distance riding 101

You Can Do This!

Almost all distance riders came to the sport from a different discipline

Almost all of them started with the horse they “happened to own at the time”

Nearly all found it more than a little intimidating at first

AND NOW THEY ARE COMPLETELY ADDICTED!

The variety of horses (and mules) and riders will amaze you!

Photo courtesy Bill Gore Photography

Photo courtesy Lynne Glazer Imagery

Hall of Fame Icelandichorse Remington

Over 10,000 miles and twenty years of competition and STILL going at 28 years old!

Other gaited breeds include Peruvians, Foxtrotters, Rocky Mtn horses, Standardbreds, Saddlebreds…

Julie Suhr, 92 years old, has finished the Tevis Cup 100 mile ride 22 times

Bill Wilson, Earle Baxter, Crockett DumasPhoto © Genie Stewart-Spears

It’s A Lot More Like This!

Lynne Glazer Imagery Angie McGhee Wendy Webb Rachel Lodder Kate Rogers Karen Chaton Bill Gore Susan Garlinghouse Richard and Patti Stedman Troy and the AERC Office Members of ECTRA

The photos used are for educational purposes and are not to be copied or printed! Thanks!

You Can Do This!We Can Help!

Where Do I Start?THE RIDER

19

Started the sport from some other riding discipline:

Fundamental horsemanship and riding skills are critical in the sport◦Balanced riding◦Ability to handle on-trail obstacles◦Help and not hinder the horse (and you!)◦Good judgment and common sense◦A top endurance rider succeeds not by

riding “fast” but by riding SMART20

Riding is a life-long skill that needs to be honed and developed

Everyone needs a set of “eyes on the ground.” Even the world-class riders!

Assymetries or old injuries – a crooked ride=crooked horse=sore horse

Look for instructors that teach BALANCE, not just show ring “pretty”

21

From Riding Light TM

White = heat. Same horse, same saddle, two different riders.

22

Walk, trot (maybe canter) alone or in groupRide your own ride!Deal with obstacles and “scary stuff”.Help and not hinder your horse for a long

time.Demonstrate good ground manners,

etiquette and SAFETY in areas with lots of other people and horses. ALWAYS!

24

Wendy Webb Photography27

“Practice” at home by walking over big sheets of plywood or home-made bridges

This is the key to improving your riding and horsemanship skills.

If you need help, get it:◦ From a mentor◦ From a riding instructor or trainer◦ From your riding partners

Developing these skills is important to your horse and important to having FUN on distance rides.

30

Where Do I Start?THE STUFF

31

32

Bridle (leather or biothane)Fits well and doesn’t rubHalter/bridle combos

Steering/BrakesHackamoresBitsSidepull

NOTE: You may not recognize the evil twin horse who shows up on ride day and needs more brakes than you thought!

Bosal, not seen often

Halter/bridle combo w/elevator bit

Bridle with S-hackamore

Hackamore Halter/bridle combo with standard English bit

33

Some Bridle Options

34

Saddles◦English/Dressage◦Western◦Australian◦Treeless◦Flex-panel

Saddle Pads◦Endless varieties and combinations

35

Billets or rigging Girth or cinch Stirrup leathers Tree integrity (for treed saddles) Buckles, D-rings Bridle and reins

38

Help prevent saddle movement, especially on rides with elevation

Breast collars are an excellent safety device if you have a girth/cinch/rigging failure◦ Recommended for every ride

Cruppers may be needed by some horses with some saddle set-ups◦ Practice, practice, practice!

39

Whatever works! Many rides recommend hoof protection due

to terrain Some rides suitable for barefoot horses, but

most trails are more comfortable for your horse with hoof protection

Huge variety of shoeing/booting combos Use what works for you and your horse

40

Easy Boots in many styles, also glue-ons

Renegades

41

Some horses interfere despite best efforts◦May be due to conditioning,

conformation, behavior, trimming/shoeing.

