From: Anna
Dear Jessica,
I just would like to say that your column is absolutely wonderful! I always look forward to it!
I have a twelve year old thoroughbred mare, Micric. I've had her for a year. In this time, I have noticed that she has a lot of energy and with that, she has stamina. I've taken her on twenty mile rides and I even considered entering her in a local endurance competition, a twenty miler. I have been researching on numerous web sites, and I've read through the rules/regulations on the AERC webpage. I've even looked at the conditoining guide they have. Being as my mare is twelve, I was cautious about taking things slowly, and then I heard that most endurance horses race well into their twenties. I was wondering if you could steer me in the right direction in training techniques. I ride western, and I've heard of the endurance saddles and Australian tack, (the horn gets in way in the event of a fall) I have no idea which would be best suited for endurance. And, I use a bosal on Mic, I don't know if you are required to have a bit in endurance or if there is any rule that goes against having a bitless bridle. Shoeing information, Mic is shod only on her front hooves, I know that they use light shoes. Just basic information about endurance would be a huge help to me, it's hard to find information on endurance, it's like it's non-existent. I thank you for the time you have taken in reading this and any information is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely, Anna
Hi Anna! You're in luck, there's a lot of information available on endurance riding. You've started well, by getting the AERC information. Now here are some other resources for you!
Try these websites:
http://www.endurance.com
http://www.endurance.net
http://www.natrc.org
A good resource is "ridecamp", a mailing list for endurance riders. You should be able to link to this from one of the above websites. Ridecamp has a FAQ and searchable archives. Take a look -- take several looks! You'll find lots of excellent information. If you join the list, you'll find lots of well-informed, helpful people. You'll also be able to ask specific questions and get answers from people who have "been there and done that", sometimes for twenty years and more. I believe that there is now an annual fee that you'll be charged if you want to be on this mailing list; you'll find out the details when you register.
There are a number of very good books available on the subject of endurance and distance riding. These are particularly good:
Loving, Nancy S. (DVM): Go the Distance, The Complete Resource for Endurance Horses
Snyder-Smith, Donna: The Complete Guide to Endurance Riding and Competition
and one of my old favourites: Hollander, Lew: Endurance Riding from Beginning to Winning
Many other good books are currently out of print, but some specialty stores still have copies, so it's worth asking at every tack shop.
There's an excellent shop that caters to endurance riders: Sport-Tack. I think they're in California; the telephone number is 1-800-248-8225. You can probably get all of the abovementioned books, plus many others, from this shop.
Tack is largely a matter of personal preference, but I suggest that you wait -- don't make any big purchases until you've had a chance to read a few of those books and get in touch with some experienced endurance riders. As far as I know, there's no particular requirement for your bridle or saddle, but whether you use a snaffle, a curb, a mechanical hackamore, a bosal, a vosal or some other form of bitless bridle, you'll do well to find out what other riders have tried and liked, disliked, found to work well, found not to work....
That goes for saddles, too. As with any other sort of saddle, your horse's physique and your own will determine what makes you most comfortable. You may find that an Aussie endurance saddle is ideal -- or you may find that a Frank Marciante or Sharon Saare is more comfortable. Western saddles have horns (not helpful, can hurt), and Aussie stock saddles have poleys, which can get in the way of posting and two-pointing. Sit in as many saddles as possible, and learn as much as you can before you make that big investment.
It's important. The more you know, the less likely it is that you'll make a mistake in your purchase; if you know a lot about which saddles are best and which are the best value for money, and you DO make a mistake, you'll still have a good-quality saddle that you'll be able to re-sell.
The more endurance riders you know, the more chances you will have to learn from their experience, and the more chances you will have to see and perhaps borrow different types of tack and clothing. Something as apparently trivial as a particular type of sports bra or a particular style of stirrups can make an enormous difference to your comfort at the end of a long ride.
Endurance riders are, in my experience, more than willing to share their hard-won knowledge with anyone who is interested in the sport. I've always found them to be intelligent, thoughtful, and a delight to work with. They are also ALL obsessed with the welfare, condition, and comfort of their horses -- and, as a rider, if you're going to have an obsession, I can't think of a better one. ;-)
Training -- again, much will depend on your horse's level of fitness, physique, and on the terrain you'll be riding across. Long Slow Distance work should make up most of your early training, combined with hills as soon as it's possible to incorporate them into the program.
Good luck, and have fun with all the new friends you're about to make!
Jessica
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