Shadrach is a partbred Arabian gelding, born 1992. He is by the Arabian stallion Arabian Park Saiyid, out of the endurance Standardbred mare Sarah.

Shadrach has done many endurance rides, nearly always placing, and winning two Best Conditioned awards. He achieved his 1600km career distance award in 2003 and is well on the way towards his 3000km award.

He competed shod, with interruption to competition due to a torn tendon sheath in 2001. This was operated on a year later, and the following year, he was back competing. His last endurance ride was at the end of 2003.

Shadrach's barefoot transition began in 2004 (more about this on the Barefoot Horse website), and he was ridden in trail rides for two years. His feet developed impressively, and he was travelling over all terrain with confidence. After turnout for several months, in July 2006 he came back into endurance training. Shadrach did two 40 km training rides, the first at Bright over a hard, stony track, the second at Waterloo, also dry and stony, but not quite so hard underfoot. He completed these with ease, and is now completing 80+km rides successfully.

Luke Steele, Victoria

 

At the Beenak Endurance Ride, February 2007 Photo: Stephen Poon