I DID AN ENDURANCE RIDE ON MY APPALOOSA|Vlog|What can you expect at a ride?

Have you ever wondered about endurance riding? How about on a non-Arabian? Well check out my Appaloosa Jiminey and I as we take on the 25 mile limited distance endurance ride! Listen in on what methods work best for us, and watch to see what you can expect if you ever decide to try endurance. Riding non-traditional horses in endurance can be a challenge but it is rewarding and very special. Hope you enjoy our ride! Please comment with any questions you may have.

[@impunitythebagpuss]

I used to endurance ride with my black Appaloosa molly mule back in the 90's...it was such fun...until we started placing higher than the Arabians ...then the Arab-centric saddle club changed the rules to allow " horses only" in their competitions! Bummer! Lol! It's a real fun sport...you did well !!!

[@freespiritequestrian]

Wait what?! No way! That is insane. I can believe it though. I bet your Molly was gorgeous. You sound amazing!

[@348Tobico]

Arabian owners paid tons more for their horse and all the equipment so of course they pushed you out. I hope you found better folks to hang with after that nasty group. You can tell what spoil sports they were, they are the same at all their shows too. Spot lovers unite!

[@taylorpaige2392]

A great tip I learned when I started endurance riding is to try to encourage your horse to drop their head, it helps to lower their heartrate

[@freespiritequestrian]

Really?! I heard the opposite 😂🐴.

[@le.6634]

@@freespiritequestrian We always try to get them to lower their heads during walks or slow canters and we always trot in instead of cantering in bc it helps regulate their heart rate aswell

[@junebyrne4491]

Interesting. I was told as a human, of course, that if you get your heart rate way up and keep it there, it is dangerous to stop suddenly. I am assuming that this is also true of horses? I noticed you Kept him moving. ❤ I assuming we were slowing hr slowly.

[@vickyburton2434]

I am so glad to see other. breeds in these races! I have seen many non Arabs win races.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Yes!!!! Go non-typicals!!!

[@Deanekels]

Your horsemanship is top notch. I would be lucky to get a horse from your barn. You amaze me.

[@jenniferrevilla5298]

Jiminey says," I got this Mom, no worries!". Awesome job and info. I learned a lot about the sport, preps, etc. Great job all 3 of you🤗🤗

[@SamBebz]

I love that he's twenty and still going after it! Great video! TY for sharing :)

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! He’s he’s in excellent shape. I appreciate that ❤️

[@erinleal6463]

Dr. Bob!! Just love our vets but he's one of my favorites. :D Prepping for my horse's (not mine) first LD this weekend - what a great video showcasing what endurance is all about

[@charlottewebster4233]

Used to help loosen up an Appaloosa for endurance fun rides with a good splodge of peppermint oil rubbed onto his backside and massaged into his muscles. Could almost hear him go "Oooh.. ooh that's good it feels all nice and warm" 😂

[@freespiritequestrian]

Hahaha! That’s awesome!!! Sounds like an awesome tip! ❤️🐴✨

[@lindag4484]

This was interesting. I am impressed with the slate of rules that benefit the horses. Jiminey! placed 3rd! "ga-boy"!!! 🐴❤

[@maureenstringer4362]

Congratulations to you both, you for reading the ride so well and darling Jiminy for his huge effort. (Which he made look like a walk in the park) xx

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! Jiminey is my heart horse and he’s an absolutely amazing boy! I appreciate your kind words.

[@barbo9680]

This was my first time volunteering at an endurance ride. I plan to do it again in 2022 and have shared your video with my friends. Well done!

[@freespiritequestrian]

How awesome!!!!! Thank you so much.

[@hw-art]

This is terrific! :-) Really interesting for me. I created a comic book a couple of years ago - centered round an endurance race, and I let "my" rider use a hackamore as well. The ride itself goes haywire because the story is more a thriller than a ride description, but basically I strived to make the endurance ride look as authentic as possible. Watching your vid makes me smile. :-) Lovely horse! Lovely rider!

[@williamlongo2363]

Congratulations! I learn something each time I watch your channel. A beautiful horse.

[@freespiritequestrian]

I love that! Thank you. He is my heart horse ❤️

[@fizzyizzy8261]

This was really instructive. I'm interested in doing CTR as I get closer to retirement, so this is terrific. Thanks!

[@TheBammalamma]

Just found your channel-love that you ride an Appy!! Looks like so much fun ❤️ My Appy Groot and I wish you luck on your future races!

