Rider's Name:
Bruce A. Weary, D.C.
Horse's Name: Heisman
2035 Miles &
37 Ride Completions
First AERC ride: 1996 Region: SW
Q: Tells us about your horse when/how did you come to get
him?
A: I answered a newspaper ad in the Phoenix paper for a young Arab gelding that
a woman had salvaged from an auction and put 30 days training on. He had
been culled from a herd of Arabians bred by a doctor in Phoenix. And
although I feel he has excellent confirmation, he apparently did not suit their
standards and was sent to auction. Ill never forget the day I went to see
him--it was very hot....over 110 degrees.... and the woman who sold him to me
put a western saddle on him and turned him loose in a round pen by
himself. He was all fired up and made some of the most athletic movements
Id ever seen a horse perform at liberty, and I decided with that level of
athleticism, I wanted him. I brought him home and had my horse trainer
put the finishing touches on him, so he was safe to ride, and put him to work
in endurance training almost immediately.
Q: What is your horses breeding?
A: Heisman is purebred Arabian
Q: Sex
A: Gelding
Q: DOB
A: 1991
Q: Horse height
A: 15' 2"
Q: Approx. weight
A: 1050 lbs
Q: Color
A: Flea bitten gray
Q: Shoe size
A: 2
Q: Did you do endurance with any other horses before this horse?
A: Yes, I began endurance riding in 1984, and campaigned a few different horses
before I purchased Heisman in the early 90s. I'm not sure of the exact
number, but I have ridden more than 20 different horses in endurance rides over
the years.
Q: Do you participate in any other horse sports or activities?
A: Yes, I regularly participate in the competitive sports of manure gathering
and equine meal catering. I've also been known to compete in trailer
washing and saddle maintenance.
Q: How many years have you been involved with horses?
A: My first ride on a horse was at the approximate age of 5, on a pony ride in
my father's grocery store parking lot, wearing a red felt cowboy hat with a
white drawstring. At age 12, I advanced to a pony named Smokey whom I
rode extensively on my grandfather's farm. I first became a horse owner
at age 25 and began my involvement in endurance riding in 1984. I've been
hooked ever since.
Q: What got you interested in endurance riding?
A: Initially, I'm sure my impression of endurance riding was very immature, as
I envisioned myself galloping across the countryside for miles on end, while
hearing the theme to The Magnificent Seven in my head. The first time I
tried a 25 miler I thought I was gonna die! I did Clair Toomey's Gamblers
Special 25 miler. There were 3 of us in the ride, I threw a shoe, won it,
and got BC. Experienced a huge endorphin release and decided that this
was the sport for me. Since that time, I've come to feel that we live in
a very entitled, undisciplined society where we are rarely exposed to the need
for true self-discipline or hardship. Entering endurance rides forces me
to experience those things and I hope makes me a better person. It also
keeps me in shape physically and serves my need to bond with my horses.
Q: How old was your horse when you first started?
A: 5 yrs old
Q: First ride?
A: Cinder Lakes 25 miler. In 1996
Q: How many rides did you do the first, second and third ride seasons?
A: First year: One 25 miler and one 50 miler.
2nd year: one 55 miler.
3rd year two 60 milers, two 50 milers, one
75 miler, and an attempt at Tevis.
Q: What mileage distance you start with?
A: 25 miler
Q: How long till you top tenned or raced?
A: I have rarely raced or pushed to be a front-runner with Heisman.
On his first 25 miler he completed in 5 hrs 58 mins and actually took 6th
place.
Q: How much time off do you give between ride seasons?
A: I don't really give seasonal time off. My horses get plenty of rest
between rides, which may be anywhere from one to six weeks.
Q: If you have done 100s, how much time off do you give after doing one?
A: I try to give the horse a month off, but somewhere in that time I'm usually
riding them at least lightly, just to keep them limber.
Q: What is your schedule in the month leading up a 100 miler?
A: I don't do any other rides at least 2 or 3 weeks prior to a 100, but I do
ride them lightly up until the time of the 100 to keep them flexible.
Q: If you have done multidays, how much time off do you give after doing
one? What is your schedule in the month leading up to the ride?
A: My answer to these questions would be pretty much the same as those I've
given regarding doing 100 milers.
Q: What kind of tack do you use?
