Endurance...would my TB cope?

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redriverrock

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Hi,
I have a 15.3 tb just turned 10. I have often been told I should try endurance with him, he can trot for ever and never tires, is great in traffic etc and has a steady, calm temperment. His pulse rate is low and comes down very quickly so dont think we will have any probs with that side of things. My main worry is if his legs and feet will cope with the work. The vet and farrier have commented on his good leg conformation but I have to be honest I am a numpty when it comes to things like that...I tend to have gut instincts if a horse is put together nice...or not but cant really back it up with long words!!
Anyhow the chief vet at my practice is the chief vet for the endurance team and has alot of knowledge so was wondering if i should get him out to have a look at my boy...what should i be looking at conformation wise? Also if I do go ahead what training will i need to do...I dont want to waste the vets time if it is a none starter...
 
I would suggest getting in contact with your local EGB group (just find the one in your area on the EGB website) - also go along to a local event and offer to crew for them, they'll always be looking for crew, and it will give you a real idea of what the horses do/go through during a competition (I actually enjoyed crewing on a big comp than competing in them!)

I did a bit of endurance (up to 40k) on my old cob x and she was fab! training wise - initially lots and lots and lots of hill work (mainly in walk) and then interval training in our fields at home (thankfully my friend who does a lot of endurance was on hand so we were training together).

Its great fun, I'd definitely recomend giving it a go, you can always pop along to a few pleasure rides/NCR's (Non-competitive rides) and get a feel for how your lad copes before taking it competitive.
 
If you take into the consideration the breeding of thoroughbreds then there is no reason (except for health) why a tb couldn't do Endurance....

There's only one way to find out....... :)
 
Hedwards said:
I would suggest getting in contact with your local EGB group (just find the one in your area on the EGB website) - also go along to a local event and offer to crew for them, they'll always be looking for crew, and it will give you a real idea of what the horses do/go through during a competition (I actually enjoyed crewing on a big comp than competing in them!)

I did a bit of endurance (up to 40k) on my old cob x and she was fab! training wise - initially lots and lots and lots of hill work (mainly in walk) and then interval training in our fields at home (thankfully my friend who does a lot of endurance was on hand so we were training together).

Its great fun, I'd definitely recomend giving it a go, you can always pop along to a few pleasure rides/NCR's (Non-competitive rides) and get a feel for how your lad copes before taking it competitive.
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That sounds like a great idea...as far as hill work goes we live in Lincolnshire..which isnt all flat Im close to the wolds which are very hilly so can utilise these in my training regime. We already do quite alot of interval work with hime and he is very easy to get fit.
Yesterday my son took him out and trotted him for 50 mins at what i would call his quick trot (which is very quick!) and he didnt have a bead of sweat on him and his pulse rate was only just above normal, he wasnt puffing and certainly wasnt ready for stopping. He has a lovely easy trot and this is one of the reasons I think endurance could be his thing!
 
redriverrock said:
That sounds like a great idea...as far as hill work goes we live in Lincolnshire..which isnt all flat Im close to the wolds which are very hilly so can utilise these in my training regime. We already do quite alot of interval work with hime and he is very easy to get fit.
Yesterday my son took him out and trotted him for 50 mins at what i would call his quick trot (which is very quick!) and he didnt have a bead of sweat on him and his pulse rate was only just above normal, he wasnt puffing and certainly wasnt ready for stopping. He has a lovely easy trot and this is one of the reasons I think endurance could be his thing!
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In which case, get in contact with your local EGB group pronto!(http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/) - they may well have some team events coming up and may be looking for some new blood to join them! They generally have all levels in the team (our local team utilises an ex-international competitor who helps with training and offers loads of great advice)
 
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You don't immediately leap into Endurance race rides.

You start off with 15 - 25 miles pleasure rides. Then 20 - 25 mile novice competitive rides. Then you increase your speeds and distance until you are at advanced level and then you decide if you are both ready for serious race rides.

Many people prefer to stick at the competitive trail rides, rather than go into the endurance rides - and that is fine for them.

There is plenty of time to find what level you are both comfortable at.

The average, reasonably fit horse/pony is perfectly capable of doing a 15 - 20 mile pleasure ride with no special training or equipment.

Your local EGB or Sport Endurance group will have a calendar of events for you to start off with.
 