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you so much!! Really appreciate you tuning in. ❤️

[@maxswenson6605]

My son’s girlfriend is a horse vet here in upstate NY. They just went to a huge event in our area where she was one of 2 vets on hand, she spent the whole day and as she explained the vet check process it was exactly as you said. My son said she was so busy she barely had time to say more than a few words to him all day! My son says he spent the day being the grunt worker while she was the brains…

[@freespiritequestrian]

Wow!! That’s awesome. It is so much work for everyone involved that’s for sure. I hope this video helps people !!! 💜 Was your son volunteering?

[@maxswenson6605]

@@freespiritequestrian yes, he enjoys going with her if he is not working himself. She’s a slip of a thing and he is a bruiser, so he does the heavy lifting

[@gayleklein7243]

Well done. Really, really well done. It seems like it was at least 20 years ago when I read an article in a horse magazine about an exceptional endurance horse nicknamed Frootzie. After analyzing what made him so special, the vet determined that his cannons were thicker than an average horse his size and his resting heart rate was also slower. I also recall that he was ridden with an Australian endurance saddle, which is heavily padded for the comfort of both horse and rider.

[@freespiritequestrian]

That makes a lot of sense! Strong bones that hold up and a slower resting rate. Perfect combo!

[@gayleklein7243]

@@freespiritequestrian Secretariat had an oversized heart as well - I believe the article said it was at least 3 times larger than the average TB after the necropsy. Was just watching the '73 Belmont. Good Lord, Shea, that was a horse and a half. 30 lengths on a quality field of America's best.

[@marywright373]

Looked like alot of fun hes such a great horse

[@le.6634]

what we usually do is ride with smartwatches where you can send messages to people and what we do is when we’re about 5km from coming back in we let our grooms know so that they can prepare the feed and water to make it go a bit faster aswell

[@freespiritequestrian]

Yes I have a crew, my husband :). And for bigger riders I usually would have a larger crew. Love them! My husband would also meet me out on the trail at some other rides for water and feed.

[@brendar.8185]

Congratulations! Thank you for taking us on your adventure and explaining each step of the way.

[@freespiritequestrian]

My pleasure! :)

[@rondelk8725]

Really enjoyed this, had not known about this event before.

[@karengraham3828]

I have over 5000 endurance miles and 1200 LD miles all on Appies.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Wow that is incredible!!! That right there inspires me.

[@348Tobico]

Proof positive that the very best choice is always an Appy. They always get the job done and help you have fun while you get after it.

[@krg9942]

That was FUN! He's so pretty, I love his coat pattern. Congrats on 3rd! Especially for a 20 yr old, non Arab.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! And especially for understanding how well he did as a stock horse! He got 1st in my eyes LOL 😂

[@marykeeven5153]

So glad you placed. I have 2 appys of my i love their versatility

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! Yes, with this guy I have done a little bit of everything and he never disappoints. Love my spotted guys.

[@donnajeffery8267]

I think you both did great and unless you want to do endurance as a top level then you don’t necessarily need an Arab horse just to go out and have a go as Jiminy proved good job on his third place

[@freespiritequestrian]

Actually Appaloosa’s have won and broken records at Tevis. You don’t need an Arabian to get to the top level at all….

[@donnajeffery8267]

I am just going by what I see on KZbin as that is mainly watch endurance riders and they all have Arabs or the odd thoroughbred or half Arabs etc unless doing the more lower level beginner type stuff then I have seen people use really fit cobs Irish draughty etc obviously as long as they are fit enough there is one lady from somewhere in America I saw she did it on a very fit drum horse but I live in the u.k so no nothing about what horses are used in America or Canada etc I don’t even know if Canada do endurance riding this what I mean when I was on about the Arab thing but when it is like a pleasure ride or sponsored ride people will take all sought’s of breeds even like fit draft horses but I don’t know because America has different shows or show terminology than us in the u.k like we call it rising trot and from what I have been watching most people in America call it posting which confused me I love learning all these differences because I said before I love my animals especially horses so I just love to learn anything and everything there is obviously I know English stuff because I do ride myself but sadly do not have a horse at the moment but I am hoping to get one again in near future and is why I like people like yourself that teach people everything about owning a horse etc and not just how to ride I also would love to own my own sanctuary slash rescue centre for all types of animals even farm animals because there are not many places that rescue farm animal’s it is mainly dog’s and cat’s and other small animals and there are horse rescue centres but non for all animals so that is one day what I want to do sorry for blabbing on and thank you for taking the time to reply