A: I ride an Abetta endurance saddle. I use an Equipedic saddle
pad, a mohair girth and I have ridden in hackamores, halters and various
bits. I have better control with my horses with a bit, however I prefer
their freedom to eat and drink, which is improved in a hackamore or
halter. It seems like horses can swallow an awful lot of air when drinking
with a bit in their mouth.
Q: What kind of shoes do you use on your horse?
A: I ride in a rim shoe. For extra protection, I have historically used Easy
boots, but lately I have been experimenting with the Bosana boot, which I like
very much. I have also used pads from time to time. My choice for
foot protection depends on the horse and the conditions that I anticipate at a
ride.
Q: What kind of problems have you encountered?
A: I'm happy to say my endurance career has been largely trouble free. I ride
and train conservatively and in 22 years of endurance riding I've never
experienced a tendon or ligament injury, fracture, or even a popped splint, and
I've never retired an endurance horse unsound. The worst experience I've
had was when Heisman colicked at Tevis in 2004 at Robinson Flat, due to my over
zealous pre-electrolyting. He was more than fit enough to do the ride and
had been ridden conservatively but his gut motility shut down and he required
fluids. He was in significant pain and could have been in real danger
were it not for the skill and attention of the Tevis veterinarians. They
have my eternal gratitude.
Q: What was the worst or most severe injury your horse has had?
A: Heisman has never sustained any significant injury
Q: Describe the best ride you ever had on your horse?
A: I've had so many good rides on Heisman, but one of the most memorable
was the 2004 Californios 100. We were preparing Heisman for another shot
at Tevis and my wife and I rode that ride together. It was very hot that
day with virtually no shade, and we were out on the trail approximately 22 or
23 hours. The Californios ride is extremely challenging in that it has endless
hills to climb and really demands the utmost effort from the horse. The
temperature hit 96 degrees by 10:00 in the morning and did not relent until
5:00 or 6:00 that afternoon. Anticipating relief with nightfall, we were
met instead with 40 to 50 mile per hour crosswinds until we descended to lower
elevations on our way home to the finish line. On the final descent,
which was fairly steep, Heisman seemed to float in the dark and I could barely
feel his footfalls as he made his way along the final stretch of the
trail. He was flawless that day and my experience on him the last 10
miles of that trail is probably the closest I've been to heaven in this life.
Q: Describe the worst day you ever had with your horse?
A: The worst experience with Heisman was again probably his colic experience at
Tevis. There is so much work and preparation that goes into Tevis and
your attention shifts abruptly from chasing the elusive Tevis buckle to facing
the mortality of your horse and watching his every movement and bodily function
for several hours until you know he's out of danger. That transition is
difficult and painful but I think it made me a better horseman, for having
experienced it.
Q: What was your most humbling experience?
A: My wife and I decided in 2004 to try to top ten together on our hometown
ride, the Man against Horse race. We succeeded in doing so placing 5th
& 6th, but both of our horses, although they passed their final
vet check, were sore in their hocks and somewhat lame the next day. It
was another reminder to me of the immense task we ask of these horses to simply
complete an endurance ride much less try to do it at speed or at a competitive
level. Our horses will truly give till it hurts.
Q: What lessons have you learned along the way that you feel are the most
important?
A: I've learned that endurance riding is supposed to be fun and I work hard to
keep it that way. I've learned that my horse's life and well being as
well as my own are dependent on my judgment and that my judgment can be
distorted or impaired by highly competitive situations, among other
things. It's my job to enjoy the trail and yet stay focused at all times
regarding the well being of my horse. He has to get us both home safely
at the end of the day. I've learned that a lifetime of miles with the
same horse is worth far more than any award received at any given single
ride. I've learned that I like my horses more than some people. But
I've also learned that there is hope for those people. If they just got more
fiber in their diet and a little more exercise, they could be more like my
horses. And I've learned that my favorite view of the world is between
the ears of my horse.
Q: Where does your horse live? (pasture--# acres, dirt lot, paddock, etc.)
Board? At home? Full turnout?
A: Heisman has always lived on my property, roaming at liberty in a very large
corral with his stable mates. He has recently however, changed
residence. I loaned Heisman to Barbara White to ride Tevis in 2005, and
the two of them struck up a romance behind my back. And, as I have other
horses to train and campaign now, my wife and I felt the only decent thing to
do was to let Barbara and Heisman spend time together. So, Heisman has
packed his bags and moved to Northern California, so that he may keep a closer
eye on Julie Suhr and Barbara White. Heisman reports back to me frequently
and keeps me informed as to the goings-on up there. So far he seems quite
happy and Barbara has a new spring in her step.
