Can a draft cross, if sound, compete in endurance riding? why or why not?

Question

1. This question is NOT asking about any other breeds, so do NOT say that arabs are the best at endurance, that is a common known fact and NOT what I am asking.

2. I am asking can you ride a Draft Cross in an SHORT (25 and under) endurance ride? I'm not looking to win every time, I'm looking to enjoy myself while competing in an endurance ride with a Draft cross, can you use them? Why or why not?

thanks!

Answer 1

Carol's got it :)

If your horse is fit and ready there is no reason why you cant.  As long as you and your horse are ready for the endurance - then go for it :)

Answer 2

There is no breed requirement for endurance riding although Arabs are the most common in the sport. So, you can use any horse you want in an endurance ride as long as they are sound enough to pass the vet check.

Did you not like the answers you got last time you asked this same question?

Answer 3

If your horse is physically able to do the ride than there is no reason why you can't!!!

Just be sure he can handle it!!

Answer 4

You can, however... the drafts do not hold up well due to the fact that the muscling they have.. requires so much more oxygen.  They exhaust themselves more by exerting more force to move themselves for longer periods of time.  

You really just have to build up their endurance, more than say an arab, but they still will exhaust themselves quicker than a leaner muscled animal.

You just might not pass a checkin would be the worry.

How drafty is this draft cross?

EDIT- even if you crossed with an arab, its all about the muscling... "IF" he took after the arab side, there would be less fatigue, but again if more draftier side... then you still are seeing more exertion than other leaner muscled animals.

I think a draft/arab cross is a great cross honestly.. if you can find one.  They are breeding alot of warmblood/draft crosses, but haven't seen too many arab/draft ones.  I hope you find one!

Answer 5

Think about this just a minute.  What breed was the Destrier - the Knights horse?  What's a draft?  A warmblood - what do people use for jumping and cross country?  Warmbloods?

Why the heck would anyone say you CAN'T use a Draft for cross country for fun?  Especially without knowing what breeds the cross is out of?

I know a lot of people building sport horses out of draft crosses - in fact, wranglers in the American West are using draft crosses for dude ranch horses and quite often these were preferred mounts and pack horses of the old cowboys.

If the horse is conditioned properly and in the right shape, you should be able to take any breed on a 25 mile ride - provided you don't expect to run away with the trophy.

Yes, there are breeds more well suited for this who will allow a better chance of winning.  I've ridden with a guy with a Belgian/QH cross that rode a cross state trail ride - not in competition mind you - with about 5 "legs" between 17 and 27 miles.  He did fine - tool from 8 am to 7 pm to make the longest hikes and they were both tired when done.

Conditioning and training.

Answer 6

well i do endurance i ride an arabian but i see just about every breed. but i would say if the horse likes it why not. but don't expect it to be winning all the time. but if you just want to do it because you like the sport and you don't always plan on winning. i think it would be a great idea  if you need any help with anything you can email me at [e-mail]

Answer 7

It all will depend on the horse- and what the draft is crossed with, how it's confirmation is, and what condition it's in.  The reason light horses are prefered to heavier ones is they usually have more ability to recover faster (the same reason a heavy weight lifter would not make a good long-distance runner.) Drafts are usually buit for strength and short-term bursts of energy, then they need to recover.

However, draft crossed are getting more and more efficient- if crossed with a breed like a thoroughbred or arabian that has a greater lung capacity and known for it's endurance ability, and the draft cross resembles the lighter breed more so than it's heavier counterpart, then I'd say try it. However, if competing against arabians and thoros, I wouldn't be  too expectant on winning everytime. As you said in your question, they are the best at endurance.

You would really have to condition the draftcross alot more than an arab or lighter breed. Another thing to consider- drafts dont tend to have very good feet, and the ones that do take alot of maintenence. Bad feet will definitely play a major role on how long you can ride.