[@gilliangreen2920]

An Appaloosa will win your heart as quickly as his colour turns your head. Donna , check out The chief Joseph ride held annually, only Appaloosas are allowed to participate in this ride , mainly in respect to the Nez Perce tribal history but also because most other breeds of horse would struggle with the terrain. It is interesting to note that during the 1877 Nez Perce war the U.S cavalry mounted on the best horses available to them at the time, just could not keep up the pace of the Appaloosa horses , even though the Appaloosas were battle weary, not shod, and no feed rations....(which were available to the cavalry horses) they covered 1300 miles over some of the roughest terrain in North America. It took four units of Cavalry to finally surround and catch up with the Nez Perce and their beloved Appaloosas. Had the Shoshone and crow scouts who helped the Cavalry track the Nez Perce not intervened, the Cavalry would probably still be out there looking for them. There is a saying amongst the Native Americans..........One Appaloosa........is worth 3 ordinary horses .

[@sharmanklinefelter508]

i was cheering you on both of you congrats for 3rd place too bad you could not film with a hat cam

[@meryleporter6390]

So much fun!❤❤

[@meryleporter6390]

Awesome!

[@Alison-ow7cm]

Well done to both of you🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Great Shae and Jiminey!!❤️🐎😀

[@LHeventing]

It is so interesting that you kept him moving in the first stop! This is so cool! Thank you for this awesome video! I think my OTTB mare would think the concept is to only go fast!😂😅

[@freespiritequestrian]

Haha Jiminey likes to go fast too but he’s learned to pace himself nicely.

[@LHeventing]

@@freespiritequestrian that’s awesome!!

[@meryleporter6390]

Oh my God! Straight A's

[@m.a.1679]

Congratulations!!! That was awesome!

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! I just loved the whole experience :).

[@cindybowden4017]

Thanks so much for talking us through the process!

[@freespiritequestrian]

My pleasure! It was a fun day.

[@fludrbywest3886]

So interesting 🥰❣️✨💫🫶training 🙏🏻

[@tjettjet6128]

I have been enjoying your videos all week. This one came up on my feed this morning. I knew that was Mickey and Luna you were riding with. Michele and Mickey are great people. Luna is hard to beat. Hope to see you at Cracked OAATS Crunch at Salamonie near Andrews, Indiana. It's July 16 and 17. Oh, a suggestion for helping to cool him down when there isn't a line waiting is to take a bucket of water, sponge, and scraper to the PR area and just sponge his jugular or inside of the leg to help his pulse drop. (I know this from coming in near the end of time and wanting our completion.) Also replacing the bridle with his halter helps.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Mickey is a hoot! I had a lot of fun with him lol. I was riding my own ride and not competing with anyone other than myself hahaha. Thanks! I won’t be competing this year, maybe one race, I have some other goals right now :).

[@Marlad1]

You are so wonderful that you care for your horses like you do. What a kind heart you have. Thank you

[@freespiritequestrian]

Awww thanks! I try ❤️

[@evangelistamartins9216]

Acho linda as éguas apaaloosan, e as lasonas, zurilhas. São ótimas de pelagem.

[@lyncheeseman]

Well done Jiminy, it’s great seeing a non Arab do endurance.. I would have thought the lighter the better, or do they have penalties for being under or over a certain weight. Wooo hoo.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! Nope; when it comes down to it the heavier the better lol

[@renayeblack5906]

Congrats to the both of you, well done.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you!!!

[@BrienaSkysong1]

I'd love to see more coverage of endurance rides if you continue doing them or bring in some of your awesome Auction babies into the sport ^.^ Love the indepth information and vetcard overview

[@freespiritequestrian]

I won’t be competing this year. I’m focusing on other things. Endurance is fun, but I probably won’t be doing it often. To busy with my project horses and their training plans.

[@freespiritequestrian]

I’ll be doing a few open shows and hunter paces but that’s about it competition wise.

[@vickiduron7218]

Great information. Thanks for sharing.

[@freespiritequestrian]

My pleasure 😊

[@veronicapeace1948]

You both did brilliantly!! Congratulations 🎊 This video was both informative and instructional. Thank you Shae for another great video ❤

[@freespiritequestrian]

You’re so welcome 😊

[@mariannekaminski5795]

Wow, good job! That’s for educating me

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you. My pleasure!!!