Thanks Oberon...I know with everything its best to start at the bottom and work your way up to a level you are comfortable with...not planning on going international just yet! Its just nice to have something to aim for...makes life more interesting
 
Oberon said:
You can start looking at your matchy matchy now.....:D

http://www.performance-equestrian.com/cat/CatIndex.asp?d=2&s=6&ss=2
http://www.performance-equestrian.com/cat/CatIndex.asp?d=2&s=6&ss=5
http://www.performance-equestrian.com/cat/CatIndex.asp?d=2&s=1

http://www.goldfinch-equestrian.co.uk/jodhpurs.html
http://www.goldfinch-equestrian.co.uk/shirts.html

Do not make my first mistake. DO NOT WEAR A THONG ON A 20 MILE RIDE :eek::o
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Oh god the thought of it is making me squerm! I do have thongs but Im fairly sure there from my pulling days and to be honest I cant be bothered anymore so will probably stick to my grandma pants...very attractive!
Love the matchy matchy...I have a fabric shop and I have just got one of my customers to make me 3 travel rugs for my motley crew in camo fabric and am toying with the idea of camo travel boots too.
Ive just had a look at my local endurance groups website Lindum. They have a event at market rasen in July so will prob head over to check it out...its only 20 mins from me.
 
I used to do endurance with my TB and he always did very well and loved it. We only competed at novice level and have not done any for a few years as I have been off having a baby but hope to get back to it next year. I did not do any specific training to get him ready as he is easy to get fit as I tend to go fast (all trot and canter) on my hacks anyway and during the season the rides themselves really help them keep fit.
My boy has quite flat feet with thin soles and that was the only thing we struggled with if the ground was hard as he was prone to bruising. I think if I get back to it next year I will probably only compete when the ground is good (shame we can't make it this year).
If your horse is anything like mine he will enjoy having other horses to 'chase' but actually not be too silly as there is no 'stop/start' there is nothing to get really wound up about.
I would say go along and try it. The first one I did I was alone, with no groom or anything and everyone was so helpful.
 
If you're able to come to the main Lindum ride in July then you must come - it's excellent fun. There are all sorts of fun classes, fancy dress, handy pony, you name it. There's even an award for the most enthusiastic first timer - the 'Lindum Virgin' ;)

The wonderful thing about endurance is that you can take what you want from it. You can have a great deal of fun doing pleasure rides, or you may find that you and neddie have a real talent and you can go further and further.
 
redriverrock said:
Oh god the thought of it is making me squerm! I do have thongs but Im fairly sure there from my pulling days and to be honest I cant be bothered anymore so will probably stick to my grandma pants...very attractive!
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I've actually found regarding underwear....less is more ;)

As long as your jods aren't see through, going commando means...the air to your 'seat' is actually rather refreshing and keeps you cool and less likely to chafe:eek::D

Pick up some shock absorbing stirrups though - they are the only special equipment I'd consider at the early stage.
 
I did quite a bit of endurance riding with my 15.2 TB. Like Sprig, I found the the rough terrain could bruise her feet and we had pads under her shoes. Most of my rides were on Exmoor and the Quantocks where some of the tracks were quite rough. Another thing I used to have to watch out for was any tack rubbing as she was very excitable and used to sweat quite a bit. We never failed a vetting though. She was very competitive and always wanted to catch the horse in front!
I really enjoyed it. Good luck with it.
 
redriverrock said:
My main worry is if his legs and feet will cope with the work.
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Might add the advice to avoid falling into the trap of "we're doing endurance now , so I need to give lots of competition mixes" as this will just ruin her feet and make the soles flat and thin.

Fibre, fibre, fibre and oil....and SALT :D
 
Thankyou for all the advice and encouragement...the more I think about it the more I think this could be just what we have been looking for. Interesting to hear from someone else who has done this with a tb...he sounds very like mine. He has flat ish feet though they are alot better than they were and he did have a few days last year when he was abit sore but we were on extremly hard ground last year and quite honestly the fields were like concrete at times. He has been in work for a few months now after his colic episode at xmas and he has remained sound. Im going to have a talk with my farrier about tactics to keep him from bruising. Ive read that alot of endurance riders use boots when the ground is hard going?
Great tip about the stirrups, hadnt thought of that. Is there a saddle seat you could rec, my saddle is a wintec which I am looking to replace at some point. It fits us both perfectly but I dont find it particularly comfortable. Was thinking of buying some cycling shorts with the padded bum...can you tell im past caring what I look like!
If anyone needs a hand at Market Rasen i would love to help out and learn abit more. I am aiming to ride at the louth event in sept if all goes well.
 
Oberon said:
Might add the advice to avoid falling into the trap of "we're doing endurance now , so I need to give lots of competition mixes" as this will just ruin her feet and make the soles flat and thin.

Fibre, fibre, fibre and oil....and SALT :D
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Will def not be changing his diet. He is out all day for about 15 hours and comes in at night to 3 large haylage nets. He cribs so we try not to stable him but feeding him adlib haylage in the field is a no go as he dosent always chew it properly hence the near fatal compaction colic over xmas.
He has a small feed of hi fibre pony nuts in the morning and evening and has a salt lick and a mineral block in his stable and field.
What oil would you rec? He has a small spoon of naf cod liver oil in his morning feed.
 
Get hold of the organisers of the ride they are always looking for help. Even if it is only as a runner or vet writing.

