Quarabs In Endurance

Tags: Quarabs, Training, Endurance

 

The Quarab, developed by crossing a Quarter Horse with an Arabian, really has inherited the best of both breeds. From the Quarter Horse the even temperament, agility, and stockier, more muscled front quarters and from the Arabian the breed has inherited the refinement, endurance, and stamina along with the competitive nature.

An endurance horse needs to have the very mixture of the qualities listed in the description above. For many years the Arabian has been considered the premier endurance horse but in more recent years selective breeding between Arabians and other breeds that are considered ideal because of conformation, temperament, and athletic ability have produced some really outstanding endurance type horses.

Modern endurance rides, either for fun or for competition, are designed with rider and horse safety in mind, but they can be very challenging courses, depending on the level of competition and the type of event. For example, a shorter 10 mile pleasure endurance event is more likely to be on flat and level ground or on a well prepared trekking trail, whereas a 100 mile a day endurance ride is likely to incorporate many different types of terrain as well as some cross country work that may be more difficult and challenging for both the horse and rider.

Quarabs can be more typical of the Quarter Horse or Paint or more typical of the Arabian body type and temperament. Depending on the age and experience of the rider, the type of event and even the distance of the ride, either body type or characteristic may be the best. In reality in most endurance rides, especially at the more advanced level, it is athletic training of the horse and rider that is more important than the breeding or even the body type. Typically a good endurance horse will have a relatively short back, strong front and hind quarters, sound feet and a competitive edge that will add to the drive and excitement of the event for both the horse and rider. Unlike a flat race, the endurance horse must be able to navigate, under the rider's control, various natural obstacles as well as continue on at a steady pace over long distances. Since both the Quarter Horse as well as the Arabian are capable of sustained, relatively comfortable gaits for the rider they make an ideal cross bred horse that can easily compete in endurance events. Although a smaller horse in size, the Quarab can easily carry even a large adult, although there is no doubt that a heavier and larger rider will eventually tire the horse out far more than a lighter rider over the same distance.

The Quarab is usually a horse that has a strong athletic inheritance from both the Arabian and Quarter Horse sides. They are also very agile and sure-footed, again qualities that both breeds possess naturally. Like any type of horse breed or cross, there will be some Quarabs that are better suited for endurance than others, and breeding for endurance Quarabs is now becoming popular within the competitive groups.

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