[@karenryancrawford6401]

Love that purple saddle pad,

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thanks!

[@snowflow07]

Very interesting. Thanks for the video and congrats on placing 3rd! 🏆💖

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thanks!

[@joannesmartens9442]

Wawww, 25 miles, the first time i see such a race. 25 m.in trot, waww. And 20 years old, he's in perfect health and in good hands. The appaloosas are the 4the fasted breed. In europe also always vetchecks. In the netherlands much riders in competition, especialy in cross, have a small beatmeter on their horse. Also gopro's with speedmeter. Very nice result, 👍💞

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! It was 30 miles yaaaa hoo!!!

[@jorgequinones991]

I 💕 love it

[@freespiritequestrian]

It was awesome!

[@meltcmelinda4012]

Congrats onr the great ride and placement. I know you are so happy all went well. God Bless

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you!!!

[@mikehenry6284]

Wife.... Whoo-Hoo, way to go 👍 So happy and proud of you both 😃 3rd place is fantastic 😍 Blessings 🙌 Jennifer

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you!!! ❤️

[@karenryancrawford6401]

Congratulations!Loved watching how we should do to keep Jiminy in good shape during the time of the endurance ride. Maybe 1st or 2nd next endurance ride. You did great!

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! ❤️❤️

[@kategleason6481]

So cool that the vet check is step one. Enjoy and good luck!

[@freespiritequestrian]

Yes! Protects our horse ❤️

[@sherrieivanov5481]

Dr Bob is a great vet. I recognized his voice immediately at the 15 mile vet check.

[@freespiritequestrian]

He is absolutely fantastic!!! ❤️

[@wilmapascha2996]

He looks so nice in that blue!

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you!

[@sarahb3525]

Gosh, he is beautiful 😍

[@bettiehass4091]

I have been a volunteer at a ride like this for the past 22 years on the east coast. ECTRA is the governing body for the competitive trail riders and we have slightly different rules. It’s a lot of fun for everyone. The riders do exactly the same things to help their horses.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Awesome! CTRs are fun too!

[@daniloaugustorodriguescard8065]

Tive uma égua exatamente dessa pelagem aqui no Brasil chama pelagem leopardo era muito corajosa é resistente percorria 40 quilômetros

[@mikehenry6284]

AWESOME SHAE 😃 I did notice quite a few Arabians there. You were amazing 🤩 I had no idea you rode Jiminy. My neighbor was a very slight built woman too, I think she weighed 100 pounds soaking wet 😉. We lived in NV. at the time and she would travel quite far to compete, but she would do 100 mile rides 😳 over days of course. Thanks so much for sharing that with me. Didn't think I could love you anymore than I already do ❤️ Love what you do now. Blessings always 🙌 Jennifer

[@freespiritequestrian]

I’m so glad you watched! Figured this would interest you. Jiminey more then keeps up with the Arabians haha. He’s such an awesome boy. ❤️

[@mikehenry6284]

@@freespiritequestrian LOL 🤣 Yes he is, and yes he does! He's a wonderful boy. I feel kinda dumb 🤯 I see that I watched this video 7 months ago, cause I commented on it then 🤭 what can I say.....AGE! LOL But I loved watching it again. Blessings my dear 🙌 Jennifer

[@freespiritequestrian]

@@mikehenry6284 haha it’s all good!

[@starfroggie]

I enjoyed your video! What type of video camera are you using for your trail footage? Is it mounted to your helmet?

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! I’m just using my iPhone 12 Pro, it’s just me holding the phone 😅. Glad you enjoyed!!!

[@lynnesaro7772]

OMG, fascinating. I'm watching your earlier videos. The calcium.... how do you give it to him? Is it possible to cool down too rapidly? Where can they cramp and what do you do if they cramp?

[@freespiritequestrian]

Hi! Endurance riding is so much work (the riding is sometimes the easiest part). The calcium is a liquid given orally. The nice part is they can’t really OD they just urinate out and extra etc. this ride was humid and the vet doing the checks always says ice water, ice water, ice water!!!! They have so much more muscle mass than us so cooling is different. They can cramp anywhere but Jiminey (because he’s a stock horse with more muscling than an Arab) cramps in his hind end a lot. I sometimes use a rump rug to keep him warm on cooler days to prevent cramping on his rump. I also made sure to massage him etc. if they cramp it is usually temporary but the vet will pull you from the ride if it’s effecting the horse to much etc. usually you can massage it out after etc

[@carolynstewart8465]

You have beautiful skin. Take care of it. Wear long sleeve shirts. You'll be so happy when you're 70.😍

[@freespiritequestrian]

Awww thanks 😊

[@vaivagruodyte8929]

I do endurance

[@keithbuck5504]

He look good for twenty year old it's a interested vlog

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you, he’s a very special horse ❤️

[@leilawitherspoon503]

Out of curiosity could you please do a review of shoulder relief girth and the Western version is called shoulder relief cinch ?

