hunter paces.

Which are much shorter and alot of fun, but don't neccesarily need such an outlay of prep work.

Good Luck with whatever you do-horses are so much fun.

thanks! and i know that i can defently find time in my day to do most of the evening rides though the morning rides will have to wait until summer, since i already have to get up at 6 am to be out of the door in time. and thank you again for taking the time to help me out! i will let you know when i try this out....though it will be awhile! there is no rushing the search for a best friend, and i won't buy if i don't think the horse is right for me ( no matter how good-looking the horse is )

to circlekinstuctor:

none taken! i am sorry if i came across a little performance/physically concentrated in the first post. just so you know, temperment and dependibility come before anything (except the fact that the horse is safe to ride) and i was hoping for a bigger horse because my stepfather is really tall, more than a foot taller than me, and it would be nice for him to ride the horse without his feet dragging! also, my instructor (who, by the way, trains endurance horses and was the first one to tell me about it) reccomends a horse around 15.3, which is a size where i don't look too big or too small on the horse. Sadly, she has no horses currently for sale, she had downsized he personal heard a few months ago, otherwise i would be looking at her horse
as for gaiting, i like riding gaited horses, and would be alot more comfertible for me, though it would just be an added plus, like someone who has found their idle horse, which also happens to be their favorite color. the gaited factor is not going to make or break deals, just like no one (or at least 'most') would buy a horse just because they are the beautiful golden palomino color of their dreams. also, i am looking into arabians the most, and i know they tend to be on the small side, but there are some ones out there that are at least 15 hands, and the crosses are sometimes bigger. no worries, i am not turning my back on any horse breeds.
thanks for commenting! you really helped me fully realize what is most important for me in the horse i am looking for.

p.s. i forgot to mention i am not planning to go out and buy a horse tomorrow or anything. my best bet is , at the earliest, 3 months, most likely more.