Using boots when the ground is hard ar only for horses that are barefoot. Pads are the way if your horse is shod.
 
paulineh said:
Get hold of the organisers of the ride they are always looking for help. Even if it is only as a runner or vet writing.

Using boots when the ground is hard ar only for horses that are barefoot. Pads are the way if your horse is shod.
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Sorry I meant pads! He has had pads on his fronts in the past and they work very well. He currently dosent have hinds on as me and the farrier think he copes well wihout them...would prob put them on for longer distances if the going was hard though.
 
Thay (the organiser) will rip your arm off for help at Lindum, RRR - give her a ring, she's lovely. You'll learn loads, and you'll get fed very well as there are proper professional caterers there all week.

Re TBs. The horse that won the 'retraining of racehorses' endurance trophy last year isn't just an ex racehorse, he's an 18hh enormous great beast and not what you'd stereotypically think of as an endurance horse at all. He's a good horse though - very consistent: http://www.bef.co.uk/Content.asp?PageID=875
 
Interesting that ror have a endurance comp, hadnt realised that. I am always trying to convince Tbs are great horses!
Im going to give the lindum organiser a ring today and will def be offering to help out, will be a good way to learn without the pressure of riding and the offer of free food is not to be sniffed at!!
 
Oberon said:
I've actually found regarding underwear....less is more ;)

As long as your jods aren't see through, going commando means...the air to your 'seat' is actually rather refreshing and keeps you cool and less likely to chafe:eek::D

Pick up some shock absorbing stirrups though - they are the only special equipment I'd consider at the early stage.
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OMG to much information.
 
Go for it OP .its not what I am into myself but I think its a great way to set a goal to do say a twenty mile ride to add interest and goals to your daily roultine especially if you love hacking in the same way aiming to a dressage test as such and such a show is a aim for those who like me love schooling.
TB's have huge lungs ideal for endurance as long as the horse has good limbs and feet I think the horse will love it.
Have fun and post and let us know how you get on.
 
Oberon said:
Pick up some shock absorbing stirrups though - they are the only special equipment I'd consider at the early stage.
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Completely agree with this ^^^ i have a dodgy ankle and these stirrups are a lifesaver!

Oh - and also its a good idea to have a map case

(I really rate performance equestrian for endurance kit should you want to buy anything http://www.performance-equestrian.com/index.asp - they're very friendly - think they'll be at the Lindum event too so if you do go there'll be shopping opportunities!!)
 
Hedwards said:
Completely agree with this ^^^ i have a dodgy ankle and these stirrups are a lifesaver!

Oh - and also its a good idea to have a map case

(I really rate performance equestrian for endurance kit should you want to buy anything http://www.performance-equestrian.com/index.asp - they're very friendly - think they'll be at the Lindum event too so if you do go there'll be shopping opportunities!!)
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You see this is such a good idea, horses and shopping what more could you ask for!
By the way I have been having a debate with my inner self and have decided commando just isnt for me though with the size of pants I wear it would save on weight!
 
My friends tb is still doing pleasure rides aged 24. This year did gold speed in Golden Horseshoe NCR.

You can do as many NCR's as you like, don't have to register yourself or your horse (so no joinng fees), but you pay a bit more (ie non-member rate) per ride. When you've done several of these, if you want to try a competative ride you can do 2 on the 'try before you buy' scheme, to see if you enjoy it before paying member ship & horse registration (which is very cheap compared to other national horse sport bodies). If you do join, you then pay the lower member ride rates (even for NCR's you get a discount), & can start at 'novice' level. It's then up to you, you can work your way up through the grades / higher distances, or stay where you are. That's the lovely thing about the sport, you work at the level that suits you & your horse, you don't have to keep going further unless you want to.

Have a ball at Lindum!

p.s.personally I do the granny pants, slightly less embarressing if you were to ever fall off...
 
redriverrock said:
By the way I have been having a debate with my inner self and have decided commando just isnt for me though with the size of pants I wear it would save on weight!
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I cant imagine why anyone would think going commando on an endurance ride is a good idea!! :eek::eek: certainly wouldnt dream of it wearing a 'normal' pair of breeches/jods - too many seams/zips to even consider - maybe in a pair of riding tights with the padded bum bits but even then... no thank you very much! a nice pair of big pants for me every time!
 
This is what appeals to me to be honest. I would like to think we could progress but dont want to have the pressure of having to if that makes sense, I have enough stress with my business and kids!
Nice to hear your friends TB is still going strong, mine is only 10 so hopefully we have lots of happy years ahead of us.
 
I love the endurance, I certainly think its one of the more friendly ways to spend a day. I find that my horse can go an awfully long way on just grass and some fibre nuts. I'msure you will enjoy it, andif you offer to crew for people, you will definatly get your arm bitten off! There are also plenty of tb's on the circuit.
 
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