Q: What kind of environment did your horse spend the first few years of its
life in? (pasture, w/herd, etc.)
A: As far as I know Heisman was kept in tight quarters, I don't believe he ever
had access to large pastures. He was part of an Arabian breeding program
in Phoenix where large parcels of land are rare for keeping horses.
Q: What are your horse's strengths? Weaknesses?
A: Heisman's strengths include his soundness, his physical strength, and
ability to carry weight. His has a gentle nature, as he can be ridden in
a halter and has carried children on endurance rides. He has a world champion
appetite and will eat anything, anywhere during and after a ride. In addition,
he is a kind horse and would never hurt a human being. His weaknesses
include less than perfect heat tolerance, which can sometimes delay his heart
rate recoveries. He can shy occasionally with the best of them at rocks
and tree stumps and other inanimate objects which threaten to eat him.
Q: What advice do you have for new riders?
A: Go slow and get there quicker. Find a truly qualified mentor rider and
learn as much as you can from them. Always put your horse first.
Take your time and train sensibly. If you find a good farrier, tip him
well and bake him cookies. If you think you want to race in this sport, ask
three other experienced riders whose opinion you respect, and who will be
honest with you, if they think you are ready to do so. Your horse will thank
you for it. Finally, and most importantly, no matter what is going on around
you, always ride your own ride within what you know to be the capability of
your horse.
Q: Looking back, what would you do differently?
A: I don't think I can say I'd change anything fundamentally about my experience
in endurance riding. One thing I would do differently is I would have
married my wife 10 years sooner.
Q: What do you feel you did right?
A: I feel I've been a good sportsman, that I'm pleasant on the trail and always
willing to help riders in trouble. I try to ride by example and ride
within the metabolic and orthopedic capabilities of my horses. I hope 22
years of having injury free horses shows that. I read constantly in the
field of endurance and am willing to experiment with new training methods and
new tack and feeding strategies in order to help my horses perform better and
more comfortably. I hope I also helped my children to experience and
appreciate joy and hardship from the back of a horse.
Q: What is your highest goal for you horse? Did you achieve it?
A: My highest goal for Heisman was to keep him sound and healthy through many
years of endurance riding. I have accomplished that. Another goal
was to complete Tevis on him. I failed in that, through no fault of
his. Another goal was to win the Southwest Heavy Weight Endurance
Championship. Which we did successfully in 2004.
Q: Describe your horse's personality. How is it like or unlike yours?
A: Heisman is a very docile, happy-all-the-time kind of guy. He will
carry a beginner rider quietly with his head down across an open meadow or he
can light up like the full blood Arabian he is, but is always manageable
and under control. If you offer him food, he will be your friend
forever. I am a bit faster moving than Heisman and have a lot more to
say. I am not a mean person by any stretch of the imagination. But,
I don't think my wife would describe me as docile, either. Heisman and I
got along very well on the trail but he has also carried many other different
people and personality types to the finish line of endurance rides over the
years, and has proved himself very versatile in that respect.
Q: What kinds of rides do you enjoy the most? (multidays, 100s, 50s etc)
A: I suppose I enjoy 50's the most, however there are few things more satisfying
than finishing a 100 miler. When you're sleep deprived and you've ridden
through the heat of the day and the dark of the night and your vet at the
finish line tells you that your horse looks good and you could have ridden him
harder that day, I'm a pretty proud Papa.
Q: Describe your electrolyte protocol.
A: The more the horses eat at the vet checks, the less I electrolyte. And
recently I have used the method of giving tiny doses frequently to give the
horse what some have called "potato chip mouth", which keeps him a
little thirsty, and always ready for a drink the next time water is
available. I learned my lesson on over electrolyting.
Q: Is there anything special about your nutrition program you attribute to your
success?
A: I feed Diamond V yeast daily. There is some research done that
indicates adding yeast to the horses feed reduces their lactic acid levels as
well as their working heart rates and improves their recovery times. It
also helps in fiber digestion and production of fatty acids that the horse can
use as fuel during aerobic exercise such as endurance riding. I've also learned
a few tricks from Tom Ivers as far as the proper times and ways to use
carbohydrates to keep the horse going during a ride.
Q: Are there any major changes you've made to your nutrition program, that you
feel made a noticeable improvement or solved a problem?
