How Far Can A Horse Run?

WagonsHo · 10-28-07, 10:39 PM

If you watch a western movie the poor horse runs and runs. It raises a question, how far can a horse run? In the movies it seems the gallop across the state of Arizona. I wouldn't think a horse could run more than 5 miles tops. What do you think? How far?

Mustang · 10-30-07, 09:18 AM

If ever you have watched the movie Hidalgo, which according to the movie is based from real horse races in the Arabian deserts, horses not just go for 5 miles but travel vast unforgiving deserts under the hot sun. I don't know if this is true or not and I would also like to know the real story about how far horses can go.

lovethemall · 10-30-07, 05:29 PM

I have heard that some can do a 100-mile ride, but I am having some trouble finding out if this is something done for charity or not, anyone?

GiddyUp · 10-30-07, 11:07 PM

From a website I saw this:

Quote:

1808: The Marquis of Huntley rode from Aberdeen, Scotland, to Inverness (105 miles) in seven hours on eight relays of horses. (Each horse averaged 15 mph for about 13 miles.)

Quote:

860's: The Pony Express averaged nine mph over 25 mile stages.

It looks like in a trot a horse can about 25 miles if the horse is in shape.

SaddleSore · 11-05-07, 12:33 AM

The Hidaglo movie would have it at about 58 miles per day. I have read of many horses going much further, much faster, but not surviving, where as that one is supposed to have arrived in good condition.

I think there are just too many variables, including the condition and age of the horse, it's previous 'training' for endurance, and how well you care for it during the ride.

Rider · 11-07-07, 09:19 AM

Those are nice figure GiddyUp. So does it mean that trot horses are better than race horses that go for sprint? I think it also depends on the terrain the horse is running. If the climate is not so hot and not so cold then it might have a better run.

10-28-07, 10:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
WagonsHo Member Join Date: 10-13-07 Posts: 25	How Far Can A Horse Run? If you watch a western movie the poor horse runs and runs. It raises a question, how far can a horse run? In the movies it seems the gallop across the state of Arizona. I wouldn't think a horse could run more than 5 miles tops. What do you think? How far?

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10-30-07, 09:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mustang Member Join Date: 10-14-07 Posts: 25	If ever you have watched the movie Hidalgo, which according to the movie is based from real horse races in the Arabian deserts, horses not just go for 5 miles but travel vast unforgiving deserts under the hot sun. I don't know if this is true or not and I would also like to know the real story about how far horses can go.

10-30-07, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
lovethemall Member Join Date: 10-02-07 Posts: 30	I have heard that some can do a 100-mile ride, but I am having some trouble finding out if this is something done for charity or not, anyone?

11-05-07, 12:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
SaddleSore Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 233	The Hidaglo movie would have it at about 58 miles per day. I have read of many horses going much further, much faster, but not surviving, where as that one is supposed to have arrived in good condition. I think there are just too many variables, including the condition and age of the horse, it's previous 'training' for endurance, and how well you care for it during the ride.

11-07-07, 09:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rider Member Join Date: 10-01-07 Posts: 88	Those are nice figure GiddyUp. So does it mean that trot horses are better than race horses that go for sprint? I think it also depends on the terrain the horse is running. If the climate is not so hot and not so cold then it might have a better run.