His lungs burned as he went off at a gallop. Now finally out of the water, there was now the six mile trek to the waystation through the long and winding stallion-bane incline. Endurance training such as this was intended to equalize and extend pony stamina. Pegasi and earth ponies had an advantage in this regard, both naturally more athletic than their unicorn cousins, but even pegasi had to have their wings tied and forced to march through the dangerous terrain. Unicorns had a harder time, of course, and for once, Blueblood cursed the large frame he had been blessed with since Bright Lance saw fit to weigh him down with heavier armour complete with saddlebags filled with sand.