If you use leg protection, make sure it:◦Stays in place◦Does not rub ◦Does not cause excessive heat buildup◦Does not get filled with sand/dirt as you

ride

43

You will see aWIDE VARIETYof rigs at camp

Safe andcomfortable

Or hitch a ridewith a friend!

44

Nothing that rubs or binds – if it bothers you on a short ride, it will be unbearable on a long ride

Most riders opt for:Riding tights (even the guys)Half chaps Riding boots or running shoes (with a stirrup cage)Helmet (required for juniors and STRONGLY

recommended for everyone else)Gloves

Be ready for unexpected weather“There is no bad riding weather, just inappropriate

riding gear.”

This ain’t the show ring. If it works, it’s fine.

45

46

Recommended items:◦Stethoscope and/or

a heart rate monitor◦Buckets◦Hay nets/bags

(depending on your camping set up)

◦Feed pans◦Basic grooming stuff

47

Recommended:◦Rump cover (for

cold ride starts –practice so yourhorse isn’t spookedin wind)

◦Sponge(s) or scoops, sweat scraper◦Cooler sheet and blankets, even if you

don’t blanket at home. Warm muscles are happy muscles.

48

Warm, dry clothes and bedding Place to store food and drinks Cooking equipment Flashlight/Headlamp Potty (most rides provide porta-potties)

Place to keep/secure your horse◦More on that later…

Where Do I Start?THE FEED

49

that riders complicate

long before they have to!

Keep It Simple!

50

Free choice, good qualitygrass hay◦ Orchard, timothy, bermuda,

grain hays +/- alfalfa (never

more than 50% of diet) Enough calories to keep

good body condition◦ Many commercial formulas

on the market◦ Usually better +/- cheaper than home recipes

51

Choose ONE high quality vitamin-mineral supplement◦ OR feed a supplement with

vit-min premix included Resist the urge to buy

another bucket “just because”◦ “It’s the beginning of ride

season…”◦ “It’s the end of ride season...”◦ “It’s breeding season…”

52

Free choice salt at all times Endurance horses lose as much as an

ounce of electrolytes through sweat loss per mile of trail◦ Doesn’t have to be “designer” salt◦ Salt is the ONLY mineral that horses will develop

a specific appetite for◦ Loose or block? ◦ Trace minerals?

TM blocks are formulated for livestock, and not really a significant source of anything other than salt

54

Clean, fresh water◦Nutrient most commonly

neglected◦In the sun? Dirty?

Frozen? Inappropriate quantity/water pressure?

◦Horses will drink 10% more water if their eyes don’t go below the brim of the container

55

Pasture/fresh grass is “green magic” if you can get it

Even a few minutes of hand grazing during rides is beneficial

Teach your horse the “snatch and go” trick on the trail

56

Your horse does not need to be “skinny” to compete in this sport (this horse is too thin). =>

Body Condition Score of 5 is ideal◦ Can feel but not see the ribs

Too thin = higher risk of metabolic problems and non-completion

Too fat = insulating layer, more core heat to dissipate

57

LOTS of hay!!! No last minute

changes or additions Feed any grain or

concentrates so thatthey are consumedno later than midnight the night before

58

No 4 a.m. grain or concentrate breakfast

Why not? Don’t they need the extra energy?

Does the Space Shuttle need starter fluid?!

Glucose- insulin curves

59

60

Hay or grass far morebeneficial than concentratesWet is ALWAYS betterthan dry, including hayCarrots always good but not exclusivelySTILL LOTS of hay!!!Neighbor’s feed panwith permission okay as a “bite” but beware making an entire meal of it!

None – perfectlyacceptable if horseeats/drinks welland you’re ridingconservatively

Homemade formulas (be careful not to gettoo creative with “extra” ingredients), like No Salt (potassium chloride)

61

Formulas that horses readily eat (probably not doing much, though)

Pre-loaded e’lyte syringes (e.g. Lyte Now, EnduraMax)

Load-your-own syringes with powdered electrolytes (many brands) and some “carrier” (e.g. applesauce, water, buffer, etc.)

