Endurance Riders - Some help please

vallin

vallin

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 April 2009
Messages
5,016
Location
Cambridge
Visit site
As my dreams of eventing D slip further away I find myself contemplating my next competitive discipline and leaning towards endurance. However if we're going to do it I'd like to do it properly so am wondering about the best way to get D ready for next season. We're doing 10/15 mile fun rides every other weekend at the moment and she's finding those a piece of cake. However, we're just riding them at what ever pace I fancy and although to my eye she finishes looking much like she did at the start I've no idea on HR etc. So, questions...

a) what's the best way to take her HR accurately and what should I be aiming for it to be at the start and for recovery?

b) what's the best way to start judging pace and what sort of pace should we be aiming for?

c) what else should I know/be thinking about now it prep for 6 months time when the season begins again?

A few gratuitous pics of D recently to brighten up the post
Taa
V

Getting our hill work in
14264839_10205541743577797_6403510495646532210_n.jpg


Cirencester park funride
14695378_10205758686121225_2938734336016076780_n.jpg


Jumping clinic yesterday
14731337_10205779083951158_3416024859239682762_n.jpg


Just 'cos she's cute and I love my new horsewear rug :D
14479641_10205679255015497_6538539231365790074_n.jpg
 
MrsMozart said:
Beautiful pictures :)

Drop SpookyPony a message :)
Click to expand...

Thanks :) I will do if she doesn't see this but I hate the format of the PMs so try to avoid them if possible! lol There's also another couple of riders who I think are England based rather than Scotland so might be able to offer another perspective :)
 
vallin said:
Thanks :) I will do if she doesn't see this but I hate the format of the PMs so try to avoid them if possible! lol There's also another couple of riders who I think are England based rather than Scotland so might be able to offer another perspective :)
Click to expand...

Ah. The joys of the pm. If I see her around I'll send her this way :) I don't know the backstory, but hope you have a lot of fun :)
 
She's lovely <3

It sounds like you're ready to hit the ground running tbh. She should easily be capable of doing some novices next year.

Pulse wise, they have to be under 64 for a pass, but you want the lowest pulse you can get for the chance of a good grading. Don't get too hung up with the gradings though - use them to compare your own results over time rather than comparing them to your mate with her naturally low pulsing horse. As you start to work out what post ride regime works for your mare her recoveries will improve.

I generally work out what 10kph is for my class - that will get you a pass in any class below FEI, and will give you time in hand at novice. Pacing wise, it will depend on which pace your mare is most efficient in. Some will trot for miles (remember to change diagonal regularly), some cruise in canter (remember to change leads regularly). The most important thing is to read the terrain, though, and to take care where necessary.

I'm afraid I'm not very scientific about taking pulses. I generally hold their head to one side and then you can see the pulse at the base of the neck.

It would probably be worth taking her pulse at rest so that you have your own baseline, and then playing about over winter. If you lunge her, take her pulse immediately after a good workout and then see how long it takes to drop back to normal.

Most of the local EGB groups will be running fun rides over the 'off' season. The Xmas rides are always good for a laugh. It might be worth going to one of those (as a helper even if you can't take t'pony) and meet some people.

A word of warning - it is very addictive... I started out in 1997 as a way of rehabbing my horse who had a ligament issue, and we ended up reaching advanced and having the time of our lives. And come this November, it looks like I'm about to do something very stupid..... ;) ;) ;) But I love this sport - the relationships that are built between horse and human are second to none.

Cor, that has turned into a bit of an essay hasn't it. If you need a chat at all, feel free to drop me a line. Which area of the country are you in?
 
EstherYoung said:
She's lovely <3

It sounds like you're ready to hit the ground running tbh. She should easily be capable of doing some novices next year.

Pulse wise, they have to be under 64 for a pass, but you want the lowest pulse you can get for the chance of a good grading. Don't get too hung up with the gradings though - use them to compare your own results over time rather than comparing them to your mate with her naturally low pulsing horse. As you start to work out what post ride regime works for your mare her recoveries will improve.

I generally work out what 10kph is for my class - that will get you a pass in any class below FEI, and will give you time in hand at novice. Pacing wise, it will depend on which pace your mare is most efficient in. Some will trot for miles (remember to change diagonal regularly), some cruise in canter (remember to change leads regularly). The most important thing is to read the terrain, though, and to take care where necessary.

I'm afraid I'm not very scientific about taking pulses. I generally hold their head to one side and then you can see the pulse at the base of the neck.

It would probably be worth taking her pulse at rest so that you have your own baseline, and then playing about over winter. If you lunge her, take her pulse immediately after a good workout and then see how long it takes to drop back to normal.

Most of the local EGB groups will be running fun rides over the 'off' season. The Xmas rides are always good for a laugh. It might be worth going to one of those (as a helper even if you can't take t'pony) and meet some people.

A word of warning - it is very addictive... I started out in 1997 as a way of rehabbing my horse who had a ligament issue, and we ended up reaching advanced and having the time of our lives. And come this November, it looks like I'm about to do something very stupid..... ;) ;) ;) But I love this sport - the relationships that are built between horse and human are second to none.

Cor, that has turned into a bit of an essay hasn't it. If you need a chat at all, feel free to drop me a line. Which area of the country are you in?
Click to expand...

Thought I'd replied to this but apparently not! I'm in Gloucester now but happy to travel. I took her pulse today and it seemed to be 44 at rest - does that seem reasonable? (it wasn't perfectly accurate as she wouldn't keep her head still :P For working out pace do you map out the route and then work out where you should be at each regular time intervals like you would in eventing or do you just guess based on amount of w/t/c?

Thanks :D
 
Did a 15mile ride on Sunday at what I'd consider a slightly slower pace than normal and it worked out that we were doing roughly 5 minute miles - what sort of minute per mile pace should we be aiming for?
Thanks
V
 
LOL I did think that was a bit fast....

Try to start to think in kms, as that matches the grid references and how the rides are measured. It also stops you having to do complicated conversions in your head.

15 miles is 24km. The minimum speed for novice is 8kph (5mph) so your ride should take a max of 3 hours.

8kph works out at 7.5 minutes kms, 5mph works out at 12 minute miles. But you'll be riding to the terrain so some will be ridden slower and some faster.
 
EstherYoung said:
LOL I did think that was a bit fast....

Try to start to think in kms, as that matches the grid references and how the rides are measured. It also stops you having to do complicated conversions in your head.

15 miles is 24km. The minimum speed for novice is 8kph (5mph) so your ride should take a max of 3 hours.

8kph works out at 7.5 minutes kms, 5mph works out at 12 minute miles. But you'll be riding to the terrain so some will be ridden slower and some faster.
Click to expand...

Cool. So need to up the pace a bit then, probably just need to start do a bit more trotting instead of walking but can build that up gradually over winter to help condition her legs :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top