Tevis 2007 - Michigan Bluff (63 Miles)

The front 8 riders coming through the old mining settlement of Michigan Bluff. This year the vet check was moved nearly two miles further along to Chicken Hawk Road.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Tevis
• endurance
• Michigan Bluff
• horse
• trot

[hackneyhorse]

I know Arabs are very strong pound for pound, but it is a little disconcerting to see all these BIG people on these little horses - especially knowing they are going through a grueling distance and terrain with them on their backs! Can't these people select larger horses - there are some bigger Arabs out there - and crosses.

[ponyhill]

Larger horses don't necessarily cope as well - they are having to pack their own weight as well as that of the rider. Research on this can be found here: shady-acres dot c o m slash susan - look under "1995-96 Tevis Weight and Body Score..." (see "Discussion") and "Influence of Body Measurement...1998 Tevis" (see "Conclusion"). Generally speaking, it's more important for the horse to be in good body-condition than for the rider to be smaller. Bigger horses can also have more problems cooling.

[ponyhill]

Gah, I had no idea how hard it would be to post that URL. Talk about having to jump through hoops. If it doesn't work, contact me privately and I can give it to you properly.

[ponyhill]

Another thing - keep in mind many riders (particularly at Tevis) get off and run with their horses, or at least tail up some of the long canyons.

Having a strong-build is desirable - lighter boned horses can tend to have more tendon/ligament problems in the long term, so good bone and good confirmation are important.

[horseridingdoglover]

This brings back so many of my endurance memories. The sounds and high expectations..I would have loved the challenge of the tevis with my old now retired horse.