62

Night before As soon as you get up

before start After first good drink Every 12-15 miles or so

(usually at the vet checks before leaving)

Don’t use as a “treatment” for not drinking

63

Smaller doses more frequently better than one or two mega-doses

Think salt shaker, not shovel

Never exceed manufacturer instructions

64

The best thing you can give your horse during a ride is hay, water and directions.

The rest is just details.

65

Where to start?

66

67

Age, stabling situation, conditioning and training opportunities

Experience ◦ Fitness base ◦ Training base

Evaluate your schedule. How much time can you realistically give your horse?

What are your short term and long term goals?

Plan a weekly schedule

68

A systematic approach to ◦ Hardening the horse’s connective tissue, ◦ Developing appropriate musculature to do the job,

and◦ Ensuring adequate cardio-vascular fitness

It involves work and REST! Gradual increase of the work load:

◦ Distance, difficulty (hills, sand, concussion), speed Never more than one on the same day Don’t increase each stressor by more than 10%

per week to avoid chronic injury

69

Train at the pace you intend to rideDon’t condition at 6 mphand then decide to bea front-runnerTHIS IS THE MOSTCOMMON MISTAKENEW RIDERS MAKEDon’t confuse “adrenaline”with “ability” and don’t be a “one season wonder” horse

70

The horse’s appearance does not change at all (i.e. horse does not lose weight if overweight, does not gain muscle, does not “tighten up”)

The horse never appears to be challenged by the work

The horse’s heart rate is at or below 60 by the time you dismount (when you did not have an extended cool down period)

71

The horse is sour, reluctant to work Avoidance behavior---bucking, unbalanced movement,

runaway Won’t change diagonals, bend, change gaits

Difficulty keeping weight on the horse; lack of appetite (may indicate gastric ulcers); dull eye and hair coat

Chronic soreness Back, girth area Legs (filling in legs, other signs of strain, lameness, stiff at

the start of a ride, or avoidance behavior) Stiff and sore, “ouchy”

Poor heart rate recoveries (more than 10 minutes to reach 60 bpm, and more than 20 minutes to recover to resting heart rate)

72

25 mile ÷6 hours = 4.1 mphaverage speed to complete

But wait…Subtract 1 hour of holds =>

25 miles ÷ 5 hrs = 5 mphSubtract another hour at water

stops, adjusting tack…25 miles ÷ 4 hrs = 6.25 mph

average speed to completeLearn what 5, 6, 7, 10 mph looks likeGPS technology is very helpful, but not req’d.

73

This doesn’t mean you nevertravel at any other speed—

Ride the trail in front of you-Walk uphills and difficult footingGet off and walk/jog down hillsMake time when conditions

allow you to move outNever go faster just because

your horse says, “Let’s GO!!”“Race brain” affects both horses and riders!This is how you create a “one-season wonder”

Does great for a few rides and then disappears because of chronic injury

75

Short “wind sprints” of10-30 seconds, rest, repeat◦ Increase time and repetitions

as fitness increases Doesn’t have to be flat-out

gallops◦ Hill training?◦ Altitude?◦ Swimming?◦ Be creative but always mindful of not overloading

bone, tendon, muscle systems too soon

76

Appropriate time spent developing your horse’s physiologyCardiovascular develops in 6 monthsTendons and ligaments 12 monthsBone up to 24 months

Many experienced riders believe that a good prospect with an ‘active’ work background can be taken to a conservative LD ride with little additional conditioning

Many also believe it takes about three years to build a fully developed, potential 100-mile horse

77

You should have PRACTICED the skills you will need to have fun and be safe◦ Remember that “training the brain” and

“conditioning the body” are two different things Be able to keep at least a 6 mph pace

AVERAGE Your long conditioning rides are

approximately 1/2 – 2/3rds the distance of the planned event without problems.