[@freespiritequestrian]

They are great I love them.

[@Areyousayingidontknowmyname]

Very interesting. Not really watched anything much on Endurance. Certainly interesting. Was surprised how many riding in Western saddles as they are usually very heavy. Ive looked into the endurance saddles and mainly its the ultra light bare bones saddles. Almost military. Curious re the saddle tack weight in. Because the guys riding with you had similar saddles yet they are much bigger. So not sure how that affects things?

[@freespiritequestrian]

My western saddle is like 20 pounds super light weight. A lot of people prefer the comfort. As far as weight goes in endurance, it’s actually beneficial to have more weight due to scoring at the end. For example, if I tied with some per say and they weighed more they would win.

[@Areyousayingidontknowmyname]

@@freespiritequestrian learning a lot 😁

[@silkemueller1391]

how do you prepare a horse for an endurance ride? do people ever do this with a frisean?

[@Villanelle3]

Oh god how were your legs after doing so much rising trot? I’d be knackered after five minutes 😂

[@freespiritequestrian]

Hahahaha! Not bad, we do a lot of conditioning 🤣🤣🤣

[@palmerroskamp1513]

He,s Beautiful. In nice shape.

[@palmerroskamp1513]

I was surprised when you said he was 20

[@freespiritequestrian]

Thank you! He’s an Appaloosa that’s built to last! 😂❤️🐴

[@Tyson-co4oc]

I wish you had a GoPro it would be so easy to film with one.

[@freespiritequestrian]

I’ll get one eventually.

[@Tyson-co4oc]

@@freespiritequestrian sorry I forgot to say that you did very well 😊 my riding instructor used to endurance run Arabians and I always wanted to do it. ❤️

[@freespiritequestrian]

@@Tyson-co4oc thank you and that’s cool!

[@emilym4546]

I'm just curious because I have a half saddlebred Arab who I love very much he's 22

[@freespiritequestrian]

That’s cool 😎

[@elizabethhall8254]

Appaloosas are bred for endurance.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Yes and many other things ❤️❤️❤️

[@MiaandRiven11]

I do 50 mile endurance rides and 100 mile endurance rides

[@freespiritequestrian]

Good for you. I personally don’t have the desire to do 50s or 100s. But that’s amazing ❤️.

[@MiaandRiven11]

@@freespiritequestrian Thank you it is cool that you do it on a Appaloosa

[@christinecnew3268]

Congratulations! You must know that Appaloosas were bred by the Nez Perce Indians for endurance among other characteristics. Those horses help the Nez Perce evade capture. However the US Calvary finally won and with capture also slaughtered all of the Appaloosas. Then what few horses were left were used to throw color on donkeys, draft horses, etc. Modern Appaloosas have lots of Quarter horses, Thoroughbred, in their pedigree. etc. One must be mindful of Breeding to an Arabian, must be mindful of the greying gene that would erase the color pattern. A few breeders are going back to find foundation stock and get back to the breed developed by the Nez Perce. I am assuming you guy is Quarter horse, right? Appaloosa do endurance and competitive riding very well.

[@freespiritequestrian]

Yes it’s amazing history!!! He’s not a quarter horse. He’s an Appaloosa. I know what you’re saying but I do not consider him a QH. He has TB, foundation, and some QH lines.

[@emilym4546]

Why don't you have an Arab

[@freespiritequestrian]

I don’t prefer them. I’ve owned one before he was great but I’m just not a fan overall.

[@cellobello9939]

saddle wes and ur geer english

[@freespiritequestrian]

❤️

[@miatomline]

I dont like to see him so sweaty.....isnt 15 miles a long way???? forgive me im learning xx

[@freespiritequestrian]

This is literally endurance…please watch the whole video.

[@freespiritequestrian]

And 15 miles is nothing. Wild horses roam up to 20 miles everyday. Horses need movement, they are designed to move and run….