BEGINNER’s GUIDE FOR THE ENDURANCE RIDE
ENDURANCE RIDE TRAINING FOR THE FIRsT TImE COmpETITOR
The prospect of preparing a new horse for its first endurance training ride may seem daunting to beginners, however, with the appropriate planning and commitment both horse and rider will comfortably cope with their first ride.
This article is a simple introduction to the feeding and training needed to adequately prepare an inexperienced horse for its first training ride.
TRAINING
Long slow distance work is the basis of preparing a novice horse for a training ride. You should plan on riding the horse three times per week and allow six weeks to get an inexperienced horse fit for its first 40-kilometre training ride. Less training is adequate for a 20-kilometre ride. Always remember that rest is critical to the conditioning of an endurance horse as it allows the horse to recover from the stress of training. The training sessions should each be about one hour in length with a longer session of two hours or more included once per week.
For Weeks 1 and 2
The horse should be ‘legged up’ (getting it fit) at the walk only, over flat terrain. Although this is relatively boring for the rider it is a crucial time of building strength in the legs and conditioning the horse for its future training. During this period, teach your horse to walk-out as fast as possible so that the conditioning effect is maximised. This will also help it cover more ground later at rides. For the average horse this will mean covering about 5-to-6 kilometres in a one-hour training session and 10-to-12 kilometres in a two-hour training session.
For Weeks 3 and 4
Begin to introduce some trotting interspersed with the walking. Trotting should initially only be for short distances but gradually increased. During this period, work on trotting the horse on opposite leads so that it remains even-gaited and builds its muscular strength equally on both sides. It is also recommended that the horse is worked at different speeds in the trot to develop its ability to go along at various speeds, and try to cultivate the horse with a calm but confident manner. By week 4 you would be beginning to increase your rides to 15 KM.
For Weeks 5 and 6
Increase the trotting to 30 minutes per one-hour session and introduce some hill work. Initially, walk the horse up the hills and as its fitness improves begin to trot up some of the easier hills.
Photo by Chris RosDownhill work this early on should be done at the walk because trotting downhill is hard on a horse’s legs and you are still looking to strengthen and condition.
As you progress with developing your horse’s, and your own fitness, you should also begin to introduce some easy cantering in the same way that you did with the trotting.
Additional weeks of training are of great benefit to your horse.
Additional Training
During the training period there are also a number of other things you can do with your horse, which will help it in preparation for the ride.
• Accustom your horse to the veterinary procedures to which it will be subjected in the vetting ring, i.e., stand patiently when asked to pick up its feet, be comfortable in having its mouth and rear end examined, its temperature taken, and trotting out easily on a loose lead. By checking your horse’s parameters at home, it will become accustomed to these, and, it will help you learn how your horse’s fitness is developing;
• Ride in the company of other horses if possible. At a ride, your horse will have to start with other horses;
• Practice ‘strapping’ your horse (the art of preparing for presentation to the vets) and begin to take its heart rate at resting - and also after a ride - several times within a 30-minute period. This will give you a good indication of fitness. A rapid recovery to under 55 beats per minute, within a 30-minute timeframe, is what is aimed for;
• On longer training rides encourage your horse to drink at water points and allow it to relax and graze every now and then. This will ensure the horse’s hydration is maintained and gut function is sound;
• Try not to become too regimented in your training. Both you and your horse
will appreciate variety such as different terrain, long slow rides, short faster rides and some flat work etc.
FEEDING
The feeding of the horse initially will largely depend on the condition it is in when it commences training. Obviously, if the horse is carrying too much condition when started it will need to lose weight slowly and trim down to athletic condition; such a horse will not need much additional feed.
If the horse is already in a fit condition it will need additional feed in order to meet the work requirements. Basically, the horse needs to receive enough feed in order to maintain it in appropriate condition and provide enough energy for the work that it is performing.
When you are grooming your horse or saddling up you should look at and feel the horse’s withers, neck, tail head, girth and ribs to ascertain whether or not it is gaining or losing weight, and adjust the quantity of feed accordingly.
The amount of feed necessary will depend on the quality and quantity of grazing available. Horses with access to good
grazing will not need much additional feed, except for perhaps a vitamin and mineral supplement. Horses with grazing of limited quality or quantity will need additional feed in the form of hay and chaff and perhaps some energy dense feed, such as grain or prepared feed.
Endurance horses require good levels of salt, vitamins and minerals in the diet so ensure it is balanced correctly. Always reduce the amount of grain fed to your horse on rest days by at least half.
Electrolytes are important for endurance horses. Sweat contains high levels of electrolytes, which must be replaced, or horses become prone to fatigue, dehydration, or more severe problems. Horses that are worked and sweat heavily should receive additional salt (25 to 50 grams daily).