LocationTerrainAmenities

78

79

Ride manager Ride flyer/web site Other riders Past ride results

◦ Of the starting riders,how many finished? Good completion rate

= a “doable”, well-managed ride Was the winning time an hour ahead of cutoff? more than one or two Overtime pulls? Hint = TOUGH RIDE!

80

Know what tack works for your horse Know what clothes work for you MAKE CHECKLISTS Pre-pack your crew bag. Watch the educational videos on

YouTube’s AERC Educational Video channel

Familiarize yourself with the rules

81

Make a goal to COMPLETE with a happy, healthy horse and rider and make it happen!

Look at AERC YouTube Channels for videos on camping and setting up (really).

What To Expect?ARRIVING AT CAMP

83

Getting good directions is CRITICAL! Consider buying a US Rider membership Plan a route that work for you – interstates?

Two lane roads? Beware of following GPS directions without

checking Some ride managers give better directions to

their rides than others Plan to leave early enough to give yourself

time to settle in, relax, and deal with any delays

85

And be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might throw your way on ride weekend!

86

You may need to check in with the Ride Manager or parking coordinator

Ask where various things, like the vetting area, will be set up, so you can find a parking spot that will work for you

Factors:◦ Shade◦ Access to water, potties◦ Neighbors

89

As soon aspossible, getyour horse offthe trailerand give hima drink, achance to eat, urinate, roll, and stretch his legs

If you need help, always ASK! No, this horse doesn’t actually travel like this.

90

Set up your camp with horse comfort as top priority

Be a good neighbor – say hello and make sure you’re not crowding others

Don’t forget to take care of you – rest, hydrate Find out the times/locations for:

◦ Registration/Check-In ◦ Vetting in ◦ Pre-ride meeting◦ Meals (if provided)

Be a social butterfly! Take your horse for a walk around camp and say hello – be sure to tell people you’re new to the sport!

91

If you’re lucky enough to have crew, make sure you’re organized and they are set up to have what you need, when you need it

If you’re on your own, it also pays to be organized

Make a list, set up your crewing area/crew bags

93

What To Expect?(We have a video for you on AERC YouTube Channel on this topic,

too.)

96

Repeat after me, “But he never does this at home…!!”

97

Novice trot-outs are often very entertaining◦ May need a do-over

Worried horse? Wait until less crowded

Bringing a buddy horse is okay for moral support

99

Parameters for dehydrationCheck heart rate and rhythm for ‘progressive

recovery’Check of saddle/girth area for soreness, rubsGut sounds – indicator of excessive

fatigue/dehydration/electrolyte abnormalitiesMuscle tone for stiffness, fatigueLameness

A straight out and back trot outLoose lead linePrompt and under control. Trampling the vet is Rude.

Misbehavior can get the horse disqualified100

104

Lift lipLightly press on

gums to ‘blanch’A hydrated,

metabolicallysound horse‘pinks up’ < 2 seconds

Slow refill time usually means dehydrationColors other than pink are usually bad

105

Press at baseof jugular groove

How quickly doesvein ‘fill’?

Quickly =well hydrated,good blood pressure

Slow = dehydrated, low blood pressure fromdecreased plasma volume (not good)

107

Horses must meetpulse criteria (usually60-64 beats per min)within 30 minutesof arriving

Ride staff will take this initial pulseThe control judge (vet) will recheck for

‘progressive recovery’ and to check heart sounds for arrhythmias, etc.

109

Decreasedsounds ofdigestionusually meandehydrated,fatigued

NO gut sounds may mean pending colicVets pay close attention to thisLearn what your horse sounds like at home so

you know when Dis Ain’t Right.

110

Good ‘pucker’= okay

Floppy and non-pucker =exhausted

Never seen by itself,always part of a bigger picture of fatigue.

Your horse should tolerate this without kicking, please.

Horse moves out promptly without hazing

Trots nicely so handler can keep lead line loose (why loose?)

STRAIGHT away from the vet, turns quietly around, then travels STRAIGHT toward the vet

The horse stops quietly and stands for the rest of the exam.

