Endurance Riding - Help

ArabianGold

ArabianGold

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Howdy guys,

My friend and I tend to take part (for fun not competition) in endurance riding, next weekend we are heading off to Apedale Park for our first one of the year which is only 12.5 miles.

I have been on some before on my old horse but this is a first for my new TB (think her brains might blow, got saddle sticky tape on hand).

Last time we went I had people cantering up behind us which my old boy didn't mind but I think the TB might think it's a great game and want to join in.

Are there any rules that people should comply to? (I just went with the view I wouldn't do what I wouldn't want to happen to me)

Also on the other note after care for my horse, she hacks out for 4 hours fast paced and comes back fine hardly a sweat (typical TB wants to keep going). However as time goes on and we start moving up to the 20+ miles next year I want to make sure I am giving her the best care during and after the riding.

I always warm up well before moving up the paces and always cool down when I am reaching nearer the end, but any other hints or tips from you endurance riding experts out there would be great.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

P.S. Anyone going to the Apedale Ride look out for the TB with an overdose of tinsel and an elf on her back ;-)
 
Oberon

Oberon

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Put both a red ribbon and a green ribbon in her tail. Red warns she is a kicker (they will be more respectful about approaching) and green means she is a novice.

People should ask before passing you. That's certainly been my experience - no one ever just canters past me.

Lower levels care is as normal. Supplement with salt routinely. Give sloppy, watery feed with salt after the ride (speedibeet soaked in apple juice is my favourite). Allow access to water when you see it on a ride.

That should suffice for rides up to 25 miles. Higher mileage rides will require crew and more specialist care - but you'll learn that as you go.

This an older, but still good book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Endurance-S...6484/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323277570&sr=8-2
 
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juliette

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I'd also recommend the ribbons. My friend rides with red and it does make most riders more cautious when passing. When I first did pleasure rides I rode in green ribbons to indicate I was novice!

Nobody should ever pass you without requesting permission, and if you want to wait until the track is wider, want them to only go past in walk, etc just tell them and they should do as you request.

If anyone hammers past you, politely let them know you are not happy and let the ride organisers know what happened when you finish the ride. They can then let the rider know that their behaviour is not acceptable.

I feed electrosalts in the feed the night before a ride, sloppy soaked Lucie Pellets after the ride and electrosalts in the evening feed. Offer water as often as you can, my horse is a devil for not drinking away from home, so this is a good thing to practice at home with a "special" bucket if they are fussy.

Most of all have fun!

Remember your mobile.
 
F

Fantasy_World

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Hiya Arabian Gold I hope you enjoy your ride, this is usually a good one and it will be my fourth time doing it although in the past I have done the 20mile ride in recent years. This year's ride includes a newly opened track and the 20 mile is not an option this year.
However I can say that with the new track it rules out some roadwork which is a good thing. It also provides more canter spots as previously the only decent gallop/canters on grass was if you did the longer route. If we get any heavy frost or ice and the ride is still on just be careful on the Apedale park tracks and try to get on the grass if it is better as it can get slippy in places. Also the track that leads up out of the park too although you will be riding up it and not down it which helps, you will understand what I mean when you ride along it, it can get a bit rough in places but only usually an issue downhill.
Other tracks are mostly fine though to ride along on during the ride.
I think you will find that many riders that take part in this each year and are members of the endurance group which are running it are usually polite and will ask if it is safe to pass. You may find a fair few going along at trot as their slowest pace as there are competitive riders that do this pleasure ride to keep their horses ticking over.
If you do find anyone that does whizz past you ( obviously depending on if their horse has bolted or not, have seen that on rides) but if they do so and not ask if safe to pass etc then make a note of their bib number and report it to the ride organiser at the end of the ride. They do take this matter seriously.
I also echo the comments about ribbons though as I used green on my cob the first time he did it so it warned people he was a green horse, which he was then.
A red ribbon is usually for a kicker but it will stop people getting close and also make them more likey to ask to pass in case of being kicked.
This does work as I had this happen on me on the last ride when I decorated his mane and tail with red and green ribbons for Christmas not thinking about the colours lol and someone asked me if they could pass and if he was a kicker. I said no he wasn't a kicker and fine to pass and they said red ribbon, I forgot about the red ribbon he had at the bottom of his plait lol.
I'm sure you will have a blast though, will look out for you :)
 
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Fantasy_World

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Will do and remember your Elf and Safety on the ride, sos couldn't resist lol.
Hope you have fun and we have good ground as I love a good canter :)
 
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