A: I have recently begun adding alfalfa on a limited basis to the horses diet. They
seem to have more strength and stamina without the negative effects of grain in
their workouts as opposed to feeding straight grass hay. Our horses are
also more tempted by alfalfa hay at vet checks than grass hay and will likely
eat it when they wont touch anything else. Also, I'm more confident about
feeding grain during a ride. I let them eat pretty much all they want within
reason, and will even offer it to them out on the trail as well as at the vet
checks. I have a lot more horse this way.
Q: What kind of supplements (if any) do you use?
A: I feed Source, Diamond V yeast, and add a dash of salt to the horse's daily
feed. They are on free choice grass hay with some alfalfa pellets. I only
grain them during or after their work.
Q: Do you give any kind of joint products?
A: My veterinarian is a source for an off brand of Adequan, which I give
occasionally to horses that have been working hard lately or show any tendency
towards joint stiffness. Otherwise, I don't give a daily joint supplement, even
though two of our horses have nearly 4000 miles.
Q: How far do you usually travel to rides?
A: Anywhere from 4 to 10 hours.
Q: Do you go to many rides outside of you region?
A: Yes, we do rides in the Mountain, Southwest, Pacific Southwest and
West regions.
Q: Name three people involved in the sport of endurance that you look up to,
and why?
A: First: My wife Dayna. She's the most pleasant and hard working person
I know. She will do anything and everything to help get our horses
through endurance rides successfully and safely. She's an excellent
rider, she reads trail well, and is fit enough to hike a Tevis Canyon. And, she
guards her horses well being with the ferocity of a mother bear.
Secondly: Barbara White, who has found a way to hold the world record in Tevis
completions and yet remain as personable and approachable as she is. I have a lot
more to learn from her, I'm sure.
Thirdly: I admire the couple we know as Bob and Julie Suhr. I admire Bob
for having the courage to never say No to Julie, and for having the sense to
know when it was time to stop endurance riding and enjoy other things in life.
He is an amazing and very funny man. I admire Julie because she is as
passionate about horses as when she was 12 years old, and because she continues
to climb into the saddle to "take a crack" at the endurance trail at
her advanced age of 59. Oh, and because she lets me call her "Babe."
Q: Did you have a mentor or first trail partner? Tell us about
him/her/them.
A: Ron Barrett, who manages our local Man against Horse Race served as sort of
a mentor to me in my early years in endurance riding. The most valuable
lesson I learned from him is how to pace a horse and to use him steadily over
the course of the endurance ride. Today, if I know the distance to the
next vet check, I can usually pace a horse and arrive within 5 to 10 minutes of
the predicted time. This is a useful skill as it helps me to avoid
inadvertently overusing my horse. I drove Ron nuts with my singing on the
trail and he refused to continue to ride with me because of it. But we
remain friends to this day. I think he was just jealous because he can't carry
a tune in a bucket.
Now, my wife is my trail partner, and she reminds me at the beginning of every
ride, to ride conservatively. At the start of every ride, she
repeats a quote from the movie Hidalgo: Easy boys, its a long way to
Damascus, and then we begin our day.
Q: In choosing your next horse, what would you look for?
A: I'm not currently searching for my next horse. I have been working
with gaited horses over the last 3-4 years and have found a Tennessee Walker
and a Missouri Foxtrotter that seem particularly suited for the work, with good
recoveries, plenty of forward movement, sure-footedness and excellent eating
and drinking habits. I enjoy their smooth gaits and their tractable
attitudes, and I'm also saving a ton of money on Ibuprofen.
In conclusion:
One of my favorite stories to tell occurred at the Man against Horse Race
several years ago. I ride as a heavyweight, and that year there was a new
rider who had more money than sense, and decided very early on that he was
going to be a competitive rider. He was rather boastful, and made no secret of
his intentions at basecamp. He also rode as a heavyweight and pursued me
throughout the day, attempting to win First Heavyweight. I escaped the
second vet check with approximately a two-minute lead on him. I cantered
out of the vet check to put some distance between us, knowing he'd be right
behind me. I ducked into the trees and allowed him to pass us
unseen. He chased a ghost all the way to the finish line pushing his
horse harder, and when he got to the finish line his horse didn't recover and
he did not receive a completion. I came trotting in merrily behind him
with a smile on my face and won First Heavyweight. Needless to say, his
jaw hit the ground when he saw us trotting in and in realizing what he had
done. I call this technique "Take a cab and fool the neighbors". It's still
a fun story to tell around the campfire, because I think there's a lot to be
learned from it.