114

Pay attention! Sit where you can hear

Take notes if you need, to but mostly just payattention to—

How to follow the trailAny hazards on trailThe logistics of the ride,

where to be and when Many rides hold a new

riders’ briefing –Be sure to attend it and

don’t be shy about asking questions

117

On this trail, the pink, black

and yellow loops go

straight ahead–that is the

WRONG WAY for the BLUE

loop!119

Don’t laugh. This is a good trick.HINT: Sharpie ink is easily removed afterwards with rubbing alcohol. 120

What To Expect?ON RIDE DAY

122

Allow yourself PLENTY of time to get ready Having all of your tack and crew items set up

the night before is very helpful. Make sure both you and your horse have a

good meal onboard◦ No “breakfast” for the horse, just free-choice hay at

all times. Carrots are okay, no grain.◦ E-lyte dose if you plan on using them◦ For you, whatever sits well on your tummy◦DO NOT SKIP BREAKFAST!!

123

It’s more important to have a GOOD start than an ON TIME start

Excited horses? Wait for few minutes before you start.

It’s polite to let ride management know if you’re starting late.

124

REGARDLESS of fitness, weather, age or breed, it takes 25-30 minutes for all the “machinery” of muscles to reach full operating temperature.

Ride accordingly, plenty of easy warm-up. You have lots of miles in front of you.

126

PAY ATTENTION! Be prepared for your

horse to insist he is suddenly capable of running up front.

Use good judgment, not “race brain”!

If you need to adjust tack, get off the trail to do so safely.

127

Good endurancehorses are not FAST.They are CONSISTENT.

Find your all-day pacefor the footing andstay there.

“Never hurry. Never tarry.”

Never waste time. Learn to multi-task, i.e., eat and

drink in the saddle without changing your pace.

128

No tail-gatingthe horse in front.They are not yourpersonal brakingsystem.

You should be ableto see all four heels ofthe horse in frontof you.

Announce/ask for trail when passing, then keep moving out. Don’t pass and then slow down.

129

If your horse kicks,hang a red ribbon onthe tail!

DISCIPLINE amisbehaving horse.

If you cannotcontrol your horse,GO TO THE BACK!!!

If you pass a dismounted rider, ask if it’s okay to keep going.

If someone else opens a gate, go through and then WAIT for them to remount.

130

131

Remember that multi-tasking thing? Now’s your chance for a potty break.

Don’t shove in if there’s a crowd.Wait your turn.

Arrive and departslowly and calmly.

If your horse isclearly notdrinking, beconsiderate and move your horse out of the way. You can try again in a few minutes.

133

Don’t interfere withanother drinkinghorse. If yourhorse cannot bewell-behaved, move to one sideuntil they havefinished.

Move out of theway before youadjust tack, syringe,etc.

Don’t sponge or scoop out of tanks unless ride management has said it’s okay to do so!

134

Find the in-timer◦ They may want your

vet card, or will handyou a slip of paper

Time to let your horsecool down and pulsedown◦ Coming in to the in-gate, slower is smarter◦ Politely ask for “pulse” when your horse’s pulse is

at or below parameter (often 60 or 64 beats per minute)

135

Many horses pulse down faster if their rider dismounts, loosens their saddle a bit, and hand walks them in as a “cue” that it’s time to relax.

136

On a hot day, pull the saddle Sponge. Scrape. Repeat. Water left on the

horse more than 30seconds or so becomesan insulating layerto trap heat.

137

Lead your horse to the pulsing area with your vet card or pulse slip in hand

Be aware of other horses around you. Encourage him to stand quietly and relax Don’t let your horse rub his head on

volunteers, crowd other horses or create a disturbance in the pulse area

Pulse etiquetteDon’t get your pulse taken and then walk your

horse away from a ‘buddy’ in the pulse area – that horse’s pulse rate will jump up when your horse walks away

139

Be sure to tell the vet if there are concerns you have about your horse – they are there to help you get through the ride safely!