It is critical, as with any horse, that the endurance horse has a good supply of cool, clean, fresh water available at ALL times.
ARRIVING AT A RIDE
• Set up horse yards. Metal yards need to be fixed to a solid object, post, or float and if using electric tape this needs to be two strands with the top between 1.2 and 1.4 meters above the ground, no sags and energised at all times when the horse is in the yard.
• Collect water for strapping and horse drinking, and feed horse.
• Attend ride desk, submit the Health Declaration and ride entry form. You will receive a numbered bib and a tag with the Chief Steward’s telephone number to attach to your saddle. If your horse has not been issued with a logbook, you will be given a blue day card, which will record all your horse’s
details and veterinary check details. The Health Declaration requires you to take your horse’s temperature for three days before attending the event. The horse’s temperature should be 38.5, or less, for the three days preceding attending a ride.
• Collect your horse, brush and attach any ribbons needed, i.e., red ribbon if horse kicks and blue for a stallion.
PRE-RIDE BRIEFING
Once your horse has passed the vetting you will need to attend a pre-ride briefing, which will be given at a pre-designated time. Horses or dogs should not be taken to this briefing. The briefing will alert you to anything you need to be aware of on course, the course markers you are to follow, and any time limits you may have
VETTING
confirmed. You must leave base within 15 minutes after that start time. Make sure you note the official ride time, so you are not late to the start.
AERA Endurance Ride Rules CAMPING
If you are camping, walk your horse, feed and make sure there is enough hay and water to sustain your horse overnight. Arise early, walk your horse, feed, and prepare for saddling. Ride to the start line at the designated start time. Call your number loudly to the Chief Steward before crossing the start line.
If you are not camping, saddle your horse and proceed to the start line at the designated start time. Call your number loudly to the Chief Steward before crossing the start line.
Follow the markers, as advised at the preride briefing, around the course, calling your number loudly to all checkpoint marshals, waiting until they repeat your number back to you to confirm your arrival.
You will now need to wear your bib (number) and take your logbook or vet card along with your horse for its pre-ride vet inspection.
If your horse is wearing a rug, make sure that all straps are undone to allow easy access. The first person who will handle your horse will be a Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration (TPR) Steward, who has been trained to take your horse’s heart rate, respiration rate and temperature. This information will be recorded in your logbook or vet card. You will then be directed to present your horse to the ride vet.
The vet will check to make sure there are no injuries, that your horse is well hydrated, has good gut sounds and is generally in good health. You will then be asked to trot your horse out. The trot will either be in a triangle around a set of cones, or in a straight line up and back. This allows the vet to view and assess if there are any problems with its gait.
When trotting your horse, it should trot freely beside you, with the lead rope not interfering with its head carriage. (Try not to drag it around).
If the vet is happy with your horse, you will be allowed to start.
On course, be aware of other riders. Pass safely, calling out loudly and letting other riders know what side you are passing on, and being careful of any unsettled horses. At all checkpoints, there will be water, hay and carrots for the horse and water and often lollies for the riders. It is important for your horse to learn to relax, eat and drink whilst on course. Approach water points carefully so as not to frighten or disturb horses that may be drinking. If there is a rider trying to get his or her horse to drink, please wait until they have finished. Do not allow your horse to push in. Once the horse has had a drink, move away from the water promptly, so that others can have their turn.
At all checkpoints if you feel that your horse, or you, cannot complete the ride, you may call for the rescue float. The rescue float will bring you back to ride base where you need to go directly to the Chief Steward and they will direct you as to what to do next. Yes, you may ride with your mobile phone however, for any assistance, direct all enquiries to the
Your logbook or vet card will be kept by the vet for entering into the computer and returned to you at the finish line with your time to attend a post ride vetting.
Proceed back to your yard and prepare the horse for saddling or an overnight stay.
without approval of the Chief Steward. CROSSING THE FINISH LINE, STRAPPING AND POST-RIDE VETTING
After completing your ride, and as you approach the finish ride desk, call out your number. Collect your day card or logbook; this will have your vet time clearly recorded, which will be 30 minutes after crossing the finish line.
Take your horse back to your yards for
strapping. Strapping is hosing your horse to cool it down and make it comfortable. Encourage your horse to eat and drink. The horse’s heart rate needs to be 55 beats per minute or under within the first 30 minutes.
Check the heart rate with a stethoscope. If the heart rate is high, it may need to be strapped again, even three or four times, scraping the excess water off between hosing. Concentrate on the big veins between the back legs and on the belly and the neck. Try to avoid too much water on the big muscles in the hind quarters.