Safety first-- Pay attention! Listen to what the vet tells you about what

they are seeing and any concerns they have◦ They know what they are doing. If they advise

slowing down or doing some different, DO IT.

141

Many veterinarians will routinely conduct a CRI The veterinarian takes the horse’s heart rate The horse trots 125 feet out and then back. After one minute from the first heart rate, the

heart rate is re-taken Horses who are recovering well will have a second

heart rate the same or lower than the first A second heart rate that is higher might be a sign

of:DiscomfortOverexertionFatigue

142

Your hold time begins when your horse gets their pulse time recorded

Time for you to:Get your horse to eat/drink/restEat/drink/rest yourselfHit the pottyRe-adjust tack

You can always take more time at the hold; just remember that it eats into your on-trail time

If your horse is not EDPP (eating, drinking, peeing, pooping) or seems NQR (“not quite right”) talk to the vet or your mentor about what to do

145

146

Don’t forget to rest yourself, too!

147

A towel or cooler over hindquarters muscles will help keep them warm if it’s chilly or there’s a cold breeze

Urine should be no darker than straw-colored, with plenty of volume

Some horses are fussy about where they will urinate and will “hold” it

You may be able to teach your horse to urinate by whistling every time he urinates (or your horse may teach you to whistle by urinating!)

Warning signs – NO urinating, very DARK urine (e.g. dark tea or coffee), or lack of volume

Inform the vet if they posture to pee, but don’t.

149

What To ExpectAT THE FINISH

151

You are ready for a cold beverage, grub and some Advil!

But not just yet … You’ve got a horse to take care of!

152

You are not “finished” with a LD ride until your horse has reached pulse criteria

A horse that comes in behind you, but pulses in sooner, finishes ahead of you

This is a strategic moment if you care about placing.

All horses MUST reach pulse criteria within 30 minutes to be eligible for a completion. No exceptions.

153

All LD horses must pass a vet completion check within 30 minutes and be judged “fit to continue” to receive a completion.

If the LD is offering Best Condition (BC) judging, the Top Ten horses to finish and pulse down will be eligible to show for BC◦ BC judging is one hour after reaching pulse criteria.◦ Don’t forget to weigh in before you leave finish line

area!

154

Your ‘placing’ is in the order you cross the finish line, not who reaches criteria first.

You have 30 minutes to reach pulse criteria after crossing the finish line◦ New 2015 rules, but allows flexibility for finish lines

that are a significant distance out from base camp. Top ten to cross line are eligible to show for

BC one hour later.◦ DON’T BE LATE!!!!

Can present for completion check any time within one hour.

156

No disappearing inside for a shower… While untacking, look for rubs, sensitive spots,

abnormal sweat patterns or lack of. Check OFTEN that he is EDPP and comfortable.

This means overnight as well. Ask the vet for an opinion if you’re unsure PLENTY of forage and clean water. Monitor body temp to cool out gradually

without getting chilled◦ Core body temp can take HOURS to dissipate

158

Some horses love a good clean up and brushing; others want to be left alone to eat and drink. Know your horse!

Finding a nice sandy spot to roll is usually highly appreciated.

Take him for a ten minute walk a few hours later, before bed and the next morning.◦ Check for stiffness, attitude, appetite◦ Don’t forget to check for lots of poop and urine.

159

Most rides have an Awards Ceremony – try to stay if you can. It’s a good time for you to celebrate and socialize.

Unless you live less than two hours away, strongly consider staying overnight to let your horse rest. (Hauling is stressful!)

In AERC LD and Endurance rides, there are completion awards and often awards for other milestones

Usually there is a meal associated with the Awards Ceremony – you will be hungry!

163

164

NOW you can relax and celebrate!

CONGRATULATIONS!

165

You’ll want to be sure your horse is comfortable, has plenty of hay and water to recharge his batteries

You’ll both be less stiff if you go for a ten minute walk several times that evening and in the morning. This is a good time to evaluate how you both really feel.

distance riding 101

Sports